12V battery replacement poll

[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

This summer we were getting ready to pull our trailer from MD to WI, then back home through Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the east side of Lake Huron. With limited service options along parts of the route and a 3-year old truck/12v I replaced the battery with a slightly larger one prior to starting the trip.

Sponsored

 

[Robert1380]

Wouldn’t just plugging in your charger to the charge port accomplish the same thing, even if you’re not charging the battery? I’m not trying to be a smart ass, I really want to know cuz I’ve been wondering about this as well. I have several Battery Tenders and considered installing the wiring to utilize one of them. I just didn’t think it was necessary if I left the truck plugged in.

You'd think so, but you'd be wrong - BTW, no offense taken at the question, it is a reasonable ask.

Here's a good post about how the LV 12v battery gets charged from the Mach-e forum applies to the Lightning as well. The only thing I would add is be sure to use an AGM suitable charger.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/how-to-get-failed-otas-to-install.29749/

I repeat, be sure you get a trickle charger suitable for AGM batteries - they are different and some trickle chargers do not have an AGM mode.

The NOCO Genius1 has an AGM mode, as do many others.

Appreciate the info.

Chi, lemme ask you something else. Does the 12v battery charge while you’re driving? I’d think it would have to back feed from the HVB to keep it up to operating level, or do all the accessories run off the HVB during periods of driving? Another forum member mentioned the battery only charges while you’re charging the main but that wouldn’t seem enough to keep it functioning properly.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Appreciate the info.

Chi, lemme ask you something else. Does the 12v battery charge while you’re driving? I’d think it would have to back feed from the HVB to keep it up to operating level, or do all the accessories run off the HVB during periods of driving? Another forum member mentioned the battery only charges while you’re charging the main but that wouldn’t seem enough to keep it functioning properly.

The DC/DC inverter/charger is active when the truck in in RUN / Ready to Drive mode, it feeds a maintenance level of current to charge the LVB and run all 12 volt systems. In other words, the HVB is feeding the LVB via this inverter/charger

 

[chl]

Appreciate the info.

Chi, lemme ask you something else. Does the 12v battery charge while you’re driving? I’d think it would have to back feed from the HVB to keep it up to operating level, or do all the accessories run off the HVB during periods of driving? Another forum member mentioned the battery only charges while you’re charging the main but that wouldn’t seem enough to keep it functioning properly.

Yes, as others have mentioned it does, but....it was never enough to get my battery up to the 80-85% SOC needed for the OTA...customer service told me to drive around for 1 hour, I did that and then tried the install, did not work, I drove around for another hour or so, still did not work...overnight charging to 90% from somewhere around 60% did work however...

Certainly how often you drive and for how long is a factor. I don't drive long distances or for long times and don't drive every day, so a trickle charger is what works for me.

The other post might have meant that just being plugged in to a "charger" (EVSE) is not enough, the EVSE has to be actually providing energy to the truck for charging the HV battery...that is the truck has to go through a charge cycle of some duration.

 

[Robert1380]

The DC/DC inverter is active when the truck in in RUN / Ready to Drive mode, it feeds a maintenance level of current to charge the LVB and run all 12 volt systems.

Thank you sir! I’m still trying to familiarize myself with how these trucks work. Appreciate it

Yes, as others have mentioned it does, but....it was never enough to get my battery up to the 80-85% SOC needed for the OTA...customer service told me to drive around for 1 hour, I did that and then tried the install, did not work, I drove around for another hour or so, still did not work...overnight charging to 90% from somewhere around 60% did work however...

Certainly how often you drive and for how long is a factor. I don't drive long distances or for long times and don't drive every day, so a trickle charger is what works for me.

The other post might have meant that just being plugged in to a "charger" (EVSE) is not enough, it has to be actually charging the battery.

We have similar drive habits so I think I’m gonna follow your lead and grab one of those chargers. You mentioned the Noco Genius 1. I noticed they make several. Is there any advantage to grabbing one of their more expensive chargers?

 

[No Oil HaHa]

I replaced mine when it failed at approximately 85k miles. I got another Motorcraft battery.

 

[Robert1380]

I replaced mine when it failed at approximately 85k miles. I got another Motorcraft battery.

Damn. That ain’t bad.

 

[chl]

Thank you sir! I’m still trying to familiarize myself with how these trucks work. Appreciate it

We have similar drive habits so I think I’m gonna follow your lead and grab one of those chargers. You mentioned the Noco Genius 1. I noticed they make several. Is there any advantage to grabbing one of their more expensive chargers?

I don't think the more expensive ones would be needed.

BTW, to use with an SAE cable (which I already had) you need an adapter from NOCO too.
Their charger uses a different plug end. I did not know that before I bought it. Of course you could use the alligator clips or the rings (they can be separated from the alligator clips).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DUMADC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

But there are other decent AGM trickle chargers to choose from as well.

I did find one error in the NOCO instruction "manual" (which you have to download) in that the pulsing red is not an indication of a battery below 75% charge, just an indication it is charging.

I'll attach the manual fyi.

 

[Robert1380]

I don't think the more expensive ones would be needed.

BTW, to use with an SAE cable (which I already had) you need an adapter from NOCO too.
Their charger uses a different plug end. I did not know that before I bought it. Of course you could use the alligator clips or the rings (they can be separated from the alligator clips).

But there are other decent AGM trickle chargers to choose from as well.

I did find one error in the NOCO instruction "manual" (which you have to download) in that the pulsing red is not an indication of a battery below 75% charge, just an indication it is charging.

I'll attach the manual fyi.

Interesting. Looks like the Noco 1 is only a 1 amp charger VS their others that are 3 and 5. Thanks brother.

 

[chl]

Interesting. Looks like the Noco 1 is only a 1 amp charger VS their others that are 3 and 5. Thanks brother.

Yes a bit slower, but for trickle charging and maintenance, speed is not necessary.
Your welcome.

Sponsored