Can someone suggest a good trickle charger for a 23 ER Lariat?

[2sleep]

As I understand it, I may not be getting updates because it is sensing the SoC on the LVB is down when they try to send them. Is putting it on a trickle charger a good way to get the updates to see the battery is at it's optimal SoC? If so can someone recommend a good one to get?

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[Henry Ford]

Do you have some reason to believe your battery isn't holding a charge? If you are having battery issues you would be better off replacing the battery than putting it on a trickle charger. Unless, you have a recall that hasn't been fixed, your truck does a fine job of keeping the battery charged.

 

[Tfarrell73]

Low 12v battery can cause issues installing updates, not downloading them to the truck

 

[BhamDCam]

FWIW, the number of updates I’ve received this year is much lower compared to last year. Not sure why, but I’ve read elsewhere others are experiencing the same thing.

 

[TaxmanHog]

FWIW, the number of updates I’ve received this year is much lower compared to last year. Not sure why, but I’ve read elsewhere others are experiencing the same thing.

Your truck is reaching perfection, no longer a need to update as much.

 

[kibo]

NOCO Genius. Plus you can either remove the battery clamp connectors (revealing eyelets) or buy an eyelet harness from NOCO and mount it directly to the 6mm terminal bolts.

 

[RocketGhost]

I have the Battery Tender full-size charger. It will do high-amp charging down to trickle charging (can be set to auto or manual amp selection). I like that it will quickly top off the battery and then automatically "trickle" charge as necessary.

 

[Zaptor]

FWIW, the number of updates I’ve received this year is much lower compared to last year. Not sure why, but I’ve read elsewhere others are experiencing the same thing.

$$$ is why.
Zap

 

[Adventureboy]

I use a Noco 5A mounted on the back of the battery access hatch in the frunk. I mounted a 120V port tucked on the side behind the grill to plug it in easily.

 

[sstevetx]

When I charge my truck (HVB) and leave it plugged in, the 12V battery stays topped off until I unplug the charger. I track this via the FordPass integration with Home Assistant. Yesterday, I charged from ~85% to 95% in preparation for a longer drive today. The 12V battery went from ~60% to 100% later in the day. This morning the 12v battery still shows 100%. Normally, it drops 5–10% overnight when not plugged in.

I have a Viofo dashcam, but it shuts off an hour after the truck is turned off along with one of those hardwire kits that shut off once the 12v gets to a certain voltage. I also have a Kicker hideaway sub, but it has the remote hooked up and only powers up when the truck is on. Not sure what causes my drain, but it hasn't had caused any issues other than potentially OTAs not coming through. My 12v is the original battery and I have a 22, so maybe it is just getting old.

I have a Viofo dashcam that shuts off 1 hour after the truck is turned off and has a hardwire kit that shuts off at low voltage. I also have a Kicker Hideaway sub and Keyloc that both only power on with the truck (remote wire). Not sure what's draining the 12V, but it hasn’t caused issues—maybe just potentially missed OTAs. It’s the original LVB battery from my ‘22, so it could just be aging.

 

[Adventureboy]

When I charge my truck (HVB) and leave it plugged in, the 12V battery stays topped off until I unplug the charger.

I am pretty sure this is not the case. The 12v only charges while the HVB is actively charging. It starts discharging as soon as the HVB is finished charging, even if the EVSE remains plugged in and active.

 

[EvilUser007]

I am pretty sure this is not the case. The 12V only charges while the HVB is actively charging. It starts discharging as soon as the HVB is finished charging, even if the EVSE remains plugged in and active.

I believe you are correct. I left my truck parked for 6 weeks with the HV battery plugged in, but, because the voltage never dropped below the 80% I had it set for, the HV charger never kicked in. The LV battery then died and I was dead in the water upon my return.

AFAIK, the LV battery ONLY charges when the truck is on/driving or the HV battery is being actively charged.

 

[EvilUser007]

I use a Noco 5A mounted on the back of the battery access hatch in the frunk. I mounted a 120V port tucked on the side behind the grill to plug it in easily.

I love your setup but I'm having a hard time understanding the placement of the 120V part. Did you hardwire the NOCO to a male pinned receptacle so you can plug an extension cord in? Where, exactly is it mounted? "on the side behind the grill," but which side. I don't recognize that filter in the pic. Do you have to keep the frunk open a bit when you hook it up?

 

[Adventureboy]

The port is on the driver’s side in the air dam. It is an outdoor weatherproof socket with a cover, made for an RV. I’ve installed them in my trucks for years for block heaters in my previous trucks. I happens that it is plugged in this morning. I just lift the weatherproof cap and plug the extension cord into the port.
Update: The back of the port has a cord attached that is routed up under the frunk cover on the drivers side and the charger plugs into it permanently. Make sure you get one with a long enough cord to route it up out of the weather under the frunk cover. I think mine was about 5 feet.
Also make sure you pick a port that fits in the space in the air dam. Some are too big for this area. Placement of the port is critical since there are sensor mounting brackets behind that panel. It has to be closer to the top of the area to clear the brackets. The brackets are easy to see when you pop off the bumper trim. I also cut a 1/8" ABS plate to reinforce the plastic in the area so it can handle the plugging/unplugging forces more easily.

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