Charging hot battery

[Highpi]

It was pretty hot today and I was driving up in the hills for bit. I was going to charge when I got home, but I thought I had read that you shouldn't charge when the battery is hot.
Should the fan kick on at some point? It starts when I start the truck, but it's quiet when I turn it off.
Maybe not hot enough for the fan?

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[Scorpio3d]

Mine will kick on sometimes when I first plug it in, but it seems to cool down pretty quick and the fan shuts off. I know when I have DCFC’d it usually stays on most or all of the time, maybe when AC charging it is not necessary but I’m not sure. I see your battery temp bar is above mid range. Have you checked your coolant level?

 

[KahnDawg]

My truck will run the cooling fan and coolant pump at times when (AC) charging at home on a hot day. I’ve also heard (what I assume) is the chiller compressor running when I have arrived home and started charging with the temperature slider above the middle marker on hot days.

I think (I could be very wrong) the trucks thermal management system will ensure the battery is kept within the appropriate temperature range while charging. I did note the owners manual states waiting a couple hours in certain conditions is recommended, but I assume that is to obtain the most efficient charge (by not diverting energy to thermal management) operation as possible.

 

[Kansan]

It was pretty hot today and I was driving up in the hills for bit. I was going to charge when I got home, but I thought I had read that you shouldn't charge when the battery is hot.
Should the fan kick on at some point? It starts when I start the truck, but it's quiet when I turn it off.
Maybe not hot enough for the fan?

What was the temperature of your battery?

 

[WaterboyNorCal]

It was pretty hot today and I was driving up in the hills for bit. I was going to charge when I got home, but I thought I had read that you shouldn't charge when the battery is hot.
Should the fan kick on at some point? It starts when I start the truck, but it's quiet when I turn it off.
Maybe not hot enough for the fan?

Yup. The fan will kick in when needed. I would note that people sometimes freak out when the battery temperature gauge is anything above the halfway mark, but yours is still well within the “normal” hash marks. Sure, check the coolant level, but my guess is that it’s totally normal. The battery temperature will rise a little bit above the halfway mark when DCFC on a hot day (over 95 degrees), but the cooling system will bring it back down within 20min by simply driving the truck.

 

[Highpi]

Thanks for the replies.

So plugging it in will kick the fan on, if needed?

 

[jetfixr1]

Its still within range. If you really want to see it move to the middle, throw it in sport mode and it will bring the temp down quicker.

 

[Highpi]

What was the temperature of your battery?

I'm not sure how to find that.

 

[Shmoe]

It was pretty hot today and I was driving up in the hills for bit. I was going to charge when I got home, but I thought I had read that you shouldn't charge when the battery is hot.
Should the fan kick on at some point? It starts when I start the truck, but it's quiet when I turn it off.
Maybe not hot enough for the fan?[
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If you need to charge your car, charge your car.

 

[RLXXI]

I'm not sure how to find that.

Don't overthink it, your machine has built in safeguards to prevent damaging it, as mentioned if you need to charge, just do it. The truck will take care of itself. If there's an issue, you'll get a notice on screen.

 

[TaxmanHog]

TRUCK !

 

[Firn]

There are a couple things happening here that conflict.

When you plug in the truck will assume you want to charge, because why else would you plug in. The battery management system will keep the battery "safe", but that isn't the same as optimal.

The truck lets the battery get pretty warm during use, well into the "uncomfortable" range for this battery tech. Not damaging, but still warm enough that degradation is accelerated. How much? Hard to say. It IS happening faster.

IF you can wait before charging that is ideal. Letting the battery cool is better for it. That may be a LONG wait however. IF you want to force it, run the truck in sport mode (and maybe towing mode). Sport mode moves the max allowable temp down from around 104 degrees F, to in the mid-80s iirc. A sizeable difference.

 

[Dan C]

I towed with mine at 100 plus degrees and the batt temp. went up to about that level. I dc charged with no problem the charge rate was just reduced. Like they say if you need to charge, charge. The truck will deal with it.

 

[Highpi]

Thanks for all the input. I’ll try and keep it simple.

 

[RickLightning]

Got home yesterday in 92 degree heat. Plugged in, fans ran for about 15 seconds.

It has to be HOT for it run the fans. Ford recommends cooling it off for a few hours if time allows.

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