Size H3 starting battery replacements?

[Rice_classic]

Why not happy? The LFP will get some more longevity, but it has lower energy density and performance. I would have been upset if I got the LFP battery...

Just a preference. Longevity, durability in charging, greater charge cycles, safer regarding thermal runaway and the absence of cobalt. I don’t live in a very cold place so that advantage of NCM is irrelevant to me. It also means more attention/care consideration toward charging applies. Don’t get me wrong, I am not going to rush out and trade it in.

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[bmwhitetx]

You may want to clarify your statement. The Lightning HVB is not NCM as you have stated. They are LFP.

SOME Lightning batteries are LFP, but most, at this time, are NCM

Check your research. Only certain models get them and the Lightning only gets it in the standard range battery beginning in 2024, the Mach E gets it as well. The extended range batteries in the Lightning are still NMC

There is NO Lightning (2022-2025) with a LFP HVB. It was mentioned in the 2024 Order Guide as late availability but never materialized. All Lightning HVB modules use Li-ion pouch cells.

You may be confusing this with Mach-E's. Some newer, lower trims have LFP.

 

[bmwhitetx]

https://www.nyeford.com/fords-new-l...sted-on-2023-mach-e-and-2024-f-150-lightning/

As I said - it never materialized on the Lightning. But did on the Mach-e. They may have tested it but it never went into production. FYI, the engine code (8th character of the VIN) would be "S". You won't find any production vehicle with an "S".

The Lightning LFP battery factory is still under construction.

 

[bmwhitetx]

They mentioned in the article that's one of the reasons they are building that new battery plant to supply its own LFP batteries as they currently have to purchase the cells thru CATL, a Chinese company.

https://www.ford.com/support/vehicle/f150-lightning/2024/discover-your-ford/electric-vehicles/how-do-i-maintain-my-electric-vehicle-battery/overview/#:~:text=to other types.-,Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM),On-the-Road Charging)

Again - those LFP are going to the Mach-E, not the Lightning. The page you link clearly states the Lightning does not use LFP but uses NCM chemistry (in the form of Li-ion pouch cells). This fact is also in the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 service manuals.

 

[Maquis]

It’s so cool how a thread about 12V battery replacement devolved into an HVB chemistry debate!

 

[tls]

I read a post here recently about someone ordering a motorcraft battery from RockAuto.com and it being less than the $215 you quoted. I'll try to find the post.

Yes! RockAuto has the Ford battery for $85.79 plus a $18 core charge plus $11.99 ground shipping. Seems like the best price going by far. Thank you!

The direct link to the product page is https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=15222013&cc=3446918&pt=2476&jsn=8 but note it displays strangely on mobile, at least for me - searching for "BAGMH3" in the search box on the main page of rockauto.com let me buy it easily on my Android phone.

 

[MichaelCA]

Check costco. I think they should be around $110-130.

 

[RocketGhost]

Does the Lightning need to be programmed to tell it you put in a new 12V? I know on some cars it's recommended since it optimizes charging based on age degradation.

I said "need" to be programmed, I know it likely doesn't really matter. Just wondering if the truck has the capability of being told it has a new LVB.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Does the Lightning need to be programmed to tell it you put in a new 12V? I know on some cars it's recommended since it optimizes charging based on age degradation.

I said "need" to be programmed, I know it likely doesn't really matter. Just wondering if the truck has the capability of being told it has a new LVB.

Yes it is recommended that you clear the learned values from the BMS associated with the old battery. You can do that with FDRS or follow this procedure:

1. Press the start button without stepping on the brake (Accessory mode).
2. Note red Battery icon will come on in the instrument panel.
3. Flash the highbeams with the stalk 5 times.
4. Press the brake pedal 3 times.
5. Check the red battery icon on the instrument panel to see that it flashes three times.
6. Press the start button again to turn the truck off.

To check, turn truck back on and use CarScanner to see value of 12V battery reset. If done correctly, you will see 0 days.

 

[tls]

Am I correct in my recollection that the BMS reset procedure should only be run with a freshly charged battery connected?

 

[bmwhitetx]

Am I correct in my recollection that the BMS reset procedure should only be run with a freshly charged battery connected?

The service manual just says to run the procedure after the new battery is connected - nothing about charging first. Probably an old wives (technicians) tale to charge first.

It also recommends doing an initialization on each of the one-touch windows. Also anytime the battery is disconnected you need to close frunk manually and do a frunk initialization: "manually move the hood downward until the striker reaches the secondary position. The FHCM will complete an automatic cinching operation."

In other words, lower it slowly until it catches and closes the rest of the way on its own. Don't slam it shut.

 

[tls]

I don't think ensuring any new battery connected is fully charged is without rationale - the BMS has to learn a number of parameters of the battery and it should be much more efficient if it starts at a known state of charge. But, if the service manual doesn't say to do it - OK.

 

[bmwhitetx]

I don't think ensuring any new battery connected is fully charged is without rationale - the BMS has to learn a number of parameters of the battery and it should be much more efficient if it starts at a known state of charge. But, if the service manual doesn't say to do it - OK.

Yeah I think its unnecessary, the BMS will figure it out. And think of the number of NTBs, AutoZones, O'Reilly, etc. (even dealers) replacing batteries in their bays or heck, their parking lots. They aren't charging them first and probably aren't even resetting the BMS.

 

[Rice_classic]

I would also recommend that anyone buying a new 12v battery and have the older BMS, to spend the $20 on the updated p/n BMS.

I have a ‘23 and a dashcam with a shutoff at 12.5v and often got a notification for 12v being low and could get ota updates. With the new BMS, I have zero battery notifications and ota updates come through.

 

[Shmoe]

I would also recommend that anyone buying a new 12v battery and have the older BMS, to spend the $20 on the updated p/n BMS.

I have a ‘23 and a dashcam with a shutoff at 12.5v and often got a notification for 12v being low and could get ota updates. With the new BMS, I have zero battery notifications and ota updates come through.

How would we know if we have this? '24 Lariat here.

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