Battery is *dead*
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Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Big Easy
Not exactly non sense. The BMS charges the battery based on different factors. It keeps it from being overcharged or undercharged which increases battery life and compensates for operation under heavy electrical load. Without the BMS, like you said, the alternator charges at the same rate regardless. With BMS if the battery state of charge is high and electrical load is low the alternator will trickle charge the battery to maintain charge. On a cold, rainy, winter night when you have lights, blower, wipers, and heated seats all turned on the alternator will go to maximum output, higher than standard output traditional systems. Remember the good old days when your lights dimmed and wipers slowed down at every stop sign.
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Last edited by RLXXI; Apr 16, 2018 at 09:45 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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I dropped in a new battery last night. Per the post way above, I let it sit over night. Cranked up strong this morning. Everything seems fine.
Side note, I like the "wedge lock" mechanism that tightens the cables onto the posts. Pretty cool. I'd never seen that before.
FWIW, I have an O'Reilleys by my house. I got their middle-of-the-road battery with a 3 year warranty. It was ~$170 after core charge.
Also, I wish these trucks had an electrical gauge on them (voltmeter?). Most Fords I've owned have had those. It was nice in the one Mustang I had (94 GT) because I could tell when things were starting to fail. It only happened a couple times in the 8ish years I had it, but still. Nice to know when you need to get off the freeway rather than getting stuck on it.
Side note, I like the "wedge lock" mechanism that tightens the cables onto the posts. Pretty cool. I'd never seen that before.
FWIW, I have an O'Reilleys by my house. I got their middle-of-the-road battery with a 3 year warranty. It was ~$170 after core charge.
Also, I wish these trucks had an electrical gauge on them (voltmeter?). Most Fords I've owned have had those. It was nice in the one Mustang I had (94 GT) because I could tell when things were starting to fail. It only happened a couple times in the 8ish years I had it, but still. Nice to know when you need to get off the freeway rather than getting stuck on it.
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Joined: Dec 2013
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From: SE Michigan
The reality is that these trucks want to be driven. And, the reality is that short drives, even 1/2 hour drives, don't charge them back up. So, sitting in the winter for days drains the battery, and then driving it for short periods doesn't charge it, which results in a weak, then dying battery.
RNLComp (who doesn't have cold weather) added a solar charger. I use a Battery Tender. I got tired of the Battery Saver messages, and could see that the battery wouldn't last. I'm 4 1/4 years in on mine, and hope to do as well as I have on other vehicles (8+ years).
RNLComp (who doesn't have cold weather) added a solar charger. I use a Battery Tender. I got tired of the Battery Saver messages, and could see that the battery wouldn't last. I'm 4 1/4 years in on mine, and hope to do as well as I have on other vehicles (8+ years).
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Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Minneapolis
The reality is that these trucks want to be driven. And, the reality is that short drives, even 1/2 hour drives, don't charge them back up. So, sitting in the winter for days drains the battery, and then driving it for short periods doesn't charge it, which results in a weak, then dying battery.
carpetdenim, you can get a voltmeter for under $20 to stick in a 12v power port whenever you like.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Texas
I dropped in a new battery last night. Per the post way above, I let it sit over night. Cranked up strong this morning. Everything seems fine.
Side note, I like the "wedge lock" mechanism that tightens the cables onto the posts. Pretty cool. I'd never seen that before.
FWIW, I have an O'Reilleys by my house. I got their middle-of-the-road battery with a 3 year warranty. It was ~$170 after core charge.
Also, I wish these trucks had an electrical gauge on them (voltmeter?). Most Fords I've owned have had those. It was nice in the one Mustang I had (94 GT) because I could tell when things were starting to fail. It only happened a couple times in the 8ish years I had it, but still. Nice to know when you need to get off the freeway rather than getting stuck on it.
Side note, I like the "wedge lock" mechanism that tightens the cables onto the posts. Pretty cool. I'd never seen that before.
FWIW, I have an O'Reilleys by my house. I got their middle-of-the-road battery with a 3 year warranty. It was ~$170 after core charge.
Also, I wish these trucks had an electrical gauge on them (voltmeter?). Most Fords I've owned have had those. It was nice in the one Mustang I had (94 GT) because I could tell when things were starting to fail. It only happened a couple times in the 8ish years I had it, but still. Nice to know when you need to get off the freeway rather than getting stuck on it.
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