They don't want to charge the battery fully to save MPG's. But your expected to drive the truck for at least an hour everyday to keep the battery from going dead. Where is the logic in that. I'm retired and have to take the truck out at least every other day to make sure I don't have a dead battery in the winter.

 

Mine has sat for weeks at a time in the winter. Now, a couple times, it sat for a couple months, and yes the batt was dead after those times. Learned my lesson at those times.

 

You CHOOSE to do that. Or, you could plug in a Battery Tender Plus and not drive it. That's your choice, wasting gas and time or using electricity.

 

This. I try and put all my vehicles on a trickle charger if I'm not driving them for more than a week. With that said, when I was rebuilding my truck it went for a month plus without a charge and wasn't completely dead.

 

I don't believe I said anything about the sensors function, I simply answered Johns question of how he could tell if he had the smart charging, I know all F150's 2011-2014 and possibly beyond have the system, I gave him information of substance nothing more.

Since you brought it up however, your answer is partially erroneous, while it will also give you that message on screen , it is an integral part of the load shed operation of the battery/charging system.

I'd be happy to copy paste the principles of operation if you would like more information.
.

 

I have read that this "smart charge" can be turned off by the dealer with computer. It was recommended for people with two batteries.
Do you know if this is correct?
The dunder heads at my local dealer don't even see to know what I'm talking about.

 

Didn't want him to think this would solve his charging problem, that's all. No disrespect intended.

 

Yes, but a truck should be able to sit for more then a few days without a dead battery. It's happened to me twice. And the bigger problem is after recharging the battery my transmission defaults to 3rd gear. Will not shift up or down. So i have to drive 6 miles in 3rd gear to the local transmission shop to re-program the computer. Good thing I live that close.

 

The alternator is turning all the time, last time I checked! how in the world does this save MPG's or was that just a thought as to why they did this? Hmm with this going off, wonder if it has anything to do with the way some trucks ac cycle incorrectly?

 

Check this out. It explains Smart Charging on Ford alternators.

http://www.valeoservice.com/data/mas...E6E8714173.pdf