What Happens if Your High Voltage Battery is Dead?

[GPSMan]

Ford recommend starting the engine every 15 days, excerpt from the owners handbook regarding 'Storing Your Vehicle':

Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast
idle with the climate controls set to
defrost until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
• With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine is running.

Looks like general information not specific to the hybrid.

This is of course ideal for reasons mentioned above.

All batteries will self-discharge while sitting. I think these complex vehicle with all the sensors, monitors, and modems discharge more.

For example (just one example):
how do they turn off a volt meter? It probably measures voltage continuously and draws a very small amount. How about the temperature sensors?

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[Suzukiridr14]

Or skip the hill and flat tow it.

Another similar question I have about HV battery life: They are supposed to go 200k miles or whatever, but that could vary by a lot. How do you know when the HV battery is approaching its end of life? I assume your fuel economy and performance would start going down. At that point the cost of replacing the battery is probably more than the vehicle is worth.

The good news is, you can get a HV battery from a wreck on ebay for $1100-$1400 including shipping. Maverick batterys seem to be cheaper then other hybrid vehicles. Maybe if you can start the truck, it will charge the HV battery. Also under the warrenty Ford should replace it.

 

[huunvubu]

I thought the 12 volt battery powered everything up but the HV battery cranks the engine.

Not quite right.

The 12V battery powers the accessories (radio, dash, lights, modules, etc).

The HV battery powers the electric traction motor (eCVT) and the HVAC air conditioner.
It also powers the motor/generator to start the ICE gas engine if needed.

It also is used to charge the 12V battery via the DC-to-DC converter.

The 12V battery needs a charge to READY the vehicle to be able to drive down the road.

The HV battery needs a charge to drive the traction motor going forward or reverse under electric drive mode only.

 

[GPSMan]

Not quite right.

The 12V battery powers the accessories (radio, dash, lights, modules, etc).

The HV battery powers the electric traction motor (eCVT) and the HVAC air conditioner.
It also powers the motor/generator to start the ICE gas engine if needed.

It also is used to charge the 12V battery via the DC-to-DC converter.

The 12V battery needs a charge to READY the vehicle to be able to drive down the road.

The HV battery needs a charge to drive the traction motor going forward or reverse under electric drive mode only.

In short:

The 12v is the lungs
The 220v is the heart
The engine is the muscle

If one is dead. You're not going anywhere.

 

[rivermaverick]

Not quite right.

The 12V battery powers the accessories (radio, dash, lights, modules, etc).

The HV battery powers the electric traction motor (eCVT) and the HVAC air conditioner.
It also powers the motor/generator to start the ICE gas engine if needed.

It also is used to charge the 12V battery via the DC-to-DC converter.

The 12V battery needs a charge to READY the vehicle to be able to drive down the road.

The HV battery needs a charge to drive the traction motor going forward or reverse under electric drive mode only.

 

[rivermaverick]

Not quite right.

The 12V battery powers the accessories (radio, dash, lights, modules, etc).

The HV battery powers the electric traction motor (eCVT) and the HVAC air conditioner.
It also powers the motor/generator to start the ICE gas engine if needed.

It also is used to charge the 12V battery via the DC-to-DC converter.

The 12V battery needs a charge to READY the vehicle to be able to drive down the road.

The HV battery needs a charge to drive the traction motor going forward or reverse under electric drive mode only.

I'm just speculating on possible hacks to get the vehicle going, I should point out that I have no practical experience with hybrids other than driving one and trying to understand how they work.
I've heard secondhand reports of dead Priuses (Prii?) needing a $4000 battery packs to get them going.
I think the EMS and fuel pump are powered by the 12 volt system so if you can get the engine to turn over it should start?

 

[GPSMan]

I'm just speculating on possible hacks to get the vehicle going, I should point out that I have no practical experience with hybrids other than driving one and trying to understand how they work.
I've heard secondhand reports of dead Priuses (Prii?) needing a $4000 battery packs to get them going.
I think the EMS and fuel pump are powered by the 12 volt system so if you can get the engine to turn over it should start?

Can't.

Need a minimum of about 175 volts DC to start a hybrid.

I know what you're thinking.
Can't push start one either.

 

[GPSMan]

You'd need a DONOR high voltage battery pack or a 240 volt DC charger.

 

[GPSMan]

The good news is:

This is so rare you're not going to have to do any of this.

 

[rivermaverick]

Can't.

Need a minimum of about 175 volts DC to start a hybrid.

I know what you're thinking.
Can't push start one either.

I'm thinking if you could access the front damper bolt from under the RH wheel arch and turn the engine over would it start?

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I'm thinking if you could access the front damper bolt from under the RH wheel arch and turn the engine over would it start?

I super doubt it- it's a planetary gearset.

 

[rivermaverick]

Can't.

Need a minimum of about 175 volts DC to start a hybrid.

I know what you're thinking.
Can't push start one either.

I super doubt it- it's a planetary gearset.

No - I'm wondering if you could start is by driving the front damper bolt. I have started engines this way - on a stand not in the vehicle.

 

[GPSMan]

WGARA

 

[TheWizziard]

Not quite right.

The 12V battery powers the accessories (radio, dash, lights, modules, etc).

The HV battery powers the electric traction motor (eCVT) and the HVAC air conditioner.
It also powers the motor/generator to start the ICE gas engine if needed.

It also is used to charge the 12V battery via the DC-to-DC converter.

The 12V battery needs a charge to READY the vehicle to be able to drive down the road.

The HV battery needs a charge to drive the traction motor going forward or reverse under electric drive mode only.

The HV battery also runs the water pump and I think it powers the electric power steering

 

[TheWizziard]

No - I'm wondering if you could start is by driving the front damper bolt. I have started engines this way - on a stand not in the vehicle.

Does the Maverick hybried ICE have an accessible front damper bolt?
This engine does not have a fan belt.

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