Battery Maintainer - Where did you put the plug?

[Old_Norm]

After purchasing a new AGM battery and doing the reset routine numerous times I'm still getting Battery Save Mode on my 23 Hybrid Lux. I just don't drive it enough. So, I've installed a battery maintainer. I'd like to have the maintainer plug available without opening the hood and not dangling in plain sight (see photo). I've looked for any opening that I could pass the plug through from the engine compartment to the outside but can't find any. Ideally the plug could reside in one of the openings in the bumper. Has anyone mounted the plug outside the engine compartment but out of sight? If so, would you share your solution?

Sponsored

 

[MAGPLM]

This setup works great for both my vehicles. Don't drive my truck but 5 minutes to work everyday, and then it parled outside in the cold. Wife drives Bronco Sport only few times a week. And when she does it is parked in parking ramps lower levels. So there is a need to have onboard charger/maintainers on both vehicles. Keeps the AGM batteries peaked all the time. No battery saver mode here. Dual Socket model allows me to have charging and block heater going should I need it. But right now, only using charging as I heat my garage in the winter. lol

Amazon.com: NOCO GCP2 15A AC Port Plug, 125V Power Inlet Socket, and Waterproof Electrical Outlet Receptacle Box with Dual 18-Inch Integrated Outdoor Extension Cords : Automotive

Amazon.com: NOCO GENIUS2D, 2A Direct-Mount Onboard Car Battery Charger, 12V Automotive Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger, Float Charger and Desulfator for Marine, ATV, Truck and Deep Cycle Batteries : Automotive

 

[Old_Norm]

Excellent. With all the deep sleep issues Ford should make that plug an accessory.

 

[Dad]

Keep in mind a new battery will not always solve the deep sleep issue. Ford is reportedly working on the problem which is more complicated than merely replacing the battery.
As far having a charger port, although I like the solution posted here, there's a another thread about another member's modification.
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ickle-charging-cable-setup-diy-writeup.36358/

 

[Tbone289]

I keep a maintainer mounted on my workbench and plug it into an SAE pigtail that stays installed on each vehicle. The maintainer is then used for multiple vehicles. The photo shows the SAE plug and maintainer end, and there's a matching SAE DC plug on the vehicle near the radiator and headlight. The hood only has to be lifted slightly to connect. I've never had the need for an onboard charger.

 

[Dad]

This setup works great for both my vehicles. Don't drive my truck but 5 minutes to work everyday, and then it parled outside in the cold. Wife drives Bronco Sport only few times a week. And when she does it is parked in parking ramps lower levels. So there is a need to have onboard charger/maintainers on both vehicles. Keeps the AGM batteries peaked all the time. No battery saver mode here. Dual Socket model allows me to have charging and block heater going should I need it. But right now, only using charging as I heat my garage in the winter. lol

Amazon.com: NOCO GCP2 15A AC Port Plug, 125V Power Inlet Socket, and Waterproof Electrical Outlet Receptacle Box with Dual 18-Inch Integrated Outdoor Extension Cords : Automotive

Amazon.com: NOCO GENIUS2D, 2A Direct-Mount Onboard Car Battery Charger, 12V Automotive Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger, Float Charger and Desulfator for Marine, ATV, Truck and Deep Cycle Batteries : Automotive

Neat. So, your charging unit sits in the engine bay which would require removing before you operate the vehicle. Is that correct?

 

[Dad]

After purchasing a new AGM battery and doing the reset routine numerous times I'm still getting Battery Save Mode on my 23 Hybrid Lux. I just don't drive it enough. So, I've installed a battery maintainer. I'd like to have the maintainer plug available without opening the hood and not dangling in plain sight (see photo). I've looked for any opening that I could pass the plug through from the engine compartment to the outside but can't find any. Ideally the plug could reside in one of the openings in the bumper. Has anyone mounted the plug outside the engine compartment but out of sight? If so, would you share your solution?

You got my attention at "installed a battery maintainer". Can you provide some information and photos of your setup?

 

[MAGPLM]

Neat. So, your charging unit sits in the engine bay which would require removing before you operate the vehicle. Is that correct?

No, I use the NOCO onboard charger that is mounted by my battery and stays there all the time.

 

[Dad]

No, I use the NOCO onboard charger that is mounted by my battery and stays there all the time.

Oh! That's right, the EB's battery is located under the hood, I have the hybrid whereby the battery is located under the rear seat. However, there are jump points in the engine bay. I wonder how a battery maintainer could be permanently mounted in the hybrid's engine bay. I have a good maintainer, but I have to drag it out each time and try to balance it on all the peripherals in the bay while still allowing the cables to reach the pos & ground points. I'd be interested to see how yours is installed. Then again, maybe a member has an install method for under the seat connection.
*UPDATE*
Ok, so I went online to look at the various NOCO onboard units and they are small enough to fit in most engine bays. Coupled with the NOCO electrical outlet box makes for a neat and hassle free operation. Thanks for inspirations.

 

[MAGPLM]

Oh! That's right, the EB's battery is located under the hood, I have the hybrid whereby the battery is located under the rear seat. However, there are jump points in the engine bay. I wonder how a battery maintainer could be permanently mounted in the hybrid's engine bay. I have a good maintainer, but I have to drag it out each time and try to balance it on all the peripherals in the bay while still allowing the cables to reach the pos & ground points. I'd be interested to see how yours is installed. Then again, maybe a member has an install method for under the seat connection.

You have a Hybrid, why not just bolt to the front connections under the hood.

NOCO charger has eyelet attachment end on it.

NOCO charger has eyelet attachment end on it.

 

[inline_five]

You have a Hybrid, why not just bolt to the front connections under the hood.

NOCO charger has eyelet attachment end on it.

If you have to jump start the vehicle, would that blow the battery charger?

 

[MAGPLM]

No, as long as it is not plugged it at the same time. The whole point of this, is to keep the battery fully charged at all times. Should be no need to jump it if maintained. Keep in mind, you would unscrew the negative post from the body and place eyelet there. Not exactly sure on the positive post by the fuse/relay box, as I do not have a hybrid. But I would think there would be some way to bolt to that post as well.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

This setup works great for both my vehicles. Don't drive my truck but 5 minutes to work everyday, and then it parled outside in the cold. Wife drives Bronco Sport only few times a week. And when she does it is parked in parking ramps lower levels. So there is a need to have onboard charger/maintainers on both vehicles. Keeps the AGM batteries peaked all the time. No battery saver mode here. Dual Socket model allows me to have charging and block heater going should I need it. But right now, only using charging as I heat my garage in the winter. lol

Amazon.com: NOCO GCP2 15A AC Port Plug, 125V Power Inlet Socket, and Waterproof Electrical Outlet Receptacle Box with Dual 18-Inch Integrated Outdoor Extension Cords : Automotive

Amazon.com: NOCO GENIUS2D, 2A Direct-Mount Onboard Car Battery Charger, 12V Automotive Charger, Battery Maintainer, Trickle Charger, Float Charger and Desulfator for Marine, ATV, Truck and Deep Cycle Batteries : Automotive

I have decided to mount an onboard noco genius on both my mavericks also but will use the 5 amp instead of the 2. I currently use a g5 on my jump posts and if my 12v is at 11.8 it will take well over a day to charge before it starts the optimization routine. I cannot find it now but read, I believe on a Ford F150 forum a post from someone claiming to be an engineer (??) apparently well versed in Ford's BMS that recommended a 4 amp multistage maintainer to cover some intermittent draws, etc and still provide a reasonable current to charge. I believe that once the battery is charged the optimization routines will be identical. I am thinking of putting my plug into the fender badge recession but the noco one is too large a diameter for the badge. So I will find a smaller one. The wife can see it easier if it's located there, I think.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

No, as long as it is not plugged it at the same time. The whole point of this, is to keep the battery fully charged at all times. Should be no need to jump it if maintained. Keep in mind, you would unscrew the negative post from the body and place eyelet there. Not exactly sure on the positive post by the fuse/relay box, as I do not have a hybrid. But I would think there would be some way to bolt to that post as well.

The negative eyelet has to be placed not on the negative post but on body ground or at least on the body side of the BMS which is attached to negative post as the BMS has to monitor the charge/discharge of the battery (per manual).

 

[MAGPLM]

The negative eyelet has to be placed not on the negative post but on body ground or at least on the body side of the BMS which is attached to negative post as the BMS has to monitor the charge/discharge of the battery (per manual).

That is what I said, and what is pictured right above. The negative post is on the fender/strut wall. As there is no battery there on a hybrid. That post is the body ground, and is screwed in. In picture above with RED circle.

Sponsored