12v Hybrid Battery heater for cold climates

[Reidles]

Hi - I did a fair bit of searching before posting, so hopefully I'm not duplicating anything... Live in the Yukon, Canada. In winter we routinely see -20 to -30 celsius, and every vehicle I've ever had here has had block + pan heater and a heater for the battery These are pretty easy to install on an ICE vehicle, but I think it will be a bit more of a challenge for the Hybrid's 12v battery. Has anyone done this? There are also pad type setups that just slide under the battery, it is more the routing of wires that concerns me.

Sure I could figure this out once I have the truck, but I ordered on April 28 and so keeping myself busy with research while I wait for production (or Christmas ;-) )

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[Ryom]

Are you certain you'll need it? I'm under the impression that the hybrid starts off of the high voltage battery which is warmed by the coolant loop of the ICE engine which will get it up to temp quickly if you have the engine block heater. The HVAC will warm the 12v battery in the cabin.

 

[Reidles]

Are you certain you'll need it? I'm under the impression that the hybrid starts off of the high voltage battery which is warmed by the coolant loop of the ICE engine which will get it up to temp quickly if you have the engine block heater. The HVAC will warm the 12v battery in the cabin.

Indeed. I guess I’ll follow up by any feedback from Alaska/far north of Canada folks? Not a lot of hybrid mavericks in the Yukon so far as the lack of awd was a big deterrent

 

[Ken L]

As Ryom said, you may or may not need the 12v battery blanket. The 12v battery just activates relays etc and the ICE is started by the High Voltage battery through the e-CVT.
The 12v battery is in the cabin under the back seat , covered by plastic trim. You won't have trouble installing the 'battery blanket', maybe a skinned knuckle or 2, the space is tight but ample room for the blanket. It is protected from the wind chill effects from an under the hood location.
The oil pan heater would install on the Maverick the same as any other vehicle.
Hopefully the block heater is on your order. I have one on my 23 hybrid and use it regularly in the winter. I'll turn it 3-4 hours before going out in the -10 - -22C and will have full heat within a kilometer of driving.

Ken

 

[HeyBales]

Are you certain you'll need it? I'm under the impression that the hybrid starts off of the high voltage battery which is warmed by the coolant loop of the ICE engine which will get it up to temp quickly if you have the engine block heater. The HVAC will warm the 12v battery in the cabin.

Actually no.

The 12V battery needs to make that connection from HVB to the system which is then used to then power the 12V system and spin the motor to start the engine, and recharge the 12V battery.
So while the CCA requirement isn't high at all just closing a relay - cold can do a number on a 12V battery anyway.

I've seen the HVB warm up quicker than that coolant loop by merely some charge being sent to it, pulling from it is rather degraded too until warmed up. System determines that. I guess if you let it warmup a long time that would help.

The heat from the cabin doesn't help the underseat 12V battery that much. I put remote sensor down there and IIRC it was only about 5 above outside 15 F despite cabin being around 70.
Since there is a temp sensor on the 12VB that is probably used in the charging strategy, probably explains slower charge amounts during the cold winter - when it kinda needed it the most.

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