2022 Ecoboost Alternator Output AGM

[Joe_Ald]

Hello,

I recently began monitoring my voltage output from alternator after having AGM put in from recall. The dealership failed to tighten all the bolts on the positive terminal and was throwing a charging system issue code. I tightened the bolt the warning has yet to resurface.

Now that I am watching voltage (cigarette light reader plus I put the truck in engineering mode to verify voltage) and I’m getting a steady 12.8 output while driving that will drop to 12.7 and 12.6 occasionally however when braking it will go up to 13.8 to 14.

The battery is sitting at 90% charge according to a battery tester I purchased.

Some of the things I found online indicate this may have a “smart alternator” that outputs voltage to keep battery at a specific charge level and 12.8 might be ok.

I’m not familiar with this system and have been expecting 13.5+ but that expectation may be wrong depending on battery state.

Does anyone else have experience or results in this?

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[MiMav]

I have a '23 EB that came with an AGM battery. I also have a cigarette lighter meter that I verified with a handheld meter that agreed within 0.1V, and have watched the voltage for the last 2 years. I'm sure the Maverick has a smart alternator and the voltage varies significantly. If the truck has been sitting for a week or more I've seen the voltage go up as high as 15.2V and stay near 15V for a couple of hours of driving. I've also seen the running voltage as low as 12.7-12.8 after being driven a lot. What you've experienced doesn't seem unusual based on what I've seen except I'm surprised that you haven't seen anything higher than 14V. With the engine off, the resting voltage is usually in the 12.1 to 12.2 range which seems low to me, but I don't expect that the dealer would replace it because it otherwise functions fine.

 

[Joe_Ald]

I have a '23 EB that came with an AGM battery. I also have a cigarette lighter meter that I verified with a handheld meter that agreed within 0.1V, and have watched the voltage for the last 2 years. I'm sure the Maverick has a smart alternator and the voltage varies significantly. If the truck has been sitting for a week or more I've seen the voltage go up as high as 15.2V and stay near 15V for a couple of hours of driving. I've also seen the running voltage as low as 12.7-12.8 after being driven a lot. What you've experienced doesn't seem unusual based on what I've seen except I'm surprised that you haven't seen anything higher than 14V. With the engine off, the resting voltage is usually in the 12.1 to 12.2 range which seems low to me, but I don't expect that the dealer would replace it because it otherwise functions fine.

Thanks for the response. Information seems to hard to find on this topic. I just started verifying yesterday so maybe I’ll see higher voltage as I drive. Just a bit unsettling when my expectation of voltage isn’t aligning with what is occurring.

 

[Msradke]

Charging system is voltage output but also amp output. Need both to properly verify any concern

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