Does the hybrid battery hold charge after I shut off the engine?

[megapixle]

Say my hybrid battery has a 40% charge and I leave it parked and off for an hour. What percentage of charge will remain when started back up? Or after a few hours? Or overnight? Or a weekend?

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[Maverick Life]

Yes - it holds a charge. In fact - almost all the charge you had will still be there for when you return after such a short time.

What you're asking about is called the "self-discharge" rate of the battery chemistry. It looks like lithium ion would lose about 5% of its charge in a month of not being used. So if you leave the hybrid for 30 days at 40% charge, it might be down to 38% charge (95% of 40%) give or take a bit.

If you leave your vehicle in very hot or very cold weather you may experience poorer battery performance including faster self discharge.

Also - the 12 volt battery uses a different chemistry and may discharge faster if you don't drive your truck for a while. The 12v battery powers almost everything other than the wheels (...and maybe the a/c compressor?? - anyone?).

 

[GPSMan]

Actually, I have measured this.

My HV battery loses about 3% overnight but not much more than that after 72 hours.

So maybe it is a temperature compensation thing. Warmer when shut down, and colder the next day.

But in general, they should be able to sit parked for 1 month. I really would not go longer. Not using it is the worst thing you can do to your hybrid battery.

 

[Hardening2753]

Yes - it holds a charge. In fact - almost all the charge you had will still be there for when you return after such a short time.

What you're asking about is called the "self-discharge" rate of the battery chemistry. It looks like lithium ion would lose about 5% of its charge in a month of not being used. So if you leave the hybrid for 30 days at 40% charge, it might be down to 38% charge (95% of 40%) give or take a bit.

If you leave your vehicle in very hot or very cold weather you may experience poorer battery performance including faster self discharge.

Also - the 12 volt battery uses a different chemistry and may discharge faster if you don't drive your truck for a while. The 12v battery powers almost everything other than the wheels (...and maybe the a/c compressor?? - anyone?).

Thanks for the information!

 

[GPSMan]

Yes - it holds a charge. In fact - almost all the charge you had will still be there for when you return after such a short time.

What you're asking about is called the "self-discharge" rate of the battery chemistry. It looks like lithium ion would lose about 5% of its charge in a month of not being used. So if you leave the hybrid for 30 days at 40% charge, it might be down to 38% charge (95% of 40%) give or take a bit.

If you leave your vehicle in very hot or very cold weather you may experience poorer battery performance including faster self discharge.

Also - the 12 volt battery uses a different chemistry and may discharge faster if you don't drive your truck for a while. The 12v battery powers almost everything other than the wheels (...and maybe the a/c compressor?? - anyone?).

You're a little too optimistic, too idealistic there my friend.
In a pack this complex with 60 cells in series and all the associated electronics, the self discharge rate is much greater than a single naked cell sitting in storage.

 

[Hardening2753]

You're a little too optimistic, too idealistic there my friend.
In a pack this complex with 60 cells in series and all the associated electronics, the self discharge rate is much greater than a single naked cell sitting in storage.

So how long do you estimate from full charge to full discharge in 75 degree garage?

 

[GPSMan]

So how long do you estimate from full charge to full discharge in 75 degree garage?

A full charge hurts the battery.
A full discharge hurts the battery.
Keeping it in the middle keeps it healthy for the longest lifespan.

Ford has programmed it to never charge higher than 70% or intentionally go lower than 30%.

30% to 70% is the healthy middle.

Starting at 70% it may drop to 30% in 3 months when new. And discharge faster after a few years.

But. If you park at only 40% it could drop to 30% in under 1 month.

You don't really know without extra instrumentation. But before storing, run the engine in the parking stall for 5 minutes so you'll be parking (storing) at closer to the 70% mark.

 

[Hillbilly]

Hell I just stop at the BP and BAM! I'm at 100% in my Turbo

 

[Maverick Life]

Actually, I have measured this.

Awesome! Tell us more - What's your measurement setup look like?

 

[yoyomav]

There are so many factors that go into the battery voltage level.

For example the battery voltage will settle down shortly after driving. There are self diagnostic that run shortly after you park that drains the battery.

The only meaningful way to measure how long you can park the truck is through actual long term test.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

A full charge hurts the battery.
A full discharge hurts the battery.
Keeping it in the middle keeps it healthy for the longest lifespan.

Ford has programmed it to never charge higher than 70% or intentionally go lower than 30%.

30% to 70% is the healthy middle.

Starting at 70% it may drop to 30% in 3 months when new. And discharge faster after a few years.

But. If you park at only 40% it could drop to 30% in under 1 month.

You don't really know without extra instrumentation. But before storing, run the engine in the parking stall for 5 minutes so you'll be parking (storing) at closer to the 70% mark.

True but they program the circuitry to show the user that 20% is "zero" and 80% is "100%".
(I'm making up numbers though!)

I wish there was easier to see screen or whatever to see what the battery level is. So people could plan better.

 

[JohnHartshorn]

.....
Also - the 12 volt battery uses a different chemistry and may discharge faster if you don't drive your truck for a while. The 12v battery powers almost everything other than the wheels (...and maybe the a/c compressor?? - anyone?).

The 12v battery powers the computer, any 12v accessories, and the relays to energize the HVB/traction battery. The engine starter (MG1 ) and all engine components, including the AC compressor and the 120v outlets run from the HVB. This is why the 12v battery is such a puny battery. Not much is demanded from it.

 

[Darnon]

the 120v outlets run from the HVB.

The AC outlet inverter is driven off of the 12V system for both Hybrid and EcoBoost.

 

[GPSMan]

True but they program the circuitry to show the user that 20% is "zero" and 80% is "100%".
(I'm making up numbers though!)

I wish there was easier to see screen or whatever to see what the battery level is. So people could plan better.

The actual values are 30% to 70%.
XLT and XL you need after market OBDII readers to see this. I've never seen a Lariat in person. I'm not sure what it shows. Some kind of icon that fills and empties I imagine. So yes; an empty "icon" would be 30% actual charge.

 

[JohnHartshorn]

The AC outlet inverter is driven off of the 12V system for both Hybrid and EcoBoost.

You may be right since it's only 400 watts. I'm pretty sure the 1500 watt outlets on my Toyota Sienna are powered by the HVB.

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