Low battery warning message received in app!

[HeyBales]

For sure. I lock it religiously when not driving and it routinely sits at least over night locked, if not for a few days (since I work from home).



The battery typically lives between 40-60% regardless of my driving habits. However, it bottomed out in the 30s regularly during the DSM moments. I recently had it checked, like mentioned, and when it came back from the dealer, it was 95% (I assume while they were doing over night testing), down to 75% by the time they returned the vehicle, and back to living in the 50s within 2 more days.

The numbers are reported in percent, though, so I can't see the voltages unless I'm in the vehicle with a voltage meter plugged into the cigarette lighter. It's at 15v while running and dips into the 12s when not, typically around 12.5 that I've seen, but I hadn't sat there and stared before.

So that's likely standard SOC% chart hopefully AGM value (sadly there seems to be different versions), which means the voltage is easily 11.95 to 12.15, with 30% being 11.8 (where mine lives).
Unless you mean you have a scanner on OBD port, and reading from there.

Morning voltage read is useful - 12.5 is great. Doesn't match standard or Ford SOC% scale though.

Since it's not dropping from the 50s, sounds like just an age problem, can't hold a charge.
In their test, held good enough though to not fail, and for hybrid, good enough for a start.
Just not good enough for modem to be left on.
Also cold - doesn't charge high when cold battery. So winter is bad.

Do you use the AC, or maybe humid enough it's turning on anyway without the lighted button? (being in WI, wouldn't think much, not during winter).
Because ACCM module was one true intermittent parasitic draw they determined was worst, and have a software update for it.

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[Wilklersticks]

So that's likely standard SOC% chart hopefully AGM value (sadly there seems to be different versions), which means the voltage is easily 11.95 to 12.15, with 30% being 11.8 (where mine lives).
Unless you mean you have a scanner on OBD port, and reading from there.

Morning voltage read is useful - 12.5 is great. Doesn't match standard or Ford SOC% scale though.

Since it's not dropping from the 50s, sounds like just an age problem, can't hold a charge.
In their test, held good enough though to not fail, and for hybrid, good enough for a start.
Just not good enough for modem to be left on.
Also cold - doesn't charge high when cold battery. So winter is bad.

Do you use the AC, or maybe humid enough it's turning on anyway without the lighted button? (being in WI, wouldn't think much, not during winter).
Because ACCM module was one true intermittent parasitic draw they determined was worst, and have a software update for it.

I use Auto climate almost exclusively, and sometimes the AC turns on during the winter. I'm not sure what drives that or not, but AC helps with fogging windows so maybe there's some intelligence there. Definitely not on all the time, though. Are you saying the ACCM module draws power even when not in use or when the truck is off?

In case you're curious, this is the graph from the last month. That long stretch is a vacation so obviously it was going to sit, but curious how it didn't drop at all during that time, though. Also not sure what those weird spike drops are in the last week, either.

 

[HeyBales]

I use Auto climate almost exclusively, and sometimes the AC turns on during the winter. I'm not sure what drives that or not, but AC helps with fogging windows so maybe there's some intelligence there. Definitely not on all the time, though. Are you saying the ACCM module draws power even when not in use or when the truck is off?

In case you're curious, this is the graph from the last month. That long stretch is a vacation so obviously it was going to sit, but curious how it didn't drop at all during that time, though. Also not sure what those weird spike drops are in the last week, either.

Either the ACCM draws power, or it's requesting cooling fans on (some posters observed hours after shutdown). Fans is a fast drain, even if only during the 60 min before sleep.
Intermittent issue though. So they gotta keep truck for awhile to confirm. Or find another drain.
Or if within the build date range for the SSM - just spend the time updating the ACCM, much quicker.

Might see if the app for the battery monitor allows putting in your own Ah, or RCC, or CCA, or battery type.
Just in case it's not set to AGM, that matters for the SOC% it's displaying.

 

[agmonaco]

I did the relearn procedure which I have never done, Truck was never locked for 9 hours the last 1.5 years. I plugged in a volt meter I just bought to cigarette lighter. Battery was at 14.6 volts with engine not running. So I am guessing the BMS just needed to be reset. (I hope) It is strange to me the 12 volt battery is not charged from the bigger battery like a trickle charge when it is low. I am wondering if the constant low charge is also causing these 12 volt batteries to fail. Thank you again Andy and Haybales! Tony

 

[HeyBales]

I did the relearn procedure which I have never done, Truck was never locked for 9 hours the last 1.5 years. I plugged in a volt meter I just bought to cigarette lighter. Battery was at 14.6 volts with engine not running. So I am guessing the BMS just needed to be reset. (I hope) It is strange to me the 12 volt battery is not charged from the bigger battery like a trickle charge when it is low. I am wondering if the constant low charge is also causing these 12 volt batteries to fail. Thank you again Andy and Haybales! Tony

You had the key to the On position, not Acc position.
If you have push button start - there is no true Acc method.
That's why 14.6 reading - the HVB was charging the 12VB.
But compared to upper 14.x into 15.x, that's a decent sign charge was higher than lower.

Now the kicker - I'm not sure if the BMS Relearn happens on the 1st opportunity of doors finally being locked long enough - I'd sure think it would if it's been over a year.

But it is on a cycle of every few days it seems (I can discern from the logs when the prior sleep session likely had it, 70-80 mA avg, compared to 20-40 mA), never figured out exactly how many days it must be, if really a day timing thing (may be based on drive time).
If so - in theory that may not have been your night it was going to happen. May need another night or two locked.
Unless you mean you did the whole reset routine prior to doors locked. (not suggesting that, I think other negatives when not truly a new battery)

To use the existing setup for HVB charging the 12VB at any time - would mean the DCDC convertor would need to be engaged, other modules on managing those systems (BCM too the 12VB is under) would be on, so a lot more power than a 12VB being trickle charged - now you are talking rundown of the HVB. Which of course could be shutoff at a lower limit - but you may not have accomplished enough at that point.
And you'd have live high-voltage lines with power into the engine bay. Seems for safety none of that is done, sounds like by any hybrids/EV's - so it may be a requirement. Or an easy way to meet a current requirement.

 

[agmonaco]

Thank you Haybales. I will leave the truck locked for another night. I am a bit confused about getting an accurate reading on the cigarette lighter volt meter showing actual voltage on a Hybrid 12 V battery. I selected the ignition on without the brake depressed to get power to the cigarette lighter outlet to get that 14.6V. If I turn the truck engine off and leave the door closed, will I then' get actual voltage before it times out? and or am I getting actual 12 v battery voltage when I turn ignition on without starting the engine? Tony I guess the real test would be a volt meter test at the battery.

 

[Wilklersticks]

Either the ACCM draws power, or it's requesting cooling fans on (some posters observed hours after shutdown). Fans is a fast drain, even if only during the 60 min before sleep.
Intermittent issue though. So they gotta keep truck for awhile to confirm. Or find another drain.
Or if within the build date range for the SSM - just spend the time updating the ACCM, much quicker.

Might see if the app for the battery monitor allows putting in your own Ah, or RCC, or CCA, or battery type.
Just in case it's not set to AGM, that matters for the SOC% it's displaying.

I did a little farting around and I'm sad to say, I actually think it might be the camera. I don't know if there was a weird setting or what, but those valley spikes had me concerned so I factory reset the cam and did some reconfigurations and I haven't seen any drain over the last few days.

You can basically see in the graph when I reset.

Do you think I need to do the relearn process given the whacky nature recently?

 

[Finnster]

@ Wilkersticks,
What camera did you factory reset and how? I'm not familiar with that.
Thanks,

 

[SafetyGuy]

I did a little farting around and I'm sad to say, I actually think it might be the camera. I don't know if there was a weird setting or what, but those valley spikes had me concerned so I factory reset the cam and did some reconfigurations and I haven't seen any drain over the last few days.

You can basically see in the graph when I reset.

Do you think I need to do the relearn process given the whacky nature recently?

Good day @Wilklersticks

I would suggest that if at anytime during the battery relearn procedure anything interrupts it and uses power (let's say someone used their app, refreshed the app so that the truck had to wake up and re-read its tire pressures and location for example), that a complete and uninterrupted charge process and then shut everything down (unplug dash cams, us lights-everything!) Is still needed.

Once that is done, close the truck up and lock it up for the 9-10 hours.

Even if it takes a couple of tries to make the relearn stick, your battery has been well cared for and charged every time and no harm can come of it.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[SafetyGuy]

Thank you Haybales. I will leave the truck locked for another night. I am a bit confused about getting an accurate reading on the cigarette lighter volt meter showing actual voltage on a Hybrid 12 V battery. I selected the ignition on without the brake depressed to get power to the cigarette lighter outlet to get that 14.6V. If I turn the truck engine off and leave the door closed, will I then' get actual voltage before it times out? and or am I getting actual 12 v battery voltage when I turn ignition on without starting the engine? Tony I guess the real test would be a volt meter test at the battery.

Hello again @agmonaco

To see what your 12 volt battery charge level on your lighter/12 volt power point indicator to show you what the battery power is actually at:
-just sit down in your truck
-press your power/start truck button but do not step on the brake! This turns on your hi voltage/traction battery...this will show you what the hi voltage battery is charging your 12 volt battery.
-now just push the start/power button again - DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT ANY TIME...this will start your truck.
-now, when you pressed only the power button again you have TURNED OFF the hi voltage battery and you will see the 12 volt battery charge level on your cigarette port indicator!

Edit added here

-Once you press the power button to turn off the ACC MODE (which is the hi voltage battery connected) quickly open and close your truck door to turn off all the accessories more quickly and get a better reading of your 12 volt power charge level.

End of edit

This display will stay on for between 60 to 90 minutes before it automatically shuts off.

12 volt battery indication should go up as things in the truck slowly torn off, one by one.

This is where you can look in through the window and see what the 12 volt battery charge is.

It could be 12.6, 12.8, maybe 13 volts but you get the idea.

Any further questions, we are taking turns being here!

Andy

 

[HeyBales]

I did a little farting around and I'm sad to say, I actually think it might be the camera. I don't know if there was a weird setting or what, but those valley spikes had me concerned so I factory reset the cam and did some reconfigurations and I haven't seen any drain over the last few days.

You can basically see in the graph when I reset.

Do you think I need to do the relearn process given the whacky nature recently?

No - unless you need to unplug something.
It'll happen every so often anyway when you lock the doors and it has 9 hrs.

Great find though.
I guess those kind of monitors would be very useful whenever there are extra things on the electrical system.
Because any of them can flake out and not do what they claim to - like really go to sleep, or not turn on proximity monitoring to enabling recording, or not start trying to connect via bluetooth to nothing present.

 

[HeyBales]

Hello again @agmonaco

To see what your 12 volt battery charge level on your lighter/12 volt power point indicator to show you what the battery power is actually at:
-just sit down in your truck
-press your power/start truck button but do not step on the brake! This turns on your hi voltage/traction battery...this will show you what the hi voltage battery is charging your 12 volt battery.
-now just push the start/power button again - DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT ANY TIME...this will start your truck.
-now, when you pressed only the power button again you have TURNED OFF the hi voltage battery and you will see the 12 volt battery charge level on your cigarette port indicator!

This display will stay on for between 60 to 90 minutes before it automatically shuts off.

12 volt battery indication should go up as things in the truck slowly torn off, one by one.

This is where you can look in through the window and see what the 12 volt battery charge is.

It could be 12.6, 12.8, maybe 13 volts but you get the idea.

Any further questions, we are taking turns being here!

Andy

Thank you for the instructions on how to actually get to Accessory mode for push button start.
Several posters have said you can't - I figured there had to be a way I never found mentioned in the manual.

 

[SafetyGuy]

Thank you for the instructions on how to actually get to Accessory mode for push button start.
Several posters have said you can't - I figured there had to be a way I never found mentioned in the manual.

I had trouble understanding that there was ambiguity regarding how to see the 12 volt batteries charge status...till one of the last posts.

Then I understood what the problem was.

I am just glad we were able to sort this out!

Turn power on, turn power off...at that point you have 60 to 90 minutes to read/monitor what your 12 volt battery charge level is.

Have a nice evening,

Andy

Edit added below for clarification

Ps I just reread your post and to be clear ACC power is when you press the power button without pressing the foot brake...this turns on the hi voltage battery and accessories (ACC), then press the power button again, open and close the door to turn off all the accessories and you now have just the 12 volt battery reading remaining.

Gosh, I hope I got it right this time!

 

[Wilklersticks]

@ Wilkersticks,
What camera did you factory reset and how? I'm not familiar with that.
Thanks,

It was a 3rd party Wolfbox camera. It has parking mode, which would for sure drain the battery, but I thought I had it turned off. I don't really know since I went nuclear without doing much investigating.

 

[agmonaco]

Hello again @agmonaco

To see what your 12 volt battery charge level on your lighter/12 volt power point indicator to show you what the battery power is actually at:
-just sit down in your truck
-press your power/start truck button but do not step on the brake! This turns on your hi voltage/traction battery...this will show you what the hi voltage battery is charging your 12 volt battery.
-now just push the start/power button again - DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT ANY TIME...this will start your truck.
-now, when you pressed only the power button again you have TURNED OFF the hi voltage battery and you will see the 12 volt battery charge level on your cigarette port indicator!

This display will stay on for between 60 to 90 minutes before it automatically shuts off.

12 volt battery indication should go up as things in the truck slowly torn off, one by one.

This is where you can look in through the window and see what the 12 volt battery charge is.

It could be 12.6, 12.8, maybe 13 volts but you get the idea.

Any further questions, we are taking turns being here!

Andy

Perfect... Thank you Andy. I have to laugh. My first car was 1965 Mustang. They don't make them like that any more. I'm glad there are guys like you that read the fine print. Thanks for the gouge. Tony

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