Monitoring engine / transmission / battery / HVAC parameters using Car Scanner

[inline_five]

I'm interested in monitoring my engine and transmission temps, battery temps, and whether the a/c is engaged or not. Why? Because it's interesting and I know the a/c kicks on randomly when Ford thinks it should, but I'd like an indication it's on, personally.

I purchased, for only the 3rd time in my life, the full version of an app. This one is Car Scanner, and it was $8 for lifetime use. It's got a specific Maverick PID profile to grab lots of data coming off the OBD2, and combined it with my Vgate vLinker MC+, which wasn't super cheap but has a fairly quick refresh rate vs the cheap $10-$20 ones. Also, power draw is 3mah when sleeping, and the system turns off the OBD2 sometime after shutting down completely, so power draw is 0 when left plugged in.

This "dashboard" isn't set in stone but it's what I've got for now. For those who tow a lot, the temps could be useful information especially the transmission temp - as an example the ULV fluid temp range is up to about 215°F, and above that will start to degrade. Which means, if you exceed that temp, maybe a good idea to change it.

What's nice is you can even set triggers to certain events, or min/max value pointers, for your drive. Super useful.

First pic is engine is not operating, and you can see on bottom left, the a/c pressure is around 100 psi. When the engine indicates >500 RPM, and when the A/C pressure indicates >110 psi (tbd if that is a good setting), the background of the gauges turn green (this is customizable, as are the range and look of the graphs and other things).

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[JJTech]

Are there any monitoring apps like that which show up on CarPlay?

 

[BlueMav43]

I used this CarScanner “panel” when I had a 24 Hybrid.

This one with my EcoBoost.

 

[Prickly Pear]

Hey @inline_five , thanks for posting this. I also use Car scanner but was using a non-Maverick profile as I "thought" there was not one. Maybe it was recently added, I don't know, but I'm all in now!

 

[inline_five]

Are there any monitoring apps like that which show up on CarPlay?

Car Scanner does have a CarPlay app but it's text based not graphical.

 

[inline_five]

Hey @inline_five , thanks for posting this. I also use Car scanner but was using a non-Maverick profile as I "thought" there was not one. Maybe it was recently added, I don't know, but I'm all in now!

I think they became optional once I bought it, not sure though. There are two that come up when you search, a Maverick hybrid specific one and one that mentions Maverick (plus newer models) or something.

Here is a link to my settings, you can download and under settings in Car Scanner tap on "backup" and in that screen you can import the file.

 

[inline_five]

I played around with this some more and found you can add colored arcs for example showing operating temp ranges (ie for transmission temp fluid range up to 215° F):

 

[Mark1]

Wow! That is cool. Thanks for sharing it

 

[Prickly Pear]

Car Scanner does have a CarPlay app but it's text based not graphical.

Android Auto has one too, that is also text based, but it constantly freezes up on me so I have just been running it on my phone.

 

[Prickly Pear]

I played around with this some more and found you can add colored arcs for example showing operating temp ranges (ie for transmission temp fluid range up to 215F):

How much variability are you seeing with the HE battery temp? I am away from the truck for a few days but that is one of the things I wanted to see. Does it reach operating temp and stay pretty much there or does it fluctuate depending on charge/discharge?

 

[inline_five]

How much variability are you seeing with the HE battery temp? I am away from the truck for a few days but that is one of the things I wanted to see. Does it reach operating temp and stay pretty much there or does it fluctuate depending on charge/discharge?

I got it last night and only drove on the highway this morning about 160 miles. Temp outside was around 65° F, so not a good measure of actual HV battery usage, but it was around 100°.

Also of note my A/C compressor did not turn on automatically at all the whole drive. Humidity levels were pretty low for NC so maybe that is why. I had it on recirc and fresh air for the 2:30 I was driving so maybe it vented enough. Even when I set temp to "LO" it did not turn on, unless you pressed it. It think in Auto mode it came on with the Auto button push though.

I'm super impressed with the variable speed scroll A/C compressor capability though.

@The Real Maverick could probably share some more data, they've done some pretty extensive testing themselves.

I'd like to get some "normal" parameter limits programmed into my gauges, for example coolant, and then add some trigger events like >250° or whatever makes it go red, same as I did with the transmission temp. I got the 215° temp from Ford for their ULV fluid specs for example.

 

[The Real Maverick]

How much variability are you seeing with the HE battery temp? I am away from the truck for a few days but that is one of the things I wanted to see. Does it reach operating temp and stay pretty much there or does it fluctuate depending on charge/discharge?

The HV battery gives and takes pretty high current, quite frequently, and generates quite a bit of heat. Makes sense it is liquid cooled.

Example, brake with regen from 75 mph to zero one time, and this adds 5°F to the battery.

Or the reverse: "punch it" to accelerate quickly 0 to 75 mph getting on a highway, also +5 degrees.

Stop & go, stop & go in normal city driving and you're adding about 2 degrees F each time.

I live in a mild climate. 39°F is as cold as I've seen this season.

My battery goes from 39 to 69 in the first 10 minutes. There is data this is not using the exhaust heat exchanger in these mild conditions. That kicks on somewhere below freezing I never see.

Just the internal resistance of the battery heats itself quickly just by use.

I don't see freon chilling of the battery (via air conditioning compressor) until the battery is above 113°F.

I don't think it does any active cooling at all until 90°F. (The coolant is not being pumped).

 

[The Real Maverick]

Another useful "plug n play" device:

www.scangauge.com

Stand alone, you don't need a phone, tablet, or laptop. It's all I use.

 

[inline_five]

Another useful "plug n play" device:

www.scangauge.com

Stand alone, you don't need a phone, tablet, or laptop. It's all I use.

Yeah that is pretty nice as well but the price tag of the Car Scanner Pro ($8) won out lol. Also I like the custom graphs you can make. I have a spare iPhone and may convert it into a full time gauge cluster accessory.

What temps were you seeing towing in the FWD hybrid? Coolant and transmission?

 

[Mark1]

What exactly do you need with the car scanner pro. I have an old samsung S21 phone. What else? I like the scan gauge III but is pricey.

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