My low cost battery trickle charger / tender installation

[gzebrick]

I've had very good luck with these low cost battery trickle chargers from Amazon (have had 4 of them on cars and tractors for years). We're only driving the Mav about once a week on average right now, and sometimes it would go into a soft battery saver mode (no alarm or alert, just no dome lights when you open the truck... would start right up but damn annoying!). Trickle charger time!

The trickle charger comes with the 2-conductor quick connects including the built-in fuse holder. Sweet! I just wanted a convenient place to connect it all up and make it easy to use, and I didn't want to have to keep the hood up or have any possible current drain when in use.

I decided the large jumper cable tap under the hood was perfect to connect to the +12v trickle line, and for a ground, I just used one of the screws holding down the horn bracket. There's just enough cable to position the quick connect at the gap of the hood. With this arrangement I just pop the hood, pull the connecter out an inch or so, then close the hood completely. Then I plug it in. Disconnecting it is even easier... I just unplug the quick-connect, slip on the prong cover, and push it into the gap where it's sight-unseen.

So far, so good. It's been weeks and no more safe-sleep mode.

Cheap amazon trickle charger

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[Cherokee]

Mine sat two weeks due to icy roads.
4 degree mornings, highs in the teens.
Battery showed 12.53 VDC at the start.
Un touched for sixteen days it showed
12.47 VDC on my meter.
Just sayin.
A last run 2024 AWD Eco Lariat with an AGM. I bought the truck on 12/31/24
8,500 miles now, zero issues.

 

[gzebrick]

I think your right but I also think it’s the price you pay for all the extra crap that alsmost all new vehicles have running even when parked ( WiFi, cellular connection, dash cams, security, etc). Ford Should have done better, especially with that large hybrid battery on board, but on any vehicle that sits idle weeks at a time trickle chargers are probably needed now. Fwiw without the charger the truck still works fine with the exception of the dome lights not coming on.

We live where there’s no cell coverage at all so I wonder if my truck gets drained a little faster than most with the internal cell busy repeatedly trying to ping a tower??

 

[Gamma500]

Nice clean setup.

I’ve never had power issues with my 22 EB and recently Ford swapped out my lead acid for AGM so I would think l’m good for awhile longer.

I do like that setup though. My smart charger does everything from trickle to jump start, just hook it up and it tells you what’s required. Downside is it has a power cord, two alligator clipped leads all attached to a steel box which requires hood to be open during charging.

You should have it investigated further though, something is causing a drain.

 

[gzebrick]

No cell coverage might be an issue, but I also added a homelink mirror plus a dash cam with parking monitoring, both should be minimal current draw when not In use, but it is something extra added. Not really worried about it, as it’s not an alarm or alert, just annoying.

Most of our once a week drives are usually less than 30 minutesor so, so the truck sits in the garage most of the time. My other cars and my tractors have tenders on them too.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

My 2.0l engine sits in the driveway for many days, no issues whatsoever with the battery

 

[DWV]

No cell coverage might be an issue, but I also added a homelink mirror plus a dash cam with parking monitoring, both should be minimal current draw when not In use, but it is something extra added. Not really worried about it, as it’s not an alarm or alert, just annoying.

Most of our once a week drives are usually less than 30 minutes or so, so the truck sits in the garage most of the time. My other cars and my tractors have tenders on them too.

A 30 minute drive once a week will not keep your battery charged. Use of the trickle charger is the correct solution given your use/service profile.

An AGM battery will improve your situation, but not completely solve it.

My '24 hybrid now has an agm battery, I drive a little more than you do but still use the trickle charger if I don't plan to drive for a few days.

The eco boost guys don't have the same set of issues, so their experience does not directly relate to a hybrid.

 

[Randorita]

I don't think you should have to use a trickle charger either. I picked up my Mav in February and have 2400 miles on it, so I don't drive a lot. I have never noticed any problems and it has started every time. I have gotten zero battery notices. I have zero plans of trickle charging or any way to have one hooked up, because I don't have a garage or carport.

 

[DWV]

Yes, in a perfect world nobody would have to use a trickle charger but with the low number of miles that the OP drives he doesn’t drive enough to keep his battery charged. A rough calculation of 30 minutes a week would equal less than half of the miles that you have put on your truck Since you picked it up.

So again, both mileage and battery charge depend on how you operate your vehicle. And everybody’s experience is a little different.

 

[gzebrick]

Thanks. To be clear no alarms or alerts… just dome lights get disabled. Starts right up. I really think it’s the lack of any cell coverage causing the truck to keep trying to ping a cell tower when it is off that adds to the power drain. My iPhone battery dies pretty quick too if it keeps looking for a cell.

 

[HeyBales]

Pull fuse 11 under the dash to de-power the modem - no more usage searching for network.
Which yes is milliamps extra, but what could be down around 25 mA will be upwards of 50 and over - unless it does better than cell phones and gives up. Doubtful.

It's really not the extra usage anyway - it's about the undercharging strategy that allows the battery to sulphate sooner than normal.

 

[gzebrick]

Thanks - I considered disabling the cell but I like the remote start and other features when we’re out and about, so think we’ll let it be. My battery saver mode is now a non issue with the trickle charger, and wasn’t a big deal even when it kicked in.

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