Testing an Aux batt solution...

[Davexxxx]

If the main and aux batts are on the same bus, does using one of these chargers on the main also heal the aux at the same time or do you have to trickle both batts separately ?

They're in parallel. I only charged to the underhood batt. Waited for the machine to go to float.

Prior to charging directly to the posts and doing the BMS reset, what I think was happening, was the miscommunication between the BMS and the batt was shutting the charger down early. Thats why the problems would reappear within days. The batts were never getting a full charge, when charged with the BMS in the loop.

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[Davexxxx]

This is my exact unit but they've since come out with a more powerful one.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-BC15BD-Battery-Charger/dp/B00KNMKRU8/ref=sr_1_1?

Haven't had to use the regeneration mode on the truck yet but it has helped extend the life of several other batteries. In my old Class B, Garden tractors, boat etc. I just replaced a garden tractor batt that was 11 years old. Before I got this, I was lucky to get 3-4. It either works or it doesn't. 50:50 ish as to success rate.

BTW, I see some ugly recent reviews on this. Looks like B&D may have cheapened the clamps. Mine is quite robust. I've used it a ton. Might be better to try to find one sitting on a shelf somewhere, than a new one from amazon.

 

[UGADawg96]

They're in parallel. I only charged to the underhood batt. Waited for the machine to go to float.

Prior to charging directly to the posts and doing the BMS reset, what I think was happening, was the miscommunication between the BMS and the batt was shutting the charger down early. Thats why the problems would reappear within days. The batts were never getting a full charge.

What's the difference between charging to the posts or to the bms ?

 

[UGADawg96]

BTW, I see some ugly recent reviews on this. Looks like B&D may have cheapened the clamps. Mine is quite robust. I've used it a ton. Might be better to try to find one sitting on a self somewhere, than a new one from amazon.

yeah, the B&D one on amazon looks a bit 1990s to me while the noco looks like a magpul mag. Not that I'd buy based on looks only, haha.

 

[Davexxxx]

What's the difference between charging to the posts or to the bms ?

As I said, I think the BMS was interfering with reaching full charge, just like it does on the trucks.

So, charging directly to the posts, doesn't let that happen and you can start fresh.

It made all my gremlins disappear for 10 months straight and far as we know, would still be going, if not for the stint at the body shop and the body shop guy, jumping the gun on replacing it.

 

[Sig Oris]

Not sure I understand the question.
Replacing the auxiliary battery is the same procedure whether it's another 7AH AGM or it's a 20-30AH LFP.

Although admittedly with the LFP you should be prepared to either do some modifications to the underseat battery storage compartment to fit the LFP into, or accommodate an alternative location.

I placed the LFP in the underseat storage space adjacent to the AGM storage space. Then added 12" cable extensions to the factory cable ends. Took maybe 10-15 minutes.

I apologize in advance if this has already been asked and answered.

The two different types of batteries have their own charging strategies. How did you address that?

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

If the main and aux batts are on the same bus, does using one of these chargers on the main also heal the aux at the same time or do you have to trickle both batts separately ?

One charger gets it done
Be sure to not connect the negative directly to the post terminal. Needs to be after the BMS sensor

 

[Davexxxx]

One charger gets it done
Be sure to not connect the negative directly to the post terminal. Needs to be after the BMS sensor

Nope.

This defeats the purpose.

I know thats how the directions say to do it but I tried that and the gremlins would re-appear within days.

Charging directly to the posts, as if out of the truck, then resetting the BMS, worked.

 

[Snakebitten]

I apologize in advance if this has already been asked and answered.

The two different types of batteries have their own charging strategies. How did you address that?

It certainly has turned into a much longer thread than HammaMan might have expected, but anything and everything related to the question has been discussed.
But in short, not really anything has been required to address the different charging strategies. The onboard Ford BMS believes it's charging an AGM 12V battery. And it is. But there's a little LFP battery hiding on the buss and gulping (relatively) on the same straw. (and has its own BMS determining when it's full)

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Nope.

This defeats the purpose.

I know thats how the directions say to do it but I tried that and the gremlins would re-appear within days.

Charging directly to the posts, as if out of the truck, then resetting the BMS, worked.

OK, hooking it up downstream of the BMS has worked fine for me.

 

[Davexxxx]

OK, hooking it up downstream of the BMS has worked fine for me.

Thats good and I'm not one to be quick to disregard official instructions but I was at an unacceptable place. I'd already consulted a dealer and the answer was to ignore the warnings on the dash.

That wasn't gonna happen so I tried it this way.

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/no-more-battery-problems.24011/

Once and done. It really was this simple and it really worked that well.

 

[Sig Oris]

It certainly has turned into a much longer thread than HammaMan might have expected, but anything and everything related to the question has been discussed.
But in short, not really anything has been required to address the different charging strategies. The onboard Ford BMS believes it's charging an AGM 12V battery. And it is. But there's a little LFP battery hiding on the buss and gulping (relatively) on the same straw. (and has its own BMS determining when it's full)

Thanks

 

[HammaMan]

It certainly has turned into a much longer thread than HammaMan might have expected, but anything and everything related to the question has been discussed.
But in short, not really anything has been required to address the different charging strategies. The onboard Ford BMS believes it's charging an AGM 12V battery. And it is. But there's a little LFP battery hiding on the buss and gulping (relatively) on the same straw. (and has its own BMS determining when it's full)

Don't mind me
Thread about testing the LFP batt nearing 200 posts

 

[Davexxxx]

Don't mind me
Thread about testing the LFP batt nearing 200 pages

I hope that when someone builds a direct drop in, in LiFePO4, you get a cut.

 

[HammaMan]

I hope that when someone builds a direct drop in, in LiFePO4, you get a cut.

A 50ah heated battery could be made to fit that location pretty easily. Some random 100ah cells I have laying around almost fit there. No room for a BMS though. Eventually one day the chinese will discover you can put heating elements between cells and not just create a monolithic block and wrap them up.

Odd culture, very little goes into innovating. If they put just a tiny fraction of the energy into innovation that they put into ripping people off, they'd taken over the world by now.

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