Powerboost - 12V Battery Drain things to think about

[Snakebitten]

I haven't seen anyone mention 2 step for nearly a year now. Speculation is that it was resolved via an OTA.

It became a part of the pre-flight routine. I habitually still do it for the reason I originally did..... To allow the low voltage ensemble of components a few seconds to wake/handshake, before bringing the whole Powerboost engine management into play.

Anecdotal for sure, but I get consistent glitch-free behavior from the truck.

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[Suns_PSD]

As someone who has been at war with his 21 powerboost and finally solved the issues related to battery drain (fingers crossed!). I wanted to share with others some things to consider if your truck is entering deep sleep, remote functions disabled, 12 V battery low warning, approach lighting disabled etc...

Check out @Snakebitten or @HammaMan posts for other ideas (both are great contributors to the community and I thank them)

Primary Battery (2021-2022): BAGM-48H6-760
Primary Battery (2023-2024): BAGM-94RH7-800
AUX Battery: BHAGM-AUX1-B

0. The new trucks draw, as per Ford documentation, between 25 and 50 mA when parked. Add onto that any remote connection or updates processes and you will come to the understanding that you simply cannot (without clever hacks like @HammaMa) leave the truck for long periods of time with battery drain occuring.

1. Look out for additional drain items. For example, a Blackvue 2 channel dashcam will pull almost 900mA when in Parking Mode. This will annihilate any battery if left for long.

2. The Powerboosts have two 12V batteries, the main AGM under the hood and the AUX under the rear seat. IF YOU COMPLAIN TO THE DEALER ABOUT BATTERY ISSUES THEY DO NOT TEST OR CHECK THE AUX BATTERY AS PER CORPORATE PROCEDURE. This can be a real problem, if Ford is replacing the AGM but the aux is also dead and in parallel, your problems will return. One suggestion is to isolate the batteries yourself and either test them or have them tested.

2b. As per item 2, this means that when you are charging the main battery (like a normal truck would be charged), you are charging two batteries in parallel. If you are seeing strange charging behaviour, please consider isolating the batteries and charging.

3. Learn how to charge/boost your AGM battery correctly with the BMS system. Terminal connections need to allow for current to pass through the BMS sensor on the main AGM battery for the system to detect current flow. This forum link is an excellent place

4. There are TSB's related to BMS incorrectly managed the battery and may possibly help. TSB 24-2442 comes to mind.

4b. Some members have had luck with charging the batteries fully then resetting the BMS immediately. see here

5. If charging is an issue and you don't drive often, do a search on this forum for the fan speed setting at 5 charging hack.

6. Consider a bluetooth battery voltage monitor (although these typically add another ~35mA draw to battery, food for thought) so that you can learn your truck's behaviour. A battery tender for extended parking should also be considered.

7. Consider an H7 (no mod needed) or an H8 (mod required) if it is suitable for you.

8. Finally, if you live in a warm climate and are comfortable with making some alterations, please reference the impressive work done here using an LFP battery.

9. Alternatively, you may conisder upgrading the Ah on your AUX battery, similar to the great work done by @Tank here

I'd like to leave this post up to hopefully help someone else from going through 4 (i'm now on the fifth) AGM batteries and the frustration associated. If anyone has additional clarifications items or corrections, I am more than happy to edit his post once it's up.

Thank you

Hey guys, I guess I'm not real interested in becoming a battery expert today, can I just verify that buying these 2 batteries is my best bet for my '21 Powerboost?

Primary Battery (2023-2024): BAGM-94RH7-800
AUX Battery: BHAGM-AUX1-B

Notice I choose the '23 and up battery.
Are there upgrades available, such as a larger or better AuX battery or even Lithium Ion choices or the like for one of both batteries?

Having a few cold weather glitches and since my batteries are now 5 years old would assume to replace them and of course upgrade, if possible, as this truck is a keeper.

Although I don't want to burn money just cause, the best quality/ performance is most important to me over cost. I'd really hope that replacements would last me 7 years or so.

 

[RyanStroeder]

Hey guys, I guess I'm not real interested in becoming a battery expert today, can I just verify that buying these 2 batteries is my best bet for my '21 Powerboost?

Primary Battery (2023-2024): BAGM-94RH7-800
AUX Battery: BHAGM-AUX1-B

Notice I choose the '23 and up battery.
Are there upgrades available, such as a larger or better AuX battery or even Lithium Ion choices or the like for one of both batteries?

Having a few cold weather glitches and since my batteries are now 5 years old would assume to replace them and of course upgrade, if possible, as this truck is a keeper.

Although I don't want to burn money just cause, the best quality/ performance is most important to me over cost. I'd really hope that replacements would last me 7 years or so.

The available upgrades you are asking about are mentioned in the links in my post.

 

[HammaMan]

 

[Snakebitten]

5 years old? ?

Just messing.

H7 AGM under the hood
LFP under the seat

Low resting/boot up voltage is a thing of the past. ?

 

[Hans Moleman]

Whenever I notice the SoC drop bellow 80% I would charge it over night with my Noco 10a charger, which is about every 2 weeks. Hopefully this extends the life of the battery.

On another note, my 4Runner with the factory Panasonic battery is going strong after 7 years and never need any external charging.

 

[Snakebitten]

That 4 Runner sleeps at night.
(like 99% of all vehicles have until manufacturers started the whole FNV (Fully Networked Vehicle) craze.

 

[Eighthtry]

Fully Networked Vehicle craze using 1960's technology. At least it makes some owners a whole lot smarter and most wondering WTF.

 

[Suns_PSD]

The available upgrades you are asking about are mentioned in the links in my post.

I bought the Interstate battery from Costco in the 2021 size 7, as the size 8 would not have fit without modifications.

I also purchased the 'Tank' Aux battery that is larger. Hopefully I can get them slapped in today.

Basically, my crash prevention began acting up on a very cold morning yesterday and now today it's continued doing weird stuff and a screen keeps popping up saying battery is low, shutting off power.

 

[Suns_PSD]

All done and $300 later.

No glitches since. Money well spent considering the other batteries were over 5 years old.

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