Question about changing battery charge rate in FORScan

[Jim Lewis]

I asked Microsoft Copilot AI, " What does the parameter TargetSOC_Cfg (TSOCC) • % = Hex2Dec(****) • Range: 0 - 200 in the Ford BCM module control?" This parameter is found in @Livnitup's list of BCM module parameters here: https: // docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-_e09lLPPeSHoO3SsNwyqu5v3dgpbluvJcezUItTSVI/edit?gid=617144335#gid=617144335&range=A106:I106 (take out spaces in https: // docs.google.. and use in browser to find specific spreadsheet location as given in link in Livnitup's OP post here: https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/2021-f-150-forscan-list-database-spreadsheet.1578/) (If I post the link without the spaces, Livitup's whole BCM module spreadsheet will be included in my post as the forum software removes the range reference from the link.)

Here's the answer I got from MS Copilot, which draws its AI answer from other Ford forums.

You
What does the parameter TargetSOC_Cfg (TSOCC) • % = Hex2Dec(****) • Range: 0 - 200 in the Ford BCM module control?
Copilot
The parameter TargetSOC_Cfg (TSOCC) in the Ford Body Control Module (BCM) is related to the Battery Monitoring System (BMS) and controls the Target State of Charge (SOC) configuration for the vehicle's battery [1]. The value is expressed as a percentage and is converted from hexadecimal to decimal format. The range of 0 - 200 indicates the allowable percentage values for the target SOC, where 200% likely represents an overcharge protection limit or a buffer to prevent battery damage due to overcharging [1].
In practical terms, this parameter helps the BCM to determine the desired charge level for the battery to maintain optimal performance and longevity. Adjusting this setting can influence how the vehicle's charging system responds, particularly in terms of when to stop charging the battery to avoid overcharging. It's an important aspect of the vehicle's energy management system, ensuring that the battery is maintained within safe operating parameters.
If you're using a tool like FORScan to adjust this parameter, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of the implications of changing it, as it can affect the vehicle's electrical system performance and the health of the battery [2]. Always refer to official documentation or a professional technician when making such adjustments.
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 7/25/2024

1. FORScan AGM Battery Setting - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
2. BCM Replacement & Reprogramming - 2013+ Ford Escape Forum
3. Ford Escape - Removal and Installation - Body Control Module (BCM ...
4. Ford F150 Body Control Module Problems: The Full Lowdown

Unfortunately, the AI answer does not provide the "clear understanding" of exactly how the Battery Target State of Charge % parameter works. Maybe reading the referenced material will help.

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[Calson]

There is a maximum charge rate for any battery to avoid damage to the battery. With my RV and its sophisticated charger that would work with lithium-phosate batteries there was also a temperature lead connected to a battery post and used to control charge rates. The Lithium Phosphate could be charged at a higher voltage and so they could be recharged in less time than the FLAT ones that they replaced. When I used the house generator to recharge the batteries in the morning the run time for the generator was half that with the FLAT batteries.

A lead acid battery is going to charge slowly and the only way I have gotten mine to 95% SOC is with a battery charger attached. Driving for 60 minutes or less down the highway is not going to necessarily take the battery to the SOC level set for the BMS.

I changed my setting from 80 to 95 SOC and also changed out the factory H6 battery for a high capacity Optima H7 battery and I still make it a practice to plug in a battery tender if I will not be driving the truck for several days.

 

[HammaMan]

The new BCM strategy is much more aggressive and keeps the battery/s charged much better while also not seeming to dip below AGM's float voltage around 13.8v.

 

[Eskram]

The new BCM strategy is much more aggressive and keeps the battery/s charged much better while also not seeming to dip below AGM's float voltage around 13.8v.

Yup. I've noticed a HUGE difference with this update.. With my normal driving habits, it's never dropped below 65-70% since it was applied.

Prior to the update, I had to pretty much charge every 10 days or so - it'd hit 35-40% and wasn't happy..

 

[Bryan Simon]

The new BCM strategy is much more aggressive and keeps the battery/s charged much better while also not seeming to dip below AGM's float voltage around 13.8v.

I replaced my 2nd H6 battery with an H8 last march. (No battery monitor reset)
It appears that all of my electrical gremlins have gone away except one.
ASS has gradually become less and less frequent, and a couple of times recently it has failed to restart when it was time to do so. Message appears on screen--put in Park and restart engine)--this seems to me to be a safety issue.

Actually online now to get the FORScan license to attempt to address this.
Want to raise the state of charge (as this truck is on accessory mode for about 90 minutes daily) , and disable the ASS

 

[HammaMan]

Start by resetting the BMS in the truck, there's a procedure somewhere around here. Just like your oil life there's a calculation of the battery's state of health and I believe the truck is doing something with that data. I'd both forscan in the correct battery size and reset the BMS. You can get a 2 month forscan license free, and they'll reset that 2 month freebie a time or two, but it's MUCH faster / easier to just pay the $12. Pay the devs so they keep it going.

 

[DadBald]

I just replaced my battery and reset the BMS. The procedure is:

1. turn on accessory mode, not full ignition. you should see a red battery symbol on the instrument cluster (top left for small IPC, bottom right for big IPC)
2. flash your brights 5 times by pulling the turn signal stalk
3. stomp the brakes 3 times
4. wait and watch the battery symbol. It should flash a handful of times after a few seconds telling you the procedure was successful.

I thought I read some Ford documentation that the system needs 6-8 hours of "sleep" time to recalibrate - off, doors locked, sitting undisturbed. So I did it right before bed. Doesn't seem to have made a difference. Other forum members have done it right before a drive to work and it was fine.

I'm kind of in a weird spot on this myself. I have a 2021 powerboost, just replaced the original battery with a new NAPA one since the old one was 3-4 years old at this point. There were no issues prior. I got several "service charging system" errors until I did the BMS reset. But oddly, I still get them occasionally since resetting the BMS. I have tried a couple different times, after long drives, assuming the battery maybe had low charge when I bought it (don't have a charger, put it straight in). I'm a bit saddened by this because the original battery had no issues whatsoever and the NAPA one was supposed to be better. If anyone has any tips I'm all ears, otherwise I'm just chalking it up to the quirky "advanced" charging system in the truck.

 

[DadBald]

The new BCM strategy is much more aggressive and keeps the battery/s charged much better while also not seeming to dip below AGM's float voltage around 13.8v.

Do you know which update this was? Can I force this update if I don't have it yet?

 

[Bryan Simon]

Do you know which update this was? Can I force this update if I don't have it yet?

good question.
I replaced my battery in March, and now the ASS has stopped working again.
Battery voltage was at 12.4 overnight.
Hood opened the night before so as not to “wake” the truck before testing. That H8 should be 12.8 or better.

 

[Eskram]

Yup. I've noticed a HUGE difference with this update..

It was charging at 70a earlier today. I saw it hit 75a once for a short period. Once it hit about 60%, it dropped to about 50a and progressively ramped down amperage as the 12v system charged. I gained about 15% in 5ish miles.

 

[ReverendQ]

It was charging at 70a earlier today. I saw it hit 75a once for a short period. Once it hit about 60%, it dropped to about 50a and progressively ramped down amperage as the 12v system charged. I gained about 15% in 5ish miles.

I agree. Would you say that it is safe for @HammaMan to stop reminding folks to put fan speed at 5 or more? PS: Time to update your MX2 Dashboard

 

[NVRANUF]

My post and interest here is really related to OTA Updates... I came here looking for some consensus on the optimal SOC setting. After reading through the thread I settled on 90%. I used the easy method in ForScan to make the change. I have a new (5-6 months ago) H8 battery (I did the BMS reset at install). After making the SOC change in ForScan, I put my battery on a 10A AGM charge with a Prologix PL2320 charger overnight (Connected to the BMS post) and have driven the truck a couple of times over 2 days, maybe 10 miles / 20 minutes each time.

I haven't monitored the SOC PID, but I have measured battery voltage and at rest it maintains a steady 12.8 volts whether I have just shut off the truck or when I measure it the next morning.

What I did notice is that I am now receiving OTA updates since changing the SOC setting. I have received one update each day (2 total now). But in the last 1.5 years of ownership I had only received 1 OTA, ever. So something has definitely changed with that setting.... I don't believe it's coincidence that I'm just now getting two OTA updates. (BTW, I've changed nothing at home with Wi-Fi and the truck is connected to my home network while in the driveway). OTA updates, however, have only come after I drove the truck the two times I mentioned, like they are being downloaded over a cellular network rather than my home Wi-Fi. My neighbor is a computer network engineer so I might ask him if we can monitor my home network's internet traffic related to my truck's MAC address, to see if it's communicated with Ford.

For now, I'm happy that setting the SOC to 90 seems to have helped.

 

[Ricksc]

So far my upgraded battery and SOC change has got me 2 years. Now back to sleep mode. Battery charges at 14+ volts every time truck is running. Over night I will drop to 60% SOC or less.

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