Tips on DCFC'ing in 100F+ Degree Heat?

[VindictivePantz]

Will be soon taking a trip from the Chicago area to a portion of the country where temps will be in the upper 90s, even crossing 100F. I will probably end up needing 4-6 DCFC sessions depending on how many L2s I can squeeze in where possible.

Some additional context behind the question - Early Job 1, with the original HVJCB at around 30k. All up to date on main software, recalls, etc.

Based on what I've culled over the past few months, I am assuming that the following are "best" practices:

1. Keep the speed reasonable (70MPH or lower, ideally)
2. Prior to DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes
3. Post DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes and do not drive WOT
4. Pray to the great HVJCB gods that I wish them nothing but goodwill

Anything else that I am obviously missing/not considering?

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[azerik]

Don't over think it. We charge in 110+ all the time, granted we don't unplug and hit WOT when leaving the chargers. The battery tries to take care of it's self more than you when it gets over 104. If the battery sits and heat soaks at 100+ it'll slow the curve or run the cooling for the battery more. If it's touching 100's out the car would need to sit in the sun in a parking lot most of the day to get that warm.

#4 though. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[hybrid2bev]

Will be soon taking a trip from the Chicago area to a portion of the country where temps will be in the upper 90s, even crossing 100F. I will probably end up needing 4-6 DCFC sessions depending on how many L2s I can squeeze in where possible.

Some additional context behind the question - Early Job 1, with the original HVJCB at around 30k. All up to date on main software, recalls, etc.

Based on what I've culled over the past few months, I am assuming that the following are "best" practices:

1. Keep the speed reasonable (70MPH or lower, ideally)
2. Prior to DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes
3. Post DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes and do not drive WOT
4. Pray to the great HVJCB gods that I wish them nothing but goodwill

Anything else that I am obviously missing/not considering?

My car is the same as yours, with 39k miles. I just did a road trip with 16 DCFC sessions.

1. Keep the speed reasonable (75MPH or lower, ideally)
2. Prior to DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes -- nah unnecessary
3. Post DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes -- nah unnecessary and probably better to turn the car on so the cooling is running. and do not drive WOT - I drive easy anyways
4. Pray to the great HVJCB gods that I wish them nothing but goodwill -- don't even think about it

 

[VindictivePantz]

Don't over think it. We charge in 110+ all the time, granted we don't unplug and hit WOT when leaving the chargers. The battery tries to take care of it's self more than you when it gets over 104. If the battery sits and heat soaks at 100+ it'll slow the curve or run the cooling for the battery more. If it's touching 100's out the car would need to sit in the sun in a parking lot most of the day to get that warm.

#4 though. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My car is the same as yours, with 39k miles. I just did a road trip with 16 DCFC sessions.

1. Keep the speed reasonable (75MPH or lower, ideally)
2. Prior to DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes -- nah unnecessary
3. Post DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes -- nah unnecessary and probably better to turn the car on so the cooling is running. and do not drive WOT - I drive easy anyways
4. Pray to the great HVJCB gods that I wish them nothing but goodwill -- don't even think about it

Thank you both!

I got the car in August of last year, and while it can get to 100F+ in the Chicago area, I do not need to DCFC, and wanted a sanity check.

Appreciate the insight!

 

[intensifi]

On a recent DCFC stop in a very warm location I turned the car off while charging.

the charging went as expected. However I burned through a great deal of battery on the next segment of the trip with no real change in speed.

a friend of mine said I should have left the car on while charging. Something about the battery cooling system.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Will be soon taking a trip from the Chicago area to a portion of the country where temps will be in the upper 90s, even crossing 100F. I will probably end up needing 4-6 DCFC sessions depending on how many L2s I can squeeze in where possible.

Some additional context behind the question - Early Job 1, with the original HVJCB at around 30k. All up to date on main software, recalls, etc.

Based on what I've culled over the past few months, I am assuming that the following are "best" practices:

1. Keep the speed reasonable (70MPH or lower, ideally)
2. Prior to DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes
3. Post DCFC'ing, let the beast cool for a few minutes and do not drive WOT
4. Pray to the great HVJCB gods that I wish them nothing but goodwill

Anything else that I am obviously missing/not considering?

You forgot one, navigate to the charger with the Ford Nav so battery preconditioning kicks in and cools the pack down as you approach the charger.

 

[hybrid2bev]

On a recent DCFC stop in a very warm location I turned the car off while charging.

the charging went as expected. However I burned through a great deal of battery on the next segment of the trip with no real change in speed.

a friend of mine said I should have left the car on while charging. Something about the battery cooling system.

While charging the car the battery cooling/heating system runs whether you have the car on or not.

I will usually have the car off while doing a DCFC so all of the cooling/heating can go to the battery. When I get to within about 5-10 minutes of leaving then turn the car on to condition the cabin while on 'shore' power.

 

[VindictivePantz]

You forgot one, navigate to the charger with the Ford Nav so battery preconditioning kicks in and cools the pack down as you approach the charger.

D'oh - Forgot about that. Thank you.

I rely on ABRP for overall planning but will switch out to FordNav about 60 minutes out from a DCFC.

 

[intensifi]

While charging the car the battery cooling/heating system runs whether you have the car on or not.

I will usually have the car off while doing a DCFC so all of the cooling/heating can go to the battery. When I get to within about 5-10 minutes of leaving then turn the car on to condition the cabin while on 'shore' power.

Any idea why my next stretch of driving consumed so much more battery?

first stage was I5 from LA to the 46 junction. Next (Bad) segment was 46 to Paso Robles then on to 101 North.

 

[hybrid2bev]

Any idea why my next stretch of driving consumed so much more battery?

first stage was I5 from LA to the 46 junction. Next (Bad) segment was 46 to Paso Robles then on to 101 North.

I'm not familiar with CA terrain/locations. If the average speed was the same in both segments, was the second segment going uphill and/or into headwinds?

 

[sukhoi_584th]

While charging the car the battery cooling/heating system runs whether you have the car on or not.

I will usually have the car off while doing a DCFC so all of the cooling/heating can go to the battery. When I get to within about 5-10 minutes of leaving then turn the car on to condition the cabin while on 'shore' power.

Once you DCFC to a higher SOC when the car isn't maxing out the charger does the extra power to run the HVAC come on top of what's going into the battery or does it still slow down the charging? Let's assume the battery isn't asking for maximum heating or cooling by this point.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Once you DCFC to a higher SOC when the car isn't maxing out the charger does the extra power to run the HVAC come on top of what's going into the battery or does it still slow down the charging? Let's assume the battery isn't asking for maximum heating or cooling by this point.

Depends if the charger is limiting or not. If the charger is limiting, then it reduces battery current. But if things are working normally and the charger isn't limiting, the car will automatically request more power to cover the HVAC demands so the charging speed wouldn't be affected.

 

[superdave80]

Any idea why my next stretch of driving consumed so much more battery?

first stage was I5 from LA to the 46 junction. Next (Bad) segment was 46 to Paso Robles then on to 101 North.

My half-assed guess is that heading north had less headwind than heading west towards the coast. Up here in Northern California I usually hit more headwind when I head west.

 

[TonyDPony]

When Fast Charging, this says limit to 80%, Are people practicing that regardless of temperature?
https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...265xLnfceTbE-Mvw3nk40q-Gio4orKuAOtNWoDs3zNga4

 

[RickMachE]

You forgot one, navigate to the charger with the Ford Nav so battery preconditioning kicks in and cools the pack down as you approach the charger.

Has anyone monitored the battery to know that this actually takes place? We know the warming does...

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