To Plug in or not when away for a couple of weeks?

[CameraCarl]

I'm going on vacation for a couple of weeks. I've read that it is a good idea to keep the car plugged into a Level 2 charger when gone for a short period of time. But I've also read that it is not a good idea to have your EV plugged in when there is a thunderstorm. What is the best practice when I'm going to be away from home and there might be a chance of thunderstorms?

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[RickMachE]

Posted often.

No reason to plug in. 30 days or longer, leave at 50% charge and disconnect the 12v or put it on a trickle charger.

 

[Deleted member 19354]

Posted often.

No reason to plug in. 30 days or longer, leave at 50% charge and disconnect the 12v or put it on a trickle charger.

Trickle charger like level 1?

 

[MadMatt]

Trickle charger like level 1?

No, a trickle would be something that connects directly to the 12v keeping it charged. It's a good idea for a longer period, like 2-3 months. 2 weeks shouldn't be an issue.

I've left mine for over a month (not plugged into anything) and came back to a fully functioning vehicle.

1. As mentioned have the HV battery around 50-60%.
2. Ideally have the vehicle go on a minimum 30 minute drive before parking to ensure the 12v has been charged up.
3. Lock up and keep any key fobs a good distance away so there's nothing to trigger the vehicle waking up while gone.
4. while away, close the Ford pass app and don't try to open it.

After a certain amount of time has passed without it getting woke up, the 12v will fall to around 50-60% and the vehicle will enter a sleep mode. This is what we want.

 

[RickMachE]

Trickle charger like level 1?

Like this - https://amzn.to/45KnSPh

 

[Deleted member 19354]

Thanks Rick

 

[RickK7]

Like this - https://amzn.to/45KnSPh

That's a good idea. I've used a trickle charger for years on my gas vehicles and the batteries last forever. On my newish to me FME, I tried plugging my trickler into the "jump-start terminals for the 12‑volt battery located behind a small access panel in the front bumper" and my charger would not "engage". Do you think my charger is at fault or do I have to instead try it the more difficult route by removing the beauty cover to get closer to the battery?

 

[E90alex]

Plugging in is not absolutely necessary, but it can help the car regulate the battery temperature even when it’s not charging. This only really matters if you’re leaving it while the weather will be very hot.

 

[RickMachE]

That's a good idea. I've used a trickle charger for years on my gas vehicles and the batteries last forever. On my newish to me FME, I tried plugging my trickler into the "jump-start terminals for the 12‑volt battery located behind a small access panel in the front bumper" and my charger would not "engage". Do you think my charger is at fault or do I have to instead try it the more difficult route by removing the beauty cover to get closer to the battery?

Those wires are not connected to the battery... Their sole purpose is to pop the frunk when your 12v is dead (dead, not weak).

Either use the jump posts under the driver's side panel, or make some covers to get to them.

 

[E90alex]

That's a good idea. I've used a trickle charger for years on my gas vehicles and the batteries last forever. On my newish to me FME, I tried plugging my trickler into the "jump-start terminals for the 12‑volt battery located behind a small access panel in the front bumper" and my charger would not "engage". Do you think my charger is at fault or do I have to instead try it the more difficult route by removing the beauty cover to get closer to the battery?

The leads behind the bumper are not connected to the battery. It’s only to the frunk release, and they are only connected when the 12V is dead. You need to hook it up to the jump terminals under the frunk beauty covers.

 

[Adventureboy]

No, a trickle would be something that connects directly to the 12v keeping it charged. It's a good idea for a longer period, like 2-3 months. 2 weeks shouldn't be an issue.

I've left mine for over a month (not plugged into anything) and came back to a fully functioning vehicle.

1. As mentioned have the HV battery around 50-60%.
2. Ideally have the vehicle go on a minimum 30 minute drive before parking to ensure the 12v has been charged up.
3. Lock up and keep any key fobs a good distance away so there's nothing to trigger the vehicle waking up while gone.
4. while away, close the Ford pass app and don't try to open it.

After a certain amount of time has passed without it getting woke up, the 12v will fall to around 50-60% and the vehicle will enter a sleep mode. This is what we want.

A couple of adds to this:
5. The car will charge the LVB from the HBV before entering sleep mode, so your 12v will stay healthy.
6. Make sure you disconnect 3rd party accessories that may draw power. Dashcams are a prime culprit if they have a parking mode. ODB2 dongles are another one that will keep things from shutting down properly.

 

[RickK7]

Thanks for the info about the leads near the bumper. ChatGPT erroneously told me that they *could* be used to trickle the battery, but I wondered about that after it didn't work....

 

[RickMachE]

Thanks for the info about the leads near the bumper. ChatGPT erroneously told me that they *could* be used to trickle the battery, but I wondered about that after it didn't work....

Another example of the misinformation that AI generates.

 

[thenew3]

We were away for 29 days last month. Left the car in the driveway unplugged. Left with 62% returned with 56%. So 6% loss in 29 days.
had no issues starting it up. No 12v issues. Car was built in December 2020 so 4.5 years old.

 

[Bad Dolphin]

That's a good idea. I've used a trickle charger for years on my gas vehicles and the batteries last forever. On my newish to me FME, I tried plugging my trickler into the "jump-start terminals for the 12‑volt battery located behind a small access panel in the front bumper" and my charger would not "engage". Do you think my charger is at fault or do I have to instead try it the more difficult route by removing the beauty cover to get closer to the battery?

Guys--following what we've also done with our two ICE cars, we bought a third Battery Tender, Jr and a matching extension chord with cigarette lighter plug at the other end. Plan to plug this into the cigarette lighter 12v in the luggage area of our 2024 MME GT to keep the 12v topped off line we do in the other two cars. A preliminary test with one of the other setups seemed to indicate power was active to the 12v with this method. (All purchased from Amazon.)

Access is more convenient than taking apart stuff inside frunk.

Thoughts?

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