12V Battery Recharge Threshold Improved in Latest BCM Software!

[Space_Pony]

No, this newest software has not been released via OTA yet. FDRS only.

The OTA you referenced is the prior version, MU5T-14C184-ACS. The recharge threshold was 45% on that software IIRC (still an improvement over the original 35%).

Sounds good. Which do you think we'll see first, the 12 volt battery health alert that was supposed to be coming soon in Fordpass back in September or this?

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/12v-battery-health-alert-in-fordpass-app-coming-soon.38444/

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[Tampamike]

I can’t help but asking, “Didn’t the Ford engineers know this when they first built the car?”

 

[ChasingCoral]

I’m pleased to report that the threshold for automatic 12V recharge has been increased to 55% in the latest BCM software! This is a much-awaited improvement that will ensure the battery remains charged, healthy, and prevents it from running low or freezing in extremely cold conditions.

The original software had a threshold as low as 35%, while later versions gradually increased it to 40%, 45%, and now 55%, which is the ideal threshold.

If you’re unaware, the Mach-E automatically recharges the 12V battery when it reaches a low percentage to prevent it from dying. However, the percentage at which this automatic recharge occurs has changed in subsequent software updates.

No idea if or when it's coming OTA.

My Lightning just received 10.3.0 it might have been in here:

 

[ChasingCoral]

Here’s the sound the truck made while updating to 10.3.0. Sounded like a swarm of angry bees. This may be fairly normal, I usually don’t listen during updates.


@Mach-Lee is this normal?

 

[iam-s-Hon]

No idea if or when it's coming OTA....understatement for those of us with a Job 1 2021.

Soon never (TM)

 

[iam-s-Hon]

Here’s the sound the truck made while updating to 10.3.0. Sounded like a swarm of angry bees. This may be fairly normal, I usually don’t listen during updates.


@Mach-Lee is this normal?

Bees are swarming together to stay warm in these frigid temps. Think of it as some extra insulation for the truck

 

[Mach-Lee]

Here’s the sound the truck made while updating to 10.3.0. Sounded like a swarm of angry bees. This may be fairly normal, I usually don’t listen during updates.


@Mach-Lee is this normal?

That's the oil pump inside the drive unit. Normal for it to run during some updates. It's been a while since I updated a Lightning, I think there was some wavering to the pump sound IIRC but it might be worse because the oil is cold. If you have no codes then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Shayne]

You have the "-ACS" rev.

Got it on Dec 10 2024 Maybe a seasonal location thing

To be honest I need no power ups just the stuff for driving charging and maintaining itself. If FDRS was not so expensive for what it does (a car) I would be in there like a dirty shirt. BC not required.

It would be nice if a 12V update actually did maintain itself. 35% nope, 45% nope, 55% ................. maybe (nope). Gets everyone here talking about 12V's, how early theirs died and how difficult that was so now we are preventively throwing 12V batteries away before their time.

I guess now with the 12V sitting at 55% it should update no problems Problem solved drill ports and buy a 12V charger. Update fails 10 to 1 it is the 12V being abused. Never seen 12V's fail by being at a too high state of charge. With big moves of 10% they will never win the higher lower game . Most of the time you over design then cut back not small steps up to something that is just working.

55% on a cold night in Alaska should work no probs. Would not want to have a fully charged 12V battery in those conditions. 90% for the lithium and 55% for the lead acid. Nothing should stick open with that. Just totally weird the Ford process on this. Like someone does not want to admit defeat. Has to be cycles on contacts? I know; green field designs are always easy compared to fixing problems of something that already exists. Few more constraints in the equations. Contact problem is solved? Maybe not? They can vary logic based on temp but I think one size fits all for now.

 

[Mike G]

My Lightning just received 10.3.0 it might have been in here:

Nope. That was a powertrain update.

 

[Mike G]

That's the oil pump inside the drive unit. Normal for it to run during some updates. It's been a while since I updated a Lightning, I think there was some wavering to the pump sound IIRC but it might be worse because the oil is cold. If you have no codes then I wouldn't worry about it.

I've heard it do that on both the front drive unit (SOBDMB) and then the noise switches to the back when it's updating the rear motor (SOBDMC).

 

[Mike G]

I can’t help but asking, “Didn’t the Ford engineers know this when they first built the car?”

It may have been overlooked in committee.

 

[jero1Ac]

I’m pleased to report that the threshold for automatic 12V recharge has been increased to 55% in the latest BCM software! This is a much-awaited improvement that will ensure the battery remains charged, healthy, and prevents it from running low or freezing in extremely cold conditions.

The original software had a threshold as low as 35%, while later versions gradually increased it to 40%, 45%, and now 55%, which is the ideal threshold.

If you’re unaware, the Mach-E automatically recharges the 12V battery when it reaches a low percentage to prevent it from dying. However, the percentage at which this automatic recharge occurs has changed in subsequent software updates.

No idea if or when it's coming OTA.

My mme has a trickle charger on the 12v battery, it's wont do a thing. It died last week in -35 temps, thats why I have the charger on it. I dont know what else to do other than wait for the dealership to pick it up.

 

[iam-s-Hon]

That's the oil pump inside the drive unit. Normal for it to run during some updates. It's been a while since I updated a Lightning, I think there was some wavering to the pump sound IIRC but it might be worse because the oil is cold. If you have no codes then I wouldn't worry about it.

This seems more plausible than bees. ?

 

[Mach-Lee]

My mme has a trickle charger on the 12v battery, it's wont do a thing. It died last week in -35 temps, thats why I have the charger on it. I dont know what else to do other than wait for the dealership to pick it up.

That’s why I don’t recommend trickle chargers, they’re not powerful enough to do much overnight. To keep the battery charged, you need a battery charger rated for 4 amps or larger.

Not sure how handy you are, you could attempt to replace the battery yourself? (see instructions elsewhere on the forum) Otherwise perhaps you could get mobile service. And of course it’s possible your HVBJB failed if you hadn’t had it replaced yet.

 

[jero1Ac]

That’s why I don’t recommend trickle chargers, they’re not powerful enough to do much overnight. To keep the battery charged, you need a battery charger rated for 4 amps or larger.

Not sure how handy you are, you could attempt to replace the battery yourself? (see instructions elsewhere on the forum) Otherwise perhaps you could get mobile service. And of course it’s possible your HVBJB failed if you hadn’t had it replaced yet.

I'm gonna pick up a new battery and change it out myself. I got the trickle charger and didn't leave it on long enough, it's recommended to leave it on for 24-48 hours, I didn't and it's my fault. It's a 2 amp automatic charger.

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