12v - Increase charging

[Gistrup]

Hi, just wonder if there is anything I can do to increase the automated charging of the 12v battery from the main battery, to avoid regular manually connection of an external charger. I understand that the 12v battery must be at, at least 80% to receive and install any updates without failure. That's why the voltage level is important to me. Mine is normally around 70% and every updates received are failing and I don't want to manually charge the battery every week.

E.g. leave the car on in parking mode for some hours with aircon and heater disabled? (my dealer suggested that, but does it work?)

Charging the car with a Grandmother charger, will give the car time to transfer power to the 12v battery? (ChatGPT suggested that!)

Leave the car in sleep mode for several days?

Delete the Fordpass app from my phone, to avoid waking up my car?

Which method is most efficient if any?

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[RickMachE]

Easiest is to use the 120v charger. Last 2 options are ridiculous.

 

[mdwinther35]

If your charger supports variable amperage, reduce the rate to stretch out the charge session (12v battery charges while car is being driven or charged). Also check out this thread:

https://www.macheforum.com/how-to-get-failed-otas-to-install/

 

[Maquis]

Leaving the car running while parked will charge the 12V battery regardless of the HVAC settings.

 

[Triggerhappy007]

Leaving the car running while parked will charge the 12V battery regardless of the HVAC settings.

Yes, it's mainly to decrease battery usage when parked and on. If OP is planning to do that, make sure to disable auto shut off after 30 minutes.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

I've successfully used the HVAC & lights off, car on, auto-shut-off disabled approach many times. Of course you should only do this if you can secure the car from theft. But I would only do that if/when there is an update queued up. Doing it on a regular basis would be overkill and might not be healthy for the 12V battery.

As for charging it with an L1 charger, that can also potentially work, but you need to consider such as traction battery SoC (needs to be low enough to allow the 12V to charge, while high enough that you get the range you need for your commute). If your situation happens to fall in that sweet spot, then yeah, it can work just fine...

 

[luckie]

I believe you need to read Mach-Lee's "12V battery FAQ". Much learning can be had.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/12v-battery-faq.32744/

 

[Ford_orr]

As has been suggested, I periodically (once a month or six weeks) leave the vehicle on in my driveway for 8-10 hrs. Turn off auto lights, turn off auto shutoff, turn off Bluetooth.

 

[kkgg]

I downgraded my chargepoint current limit to 20 amps. that way it will charge slowly but also charge the 12v battery for the entire time.

My car is 3.5 years old now and I do not have any 12v battery issues.

 

[ipca204]

I downgraded my chargepoint current limit to 20 amps. that way it will charge slowly but also charge the 12v battery for the entire time.

My car is 3.5 years old now and I do not have any 12v battery issues.

ooooohhhhhhhhhh, you did it now! You have angered the 12v battery gods.....incoming issues...imminent!

 

[Shayne]

I understand that the 12v battery must be at, at least 80% to receive and install any updates without failure. That's why the voltage level is important to me
.....
Delete the Fordpass app from my phone, to avoid waking up my car?

Scheduled updates should give you a notification it has an update so before is a good time to put it on your 12V charger. Mine has updated with a 15 amp hooked up.

Just close the ford app and tell your phones system to not allow it to do anything in the background. You can shut off notifications so the app does not tell you closing it down is bad. That should save some phone and car battery for you. You then just have to open the app for it to work as a key/controller which is the only small minus.

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