Connecting Trickle Charger

[dje4msu]

I will be leaving the Mach e in the garage for an bit over two ,months this winter (cold climate). A preponderance of opinion on this board seems to be to have the HVB at about 50%, do NOT plug in the level 2 charger, and attach a 12v trickle charger to the LVB with positive to positive and negative to frame (not to negative battery post).

1. Is ,y summary accurate? Any suggested changes?

2. Are the "smallish" alligator clips on on a Battery Tender Junior adequate connectors?

3. Where is the best frame connection for the negative? Any location useable above the frunk trim panels in to frunk area itself?

Thanks for your sage advice.

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[RickMachE]

Open frunk.
Remove center panel.
Remove driver's side panel.
You will see a positive post and a negative post under the driver's side panel. Use those.

NOTE - Make sure to wait for the light to go out on the frunk before connecting the clips and walking away. The other day for whatever reason my light stayed on all night before I noticed it the next day. I disconnected the BT, and when the light went out after timing out I reconnected it.

 

[dje4msu]

Thanks Rick.

I know in the past there was discussion about NOT using the negative post and attaching the negative to the vehicle frame instead. Is using the negative battery post no longer a concern?

 

[generaltso]

Thanks Rick.

I know in the past there was discussion about NOT using the negative post and attaching the negative to the vehicle frame instead. Is using the negative battery post no longer a concern?

The negative post Rick is referring to is not the negative terminal on the battery.

 

[SoriceConsulting]

What I still fail to understand is why this would be necessary when you have that gigantic battery just sitting there. Why does it not automatically keep the 12V charged properly?

 

[generaltso]

What I still fail to understand is why this would be necessary when you have that gigantic battery just sitting there. Why does it not automatically keep the 12V charged properly?

Because the DC/DC converter won't come alive automatically after the car has been off long enough to go into deep sleep mode. That's why Ford recommends disconnecting the 12V battery for storage longer than 30 days.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Thanks Rick.

I know in the past there was discussion about NOT using the negative post and attaching the negative to the vehicle frame instead. Is using the negative battery post no longer a concern?

That always applies, do not connect anything to the negative battery terminal. Only connect to the negative jump post or body ground. See below for proper locations:

 

[dje4msu]

Thank you. The photo is very helpful.

 

[AliRafiee]

That always applies, do not connect anything to the negative battery terminal. Only connect to the negative jump post or body ground. See below for proper locations:

What? Where do you this info from?
I have 6 bikes in the garage all connected to tenders. Some of which had the connectors installed at the dealership.
When I had my Mustang GT that got less than 200 miles a year was always connected to a tender.

 

[Mach-Lee]

What? Where do you this info from?
I have 6 bikes in the garage all connected to tenders. Some of which had the connectors installed at the dealership.
When I had my Mustang GT that got less than 200 miles a year was always connected to a tender.

"Trust me, I'm an expert" applies here. It's difficult to explain but it messes up the 12V BMS if you connect a charger to the negative battery terminal (it will make your % SoC go down instead of up). It's also stated in the service manual for every Ford made in the past 10 years.

On motorcycles it's probably okay, but on any 2013+ Ford vehicles you must use a body ground.

 

[Space_Pony]

It has always been recommended as a safety issue to connect to a grounded source instead of the negative post due to hydrogen from the battery that could ignite from a spark when connecting to the negative post. If the battery is in an open and well ventilated area there is little danger.

 

[RickMachE]

It has always been recommended as a safety issue to connect to a grounded source instead of the negative post due to hydrogen from the battery that could ignite from a spark when connecting to the negative post. If the battery is in an open and well ventilated area there is little danger.

True. But a BT doesn't spark as it kicks in after evaluating things.

 

[MICO]

That always applies, do not connect anything to the negative battery terminal. Only connect to the negative jump post or body ground. See below for proper locations:

 

[MICO]

With all the smart people posting on the forum, I can't believe no one has devised an connection to both the positive terminal and the negative post, protruding through the frunk wall to attach a battery charger directly. This would eliminating the removal of the frunk center and side panels. I don't expect Ford to come up with a connection, but no one in the forum is up to the challenge.
I understand the minimum charge level of the LVB, but the hassles and inconvenience is crazy in such an advanced machine. If break controllers for a trailer are nothing more then a plug in connection; why can't the same principle be applied to a battery tender?

 

[macchiaz-o]

With all the smart people posting on the forum, I can't believe no one has devised an connection to both the positive terminal and the negative post, protruding through the frunk wall to attach a battery charger directly. This would eliminating the removal of the frunk center and side panels. I don't expect Ford to come up with a connection, but no one in the forum is up to the challenge.
I understand the minimum charge level of the LVB, but the hassles and inconvenience is crazy in such an advanced machine. If break controllers for a trailer are nothing more then a plug in connection; why can't the same principle be applied to a battery tender?

An easier solution has been discussed and done many times. Here's just one thread:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/guide-better-jump-point-access-battery-access.10976/

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