Extreme Heat and EVs

[Mr.Doug]

Yes.

The act of discharging the battery generates a very small amount of heat, and charging the battery (regen or plugging it in) creates quite a bit of heat. The batteries like to be about 60-70 degrees F, so the car will try to keep them that way.

The batteries will degrade faster in hot weather, but I wouldn't be concerned. They are designed to handle Arizona-type weather and last a minimum of 10 years. If they drop below 70% of their original capacity before 10 years, Ford gives you a new battery per warranty.

Awesome.. I will drive it and not worry about it..
Thanks again,
Doug..

Sponsored

 

[macchiaz-o]

The batteries like to be about 60-70 degrees F, so the car will try to keep them that way.

Makes sense. I think something may not be working as designed to cool down the batteries once parked.

If I just completed a highway drive, arrive at a destination and park, I thought the vehicle would continue to cool the batteries down for awhile (and as needed given the environment it's in). It doesn't seem to do this at all except while charging.

 

[SnBGC]

Makes sense. I think something may not be working as designed to cool down the batteries once parked.

If I just completed a highway drove, arrive at a destination and park, I thought the vehicle would continue to cool the batteries down for awhile (and as needed given the environment it's in). It doesn't seem to do this at all except while charging.

I have the same suspicion.
I plug in every time I arrive at home or the office and have a charge schedule set to the late evening hours. So far I have only observed the louvers opening once and the fan ran for about 4 or 5 minutes and then shut down. Other than that....I haven't observed the car cooling itself while parked unless it was also charging. (my parking spot is right outside my office so I can see my car from my desk and can hear it if the compressor/chiller turns on.)

My Focus Electric would cool the battery during the summer while parked on plug every time. It would run for 10-15 minute right after it was parked and then would come on again about once every hour or two throughout the day.

As far as I can tell, there aren't any codes for excessive battery temps so maybe it's all okay?
During the week, my car sees such regular use that I can see how there might not be enough time for the battery to heat soak while parked but during the weekend it sits in my driveway where it gets VERY warm and I have yet to observe the battery conditioning process while parked at home.

 

[Mr.Doug]

Question.. Can I sit in car while at a charging station with car on so I don't cook outside waiting for car to charge?

 

[v8318cid]

Yes, it is possible to charge with the A/C running. Might slow your charging down a little if you're using a level 2 charging station, but if using DCFC it should not be noticeable.

 

[Mr.Doug]

Yes, it is possible to charge with the A/C running. Might slow your charging down a little if you're using a level 2 charging station, but if using DCFC it should not be noticeable.

Ok, So turn car off, plug in charger, than get in car and turn it on? <smile>

 

[BMT1071]

I have the same suspicion.
I plug in every time I arrive at home or the office and have a charge schedule set to the late evening hours. So far I have only observed the louvers opening once and the fan ran for about 4 or 5 minutes and then shut down. Other than that....I haven't observed the car cooling itself while parked unless it was also charging. (my parking spot is right outside my office so I can see my car from my desk and can hear it if the compressor/chiller turns on.)

My Focus Electric would cool the battery during the summer while parked on plug every time. It would run for 10-15 minute right after it was parked and then would come on again about once every hour or two throughout the day.

As far as I can tell, there aren't any codes for excessive battery temps so maybe it's all okay?
During the week, my car sees such regular use that I can see how there might not be enough time for the battery to heat soak while parked but during the weekend it sits in my driveway where it gets VERY warm and I have yet to observe the battery conditioning process while parked at home.

I wonder if it is using a less aggressive cooling strategy when not plugged in. I'm assuming just the coolant pumps running would be hard to notice if you weren't right by the car. ???

 

[Mr.Doug]

Ok, So turn car off, plug in charger, than get in car and turn it on? <smile>

is that how to do it?

 

[SnBGC]

I wonder if it is using a less aggressive cooling strategy when not plugged in. I'm assuming just the coolant pumps running would be hard to notice if you weren't right by the car. ???

I had the same thought. I barely could hear the pumps in my FFE. I had to open the hood and then could see the fluid flowing to the expansion tanks. I think all that stuff is hidden from view pretty well in our cars.

If you pop open the front compartment lid, feel how much warm air rises out from the vent/grill piece. It is quite a bit. I wonder if I remove just that piece, could I then see the coolant tanks? I might give that a try later. ?

 

[v8318cid]

is that how to do it?

I've used that process several times. Not sure if it works without powering off the car first though - haven't tried.

 

[RedStallion]

Only 44% of homes have AC. That’s up from one-third a decade ago. Normal for us is 72 this time of year. We’re going to hit 110 today. Third day in a row above 100. It got “down” to 75 overnight.

My friends were laughing at me when I paid big bucks to install a large AC unit when I bought my house. They said you might need cooling two days a year. Who is laughing now? ?

 

[Mr.Doug]

I've used that process several times. Not sure if it works without powering off the car first though - haven't tried.

Thanks Much.. I will try it today at EAmerica

 

[RedStallion]

Ok, So turn car off, plug in charger, than get in car and turn it on? <smile>

you can do it in any order, including ?

 

[v8318cid]

My friends were laughing at me when I paid big bucks to install a large AC unit when I bought my house. They said you might need cooling two days a year. Who is laughing now? ?

They're probably feeling about as smug as those I passed a few weeks ago circling the empty gas stations like vultures. Not that the pipeline issue didn't affect me, but always good to have a plan B right?

 

[awiginton]

And this thread is not me complaining about the heat. I see these temps every summer year at my house so I know how to deal with it.

I did find it very funny that the car complained and wanted to be plugged in, although I know it is so it could run the AC to protect the batteries and make them last longer by reducing the heat cycling..

So dumb question, the hotter the car gets, the more it will deteriorate the battery?

Sponsored