Preparing For Drive Status

[Shayne]

That's what I'm worried about once the temps drop to -20 to -30°C here in the winter.

Anything harmful for the vehicle if I leave it parked in cold climate without being plugged in? Charge levels will always be between 50-90%.

Would you plug your block heater in at -30c? I have the tendance of trying to maintain my investments or at least no abuse if possible. I plug 24/7 when it gets cold -15c today and plugged . Prepared to drive around 3 am. Best chance to maintain itself when plugged to 240 v is my guess?

Sponsored

 

[Mach-Lee]

That's what I'm worried about once the temps drop to -20 to -30°C here in the winter.

Anything harmful for the vehicle if I leave it parked in cold climate without being plugged in? Charge levels will always be between 50-90%.

Do not operate the car if the pack is colder than -25°C. It needs to be warmed up first. Narrow down your charging hours or use a smart EVSE to turn power on only right before your usual drive times. If you can delay charging until like 4AM then the pack will warm up to charge and still be warm in the morning. So you could set a charging window of only 4-8AM if you leave before 8AM, etc. You want it to finish charging right before you leave ideally.

 

[slimothyjames]

Would you plug your block heater in at -30c? I have the tendance of trying to maintain my investments or at least no abuse if possible. I plug 24/7 when it gets cold -15c today and plugged . Prepared to drive around 3 am. Best chance to maintain itself when plugged to 240 v is my guess?

Yea I use a block heater on my other vehicle whenever below -10. Studies apparently show 3 hours is optimal for block heaters; more time doesn't make much a difference.

Do not operate the car if the pack is colder than -25°C. It needs to be warmed up first. Narrow down your charging hours or use a smart EVSE to turn power on only right before your usual drive times. If you can delay charging until like 4AM then the pack will warm up to charge and still be warm in the morning. So you could set a charging window of only 4-8AM if you leave before 8AM, etc. You want it to finish charging right before you leave ideally.

Looks like I'll just keep the car plugged in once it gets really cold and let the MME decide what it needs to do.

I do not have a normal schedule since I work remotely. No commute to a 9-5 job.

 

[Shayne]

Do not operate the car if the pack is colder than -25°C. It needs to be warmed up first. Narrow down your charging hours or use a smart EVSE to turn power on only right before your usual drive times. If you can delay charging until like 4AM then the pack will warm up to charge and still be warm in the morning. So you could set a charging window of only 4-8AM if you leave before 8AM, etc. You want it to finish charging right before you leave ideally.

Was thinking that is what departure schedule is for. Seen it come on for 1.5 hours last winter. 240v and set a departure a couple hours before. Ensure it shows that time in vehicle screen at the bottom of the departure box or it did not set and is just fooling you saying it did. Remote start does not do it but was thinking departure does. Going to use the energy either way and the car decides when is best.

 

[Shayne]

Yea I use a block heater on my other vehicle whenever below -10. Studies apparently show 3 hours is optimal for block heaters; more time doesn't make much a difference.

Set a departure and let the car figure out the optimum time to plug in the block heater. Found it varied last winter and depends on temp 1.5 hours was about max. I say best chance should be leaving it plugged with all the power it needs. If it dies plugged they will not say don’t plug it in when -30c.

 

[RickMachE]

I am of the belief, based on my JuiceBox data, that it will hit the charger for roughly 15 minutes at a time to keep the battery warm, and uses about 1.75kWh. I have multiple 15 minute sessions during the depth of winter, and they all pulled around the same energy. Roughly 4 hits in 3 months, so not often.

Of course that was based on temps in my garage last winter. I'm sure if it was much colder, it hit it more often. I don't think I ever saw more than once per night.

I have the charger set to prevent the car from pulling power between 11AM and 7PM M-F, so it could ask then and not get any.

 

[SnBGC]

That's what I'm worried about once the temps drop to -20 to -30°C here in the winter.

Anything harmful for the vehicle if I leave it parked in cold climate without being plugged in? Charge levels will always be between 50-90%.

From what understand, the battery pack itself isn't permanently affected by extreme cold. Certainly not like it is for extreme heat. What I would be concerned about are the o-ring seals at the various connection points etc. I know those things are damaged by sub zero temps so keeping the system warm and pliable sounds like a good step to take.

 

[Shayne]

From what understand, the battery pack itself isn't permanently affected by extreme cold. Certainly not like it is for extreme heat. What I would be concerned about are the o-ring seals at the various connection points etc. I know those things are damaged by sub zero temps so keeping the system warm and pliable sounds like a good step to take.

Seen 1.25 winters was at 97.5 soh on the HVB but went back to 100% after a HVBJB and BECM replacement and is now at 99.5% so 3% degradation in 1.75 years and a bit over 10000 miles. Appear HVBSOH can be reset unlike the odometer.

Seems to be consistent now with up dated software and once a day preparing for drive. Today 1:30 am. Based on last updated time and preparing to drive displayed in FordPass. We have seen it draw power during a couple of these now. It has varied from 1:30 to 6 am. My charge schedule is 10 pm to 6 am due to a 100 amp service not cost so I can not say I have seen it outside my schedule since the new software. Just needs to maintain the 12v and I am all set. Once a day does give me that warm feeling it is still alive. Makes it thru one -30c snap I will be happy.

Sponsored