Winter storage and 12V battery

[CaptainKirk]

So if I decide to follow Ford’s advice and disconnect the battery, but leave it in the vehicle, do I simply disconnect at the negative post or at the battery terminal? The post is easily accessible after removing the panel, the battery not so easily.

Also, I believe that the alternative of using a battery maintainer/trickle charger would require one that is compatible with a lithium battery which is what I understand the 12V is. Agree?

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[Maquis]

So if I decide to follow Ford’s advice and disconnect the battery, but leave it in the vehicle, do I simply disconnect at the negative post or at the battery terminal? The post is easily accessible after removing the panel, the battery not so easily.

Also, I believe that the alternative of using a battery maintainer/trickle charger would require one that is compatible with a lithium battery which is what I understand the 12V is. Agree?

No, the 12V is an AGM lead-acid. It probably doesn’t matter as long as it’s disconnected.

 

[Dougp]

Leaving my 2024 Mach e in heated winter storage for a number of months, plugged in and set at 50% as recommended by Ford. I think I’ll take Ford’s advice and disconnect the 12V battery, but I’ve seen some posts about the alternative of using a battery maintainer, or even keeping the 12V connected. Has anyone tried leaving the 12V connected and what was the result when you returned? I’m told that the 12V does get something similar to a trickle charge from the HVB.

this is our 2nd winter away. I use a battery tender and do not d/c the 12v battery. I charge the 220v to 80% and disconnect. When we came back last spring the 220v system was unchanged. Removed the battery tender and drove basically around the block. NO ISSUES AT ALL.

Followed the same steps before leaving October 31st.

 

[Dougp]

I have read a lot of conflicting information on this subject. I do know that Ford has said a number of things that turned out to be incorrect, so I take Ford’s advice carefully. In this case, I do agree that the car should not be connected to your EVSE while on extended travel. I’ve had my car default to 100% charge 2 - 3 times after an update. This would not be good if it happens while you are away. In the case of the 12V battery, I connect my battery to a trickle charger and leave it connected to the car so all systems are maintained while away. I know it’s better for the 12V battery and I believe it’s better for the car.

I am more than willing to dis-connect the 12V if someone can provide a good engineering reason for this.

i put a battery tender on mine. This is the second winter away. NO ISSUES. I charge the 220v to 80%. In the spring remove tender, start and go around the h lock. Then check tire pressure and all is good to go.

 

[eponey]

The car can charge the AGM when necessary but the AGM can be low enough to probably be damaged and not yet charged by the car, its a fickle process, think of it like an emergency bailout that you rather not rely on.

 

[CaptainKirk]

Thanks Dougp. Good to hear. I’ve used battery tenders on other vehicles in past winters with great success, but with this being a EV I flip flopped on how to handle it. This morning I unplugged at 60% and attached a battery tender. I’ll report back in the Spring.

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