Winter Storage

[Tentman]

Im planning to store my Lightning indoors over the winter (cold weather location). Wondering if anyone knows what I might need to for the batteries. On ICE trucks I have used a small drip charger to maintain a charge?

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[sotek2345]

If it is going to get quite cold (i.e. where you are in Canada), and you are storing for a long duration in the cold, I would set the max charge to 50% or 60% and leave it plugged in (L1 or L2). The truck will take care of itself.

Very curious why you are storing the Lightning for the winter though - seems like a great winter vehicle to me. I usually think of winter storage for high performance sports cars or classics.

 

[GarageMahal]

Very curious why you are storing the Lightning for the winter though - seems like a great winter vehicle to me. I usually think of winter storage for high performance sports cars or classics.

Me too as the Lightning is going to be my primary vehicle in the winter.

 

[Tentman]

If it is going to get quite cold (i.e. where you are in Canada), and you are storing for a long duration in the cold, I would set the max charge to 50% or 60% and leave it plugged in (L1 or L2). The truck will take care of itself.

Very curious why you are storing the Lightning for the winter though - seems like a great winter vehicle to me. I usually think of winter storage for high performance sports cars or classics.

Heading south for warmer weather! So your saying plug it in at 50% then let it fill to 100% and manage itself fir 5 months?

 

[sotek2345]

Heading south for warmer weather! So your saying plug it in at 50% then let it fill to 100% and manage itself fir 5 months?

No, set the charge limit at 50% and leave it so it stays around 50%. That is what Ford recommends for long term storage.

 

[GarageMahal]

Heading south for warmer weather! So your saying plug it in at 50% then let it fill to 100% and manage itself fir 5 months?

Good answer!

I think the idea is to set max charge to 50%. Check the owners manual however as I recall something about long term storage in there. As long as it can be plugged in, the battery should take care of itself however.

 

[Tentman]

No, set the charge limit at 50% and leave it so it stays around 50%. That is what Ford recommends for long term storage.

Thanks

 

[shutterbug]

Good answer!

I think the idea is to set max charge to 50 or 60% but start off will a charge closer to 90%. Check the owners manual however as I recall something about long term storage in there. As long as it can be plugged in, the battery should take care of itself however.

Not sure where or why you got 90%, but NO! Ford recommends storing at 50% SOC and set max charge to 50%, and disconnecting 12V battery.

 

[GarageMahal]

Not sure where or why you got 90%, but NO! Ford recommends storing at 50% SOC and set max charge to 50%, and disconnecting 12V battery.

Agreed. Thought I edited that out before posting the rest. Fixing it now.

 

[tls]

If the 12V battery is entirely disconnected, will the vehicle actually charge?

 

[shutterbug]

If the 12V battery is entirely disconnected, will the vehicle actually charge?

It should.

 

[petemill]

Do not disconnect the 12v battery if leaving the vehicle plugged in. That's nonsensical since 12v modules might be needed occasionally if other HV modules are active. That's not what Ford is suggesting. They're suggesting just leaving it at 50% and unplugging the 12v battery. In other words, not connected to the EV charger either. I would do either - plugged in to EV charger and leave 12v battery connected, or disconnect EV charger and 12v battery. The HV battery will be fine for a couple months at 50%.

 

[salengueros]

Storing your Lightning indoors over the winter sounds like a great idea to protect it from the cold weather. As for the batteries, keep them charged to avoid any issues when you're ready to use the vehicle again. A small drip charger is a good option, or you could look into a battery maintainer or tender. You could also consider disconnecting the batteries to prevent any drainage over the winter. And also, if you're looking for indoor storage options, have you considered checking out storage units? They can be a great option for keeping your vehicle safe and secure during winter.

 

[RickLightning]

Not sure where or why you got 90%, but NO! Ford recommends storing at 50% SOC and set max charge to 50%, and disconnecting 12V battery.

If the 12V battery is entirely disconnected, will the vehicle actually charge?

It should.

No where does it say to leave it plugged in. It says to get the battery to around 50%, and disconnect the 12v. Do NOT leave it plugged in.

 

[Maquis]

No where does it say to leave it plugged in. It says to get the battery to around 50%, and disconnect the 12v. Do NOT leave it plugged in.

Agreed. IMO, those instructions consider “Stored” as not plugged in. None of the storage facilities around here will have power available for this kind of use.

If plugging in is available, I think that’s a better option. Set to 50% and don’t disconnect anything. This is especially good for the HVB if subject to temperature extremes.

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