Busted leg!

[Bushwood CC]

I recently broke my leg and had ankle surgery. No driving my Flash for 8 weeks. It stays indoors in a heated garage (good thing, it’s currently ~19F). It’s charged to 50%. Do I leave it at that or charge to 90? Should I start it once or twice a week to keep the 12 volt healthy? Appreciate any thoughts.

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[Grumpy2]

Tough luck on the broken leg and ankle.
Two issues I have reliable information on:
The truck needs to be plugged in all the time (level 2 best) so it will heat the HVB when needed; and keeping the 50% charge level is good.

Keeping the 12v battery charged is more difficult to answer for me. In theory the truck will keep the LVB healthy, but it seems that isn't always the case. When I don't drive often I like setting a departure time every other day that seems to wake up the truck, warm the battery, and possibly charge the LVB. Depending on your power cost, it may be $10/week, it cost me $1/week.

I know others here have different approaches that may be better, including a trickle charger .

 

[Bushwood CC]

Tough luck on the broken leg and ankle.
Two issues I have reliable information on:
The truck needs to be plugged in all the time (level 2 best) so it will heat the HVB when needed; and keeping the 50% charge level is good.

Keeping the 12v battery charged is more difficult to answer for me. In theory the truck will keep the LVB healthy, but it seems that isn't always the case. When I don't drive often I like setting a departure time every other day that seems to wake up the truck, warm the battery, and possibly charge the LVB. Depending on your power cost, it may be $10/week, it cost me $1/week.

I know others here have different approaches that may be better, including a trickle charger .

Thanks! So plug in but plan a real short charge time?

 

[Grumpy2]

I programed a departure time using the screen in the truck. A departure will heat the cabin, so you will want to set the temperature low to save electricity, but it should precondition (warm) the HVB in anticipation you are going to leave for work. I don't know it we know for sure, but I think it will charge the LVB at the same time if it needs it. Starting it once a week and let it "run" while plugged in will probably do the same thing, but I would suggest letting run for a hour or so (shut off the timer).
Adding a charge isn't really what you want, as 50% charge is fine.

 

[rdr854]

I recently broke my leg and had ankle surgery. No driving my Flash for 8 weeks. It stays indoors in a heated garage (good thing, it’s currently ~19F). It’s charged to 50%. Do I leave it at that or charge to 90? Should I start it once or twice a week to keep the 12 volt healthy? Appreciate any thoughts.

Broke my ankle at the end of September and was not allowed to drive until the end of October. I did not plug my truck in and everything was fine.

 

[Heliian]

Keep it at 50% and plug it in occasionally to keep the 12v topped up.

It's in a heated garage so no need to keep it plugged in all the time. If it lived outside then you'd leave it plugged in to keep hvb from being too cold. The truck does that automagically, no need to set departure or preheat.

 

[The Weatherman]

Just set your Charge Level to 50%, plug it in and “Bobs Your Uncle.”

 

[B177y]

Keep it at 50% for long term storage as the manual says.

Disconnect the negative on the 12 volt.

If you can't access that due to the injury, put it on a maintainer clipped to the jump points under the passenger side trim panel under the frunk. Attaching to the jump points instead of directly to the battery keeps the BMS module updated and prevents other problems.

No need to warm the HVB until you're ready to drive it again. I wouldn't bother keeping it plugged in to your EVSE until you're cleared to drive.

EDIT:
I forgot to add, don't connect to your EVSE if you disconnect the 12 volt.

 

[mr.Magoo]

With all these rules I'm surprised we're not seeing Lightnings self combust in dealer lots on a daily basis.

The truck will take care of itself, Ford reccomends 50% SoC for long term storage (whatever that means) so just leave it at that and the rest will be fine.

 

[B177y]

With all these rules I'm surprised we're not seeing Lightnings self combust in dealer lots on a daily basis.

The truck will take care of itself, Ford reccomends 50% SoC for long term storage (whatever that means) so just leave it at that and the rest will be fine.

The only reason I suggest to do anything with the 12 volt is because to OP was worried about 12 volt issues. Like with an ICE, disconnecting the 12 volt or putting it on a maintainer is best practice for long storage. But you are right and I agree, just follow the manual....leave it at 50% and don't worry.

 

[Zprime29]

With the heated garage, just keep it at 50%, no need to plug it in. Just check the 12v SoC every couple weeks and throw on the battery tender if needed.

Hope everything heals up quickly!

 

[Bushwood CC]

Appreciate all the info.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Speedy recovery !!

If you decide to use remote start or departure timer, take note that you'll need to do a manual start {push the dash button} after a 30 minute remote session has elapsed to reset the counter.

IMHO, do it once every couple of weeks, let it "idle" for 30 minutes to top off the LVB 12v if you're fearing it might go flat.

 

[Henry Ford]

With all these rules I'm surprised we're not seeing Lightnings self combust in dealer lots on a daily basis.

The truck will take care of itself, Ford reccomends 50% SoC for long term storage (whatever that means) so just leave it at that and the rest will be fine.

Exactly. Don't overthink this. Leave it as close to 50% as you can for long term health. Plug it in if you can and set the charge limit to 50%. Don't worry about it if you can't. The BMS will take care of your LVB.

For actual storage advice refer to owners manual. Good luck with your healing.

 

[evowner]

I recently broke my leg and had ankle surgery. No driving my Flash for 8 weeks. It stays indoors in a heated garage (good thing, it’s currently ~19F). It’s charged to 50%. Do I leave it at that or charge to 90? Should I start it once or twice a week to keep the 12 volt healthy? Appreciate any thoughts.

What ever you do, this comes from first hand experience. Do not short cycle your healing time. If you do you will live with problems for the rest of your life.

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