Connected with CarScanner...now what?

[Riverant]

I bought the Veapeak BLE+ OBDII device and connected with the car scanner app. I was primarily interested in monitoring my 12v SOC and my HVB SOH. I did that and.... now what? Is there really much value in monitoring CarScanner metrics continuously?

I'm a data geek but am likely overwhelmed by the sensor data and don't yet see the value prop. So what use cases do people have that have meaningful benefit? What stats are best included on a frequently referenced dashboard?

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[RickLightning]

I use CarScanner on trips only. If you setup your vehicle, you'll end up with like 17 pages of screens. I created my own, and use the following (top left, then top right, then down a row, 10 per page):

Coolant Heater Power - I use this to monitor whether I am pulling power for heat, but most importantly to see if the battery is being preconditioned as I approach a fast charger (turn off the heat and you will see zero, then 18.6 miles away it should start warming battery).

Energy - this shows the usable energy in the battery (HVB Energy to Empty). On a trip, multiply this number times your current efficiency, and that's your range. It is very useful when you're low and display says you can't make it, but you know you can. Also useful in understanding how a cold battery provides less energy.

EV Charger power - this shows the energy being supplied by the high speed charger (Hybrid/EV Charger Power).

HVB Temperature - temp of battery.

HVB State of Charge - shows the actual state of charge of the full battery.

HVB State of Charge Displayed - shows the state of the usable battery.

ChgOA - (HV Charge Output Current Measured) - shows what the fast charger is offering.

ChgOAR - (HV Charger Current Requested) - shows what the vehicle is asking for. Before complaining about speed of fast charging, see if these are close. They ARE with a Tesla SuperCharger. Often they are NOT with an EA charger.

EV Instant Consumption (EV Instant Energy Consumption) - shows your instant efficiency. The truck shows you your AVERAGE. This is useful when starting out ice cold, shows how it's warming up and gaining efficiency, so you'll soon see the average climb. Also useful if you are low and want to see if you can make it, combined with Energy above.

HvbSoh (HVB State of Health) - this, times your battery size (131 or 98), tells you how much energy you can possibly have.

 

[bmwhitetx]

12V SOC and HVB SOH are the two main uses for me. Also add in the HVB module variation (I had a battery module/array failure in May). For me, it is a check when needed thing and not continuous.

Also handy to see any DTC's that you may have, especially when you get a power train message. It will also do your 0-60 times if you're so inclined.

EDIT: Here is a screenshot I save every month to track battery health:

 

[mrau]

Car Scanner also works with Apple CarPlay. That way you can see some of the info right on the truck's center screen.

 

[B177y]

Same as others, I mostly monitor on longer trips. I try to keep the data to the minimum while driving and load lots of info when I'm looking for something specific while troubleshooting.

My main driving dashboard consists of:

Coolant Heater and AC compressor (heat pump) to see how much is going to the cabin and HVB heating/cooling.

HVB Temp to see if it is actually being pre-conditioned before DC charging.

HVB SOH, just out of curiosity.

LVB voltage and SOC to keep an eye on the LVB situation.

There really hasn't been anything earth shattering data wise, but it's cool to see how the truck actually works.

 

[Firn]

I plan to do some efficiency measurements when changing things, using the rich data provided, but right now is just getting baselines and understanding how the truck works.

On the other hand I did purposely charge from 50% to 100% last night to determine the module voltage Ford tops the system out at. I'll post that ater.

 

[potato]

ABRP can use the OBD dongle to get real time battery info to adjust its route planning on the fly. If you like tinkering that can be useful.

You don't "need" an OBD dongle for anything, really, except maybe to see the charge rate in kW if you don't have cell service for the truck and FordPass app and the charging station doesn't show it. But I've found it interesting to watch the power draw in various situations to estimate how much it costs to leave climate control on for example. It's also great for tinkering with FORScan.

 

[Riverant]

Thanks everyone. Here is my first dashboard attempt using the ideas here.

 

[jetfixr1]

Just got my obd link today. Downloaded carscanner and was curious to see what the HVB state of health was going to be. The truck is 2 weeks shy from when I bought it new, crossing 23K miles. Its at 99.5%. Couldnt be happier! Being that the majority of degradation occurs in the first year/25K miles, it gives me confidence that shes a keeper.

 

[jetfixr1]

12V SOC and HVB SOH are the two main uses for me. Also add in the HVB module variation (I had a battery module/array failure in May). For me, it is a check when needed thing and not continuous.

Also handy to see any DTC's that you may have, especially when you get a power train message. It will also do your 0-60 times if you're so inclined.

EDIT: Here is a screenshot I save every month to track battery health:

Does anyone know at what HVB module variation will the truck throw a reduced power pop up?

 

[bmwhitetx]

Does anyone know at what HVB module variation will the truck throw a reduced power pop up?

I know 4.50% will!
Here is my Variation% history showing module fail last March.

 

[Hammick]

Car Scanner was very helpful when we had the powertrain fault/module failure. We were at our place in Montana which is remote. Could no charge the truck at all unless I cleared the fault codes with Car Scanner. I could then charge to a certain point and it would throw the fault again. Allowed me to drive the car into Billings, MT to the flatbed transport driver rather than having him bang 9 miles up a dirt road that was in pretty crappy shape at that time. I'm guessing he would have refused.

I will never take a long trip in an EV without the ability to use Car Scanner.

 

[RickLightning]

Just got my obd link today. Downloaded carscanner and was curious to see what the HVB state of health was going to be. The truck is 2 weeks shy from when I bought it new, crossing 23K miles. Its at 99.5%. Couldnt be happier! Being that the majority of degradation occurs in the first year/25K miles, it gives me confidence that shes a keeper.

Keep in mind that the SOH will vary. Best taken at 77 degrees and after a 100% charge. On a recent trip, I departed at 94.5% SOH, and returned at 95.5% SOH...

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