Optimizing Battery Use During Winter

[AmandaB]

I've had my Lighting 1.5 years now. I'm fairly comfortable in understanding my range, but winter time can get tricky. We are in an area with essentially no chargers. There's a Tesla v2 (which is no use) and one ~40kwh charger in a rough area that I haven't attempted yet. My daughter is on an All-Star team ~75 miles away. We drive this 2-3 times per week and are their 3-5 hours depending on the day. We are in a mountainous area, and my average speed is 70mph. While I charge 90% nightly, we usually leave with around 80% battery (ER). In the winter, I will try to pre-charge the battery but it wont always be possible.

My dilemma is whether to leave the truck running while I'm at the gym to keep the battery warm. I know ~150 miles should be no problem, but in the winter when the temps are anywhere from 0-40 degrees F, it feels like I'm cutting it close. Last year, we did a similar distance at a different gym with slightly less miles and I had a couple times where I got concerned. I didn't leave the truck running during these times, but I typically would prestart the truck. I don't have a OBD reader, but I've considered buying one.

Does any know if it would be better to just leave the truck running and loose a few percent vs pre-starting 15-30 min which doesn't always warm the battery up?

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[Peddyr]

I'd charge the battery to 100% on those days that you are doing 150 miles, but that's just me. The extra 10% could put your battery anxiety at ease.

 

[AmandaB]

I'd charge the battery to 100% on those days that you are doing 150 miles, but that's just me. The extra 10% could put your battery anxiety at ease.

That's not a bad idea, even though I try to minimize how many times I charge to 100%. Maybe 95% will make me feel better on both counts. lol

 

[Athrun88]

Another idea: Does your destination have an area with power you could plug in your mobile charger on 110V? It probably won't actually charge your batteries, but it may be enough to keep the batteries warm enough so you're essentially preconditioned. You could also set a departure time to ensure you're preconditioned before leaving your daughter's event. Combined with charging to 100% on those days, it may help overall.

Maybe take a poke around and keep a 50ft extension cord with you if you do spot one that you may be able to use!

 

[AmandaB]

Another idea: Does your destination have an area with power you could plug in your mobile charger on 110V? It probably won't actually charge your batteries, but it may be enough to keep the batteries warm enough so you're essentially preconditioned. You could also set a departure time to ensure you're preconditioned before leaving your daughter's event. Combined with charging to 100% on those days, it may help overall.

Maybe take a poke around and keep a 50ft extension cord with you if you do spot one that you may be able to use!

Not that I know of, but there is one side of the building I haven't been on. I will look around next time and see.

 

[B177y]

Charging to 100% should be fine for your battery as long as you don't leave it sitting at 100% for a long time. On your travel days, I would charge to 100 and not worry about it. I have a similar travel situation as you and charge to 100 for the morning that the kids have travel soccer games. I can round-trip and get home with low teens or high single digit percentage left in the battery when it's cold outside.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Remote start & departure time will not condition the battery temperature while unplugged, the truck cabin is only being heated.

When plugged into level-1 the battery conditioning is modest but at least you're getting ~3 kWh of energy while watching the game.

 

[AmandaB]

Charging to 100% should be fine for your battery as long as you don't leave it sitting at 100% for a long time. On your travel days, I would charge to 100 and not worry about it. I have a similar travel situation as you and charge to 100 for the morning that the kids have travel soccer games. I can round-trip and get home with low teens or high single digit percentage left in the battery when it's cold outside.

Thank you, that makes me feel better about charging to 100%.

 

[jamelski]

Charge to you truck will be fine

 

[MillieChliette]

Do not leave the truck on or remote start unplugged if you're trying to maximize range.

 

[TMND]

Remote start & departure time will not condition the battery temperature while unplugged, the truck cabin is only being heated.

When plugged into level-1 the battery conditioning is modest but at least you're getting ~3 kWh of energy while watching the game.

Wait, so you’re saying that if it’s -40 out and the truck is sitting there unplugged it won’t keep the batteries warm it will just let them freeze up ?!?!?! I’m super confused because under departure times in the app you have to tell it to prepare cabin off plug or the departure time won’t. if that’s the case what’s the departure time doing if that’s turned off?

 

[Athrun88]

Wait, so you’re saying that if it’s -40 out and the truck is sitting there unplugged it won’t keep the batteries warm it will just let them freeze up ?!?!?! I’m super confused because under departure times in the app you have to tell it to prepare cabin off plug or the departure time won’t. if that’s the case what’s the departure time doing if that’s turned off?

Setting departure time in the app or in Sync will do the following:
- Prepare the cabin temperature to the desired setting
- Precondition the battery - Preconditioning the battery ONLY occurs when you are PLUGGED IN. System WILL NOT precondition the battery if you are not plugged into an EVSE

There is a setting in the app where you can force cabin prep when unplugged, however, that WILL NOT force the system to preconditon the battery without shore power.

Starting up the truck cold soaked will still work, but the truck will use onboard power to warm up the batteries as you let it 'idle' or drive around. You will see lower range and possibly increased power consumption as your truck brings things up to operational temps. It would be similar to putting your phone while off in your freezer overnight, then turning it on in the morning after letting it cold soak. It will still turn on, but it will be very slow and probably drain the battery faster as it tries to heat things up.

 

[RickLightning]

I'm going to simplify things for you.

First, you should charge to 100% before departure, and set a departure time, which will warm the battery and give you increased range.

Second, you should NOT leave the truck running while in the gym for 3 to 5 hours. The battery will remain relatively warm during this period just sitting there.

Third, you should NOT attempt to plug into 120v. Waste of time, insufficient power.

Lastly, you should do a remote start, not extended, and plan on coming out towards the end of the 15 minute period.

There will be no range issues if you do this on your planned trip. This is a non-issue.

 

[mb0220]

I'm going to simplify things for you.

First, you should charge to 100% before departure, and set a departure time, which will warm the battery and give you increased range.

Second, you should NOT leave the truck running while in the gym for 3 to 5 hours. The battery will remain relatively warm during this period just sitting there.

Third, you should NOT attempt to plug into 120v. Waste of time, insufficient power.

Lastly, you should do a remote start, not extended, and plan on coming out towards the end of the 15 minute period.

There will be no range issues if you do this on your planned trip. This is a non-issue.

I was about to write a response to the OP, and then I read this one which said everything I wanted to say.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Wait, so you’re saying that if it’s -40 out and the truck is sitting there unplugged it won’t keep the batteries warm it will just let them freeze up ?!?!?! I’m super confused because under departure times in the app you have to tell it to prepare cabin off plug or the departure time won’t. if that’s the case what’s the departure time doing if that’s turned off?

The battery will be fine in sub freezing condition, it won't put out optimum power but will work.

The switch off is used to quickly disable all departure time activity if the truck is unplugged, you save energy, when you are ready to go back to cabin warming routine, switch it on.

If you want battery conditioning, plug in and that switch is irrelevant.

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