Optimizing Battery Use During Winter?

[srspring551]

Often (in cold weather) the Lightning will actually show an alert that recommends keeping the truck "plugged in" overnight. If you plan on setting a departure time or "remote" start, that should precondition cabin & battery.
As slightly different twist - In an interview, a Ford exec said that just keeping it plugged in overnight keeps battery temp above 0°C?
SOC interview:
Does the truck actually "pull" enough energy for that from any EVSE, without a departure set?

He also states that the "resting" battery loses about 1° (assume C) per hour. I would imagine that depends on size of battery and actual environmental temp (and wind) but it would be interesting to see graphs of that.

I have not noticed if the cabin air recirc is activated automatically in cold weather, as he says.

Also, does the grill aperture always close itself in cold weather, when you park and vehicle off?

Truth? BS?

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[Ishkatan]

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.

Also look for utility sheds near by. I found outlets in back of buildings and where they store golf carts used for property management.

Also, suggest to the facility that they install some L2 chargers, hopefully at reasonable rates.

 

[NCevGuyF150]

I feel the same way, I would charge to 100% when you’re making that trip. Maybe slow down to 65 mph. That may give you an extra few miles.

 

[TaxmanHog]

As slightly different twist - In an interview, a Ford exec said that just keeping it plugged in overnight keeps battery temp above 0°C?

Does the truck actually "pull" enough energy for that from any EVSE, without a departure set?

I've never seen the Lightning spontaneously draw energy outside the charging process, remote start or departure timed start, my Emporia Vue2 reports confirm my experience.

 

[RickLightning]

Often (in cold weather) the Lightning will actually show an alert that recommends keeping the truck "plugged in" overnight. If you plan on setting a departure time or "remote" start, that should precondition cabin & battery.
As slightly different twist - In an interview, a Ford exec said that just keeping it plugged in overnight keeps battery temp above 0°C?
SOC interview:
Does the truck actually "pull" enough energy for that from any EVSE, without a departure set?

He also states that the "resting" battery loses about 1° (assume C) per hour. I would imagine that depends on size of battery and actual environmental temp (and wind) but it would be interesting to see graphs of that.

I have not noticed if the cabin air recirc is activated automatically in cold weather, as he says.

Also, does the grill aperture always close itself in cold weather, when you park and vehicle off?

Truth? BS?

No. A remote start is NOT the same as a departure time, and NO, it does not precondition the battery.

I've never seen the Lightning spontaneously draw energy outside the charging process, remote start or departure timed start, my Emporia Vue2 reports confirm my experience.

I saw this with my Mach-E back during the winter of 2022. I haven't noticed it since with either the Mach-E or the Lightning, but if they tried during the day my JuiceBox settings would have prevented it. And, if you don't go looking for it, you never know it happened.

And here it is with the Lightning - https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...gged-in-last-night-because-it-was-cold.13544/

 

[TaxmanHog]

I saw this with my Mach-E back during the winter of 2022. I haven't noticed it since with either the Mach-E or the Lightning, but if they tried during the day my JuiceBox settings would have prevented it. And, if you don't go looking for it, you never know it happened.

And here it is with the Lightning - https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...gged-in-last-night-because-it-was-cold.13544/

Thanks for the link to the other members observation, I stand by my assertion, never seen it and I do look at the log.

 

[srspring551]

No. A remote start is NOT the same as a departure time, and NO, it does not precondition the battery.



I saw this with my Mach-E back during the winter of 2022. I haven't noticed it since with either the Mach-E or the Lightning, but if they tried during the day my JuiceBox settings would have prevented it. And, if you don't go looking for it, you never know it happened.

And here it is with the Lightning - https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...gged-in-last-night-because-it-was-cold.13544/

So that I understand - does a remote start (or getting in + starting the vehicle and just sitting there) warm the battery, or not? ... or must you be driving to generate battery warming? Thanks

 

[RickLightning]

So that I understand - does a remote start (or getting in + starting the vehicle and just sitting there) warm the battery, or not? ... or must you be driving to generate battery warming? Thanks

I thought stating that in post #20 would be clear enough.

So, here's specific answers to your questions:

1) No, a remote start does not warm the battery.
2) No, starting the vehicle and letting it run does not warm the battey.
3) No, driving doesn't warm the battery for a LONG time.

There are three things that warm the battery quickly:

1) Setting a departure time while plugged in.
2) Navigating to a fast charger with the Ford Navigation, or with Android Auto and GoogleMaps.
3) DC fast charging. You'll leave 95 - 100 degrees F.

 

[srspring551]

I thought stating that in post #20 would be clear enough.

So, here's specific answers to your questions:

1) No, a remote start does not warm the battery.
2) No, starting the vehicle and letting it run does not warm the battey.
3) No, driving doesn't warm the battery for a LONG time.

There are three things that warm the b ttery quickly:

1) Setting a departure time while plugged in.
2) Navigating to a fast charger with the Ford Navigation, or with Android Auto and GoogleMaps.
3) DC fast charging. You'll leave 95 - 100 degrees F.

Great, thanks! I love summary lists since I often read ambiguity if I think of special case scenarios!

 

[tayjusti]

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.

If it’s possible to plug in to a 120v while watching the game he can set a departure time for after the game and the truck will precondition using the 120v.
So plugging in to 120v at the game is definitely worth it for that reason.

 

[tayjusti]

For a little extra range check your tire pressure. Cold weather will drop the pressure a bit.
mine was 36psi.
I bumped it to 45psi (max is 50psi on my tires).
I did the identical drive two days in a row, all highway, cruise control at the same speed, and I had a improvement of 8%!

 

[RickLightning]

If it’s possible to plug in to a 120v while watching the game he can set a departure time for after the game and the truck will precondition using the 120v.
So plugging in to 120v at the game is definitely worth it for that reason.

No, it's not.

The battery will NOT precondition on 120v. The heater pulls way too much power, even on the smaller Mach-E.

 

[tayjusti]

No, it's not.

The battery will NOT precondition on 120v. The heater pulls way too much power, even on the smaller Mach-E.

Interesting.
I was very confident it would.
You’ve piqued my interest and I’m going to have to do more research.

 

[Church]

Check if there is electric ran to an awning or outlets on light poles. Heck, if you don’t mind explaining/defending it. But I’m on the side of charging to 95-100% for these trips and leaving it on for a 30-45min game, but not more.

 

[luebri]

Interesting.
I was very confident it would.
You’ve piqued my interest and I’m going to have to do more research.

See link below, I've already done the research. 120v does warm the battery but depending on the conditions will highly likely not be enough juice to get it to the targeted preconditioning of ~60f.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/ideal-charging-practices.14066/post-294637

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