Question about leaving Lightning plugged in outdoors in winter

[Marlene]

Hello. I know that we must plug in our Lightening to precondition and set departure etc. we have it set to charge to 85% all the the time. Is it ok to leave the truck plugged in all the time during winter even when it has met its set charging limit? Living in PNW. Is there a cover that can be placed on the portal door while it’s plugged in for protection or does it even need one? Thanks for answering both concerns.

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[Runaway Tractor]

Yes., that is fine. You can leave it plugged in. Its entire life. Will not harm anything. It is not like old school battery chargers that just continuously slam power.

 

[davehu]

remember your ABC's...Always Be Charging

 

[Marlene]

Yes., that is fine. You can leave it plugged in. Its entire life. Will not harm anything. It is not like old school battery chargers that just continuously slam power.

Thanks and what about the need for any cover over the open portal. Do I need to cover the open door and portal area from the elements?

 

[potato]

I haven't covered mine, but I keep thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea. There are cheap magnetic covers available from China; I was thinking of using one of those with some magnets epoxied to the back of the fender (since it's aluminum). But haven't gotten around to that and not sure how best to get access behind the fender anyway.

Rain doesn't seem to bother it. Cold and snow doesn't seem to bother it - just brush it away. Sleet / freezing rain would be more of an issue but thankfully that's rare. Haven't had any problems with that yet here in northern BC. You could just drape a towel over it if that's in the forecast.

 

[Marlene]

Thanks for your input. Always appreciated.

 

[mrau]

Ford does sell a cover for the charge port door. Might come in handy if you leave truck plugged in for days at a time.

Can use your rewards points too.


https://www.ford.com/product/f150-c...1563570?fmccmp=marketplace-gs-cta-accessories

 

[Marlene]

Will check it out. Thanks

 

[TaxmanHog]

Fixed thread title............. [Lightning]

 

[Bwanapete]

We live in upstate NY’s snow belt. Cold too here. I leave my plugged in Lightning and Tesla outside (garage too full of “ stuff”). Been doing this for years. No fancy port covers. I do recommend getting a battery powered heat gun but seldom need it. Use it on your hand to be sure it isn’t hot enough to do damage.

 

[waasiw]

We live in upstate NY’s snow belt. Cold too here. I leave my plugged in Lightning and Tesla outside (garage too full of “ stuff”). Been doing this for years. No fancy port covers. I do recommend getting a battery powered heat gun but seldom need it. Use it on your hand to be sure it isn’t hot enough to do damage.

What’s the heat gun for? In case the door is frozen shut?
Also, where does it say that Lightning won’t precondition the battery if it’s only plugged in at 120 V? Thanks!

 

[Adventureboy]

I haven't covered mine, but I keep thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea. There are cheap magnetic covers available from China; I was thinking of using one of those with some magnets epoxied to the back of the fender (since it's aluminum). But haven't gotten around to that and not sure how best to get access behind the fender anyway.

Rain doesn't seem to bother it. Cold and snow doesn't seem to bother it - just brush it away. Sleet / freezing rain would be more of an issue but thankfully that's rare. Haven't had any problems with that yet here in northern BC. You could just drape a towel over it if that's in the forecast.

Magnetic will not work on our aluminum Lightning body.

 

[Adventureboy]

I leave mine plugged in when it gets cold with SOC set to 85%. The only problem I've had in 2 years is a frozen latch on the port door a few times due to freezing rain. I've had to warm the latch to get it thawed out. My biggest worry is to make sure it doesn't freeze shut after I thaw it and close the door. @Bwanapete 's suggestion of a heat gun may solve that if applied correctly.
Snow doesn't seem to bother it much - just brush away, unplug and close the door. This year I will make a fitted cover from foam rubber, that sits around the charge gun to keep it cleaner.

 

[Bwanapete]

What’s the heat gun for? In case the door is frozen shut?
Also, where does it say that Lightning won’t precondition the battery if it’s only plugged in at 120 V? Thanks!

Door Frozen shut, open, or the small black flap frozen. Doesn’t happen often.

 

[potato]

Magnetic will not work on our aluminum Lightning body.

Right, that's why I said I was planning to epoxy magnets to the back of the fender

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