Jump to content
Ford Fusion Energi Forum

Charging cycles


Retiredmrbill
 Share

Recommended Posts

I just bought a pre owned 2016 FFE. I try to keep the batteries charged since we use it a lot for short trips. I know that some battery packs have a certain number of preprogrammed charging cycles set into the electronics before it starts to not charge properly.

 

My question is does anyone know if there is a certain number of charges programmed into the battery pack and/or should I let the battery discharge to empty before recharging?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

There's no specific charge count that we know of. However, research shows that charge cycles is one factor in battery degradation.  We think a combination of high SoC and high temperatures is one of the more significant aggravating factor of degradation. In fact, we think it's better to leave the HVB in a discharged state than to keep it 100% charged. I actually leave mine fully discharged for months at time during the summer and I've zero degradation after 2+ years and 40,000+ miles. So I recommend not keeping the battery charged at least during periods of high outdoor temperatures.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Li-Ion batteries have a minimum discharge amount of around 80% of their capacity. So, when the car shows that the battery is dead there is actually about 80 percent of the full capacity left. But, if you go below that 80% level of discharge on a regular basis it will drastically shorten the life of the battery.

 

With Ni-CAD batteries and the old RC cars we would always run them until they stopped turning, then use a bank of lights to drain them the rest of the way. With the new Li-Ion batteries on the RC cars they go dead and stop moving all together when the internal controller gets to the programmed state of discharge, then we just charge them.

 

Li-Ion batteries have a general degradation over time. Barring degradation from low depth of discharge or thermal overrun they should have a consistent number of charge cycles. Leaving the battery discharged would probably lengthen the time, but just because you are not cycling the battery completely. You would only be using the hybrid portion of the charge. I didn't notice any degradation in the FFE over the 3 years we owned it while charging it every time we parked somewhere that had power available.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Take the advice on page 18 of these viewgraphs, which says "Huge calendar lifetime benefit w/ delayed charging".  I.e., don't leave it on the EVSE charger, you don't want it sitting at high SoC if you can help it.

 

Trickle charging the 12V battery is good for the battery, for as murphy explains, a full discharge to the 12V lead-acid battery does cumulative damage (flakes off stuff).

Edited by jj2me
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

New owner with a charging question. I will not be driving my 2017 Fusion Energy for 3 weeks. Is it better to leave it plugged in or unplugged and let it discharge? Would I need to put a trickle charger in the 12v battery? Thanks 

 

I believe the manual mentions something about what to do in this case. The gist is to charge (or discharge) the HVB to 50% or so before storing it long term.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes put a trickle charger on the 12 volt battery.  It will very likely be dead after three weeks if you don't.  The  HVB is completely disconnected by contactors when the car is off.  The only loss is from self discharge.  In three weeks it will be very close to where it was at the start of the three weeks.  50% is a good place to leave it at for the three weeks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Take the advice on page 18 of these viewgraphs, which says "Huge calendar lifetime benefit w/ delayed charging".  I.e., don't leave it on the EVSE charger, you don't want it sitting at high SoC if you can help it.

 

Trickle charging the 12V battery is good for the battery, for as murphy explains, a full discharge to the 12V lead-acid battery does cumulative damage (flakes off stuff).

 

jj2me,

 

Thanks so much for that link!  A real treasure trove of great info on what actions will increase/decrease battery life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...