Battery in Power Save mode

[Superds]

Not necessarily. It can be normal for the Bronco charging system/AGM battery depending on certain criteria. As long as you aren’t having other issues, I wouldn’t worry about the charging system voltage.

Either way, it probably won’t hurt to have your battery tested if you’re getting the power save mode message.

Eh, I also don’t drive it every day and it’s been cold AF here the last couple week.

I’m also contemplating going to regular lead acid battery when this one goes out and I have to spend my own money on a new one. Do you think this would cause any issues with a charging system setup for AGM batteries?

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[Ducati1098]

Eh, I also don’t drive it every day and it’s been cold AF here the last couple week.

I’m also contemplating going to regular lead acid battery when this one goes out and I have to spend my own money on a new one. Do you think this would cause any issues with a charging system setup for AGM batteries?

I don’t think that would be a good idea. The charging system was designed specifically for an AGM battery. It won’t charge a lead acid battery correctly or the way it needs to be charged.

 

[Superds]

I don’t think that would be a good idea. The charging system was designed specifically for an AGM battery. It won’t charge a lead acid battery correctly or the way it needs to be charged.

That’s unfortunate. I guess I’ll have to wait for the aftermarket to fix that. The Bronco is a good vehicle with electronics plagued by the same issues all late model vehicles have; too many electronics controlling too many things and the electronics think they know better than you what you want.

 

[JKommuter]

My 2021 started doing this. I found a YouTube video about removing the sensor on the battery cable, but before doing that I decided to try a new battery. $200 Duracell AGM from Sams and everything works like new. Batteries only have a 3 year warrantee these days, I guess that's all you get. The Bronco always started fine and there was no other indication the battery was failing, just the annoying nag feature from the computer.

 

[Brian_B]

Mine will go to 15.xx every time I’m going downhill and not giving it gas and it’s engine breaking - even on a fully charged battery

I don’t think voltage readings mean anything is wrong unless they are outside of that high 12 to low 15 range

I learned the hard way on a F150. It started to go to deep sleep often, but still started fine and no other real issues so I just kinda ignored it for a couple weeks. Until it suddenly wouldn’t start at all, battery completely dead. The BMS system Ford has isn’t perfect but it’s fairly good

 

[dgorsett]

Not necessarily. It can be normal for the Bronco charging system/AGM battery depending on certain criteria. As long as you aren’t having other issues, I wouldn’t worry about the charging system voltage.

Either way, it probably won’t hurt to have your battery tested if you’re getting the power save mode message.

I was just on vacation and got a power save message from Ford Pass after just a few days. Got home and drove a bit, as high as 15.3, has settled to 14.7ish. I'll have to take a longer drive somewhere. Funny I also got an email from Ford inviting me in for a free battery check today. Ain't gonna happen, I don't go to a barber to ask if I need a haircut either, but I am going to watch it.

 

[dgorsett]

I was just on vacation and got a power save message from Ford Pass after just a few days. Got home and drove a bit, as high as 15.3, has settled to 14.7ish. I'll have to take a longer drive somewhere. Funny I also got an email from Ford inviting me in for a free battery check today. Ain't gonna happen, I don't go to a barber to ask if I need a haircut either, but I am going to watch it.

I got the Power Save message a couple more times and when I open the door no Horsey video, no ASS. I hooked up my charger which read 11.8 volts with 38 percent charge after a few days not running..probably time for a new battery. I'll run it a few days and see if things improve after giving it a full charge. I'm thinking of getting the bigger battery, but will need a new bracket or modify the old.

Funny, this whole business started 7 days after my 3/36 coverage expired

 

[the poacher]

Grapevine Ford is the worst service I have ever seen. They never return calls either.
[/QUOTE]

Time for another dealership.

 

[dgorsett]

I got the Power Save message a couple more times and when I open the door no Horsey video, no ASS. I hooked up my charger which read 11.8 volts with 38 percent charge after a few days not running..probably time for a new battery. I'll run it a few days and see if things improve after giving it a full charge. I'm thinking of getting the bigger battery, but will need a new bracket or modify the old.

Funny, this whole business started 7 days after my 3/36 coverage expired

@Ducati1098 do you have a PN for the bigger (800cca) hold down bracket?

 

[Ducati1098]

@Ducati1098 do you have a PN for the bigger (800cca) hold down bracket?

MB3Z-10718-A

 

[dgorsett]

MB3Z-10718-A

Thanks
My modification would be to cut the end stop off my smaller one to fit the bigger battery. Looking at the pics from the PN that's Fords solution too, the bigger one does not have the end stop. Thanks again saved me $20 if I ordered blind

 

[CarGuy]

I don’t think that would be a good idea. The charging system was designed specifically for an AGM battery. It won’t charge a lead acid battery correctly or the way it needs to be charged.

Is lithium iron phosphate batteries an option? Thanks.

 

[Ducati1098]

Is lithium iron phosphate batteries an option? Thanks.

I honestly have no idea.
Personally I wouldn’t use anything other than an AGM mainly because that’s just what the charging system was designed for. I don’t know enough to say whether any other type of battery would work without issue.

 

[Noco]

The stock batteries are good from 3 to 5 years. I get the message after 5 days of not driving. I finally got a Noco Genius5 to maintain my battery. Mine is at 3 years old now, and I hope to get it to go to 5 years.

 

[Brian_B]

Is lithium iron phosphate batteries an option? Thanks.

They do exist.

https://antigravitybatteries.com/products/starter-batteries/automotive/ag-h7-rs/

This battery has it's own internal BMS; I don't know how well it will play with Bronco's BMS system - which as Ducati points out - is specifically tailored to AGM cells. In theory it should be ok, as the BMS on the battery would prevent you from overcharging it and blowing it up, but it could undercharge.

There is a Forscan setting for battery charge strategy - I think the only 2 options are AGM and standard lead - I don't know if flipping it works on the Bronco (a lot of Forscan stuff doesn't). There's also the option to disable the Bronco BMS, but it may have unanticipated consequences.

If you decide to try it let us know how it goes

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