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Post by sierra3dr on Apr 9, 2020 15:33:24 GMT 1
Hello all,I hope you are all coping well with this lockdown and virus pandemic.
I was speaking to someone the other day about his Ford Focus,and was told that the battery doesn't get charged only until a heavy load is switched on.
I'm used to driving 70s/80s/90s cars,as we know,the battery is charged all times.
thanks
Paul
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Post by trickydicky on Apr 9, 2020 21:43:42 GMT 1
Smart charge on Fords isn't that new it was on the mk1 Focus (20 years ago)
The alternator is controlled by the ECM and also provides feedback to the ECM
Originally it used underbonnet temperature to determine when to provide optimum charge rate by looking at coolant temp and air temp as batteries are better at accepting a charge when cold (it wasn't actually load dependent)
Nowadays its more complex with stop/start AGM/EFB batteries and manufacturers looking to improve MPG and lower emissions, and these newer systems have dedicated monitors on the negative battery cable and a BMS system to manage starting and charging as the monitor can constantly report the charge state of the
battery
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Post by valhalla on Apr 9, 2020 22:28:48 GMT 1
Smart charging was an easy way to get a car/engine through an emissions homolgation - you just don't recharge the battery as heavily as you ought to whilst the car is being operated in a way that simulates an EU4/5 drive-cycle. More's the point, the fuel economy figures can be mascerated by only charging when the CO2 data is no longer being logged.
There are two sides to looking at this. Ford was clever to use this as a way of regenerative braking (very loosely speaking) before other manufacturers. On the other hand, it doesn't do much to save fuel that way, but does displace the fuel consumption from one part of the driving cycle to another, so it's really just "robbing Peter to pay Paul", it's just that Peter is where the book-figures for fuel consumption and emissions is measured.
The easiest way to see the effect of smart-charging is to run the alternator in open-loop mode, i.e. like a conventional alternator and engine management couplet, and pull the smart-comms pin on the back of the alternator. It will then behave in a similar way to a conventional alternator, and that makes diagnosis a little easier if the alternator internals are suspect.
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Post by trickydicky on Apr 9, 2020 23:13:33 GMT 1
Being an RAC patrol for 15 years one thing I will say
Those original Motorcraft Silver Calcium batteries are very long lasting reliable units
Whether this is the "cold charging strategy" of the original smart charge system or just superior construction I dont know
It's not unusual to see them reach 15 years of age or more!!!!
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Post by sierra3dr on Apr 10, 2020 13:12:41 GMT 1
Thankyou very much gents,very educational indeed. In fact my daily drive is a 2003 Focus  |
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Post by valhalla on Apr 10, 2020 22:15:55 GMT 1
Those original Motorcraft Silver Calcium batteries are very long lasting reliable units +1 for that experience. I have the original unit on the Mk.2 Focus TDCi that I bought last Autumn (must do something with it.....) and it responded very well to a charge and float, so much so that I have loaned the battery out twice for stricken Fords this Winter, and I reckon there's another 5years to go, at least, on its present 12years. |
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remmington
Apprentice
Owns Spark Eroder
Posts: 4,966
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Post by remmington on Apr 11, 2020 0:26:59 GMT 1
Being an RAC patrol for 15 years one thing I will say Those original Motorcraft Silver Calcium batteries are very long lasting reliable units Whether this is the "cold charging strategy" of the original smart charge system or just superior construction I dont know It's not unusual to see them reach 15 years of age or more!!!! +1 for the above. I too have noticed these Motorcraft OE batteries last well. |
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Post by rhyds on Apr 11, 2020 7:19:49 GMT 1
I remember a friend asking about a new 063 for a mid/late 90s shape fiesta. The thing hadn't had a new battery since new, and that was 10-15 years previously!
That said, my last two Focuses (2005 MK1 and 2010 MK2, both petrols) had replacement units on them when I bought them (~10yo and ~7 yo).
I remember KarlB sayin that Ford OE batteries (Current ones at least) are made by Johnson Controls (the same folk who make Bosch and Varta units).
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Post by rhyds on Apr 11, 2020 10:43:02 GMT 1
Thankyou very much gents,very educational indeed. In fact my daily drive is a 2003 Focus One of the bonus features of smart charge on those is if the alternator stops smart charging (i.e. the plug is removed or the cable breaks) and the Alternator warning lamp comes on, it disables the quick clear heated screen. |
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Post by trickydicky on Apr 11, 2020 14:42:18 GMT 1
You know those cozy little blankets car manufacturers like to snuggle batteries inside nowadays?
They actually insulate the battery from heat in the engine bay to keep it cool which helps them charge more effectively
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Post by Karl on Apr 19, 2020 18:59:49 GMT 1
On a pre cautionary note
Current model fords can sometimes charge at only 12 volts
This is design intent
So need to tread carefully whilst diagnosing a potential problem
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