I spoke too soon. Or I jinxed it.

[mdwheaton]

I don't use that feature. I disable it at start up. I also turn off running lights during the day so it's not those causing the problem. They said they did a load test and it passed. I still have a feeling it's the battery, but it will have to repeat the problem in order for me to insist on a new one.

Plug a little LED nightlight in the AC outlet in the back (if you have one), and you won't need to disable it on startup. There are other threads about this.

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[Mark S.]

The batteries are labeled with the type.
AGM batteries are typically sealed vs. the removable caps/tops on lead acid batteries.

In my case, my 2021 Badlands original factory was the FoMoCo standard lead acid type.

The warrany replacement I recieved is a Motorcraft AGM.

Most new lead-acid batteries are sealed. I don't think any of the cars we've purchased in the last 10 years came with servicable lead-acid batteries--they were all SLA batteries.

Did the battery you removed have caps for servicing?

 

[sajohnson]

FWIW, I had a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Eco Diesel that I use to tow a travel trailer with.

The battery was located inside, under the passengers seat. I had the vehicle for 5 years and never had to replace the AGM battery before I sold it.

With batteries located under the hood, in an extremely hot area, I believe has a serious effect on their life.

Good point.

The battery in our RV (Sprinter chassis) is located under the floor in front of the driver's seat. As I mentioned above, it lasted 10 years and still tested OK. We had an intermittent 'no click, no start' problem and figured that due to it's age and some varied test results we should replace it.

The battery was not the cause of the problem, and probably would have lasted a while longer.

We did/do keep a Battery Tender on it, which I'm sure helped.

 

[sajohnson]

My '22 BSBB does not have an AGM battery. I watched a video where the guy said most all vehicles that have start/stop feature will have the higher capacity AGM type battery. My BB has, or is supposed to have (based on the monroney sticker), co-pilot 360+. I would think my BS would have been given the AGM type battery from the factory. Anyway, I also learned that if you drive it on short trips, the battery will use more charge than it brings in. In my situation these types of trips are more common. I now find myself with a decision to make. Get a trickle charger or a portable jump starter. Or both!

If you only want to buy one, I'd get the trickle charger, because if you use it routinely it will top off your battery and keep it at 100% SOC. In that case, it is very unlikely that you will need a jump starter.

The Battery Tender comes with both alligator clamps and ring terminals. Once installed, the ring terminals make connecting/disconnecting the charger a little easier, and there is no concern about accidentally shorting the clamps together -- although that can be avoided by simply unplugging the charger from 120V first (and there is protection for shorts).

BTW -- there are other "smart" trickle chargers, I just happen to be familiar with BT. Just make sure to get a smart charger. There are cheap ones that are nothing more than a large 'wall wort' power supply. Those can overcharge a battery (over time).

The best deal I've seen on a BT is a 3 amp *sealed* unit at Costco for $30. Even when it's not on sale it's not bad -- maybe $40?

<Later> Well, I see the price has increased, but so have the features. These appear to be very similar, if not identical. Both will charge lithium batteries as well. The first is $50, the second is $60:

https://www.costco.com/battery-tender-4.5-amp-supersmart-battery-charger-%26-maintainer.product.100679769.html

https://www.costco.com/battery-tender®-4.5-amp-battery-charger-%26-maintainer.product.100987415.html

Unless I'm missing something, I'd get the $50 one. There may be better sources, but if you're already a Costco member, that's probably your best choice.

 

[Bucko]

I’m wondering if the auto stop start feature is draining the inferior factory battery with the constant starts. Factory batteries are not known to be the best. I put an auto stop start eliminator in my outer banks the first week I owned it. My driving is 90% short hops. No issues so far.

Do you have an AC outlet in the back? For a few dollars, you can buy a bathroom night light and plug it in. Presto, no more stop/start feature.

 

[Dude]

If you only want to buy one, I'd get the trickle charger…

Hmmm I wonder if I buy the Battery Tender, hook it to the 12V battery then plug into the Bronco Sports Badlands 400W 110V outlet i can both keep the battery charged and avoid the Auto Stop/Start from kicking on. Probably would need to rewire the 400W inverter to always on 12V power to create a perpetual motion machine. Someone should patent that. ?

 

[RSH]

Most new lead-acid batteries are sealed. I don't think any of the cars we've purchased in the last 10 years came with servicable lead-acid batteries--they were all SLA batteries.

Did the battery you removed have caps for servicing?

Yes, you can service lead acid batteries.
Not as easy as it once was, like when batteries had individual screw caps for each cell.

 

[sajohnson]

Hmmm I wonder if I buy the Battery Tender, hook it to the 12V battery then plug into the Bronco Sports Badlands 400W 110V outlet i can both keep the battery charged and avoid the Auto Stop/Start from kicking on. Probably would need to rewire the 400W inverter to always on 12V power to create a perpetual motion machine. Someone should patent that. ?

RVs have something similar -- when the engine is running, and the chassis/engine battery is fully charged, the PCM picks/energizes a relay that connects the chassis battery and the "house battery" together, so that the house battery can charge from the alternator.

When the engine is turned off, the relay drops and the batteries are disconnected -- so that the chassis/starting battery remains charged.

What you describe would work, but needless to say, you would want to disconnect the BT when the Badlands is parked for any length of time (if the inverter remains 'on'). To be honest, I have not looked into how the inverter is wired -- 'always on', or on only when the engine is running. If it is not always on you would not have to do anything. I see you mentioned, "Probably would need to rewire the 400W inverter to always on 12V power..." so maybe it is not always on.

<Later> I checked the manual but could not find any info on the inverter that powers the 120V outlets. I'm sure it's there but I didn't see it. I did find the info on the 12V "power outlets". Pro tip: Do not use the cigar lighter for any 12V accessory or your BS may burst into flames. I'm exaggerating, but not by much. It does mention fire.

Hopefully someone here has info about the inverter and the conditions under which it is powered.

 

[Mark S.]

Yes, you can service lead acid batteries.
Not as easy as it once was, like when batteries had individual screw caps for each cell.

Yes, I know they CAN be serviced, but sealed lead-acid batteries in common use for automotive applications are just that--sealed. They are intended to be maintenance-free, and as far as I know battery manufacturers do not recommend breaking the seal to service them. Did I miss out on something?

 

[sajohnson]

Motorcraft Part Numbers for Batteries (from owner's manual):

1) OE, lead-acid: BHEF-48H6

2) AGM: BAGM-48H6-760

 

[Dude]

RVs have something similar -- when the engine is running, and the chassis/engine battery is fully charged, the PCM picks/energizes a relay that connects the chassis battery and the "house battery" together, so that the house battery can charge from the alternator.

When the engine is turned off, the relay drops and the batteries are disconnected -- so that the chassis/starting battery remains charged.

What you describe would work, but needless to say, you would want to disconnect the BT when the Badlands is parked for any length of time (if the inverter remains 'on'). To be honest, I have not looked into how the inverter is wired -- 'always on', or on only when the engine is running. If it is not always on you would not have to do anything. I see you mentioned, "Probably would need to rewire the 400W inverter to always on 12V power..." so maybe it is not always on.

<Later> I checked the manual but could not find any info on the inverter that powers the 120V outlets. I'm sure it's there but I didn't see it. I did find the info on the 12V "power outlets". Pro tip: Do not use the cigar lighter for any 12V accessory or your BS may burst into flames. I'm exaggerating, but not by much. It does mention fire.

Hopefully someone here has info about the inverter and the conditions under which it is powered.

It’s ok … I was joking about making a perpetual motion machine. It can’t be done.

 

[sajohnson]

It’s ok … I was joking about making a perpetual motion machine. It can’t be done.

What?! No wonder the U.S. Patent Office keeps rejecting my applications...

I knew you were joking about a perpetual motion machine, but In thought you were at least somewhat serious about using the AC outlet to power the Battery Tender (BT) and using it to charge a 12V battery or portable jump starter. That's actually a good idea.

If a jump starter is left plugged in, then it will get be kept at 100% SOC, with no need to remember to charge it every couple months.

 

[Dude]

What?! No wonder the U.S. Patent Office keeps rejecting my applications...

I knew you were joking about a perpetual motion machine, but In thought you were at least somewhat serious about using the AC outlet to power the Battery Tender (BT) and using it to charge a 12V battery or portable jump starter. That's actually a good idea.

If a jump starter is left plugged in, then it will get be kept at 100% SOC, with no need to remember to charge it every couple months.

Hmmm will do the math on that. First guess says it wouldn’t work correctly.

 

[sajohnson]

Hmmm will do the math on that. First guess says it wouldn’t work correctly.

We may have our wires crossed.

All I'm talking about is keeping a jump starter plugged into the AC outlet in the BS so that it is powered up whenever the engine is running -- and the battery in the jump starter stays charged.

 

[Dude]

We may have our wires crossed.

All I'm talking about is keeping a jump starter plugged into the AC outlet in the BS so that it is powered up whenever the engine is running -- and the battery in the jump starter stays charged.

Good pun. We don’t have our wired crossed, what you said is what I put in my post but I was just joking … now I have to think about why that shouldn’t work.

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