DizRotus Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Not as surreal as the pandemic, but I learned something else that is wrong with the world and, apparently, it’s my fault. My business purchased a new 2019 Ford Transit Connect last November. It has 1,236 miles on the odometer. Probably a dozen times it has been stone cold dead when our salesperson tried to start it in the morning. I jump started it, but it would die as soon as the jumper cables are disconnected. Eventually, it would stay running and recharge in approximately 30 minutes, only to repeat the cycle in the morning. Naturally, I assumed something is wrong with the charging system; the alternator, battery, or something else. Imagine my surprise when the service manager informed me it is my fault for not driving it enough. He handed me the attachment. Where was this information when I purchased the vehicle? What say you Carl? @CECAA850 AGM battery scolding.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Reading instructions not always important. Guess problem solved now. Info should have been more visible. We all make mistakes Carl? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 He's correct. You need a battery tender or similar. Don't rely on the alternator to give it a proper charge unless you're planning on doing it over a long trip. Idling in the driveway won't charge it much as the alternator isn't spinning fast enough to run your electronics AND properly charge the battery especially if It's really low. If you decide to get a battery tender be sure it's rated for AGM batteries as they need to be charged at a lower voltage than traditional lead acid batteries. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Possibly 2 amps overnight . ?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S?tag=bestfordriver-com-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 750 mA... cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 I give up---what is a AGM battery? JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 8 minutes ago, JJkizak said: I give up---what is a AGM battery? JJK Absorbent glass mat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 Carl, Do you have personal experience with the charger you linked? Why wasn’t this explained at the sale or delivery? Does your dealership explain this? @CECAA850 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang_flht Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 I use Ctek for my Mustang and my 911 : it's very very great 👍 do you have that in the US? It's officially used by Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes-Benz,... https://www.ctek.com/ https://www.ctek.com/products 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1290 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Wow, what's next when ya buy that new ride? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang_flht Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 On my Harley I use https://www.odysseybattery.com/ It's great Battery + Ctek Charger Note : @Dave1290 no new ride in France at this time 😪 because covid19 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 20 minutes ago, DizRotus said: Carl, Do you have personal experience with the charger you linked? Why wasn’t this explained at the sale or delivery? Does your dealership explain this? @CECAA850 The brand, yes, I have a couple and have one on my garage queen and one on my whole house generator. That particular model? No. If a customer asks a salesman a question about storage, they'll get with me and I'll talk with them. As a rule, they don't cover every possible ownership scenario, no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 1 minute ago, CECAA850 said: As a rule, they don't cover every possible ownership scenario, no. I hear you, but it would seem appropriate to mention this when selling a commercial vehicle that will get sporadic use. As @JJkizak indicated, not everyone is familiar with AGM batteries. Although, I must confess, the two cars shown below had trunk mounted AGM batteries, but they were not as fussy as this Ford assembled in Valencia Espana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 31 minutes ago, Dave1290 said: Wow, what's next when ya buy that new ride? Dave, I assume that's directed to @mustang_flht, rather than me. Hard to get too excited about a Ford Transit Connect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 Harley, Porsche, Mustang . . . what about a Renault or Citroen? Where’s your Gallic pride? @mustang_flht 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 9 minutes ago, DizRotus said: I hear you, but it would seem appropriate to mention this when selling a commercial vehicle that will get sporadic use. To me, I would think that a commercial vehicle would get constant use. Most of the commercial stuff that comes through her doesn't sit still for very long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 1 minute ago, CECAA850 said: To me, I would think that a commercial vehicle would get constant use. Most of the commercial stuff that comes through her doesn't sit still for very long. That makes sense, but this van never travels very far and can go days without moving. Our 2012 Ford Transit Connect has a lead acid battery and it has never required a trickle charge under similar use. We also have a 2005 Chevy Astro van that is semi-retired. It sits idle for weeks and always fires right up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 3 minutes ago, DizRotus said: That makes sense, but this van never travels very far and can go days without moving. Our 2012 Ford Transit Connect has a lead acid battery and it has never required a trickle charge under similar use. We also have a 2005 Chevy Astro van that is semi-retired. It sits idle for weeks and always fires right up. More modules, more draw in vehicles now. Ours can draw up to .06A after everything goes to sleep and still be considered normal. You also don't want to leave your key anywhere the vehicle can "see" it as it'll normally keep at least one module awake. Always keep the keys away from the vehicle when parked for extended lengths of time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang_flht Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 18 minutes ago, DizRotus said: Harley, Porsche, Mustang . . . what about a Renault or Citroen? Where’s your Gallic pride? @mustang_flht 😁 I also had a Guzzi California for 10 years, it is a very beautiful Italian motorcycle, but there is no French motorcycle. For cars there are no longer too many beautiful French cars, while in time there are some very beautiful: for example the Citroën DS. Today there are again beautiful cars made in France, but at the top of the range: the Alpine A110 and also, but there it is really inaccessible the Bugatti which are made in Alsace. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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.