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Ford Escape Hybrid Battery Pack Questions

56 messages,  Last post on Aug 10, 2011 at 5:43 PM

You are in the Ford Escape Hybrid Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escape Hybrid, Electrical, Hybrid Cars, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 6

#1 of 56 Hybrid battery charger by mperski

Nov 19, 2007 (7:17 am)

Does anyone know of a way to charge the hybrid battery with a battery charger?

#2 of 56 Hybrid battery by mperski

Nov 19, 2007 (7:27 am)

Just adding to my post, My hybrid battery is not low I would like to charge it to a higher state, lets say 80-90% so it will run in EV mode longer. I'm trying to increase my mileage. I wondered if I put a charger on the 12V battery and hit the recharge button in the kick panel if that would help any.

#3 of 56 Housekeeping by pf_flyer HOST

Nov 19, 2007 (9:04 am)

Since we don't have a specific discussion dealing with the hybrid battery pack, I'm going to rename this one to use it as the start of one!

#4 of 56 Re: Hybrid battery [mperski] by mecheng1

Nov 19, 2007 (10:46 am)

Replying to: mperski (Nov 19, 2007 7:27 am)
The HVBattery State of Charge (SoC) is closely monitored by elements of the powertrain control module to prevent exactly what you are attempting to do. Ford engineers have determined that keeping the HVBattery between 40 and 60 % will allow the battery to perform well past the 8 (or 10) years and 100,000 (or 150,000) miles that the special warranty covers.
 
Remember, SoC is only one variable that controls when the ICE comes on. I don't know if charging to 80 or 90 percent will get you the benefits you think.....especially if you include the expense of replacing the HVBattery. Likewise, it would be nice to use the electric motor (only) at times over 40mph but there is motor life to be considered as well.
 
If you wait a few years, some fully engineered and tested plug-in conversion kits may be on the market to get the advantage of increased EV operation.
 
[The recharge button on the kick panel does not work the way you propose]

#5 of 56 Re: Hybrid battery [mecheng1] by mperski

Nov 19, 2007 (11:53 am)

Replying to: mecheng1 (Nov 19, 2007 10:46 am)
I'm sure that battery life is the main reason why the Soc is only 40-60% that's why I'm only wanting 80% or so. I've been able to drive almost 2 miles in ev mode at 30mph, increasing the battery charge would certainly extend the range some. Also if I started with the battery more charged up instead of low, the alternator would put less drag on the engine when first starting which would also increase mpg. I intend on selling the vehicle in 3yrs or around 60,000 miles, and buying a full EV assuming they are available by then. Used hybrids are bringing top dollar, especially the Escapes if you can even find one!
   
Some one is already making a conversion kit but they are not cost effective. I think their around $19,000 or some outrageous amount.
 
Also my heated seats get hot then cool off, then hot again and so on. Are they on a timer or are they not working properly and a circuit breaker is kicking?

#6 of 56 Re: Hybrid battery [mperski] by mecheng1

Nov 20, 2007 (11:47 am)

Replying to: mperski (Nov 19, 2007 11:53 am)
I don't have the heated seats but I have read that they are on a timer.
 
There is no alternator in the FEH. The HVBattery is charged through a motor/generator (MG1) directly by the ICE or when you engage the brake pedal. "Drag" during operation can be felt in MG1 during regenerative braking and can be negated during coasting by shifting into "N" (nuetral).
 
The ICE operates during "first starting" for several reasons and most of them cannot be avoided to improve FE. The catalytic converter has to get up to temperature. The engine has to get up to temperature (can be accelerated by using a block heater to hasten the engine getting to temperature during/after cold overnights).
 
There are numerous driving techniques that have been developed by the "hypermiling" community and documented on these forums. Many cases of folks getting over 40 mpg in their FEH consistently. [Without increasing SoC beyond the 40-60% range]

#7 of 56 Re: Hybrid battery [mecheng1] by stevedebi

Nov 20, 2007 (2:41 pm)

Replying to: mecheng1 (Nov 20, 2007 11:47 am)
"There is no alternator in the FEH. The HVBattery is charged through a motor/generator (MG1) directly by the ICE or when you engage the brake pedal."
 
Just a side note. "MG1" is a Toyota HSD term. The Ford system was independently developed; I wonder if Ford uses the same terminology...

#8 of 56 Battery safety info by ajoseph1

Dec 26, 2007 (2:42 pm)

I found this doc which is a guide for emergency response people for dealing with the escape high voltage system. It might be good to know
 
www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/vdirs/quickref/guide-escape.pdf

#9 of 56 Re: Hybrid battery [mperski] by autodr

Dec 27, 2007 (9:10 am)

Replying to: mperski (Nov 19, 2007 7:27 am)
One effective way to increase the mileage on electric drive mode would be turn to off some electrical goodies... like those heated seats. Even though they are on the 12v side and are being fed by the 12v battery, the 12v side is being recharged by the HV side. Instead of an alternator, what you have... for the 12v side.. is a DC to DC converter. That is the box sitting on the pass. inner fender behind the dual coolant resivours. It is taking power from the HV side and charging up the 12v battery.. and runing for 12v goodies, like the radio, heated seats, and what ever else you are running on the 12v side.
 
Otherwise, the short answer to your original question is "no", it is designed to keep you from messing with it for your own good.

#10 of 56 Cold weather battery warm-up by dstoltze

Jan 25, 2008 (7:48 pm)

I have an '08 hybrid and live in Baltimore city. On cold mornings it seems to take about 10-15 minutes for the car to go into EV mode. By this time I am usually out of the city and onto the highway. Is this normal? Friends with Prius' and camry hybrids don't report this.

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