Installed H8 AGM battery; my truck is transformed

[2Lazy2P]

After replacing two of the Motorcraft H6 batteries and making changes to BMS settings to have a higher SOC my problems with the 2022 XLT continued. Research showed that with the XLT and cheaper models, Ford used H6 batteries. With higher priced trucks one got the H7 battery. Ford saved $30 and screwed their customers in the process.

I bought an Optima Yellowtop H7 battery and it alone fixed my Ford BMS problems completely. One should be aware that the battery problems with pickup truck owners are with those owning Ford trucks. No such problems posted on forums for Chevy, Ram, or Toyota pickups by their owners.

My 2022 EcoBoost Platinum came with the H6.

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[2Lazy2P]

Ford uses the H8 size battery in vehicles for law enforcement use where there is expected to be more electronics in use. For other 1500 class vehicles it uses the H7 in the higher priced models and the H6 in the XLT and other less expensive trim packages.

The reality is that with an XLT or other work truck one should simply replace the factory H6 battery with an aftermarket H7 battery and be done with it. No need for an H8 for most owners. In areas where people use a block heater they can also plug in a battery maintainer if they have issues.

My 2022 EB 3.5 Platinum came with the H6.

 

[JohnMcClane]

Stock H6 heard me talking crap about it in here, remote started just fine yesterday, it being dead yesterday would have been convenient…

 

[sswalters]

Thanks to all here again. Two things...

1. What is better than Ford's Remote Service? I simply love getting all my service done at my home. Incredible. Getting 30K service done tomorrow.

2. Also having the dealer install an H8 battery with the correct heat shield and using my Ford Reward points to help offset the cost. Wound up getting the Ford Motorcraft BAGM49H8 battery and the heat shield as well, all installed during the service with the BMS reset. Maybe should have gotten a non-Ford battery, but decided to go OEM one last time.

My remote start stopped working, and it's 100% the battery. Haven't seen an OTA in a while so that's probably contributing also.

Really appreciate the group for all the FDRS and Forscan support. BC 1.4 working awesome still.

 

[Gros Ventre]

I cannot figure it out... Why in the world would Ford vs non-Ford batteries make a difference. Lead acid battery chemistry and the alloys used along with construction and assembling, are well known. AGM Batteries really are not that new. SO what could be the difference... Just don't get it. Nevertheless, the pattern is clear. So I'm wondering if the Ford H8 battery will be different... But not holding my breath. Please update us as you go along.

 

[Je1279]

I am only one data point, so take that for what it is worth. However, since installing an aftermarket H7 AGM battery (to replace the problematic OE AGM H6) and keeping my auto fan speed set to 3-bars (courtesy of @HammaMan) while in the vehicle, I have not had a single issue. No FordPass notifications and no features of the truck not working as expected. Mind you, this has been during an interval with temperatures as low as -7°F without ever putting the battery on a charger. I'm currently only two months in, so I cannot speak to longevity, however, I truly hope that this trend continues.

 

[sswalters]

I am only one data point, so take that for what it is worth. However, since installing an aftermarket H7 AGM battery (to replace the problematic OE AGM H6) and keeping my auto fan speed set to 3-bars (courtesy of @HammaMan) while in the vehicle, I have not had a single issue. No FordPass notifications and no features of the truck not working as expected. Mind you, this has been during an interval with temperatures as low as -7°F without ever putting the battery on a charger. I'm currently only two months in, so I cannot speak to longevity, however, I truly hope that this trend continues.

What is this 3 bar high autofan thing you are speaking of? LOL.

 

[Gros Ventre]

I am only one data point, so take that for what it is worth. However, since installing an aftermarket H7 AGM battery (to replace the problematic OE AGM H6) and keeping my auto fan speed set to 3-bars (courtesy of @HammaMan) while in the vehicle, I have not had a single issue. No FordPass notifications and no features of the truck not working as expected. Mind you, this has been during an interval with temperatures as low as -7°F without ever putting the battery on a charger. I'm currently only two months in, so I cannot speak to longevity, however, I truly hope that this trend continues.

Well, that's two of us for data points. I replaced mine three years ago with a NAPA catalog battery for the PB. Recently found out it is an H7 (the NAPA Website doesn't list the H size). At any rate out my way we see temperatures below -30ºF in January/February. No issues. Reports I've kind of followed here seem to say the non-Ford battery will fix the problem.

 

[Snakebitten]

I think it's Fanspeed 5 or higher.
I'm unfamiliar with 3 bar.

Regardless, it causes the DC/DC converter to increase the voltage from 12.X to 14.x

Works really well with the HammaMan LFP Auxiliary battery mod too.

 

[Je1279]

I think it's Fanspeed 5 or higher.
I'm unfamiliar with 3 bar.

Regardless, it causes the DC/DC converter to increase the voltage from 12.X to 14.x

Works really well with the HammaMan LFP Auxiliary battery mod too.

Apologies @Snakebitten as I only use the auto climate control set to the max (3 bars) and adjust the interior temp setting depending upon the season. I belive that this setting allows for max fan speed (especially when its either 10 degrees or 90 degrees outside), but I am more than happy to defer to those more knowledgeable than myself.

 

[Snakebitten]

Apologies @Snakebitten as I only use the auto climate control set to the max (3 bars) and adjust the interior temp setting depending upon the season. I belive that this setting allows for max fan speed (especially when its either 10 degrees or 90 degrees outside), but I am more than happy to defer to those more knowledgeable than myself.

Hey, no apology necessary. You were right. It was me that wasn't aware of the alternative approach.

I've never tried auto climate, to be honest.

 

[HammaMan]

Every time I've tried auto levels it was just fan speed so makes sense the high auto is probably using fan 5 or 6.

 

[National Superbike]

I think it's Fanspeed 5 or higher.
I'm unfamiliar with 3 bar.

Regardless, it causes the DC/DC converter to increase the voltage from 12.X to 14.x

Works really well with the HammaMan LFP Auxiliary battery mod too.

My truck charges at 15V no matter the fan speed. It is a manual AC system, though. But, I checked the battery voltage today after a short trip and it was 12.1 which is really not right. Makes me think the battery simply can't hold a charge. I'm going to put it on the charger tomorrow and then see what it charges to and what it goes down to after sitting overnight.

 

[mwf5888]

I have had my battery replaced and the BCM reset. The truck is behaving normally.

However, I talked with the service manager yesterday. He looked in the system, and the battery SOC is 59%. This was after a 35-minute drive.

So, yesterday I ordered two NOCO Genius GEN5X1. One for my 2024 F150 KR and a second for my wife's 2024 Escape Platinum. Hopefully, this helps the batteries maintain 80% or higher.

 

[HammaMan]

I have had my battery replaced and the BCM reset. The truck is behaving normally.

However, I talked with the service manager yesterday. He looked in the system, and the battery SOC is 59%. This was after a 35-minute drive.

So, yesterday I ordered two NOCO Genius GEN5X1. One for my 2024 F150 KR and a second for my wife's 2024 Escape Platinum. Hopefully, this helps the batteries maintain 80% or higher.

The issue is that the vehicle/s will consume the battery down to its desired SOC level so after 1 drive it's right back down to the ~85% level. You'll only ever be above that threshold upon charging.

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