Replaced my battery with an H8. My observations:

[FirstFord]

I replaced my original H7 in Nov 2023 with a H8 on a 2022 3.5 eco. I did not have the truck on a maintainer. All was well until about 3 weeks and now the truck will is back to deep sleep, etc. Even with charging now only get about 5-7 days before back under 50% soc.

I don't drive the truck all the time, only when I need it.

I plan to replace the battery, my question is will having a battery maintainer regularly connected to the new battery extend or hurt the life of the battery?

Your post has brought to mind several thoughts:
-Was your new (at the time) H8 replacement battery FULLY charged / topped off when you installed it? Or was it put in as-is, as it came off the shelf? I ask because my new (at the time) off-the-shelf replacement battery was far from fully charged. If I remember right, it was somewhere around 60% SOC.
-Did you reset the BMS when the H8 was installed?

Like you, I drive my truck when I need a truck. So, it could be driven every day, or every 3-4 days, or sit for 2 weeks. I'm going on 11 months with my H8 with 0 issues, but I also performed the tasks mentioned above.

Regarding long-term use of a "battery maintainer" charger causing damage: Back in the day, there really wasn't such a thing as a "smart charger", or a "battery maintainer". The closest thing was using a trickle charger. In those days, I would answer your question saying "yes", battery damage could happen through over charging - even from a trickle charger. But that was then and this is now. Technology has made great strides forward, and now so-called "smart chargers" / battery maintainers are designed for that specific purpose and aren't suppose to harm your battery. But not all of them are created equal. Some are really better (MUCH better) than others.

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[FaaWrenchBndr]

I am located in rural north central Indiana. Most all my trips are short. My truck is in the shop, which is about 40 yards from the house, no heat. In the winters, I use a battery tender on all vehicles. It’s cheap insurance.

For the truck, I use a NOCO 1 amp charger. I have a lead that extends to behind the grille. It’s easy to plug in at night or over the weekend.

 

[mwf5888]

I am located in rural north central Indiana. Most all my trips are short. My truck is in the shop, which is about 40 yards from the house, no heat. In the winters, I use a battery tender on all vehicles. It’s cheap insurance.

For the truck, I use a NOCO 1 amp charger. I have a lead that extends to behind the grille. It’s easy to plug in at night or over the weekend.

@FaaWrenchBndr Please post pictures of the NOCO under the hood with the battery connections.

I am considering doing the same for my 2024 PB. Looking at this: https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS2...16e947d40e732a18fd&qid=1733319390&sr=8-6&th=1

 

[Azben]

FirstFord. I did fully charge the new battery, it was in the 70% range off the shelf.
BMS reset was also performed when replaced. Also tried resetting the BMS after a recent charge.

Last night I ordered the bluetooth battery monitor SnakeB recommended and plan to watch the next battery closer.

I plan to purchase a H8 again as the current battery has a little less than 2 years on the prorated warranty. In my use case it seems the orignal H7 and the current H8 lasted close to the same timeframe so hard to say if there is a benefit of H7 vs H8.

 

[Snakebitten]

FirstFord. I did fully charge the new battery, it was in the 70% range off the shelf.
BMS reset was also performed when replaced. Also tried resetting the BMS after a recent charge.

Last night I ordered the bluetooth battery monitor SnakeB recommended and plan to watch the next battery closer.

I plan to purchase a H8 again as the current battery has a little less than 2 years on the prorated warranty. In my use case it seems the orignal H7 and the current H8 lasted close to the same timeframe so hard to say if there is a benefit of H7 vs H8.

2 minutes ago. Sitting in the recliner in the RV talking to my 93 year old dad on the phone

Nothing could be more convenient than checking the status of the AGM in the truck.

By the way, the Mach-E is out of the barn this morning too. So one touch of the thumb and I can check it too:

 

[Buyer2021]

Sitting in the recliner in the RV talking to my 93 year old dad on the phone

Battery discussions aside, that's priceless.

It's been almost 20 years now and I still miss conversations with my dad.

 

[FirstFord]

I plan to purchase a H8 again as the current battery has a little less than 2 years on the prorated warranty. In my use case it seems the orignal H7 and the current H8 lasted close to the same timeframe so hard to say if there is a benefit of H7 vs H8.

I'm only 11 months into my H8 upgrade, so I can't comment on its battery life longevity. However, I don't think the "advantage" of upgrading from a H7 to a H8 was necessarily extended battery life. The actual advantage (or at least why I upgraded to the larger battery size of a H8) was larger battery capacity, which would end all of the low-battery warnings, and which also prevented successful OTAs. The previous solution was the constant use of a battery maintainer, and that task has been eliminated as well. Longevity? My previous experience in life has been that a new battery will last anywhere from 2 years to 10 years. In other words, it's been all over the board. But that is just an anecdotal observation.

 

[Boen]

I put the Interstate H8 from costco on my 21' coyote a few months ago. Night and day difference. I strongly suggest everyone except Powerboosts (it apparently won't fit) to upgrade to H8. I also have a battery tender installed on my truck that I plug in almost daily to keep it topped up. The h6 that was in there before was garbage. The truck in it's entirety runs so much better now.

Can you give me the part number you installed? I have a 22 5.0 and want to upgrade
I have the H6 , will the H8 fit ok

 

[Bryan Simon]

Can you give me the part number you installed? I have a 22 5.0 and want to upgrade
I have the H6 , will the H8 fit ok

H8 is a tight fit and some tape might have to be removed from the positive battery cable to stretch it to the post. The insulating blanket you have now will not fi. I just deleted mine altogether.
No more electrical issues in a year now.

 

[Boen]

What do you think just going to the H7 size?

 

[KingDavid]

Can you give me the part number you installed? I have a 22 5.0 and want to upgrade
I have the H6 , will the H8 fit ok

There's no part number. I wasn't clear about this here but the H6 I had before was a motorcraft battery that comes OEM for our trucks. It's usually garbage. Went to Costco (go to Walmart instead) and tell them you want to buy an AGM H8 battery. It'll fit.

Battery blanket; some say stretching the one for the h6 to fit the h8 is fine. I wouldn't know since I live in South FL & I tossed it. I had no issue with the battery cables either, that might be a manufacturing plant discrepancy.

 

[KingDavid]

What do you think just going to the H7 size?

It'll work great too, but go for the h8. I promise it's not daunting lol

 

[KingDavid]

H8 is a tight fit and some tape might have to be removed from the positive battery cable to stretch it to the post. The insulating blanket you have now will not fi. I just deleted mine altogether.
No more electrical issues in a year now.

What year is yours? I've never had to adjust any cables.

Blanket was tossed. I didn't even bother trying to make it fit in this ft Lauderdale heat lol.

 

[Gros Ventre]

Tossing the battery blanket may not be so good an idea. Batteries die in hot climates. Spent two years on the island of Guam (Latitude 8ºN) where new batteries are known for dieing at the two year point. The Blanket also keeps the battery cooler for at least short trips. As to off the shelf state of charge, doing a "Wetting Down charge" (or after initial fill) is a good idea. It ensures all active material is set up properly for operation. Such a charge is common practice for large backup lead acid type systems.

 

[Bryan Simon]

What year is yours? I've never had to adjust any cables.

Blanket was tossed. I didn't even bother trying to make it fit in this ft Lauderdale heat lol.

21 XLT. I only needed another 1/2. I’m willing to bet that the harness manufacturer is “go-no go” for quality control

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