Battery Failure

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 13:50

ThreadID: 134724 Views:5404 Replies:4 FollowUps:9

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tuck

We have a Ford ranger XLT 2015 modelwith slide on camper.
!st problem - Last March went camping ,3 days,result flat battery when trying to move camp .. Came home found out to stop leakage from battery over time we should remove keys from ignition,also leave one door slightly ajar so that the vehicle doesnt light up like a ship in the night when opening door each time and we lock completely the vehicle at night to shut every thing down.. No problems with camping thereafter when on the run
2nd problem went away for 3 weeks,left vehicle locked ,nothing on to our knowledge arrive home ,battery dead flat .Consultated Dealer and both they and ARB decided all wiring between vehicle and anderson plug (no slideon on vehicle) was ok
3 rd problem Away last week camped 3 days one spot doing ALL above and yes Flat Battery
Has anyone some thoughts (constructive suggestions ) or had the same problems

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Reply By: 9900Eagle - Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 14:18

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 14:18

You are correct about the keys in the ignition.
If you haven't had the smart charge turned off, get ford to do it as they should do it for free. Lock the doors, as that shuts the control modules down. Keep the bonnet shut. Don't continually open open and shut the doors as this wakes the modules up and they draw current. Check the vehicle battery voltage at the anderson plug daily and if it is getting low charge it.

Have your battery load tested to see if it is on the way out as auto sparks normally will test for free.

I have done all these things from new and nearly 5 years later I have not had a flat battery and also the battery is the original.

I will be getting a new battery before winter though, as it has to fail sometime soon.

AnswerID: 610544

Follow Up By: tuck - Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 14:41

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 14:41

Thank you for your points . Have thought after am I doing the wrong thing leaving a rear door ajar to stop lights when opening ??? Have not turned off smart charger, there is suggestions increases fuel consumption - has this happened to your vehicle ???

FollowupID: 880465

Follow Up By: Hoyks - Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 15:09

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 15:09

It might increase fuel consumption 0.1%, but what is cheaper, fuel of batteries?

You can also turn off the lights, I'm not sure how, but there was discussion about it on another forum.
Look in your manual or settings for enabling 'Silent Mode'.

FollowupID: 880466

Follow Up By: RMD - Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 17:19

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 17:19

That charge style called SMART should be called DUMB. I doubt if you will detect the increase in fuel usage because when the battery is charged with a normal alternator it cuts back it's load on the engine anyway. To have the battery fully charged rather than the "hit and miss" as supplied, is far more important than the 0.1% mentioned above.
Have it turned OFF.

FollowupID: 880472

Reply By: Big Woody - Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 15:56

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 15:56

I am on my 2nd Ranger and I would do 2 things to address your problem.

Firstly if it is a PX1 then ask Ford to turn off the "smart charge".......or if it is a PX2 then ask them to enable "dual battery mode". (same thing just different language for each model)
This will ensure that whatever battery you have in the car is at least getting a full charge. Testing mine before I had dual battery mode enabled saw my battery stop charging sometimes at only 50%......I believe this feature is designed to save fuel.

Secondly if you are still on the original battery........then these batteries have only 65 amp/hr capacity to start with and are renowned for failing when only about 1 year old. If you combine that with a situation where the battery is never attaining full charge then normal use when camping can very easily leave you stranded with a flat battery.

I would recommend upgrading your battery to something around 90-100 amp/hrs and combined with maintaining a higher state of charge by disabling the smart charge......I think you will probably find your issues will be resolved.

It worked for me in both a PX1 and PX2.

Good luck.

AnswerID: 610547

Follow Up By: tuck - Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 16:12

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 16:12

Thanks for all your info,are booked in for Thursday ,will be questioning them first the add these proposals

FollowupID: 880469

Follow Up By: 9900Eagle - Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 18:49

Tuesday, Apr 25, 2017 at 18:49

tuck, I also should have added and I hope you know that if you double flick the indicator stork it will turn your park lights off when the doors are open.
You will not notice any difference in fuel consumption with smart charger turned off.

FollowupID: 880478