Tried "Intelligent battery heating" for the first time. It's not intelligent!

[AndyL61]

This morning just for a test I thought I'd try "Intelligent battery heating". As my car was still plugged in I assumed it would take the power from the mains and so not negatively affect my range. Not only did it not use the mains it also stopped my pre heating from using the mains as it usually does if it's plugged in. End result used 2% battery before I started my drive and took around 15 miles before my miles/kWh went above 2. I'll not be doing that again ! By the way it's the first time I've tried it in 2 years and 30k miles . Trophy LR 72 reg.

 

[siteguru]

I did a recent test in my SE SR (which is up to date software-wise ... 1100R38 Infotainment) - plugged in not charging I tried the cabin preheat and it used the battery, but then triggered a charge. I tried the same with battery preheating and got the same result.

What SoC were you at? Did you have the 80% limit set? If not (e.g. you'd charged to 100%) then I've a feeling that the limit may reset to 80% after a charge ... but that's only speculation as I don't have a Trophy / LR car to confirm.

 

[tsedge]

I did a recent test in my SE SR (which is up to date software-wise ... 1100R38 Infotainment) - plugged in not charging I tried the cabin preheat and it used the battery, but then triggered a charge. I tried the same with battery preheating and got the same result.

What SoC were you at? Did you have the 80% limit set? If not (e.g. you'd charged to 100%) then I've a feeling that the limit may reset to 80% after a charge ... but that's only speculation as I don't have a Trophy / LR car to confirm.

The limit doesn't reset. It stays at whatever you set it at - whatever the SOC - it just won't accept a charge if the current SOC exceeds the limit.

 

[AndyL61]

I did a recent test in my SE SR (which is up to date software-wise ... 1100R38 Infotainment) - plugged in not charging I tried the cabin preheat and it used the battery, but then triggered a charge. I tried the same with battery preheating and got the same result.

What SoC were you at? Did you have the 80% limit set? If not (e.g. you'd charged to 100%) then I've a feeling that the limit may reset to 80% after a charge ... but that's only speculation as I don't have a Trophy / LR car to confirm.

It was at 80% limit but still plugged in. Normally if I pre heat it turns the charge point back on and doesn't use any battery. This time I had turned on battery heating first and then pre heat about 10 mins later. It didn't turn the charge point on at all.

 

[fnegroni]

This morning just for a test I thought I'd try "Intelligent battery heating". As my car was still plugged in I assumed it would take the power from the mains and so not negatively affect my range. Not only did it not use the mains it also stopped my pre heating from using the mains as it usually does if it's plugged in. End result used 2% battery before I started my drive and took around 15 miles before my miles/kwh went above 2. I'll not be doing that again ! By the way it's the first time I've tried it in 2 years and 30k miles . Trophy LR 72 reg.

What was the reason to use intelligent battery heating? Yes it does use battery but if you are plugged in and the charger is active, I don’t think it even runs until you unplug. IBH as far as I know only works when you start the vehicle. So you were plugged in but you weren’t requesting any charge.

 

[AndyL61]

I just thought after 2 years I should at least try it as some have said it can improve battery performance at low temperature. It did say success on the app when I switched it on and it did take 2 % out of the battery so it did something. I won't bother again as it clearly only reduces range. I never rapid charge so it won't get used to pre condition the battery for rapid charging either.

 

[Macadoodle]

I'm the same, this is my third winter with the car and the first time that I've tried using the battery heater.
The LFP battery is particularly 'sluggish' when temps are around zero, tardy acceleration and half the regen is usual for at least 20 miles I've found. Heating significantly cuts the warm up time but you definitely use more energy overall when using it.

I quite like that it gets the battery coolant circuit flowing though as I think I've 'rapid' ( 48kW IIRC ) charged precisely 3 times in 2 years and 28k miles and that's the only time that circuit was active - to cool of course. Worried that the coolant might start to stagnate or separate its additives sitting for months at a time

 

[fnegroni]

I just thought after 2 years I should at least try it as some have said it can improve battery performance at low temperature. It did say success on the app when I switched it on and it did take 2 % out of the battery so it did something. I won't bother again as it clearly only reduces range. I never rapid charge so it won't get used to pre condition the battery for rapid charging either.

Wait are you talking about preheating the battery or the intelligent battery heating when started?

 

[AndyL61]

Wait are you talking about preheating the battery or the intelligent battery heating when started?

Battery heating before starting.

 

[fnegroni]

Battery heating before starting.

Ok your first post got me rather confused.

 

[Walks with Enzo]

I tried it this morning, car was plugged in and theoretically set to charge.
Dropped from 80% to 78%, car didn't start to charge. I started it charging and switched the interior heating on via E.on the home app.

 

[hharzel]

The LFP battery is particularly 'sluggish' when temps are around zero, tardy acceleration and half the regen is usual for at least 20 miles I've found.

Your SE actually limits regeneration when cold? I have not noticed any decrease in regeneration ever no matter how cold. Maybe there is, but it is indiscernable. Only when battery is full, regen is limited and then I can definitely feel it as using brakes requires a harder push of the pedal.

 

[siteguru]

I know that I have previously seen the Regen Effect Limited (or similar) message in my SE SR even when the SoC has been below 80%. This was when it was particularly cold recently.

My car lives outside so doesn't get any cover to try and retain heat.

 

[Macadoodle]

Your SE actually limits regeneration when cold? I have not noticed any decrease in regeneration ever no matter how cold. Maybe there is, but it is indiscernable. Only when battery is full, regen is limited and then I can definitely feel it as using brakes requires a harder push of the pedal.

Yes, looking at the power readout it basically halves when temps are around freezing.
Max I see is 12% compared with 25% when ambient temp gets above 10 degrees, I do wish that they had displayed kW though

I think LFP in particular is very stressed by high currents in or out at low temp.

 

[fnegroni]

Yes, looking at the power readout it basically halves when temps are around freezing.
Max I see is 12% compared with 25% when ambient temp gets above 10 degrees, I do wish that they had displayed kW though

I think LFP in particular is very stressed by high currents in or out at low temp.

Low battery temperature and possibly you haven’t done a low Soc to full equalisation in a while. When doing so it really helps to take the Soc to 5% or less and let it sit there for an hour or two at least before charging.

 

[Macadoodle]

Low battery temperature and possibly you haven’t done a low Soc to full equalisation in a while. When doing so it really helps to take the Soc to 5% or less and let it sit there for an hour or two at least before charging.

It's possible I guess. I'm so opposed to using public charging that I usually arrive home with 20% or so, try to balance charge once weekly though.