Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Battery replacement-higher charging voltage needed

There seems to be a lot of BS on t'internet regarding this Ford smart charge system. I've seen printed that the alternator will "put out 18 volts" when the battery is low. Absolute rubbish when for the most part battery demand dictates the alternator voltage since they are directly connected. This not to mention electronics being less than happy with such a high voltage.

It does tailor output current by adjusting regulated max voltage according to battery SOC, temperature, engine torque demand, calculated capacity to best benefit battery and engine emissions though. It also explains why a new battery with full capacity requires a charge profile reset at the ECU.

Ah, so that explains why complex 'moderns' often have to go back into the main dealer after a DIY battery fit

Yes or simply ask your local "guvvy job" guy to bring round his borrowed OBD2 tablet

This is needed because the clever little ECU adapts to charge requirements of battery as it naturally ages and capacity declines. I noted on our F54 Mini Clubman that the ageing AGM stop/start battery was inhibiting same almost continually towards end of life. It somewhat annoyingly, now works nearly all the time with new battery.