12V battery is low warning

[Just Jules]

My MGS5 has just given a low 12V battery warning. I understand what this means and the implications if it goes flat.
What can I do to force the traction battery to charge the 12V battery?

 

[GrahamB]

Driving the car should do it. Check the terminals are secure.

 

[Alb]

It should top up the 12V battery automatically.

 

[Lovemyev]

Just remember if you are using any 12 volt items when the car is in standby mode only, the 12 volt battery is NOT receiving a charge.
The capacity of 12 volt batteries in many modern cars today ( especially EV’s ) are fairly small.
Reducing size / weight of 12 volt batteries by the manufacturers, is both more cost effective and it cuts down on the overhaul weight of the car.
If I am waiting to pick up from school etc, I just leave the car in ready mode.
When we had our two previous two ZS EV’s I would use a smart charger and just give the 12 volt battery a “top up” helping hand about twice a year.
I also carry a 12 volt battery booster pack under the drivers seat as a belt and braces approach.
Had it about 4 years and never found it necessary to use on our EVs yet, but it’s has been used a LOT to jump start other peoples ICE cars incidentally .
Definitely worth considering buying one .

 

[DaveIJ]

I have one that doubles up as a pump for tyres have only used twice both on other peoples cars

 

[Lovemyev]

I have one that doubles up as a pump for tyres have only used twice both on other peoples cars

Same !.
We have the Halo Bolt Air unit, these units are very popular in America apparently.

 

[Just Jules]

Just remember if you are using any 12 volt items when the car is in standby mode only, the 12 volt battery is NOT receiving a charge.
The capacity of 12 volt batteries in many modern cars today ( especially EV’s ) are fairly small.
Reducing size / weight of 12 volt batteries by the manufacturers, is both more cost effective and it cuts down on the overhaul weight of the car.
If I am waiting to pick up from school etc, I just leave the car in ready mode.
When we had our two previous two ZS EV’s I would use a smart charger and just give the 12 volt battery a “top up” helping hand about twice a year.
I also carry a 12 volt battery booster pack under the drivers seat as a belt and braces approach.
Had it about 4 years and never found it necessary to use on our EVs yet, but it’s has been used a LOT to jump start other peoples ICE cars incidentally .
Definitely worth considering buying one .

Thanks. Glad to hear you have a reliable battery booster. I intend to get one. Can you tell me the make and model of yours? Thanks.

 

[Ian Key]

I got the NOCO BoostPlus which is probably overkill for an EV but has been useful for starting a very flat battery on an old diesel Fiesta a few times before a new battery was bought for it.

I didn't get a dual purpose booster because if the battery has gone flat due to it not being recharged after use you've lost two bits of kit not one.

 

[Lovemyev]

Thanks. Glad to hear you have a reliable battery booster. I intend to get one. Can you tell me the make and model of yours? Thanks.

There is a big choice to pick from out there.
But I made the decision to go for a unit that has WAY more capacity than you need, just to boost an EV.
But I wanted enough capacity in the jump pack, to be easily available to jump start even a large engine, in an ICE car.
The larger the battery capacity in the booster pack, combined with other feature’s it offers, will increase the price unfortunately ( built in light USB ports for charging /
compressor etc ).
A small capacity / size unit would be fine for boosting a EV, it’s a personal choice really.
The Halo Bolt Air has everything and more if you go in that direction, but the standard unit ( less compressor ) are expensive on Amazon at £234.36 ! .
Strangely enough, I found the Halo Bolt Air for sale on the QVC shopping channel at a much reduced price of £160.00 !.
I have another second booster pack in my wife’s Fiat 500.