After these multi-hundred posts, many theories and much pontification - did we answer the burning question of what FORScan settings to use with AGM batteries?

 

Since this was my go-to thread for helping me pick a battery for my 2022, I thought I'd post an update about mine here. I bought a Walmart Everstart AGM Group 65 last April, and everything was fine until a few weeks ago. It went dead after a single digit cold spell, so I charged it up and it went dead again about a week later. I charged it up again so I could get it load tested at the local Walmart, and sure enough they said it was bad and they would replace it.

So far so good, but next they said they couldn't get that battery anymore, and the only thing they could get (that would fit) was a flooded cell. I almost agreed thinking there was nothing else I could do, but I decided to check the Walmart app for the heck of it. Sure enough the battery wasn't available within 50 miles, but I could order one for home delivery that would arrive in two days. Store pickup and deliver to store were not an option. I showed that to the clerk and she said to go ahead and order it, and they would issue a refund after I had it. Don't ask me why, but they couldn't order one for me.

The good news is that they did issue a full refund for the new one, even though the price had gone up about $40. So props to Walmart for that. The bad news is that I sure didn't expect an AGM battery to crap out in less than a year, and I didn't think it would be hard to find one in a store. If I'm at home 2 day shipping is no big deal, but if I'm on the road that's less than ideal. Easy availability at any Walmart nationwide was one factor in my decision, and now that seems like it's not a sure thing anymore.

Full disclosure I don't drive my truck every day, and I don't keep it plugged into a smart charger all the time. So I'm not posting this to bitch and moan, but I do think you guys that have the same battery might want to know about it. It would also be interesting to see if that battery is still available in other parts of the country. If anyone decides to check on that, let us know!

 

I have had mine for a little over a year without any issues. I ordered mine through the app for home delivery and that worked well.

Mixing flooded and AGM batteries in the same truck would be a bad idea.

 

Agreed, but I didn't pony up for the bigger alternator so I've only got one battery in mine.

 

@kshoop1958 did you change any of the setting in FORScan that would have modified the charging profile after you installed the AGM? Seems like this thread talked about settings quite extensively but never seemed to land on anything concrete.

I'm about two weeks from replacing both original MC FLA batteries in my 22 6.7 PSD so your experience with availability is concerning. I also don't drive my truck regularly but twice a month I put a regular charger (not a low-current maintainer) on it to bring them up to 100%.

I just checked the Walmart website and none of the local stores have a Group 65 in stock but I can order two and have them shipped to my house. Looks like plenty of Group H6 and H7 are in the store now. I guess I'll have to go through the core deposit dance at the local store and do the install myself. I was really looking forward to someone younger lifting those batteries in and out!

Edit: I called the local store the next morning to ask how the online core deposit refund would work in the store and the guy said he was looking at a row of Group 65 AGM's and they normally always have them on hand. Looks like technology not keeping up with reality!

 

That's a good question, I was wondering about that too. I don't have FORScan, and for the amount of money the license costs I never felt like I needed it. I actually trust the service manager at my Ford dealer so I asked him what they do when they change from flooded to AGM. Specifically I asked if they changed the software profile. He said no, they just reset the BMS using the method shown in the video linked below. I also asked the service tech at Walmart who, no offense, I don't really trust and they said they don't change the software either.

I'll admit I'm no battery guru and some of the technical discussions in this thread are above my skill set. So I'm not gonna say you shouldn't change the settings, I'm just saying I didn't for the reasons listed. Could that have contributed to mine crapping out in 10 months? I really don't know for sure but I kind of doubt it.

As for lifting the batteries I agree, they're akward. But, without knowing anything about you, I'd also say I trust you more than the Walmart tech for taking your time and doing a nice job on your $70k toy. But hey, that's just me.

Here's the BMS Reset link:

 

I did have Forscan but made no changes. I only did the BMS reset as shown in the video. That was approx 5 years ago. Mine is a '19, which doesn't have the same type of battery monitoring system as the newer gens. In fact, when looking with Forscan, factory default for Battery Monitoring System is "none".

I've read of some owners with the newer gens using Forscan to change things like target state of charge, and selecting AGM, but I still haven't seen any evidence that it's necessary, or that it had any real, or noticeable affect.

 

We use the "Super Start" group 65 AGM batteries from Oreiley. Just over $200. I have an account there that keeps up with the 3 yr warranty. You don't have to change any settings to switch to AGM and mixing flooded and agm doesn't seem to hurt anything, so go ahead and replace a bad one with agm. We use them in trucks, cars, tractors, semis, cotton picker, etc. with good success.

 

Put a Super Start in my 19' F250 6.2L at the begining of January and so far so good, but I want to say it was closer to $260.