are the connectors any different for 08? could I walk into my ford dealer and order the heater, and charger and then just install it my self? or have they changed something to disallow us from doing it.

 

FYI, I did a quick search online and found these prices for the P/N SHOPPING CART
Description Qty MSRP Price Your Price Core Price Total Cost
OEM Catalog
CHGR ASY-HI VOLT BAT $86.08 $79.09 $0.00 $79.09 Delete From Cart
OEM Catalog
HEATER ASSY ENGINE B $35.72 $26.25 $0.00 $26.25 Delete From Cart
OEM Catalog
WIR ASY ENG BLK HTR $65.47 $48.12 $0.00 $48.12 Delete From Cart
Total: $153.46
If you change quantity, please click Recalculate.

 

I wonder if the charger is under on board batery management, or on its own. Because it can be a slower, more controlled charge, it could take the battery higher than 60%.

 

I believe someone posted that the 08 models do not get the charger hardware. At this time, no one has evidence the charger portion of the engine block heater will "charge-up" the hybrid battery. However, more readers, especially those with the hybrid navigational headunit need to see if this is true. I did try two time with no success but I do not have the hybrid display and it is not easy to figure out the status of your hybrid battery charge.

 

As copied from my 08 MMH owners manual (PDF Version):
_________________________________________

ENGINE BLOCK/HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY HEATER
(IF EQUIPPED)

An engine block/high voltage battery heater warms the engine coolant
and high voltage battery cells which aids in starting, vehicle performance
and heater/defroster performance in cold weather. Use of an engine
block/high voltage battery heater is strongly recommended if you live in
a region where temperatures reach -10°F (-23°C) or below. For best
results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting the vehicle.

The heater can be plugged in the night before starting the vehicle.


For what little this helps the thread.

 

I am going to get this stuff, even though I only rarely see morning temps of freezing. With the new ScanGauge firmware, you can read SoC to tenths, so I should be able to notice if any charging takes place. I do know that the jump start does nothing for SoC's of 30% and above. I suspect that both the plug-in charger and jump start are only there for severely discharged batteries, i.e., about 25% or less SoC. I have a discharged junk yard traction battery, and if I get the energy I may swap it into my FEH and see what the plug-in charger/jump start button do to it.

 

Remember the first generation Escape (05 thru 2007) engine block heater contains a "charger". The engine block heater on the 08 models does not.

 

My understanding of the Hybrid Block Heater system is that the converter is 120V to ~24V and powers two resistive heaters under the HV battery pack.

When tested the converter puts out about 24VDC at a couple of amps (I did not try to test the max output. From the size of the converter I would guess it is could supply 80-150 watts, maybe 4-6 amps).

I have the block heater, converter, and wiring, and plan to install it myself this fall (now that I know what wires to connect to from this thread --- THANKS!).

 

Keep us posted Don.
We keep getting small pieces of the puzzle.
I just got a job assignment in So. Minnesota, so I'll be buying a block heater next! How long did it take to get one?
-John

 

I have an appointment at my local Ford Dealer on Saturday (22nd) for the battery wiring harness. I intend to ask about the charger portion of the engine block heater.