Buying a New TC Hauler
I started the process today of replacing my 2010 F450 with a 2016 model. The Ford dealers here in Little Rock hardly ever have them though, and I had resigned myself to probably driving to Dallas in o...
Forum Discussion
Battery Charge Protect is one of the Stationary Engine Idle Control (SEIC) modes built into the PCM. Most of the SEIC modes are for the various types of PTO operation (Stationary mode, Live Drive and Split Shaft operation). There is also a mode for simply raising the idle RPM, either to a fixed or a variable RPM depending on how it's hooked up. BCP mode allows the PCM to monitor battery voltage while the truck is idling with the emergency brake set, and manipulate the alternator output and engine RPM separately as needed to maintain good charging voltage. The engine and tranny temps are monitored as well, and the PCM will not allow them to overheat.
I use that mode occasionally when the camper is on the truck. I had BCP mode enabled on my 2010 F450 as well, and for that model year the PCM maintained good charging voltage by manipulating the idle RPM only. On the 2011 and up, as a fuel-saving feature the alternator output can actually be increased up to a point without raising the idle RPM at all. In fact, when the Ford tech first enabled BCP on this truck, he thought it was working opposite of what it should be doing. He would turn on the BCP switch, and the idle RPM would go DOWN. It took a call to a design engineer to learn that it was working as designed.
Here's a snip from the Body Builders Bulletin that covers all of the SEIC modes. Note that in addition to giving the PCM a reference to battery voltage, you also have to install a resistor across two of the PTO control points:
:):)
I use that mode occasionally when the camper is on the truck. I had BCP mode enabled on my 2010 F450 as well, and for that model year the PCM maintained good charging voltage by manipulating the idle RPM only. On the 2011 and up, as a fuel-saving feature the alternator output can actually be increased up to a point without raising the idle RPM at all. In fact, when the Ford tech first enabled BCP on this truck, he thought it was working opposite of what it should be doing. He would turn on the BCP switch, and the idle RPM would go DOWN. It took a call to a design engineer to learn that it was working as designed.
Here's a snip from the Body Builders Bulletin that covers all of the SEIC modes. Note that in addition to giving the PCM a reference to battery voltage, you also have to install a resistor across two of the PTO control points:
:):)
