Cooling the battery?

[Reg]

From the manual, seems the car doesn't like being in 90 degree weather for long periods of time.

It was 110 degrees here today - even the garage was +100 - just saw that my battery is at 90 degrees.

Question is does it matter (or help) if I keep the car cooled while in the garage by putting on the AC when it is really hot? In other words, does running the AC have any affect on the battery temp?

Or is there anything else I should do?

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[daveo4EV]

the car will cool the battery if necessary - Porsche has software to maintain battery temperature - modern EV’s will heat/cool the LiOn battery to maintain optimal temperatures. Let the car manage the battery it will do the right thing.

90F for battery temp isn’t bad and well with in the normal operating range for LiOn batteries.

also according to a battery engineer at my major tech company (one of my many co-workers) temperature alone isn’t bad for a battery - it’s the act of charging/discharging the battery WHILE at bad temperatures...

the car will manage the battery so you don’t have to.

 

[louv]

During a very fast DC charge session my battery temp has gone as high as 130°F. That is still within acceptable range. (If I recall correctly, max charging temp is 150°F based on the position of a red marker on the battery temp display)

 

[Reg]

During a very fast DC charge session my battery temp has gone as high as 130°F. That is still within acceptable range. (If I recall correctly, max charging temp is 150°F based on the position of a red marker on the battery temp display)

Thanks. That makes more sense. Just odd that they mention not having the car out in 90 degree weather for too long. Maybe it is the it is ok to be at 130 for a 30 minute charge, but not at 90 degrees all day?

Does running the ac cool the battery too or just the cabin? My guess is just the cabin unless it is smart enough to know when the battery needs cooling and re-directs to it.

 

[louv]

Thanks. That makes more sense. Just odd that they mention not having the car out in 90 degree weather for too long. Maybe it is the it is ok to be at 130 for a 30 minute charge, but not at 90 degrees all day?

Does running the ac cool the battery too or just the cabin? My guess is just the cabin unless it is smart enough to know when the battery needs cooling and re-directs to it.

Yes, the car can selectively heat or cool to cabin and/or the battery pack.

An important point (from my memory of the manual) is after a DC Fast charge, you should not run in Range Mode as it forces the AC into Eco mode which reduces the battery cooling capability.

I don’t recall the part of the manual that says it shouldn’t be in 90°F heat for long. Can some post the source? (The manual search feature sucks... as if they chose just a few words to index)

 

[Reg]

Yes, the car can selectively heat or cool to cabin and/or the battery pack.

An important point (from my memory of the manual) is after a DC Fast charge, you should not run in Range Mode as it forces the AC into Eco mode which reduces the battery cooling capability.

I don’t recall the part of the manual that says it shouldn’t be in 90°F heat for long. Can some post the source? (The manual search feature sucks... as if they chose just a few words to index)

It is under "car care" page 63 if on a mac.
Besides the first bullet point, I was curious as to what the second to the last one was about? Is it possible, it wants to be connected to get energy to cool the battery? Any ideas?

 

[louv]

It is under "car care" page 63 if on a mac.
Besides the first bullet point, I was curious as to what the second to the last one was about? Is it possible, it wants to be connected to get energy to cool the battery? Any ideas?

Thanks for finding that for me! (Some days I'm really lazy!)

I would assume that they are saying "for long periods of time" meaning: Don't Store the Car in the Sahara Desert for the summer. Or California in 2020. "If possible".

It is true that Lithium Batteries don't really like high heat for long periods of time. (e.g. Don't leave your cell phone on a hot dashboard. Those batteries can expand due to heat.). That said, I don't think the car will be harmed parked outside for a day in the Texas heat. But if you are parking it at the Dubai airport while you escape to Patagonia for a 2 month vacation, you should probably leave it in the shade, not in full sun. Oh... wait... it's 2020... no vacation travel is allowed.

It's the "long periods" that is confusingly vague. What's a "Long Period" in the sun? 1 hour is long if my cat is in the car. Is 2 days a long period? Is a month a long period? Is a year a long period? Thanks Porsche tech writers and lawyers! Good CYA.

 

[dnanian]

Huh. You'd think it'd automatically take the AC out of Eco until such time as the battery is cooled, rather than relying on the user to remember to not use Range.

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