Abstract: A monitoring method includes, among other things, within an electrified vehicle, providing an accessory battery that is configured to power an electrical bus, and a traction battery that is configured to power the electrical bus. The method further includes loading the electrical bus with electrical loads of the electrified vehicle when an amount of power provided to the electrical bus by the traction battery is reduced. After the loading, the method compares an electrical parameter of the accessory battery to a threshold value to assess a condition of the accessory battery.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the health of a vehicle battery. A method includes determining an initial amp-hour value for a vehicle battery of a vehicle. The method also includes measuring a net integrated amp-hour value added into the vehicle battery during a first time period. The method further includes determining that the initial amp-hour value plus the net integrated amp-hour value is greater than a threshold percentage of a rated capacity of the vehicle battery. And the method still further includes responsively providing an alert to a driver.

Abstract: An AC inverter in a vehicle operates using a 24V input when a vehicle powertrain is in a parked/idling state. A first 12V battery is connected with a first bus segment. A second 12V battery is connected with a second bus segment. A switch module selectably interconnects the first and second bus segments. In a nominal 12V state, the batteries are connected in parallel from the bus segments to ground. In a dual voltage state, the batteries are connected in series so the first bus segment is at 12V and the second bus segment is at 24V. A first alternator driven by the powertrain provides a regulated voltage to the second bus segment, wherein the regulated voltage corresponds to 12V when the switch module is in the nominal state and corresponds to 24V when the switch module is in the dual voltage state.

Abstract: A vehicle determines a first resistance of a starter motor and a starter cable connected thereto based at least in part on the first voltage of a power source. The vehicle determines a predicted minimum battery voltage based at least in part on the first resistance of the starter motor and the starter cable. The vehicle, in response to the predicted minimum battery voltage satisfying a threshold, enables a vehicle stop-start function, and, in response to the predicted minimum battery voltage failing to satisfy the threshold, disables the vehicle stop-start function.

Abstract: An AC inverter in a vehicle operates using a 24V input when a vehicle powertrain is in a parked/idling state. A first 12V battery is connected with a first bus segment. A second 12V battery is connected with a second bus segment. A switch module selectably interconnects the first and second bus segments. In a nominal 12V state, the batteries are connected in parallel from the bus segments to ground. In a dual voltage state, the batteries are connected in series so the first bus segment is at 12V and the second bus segment is at 24V. A first alternator driven by the powertrain provides a regulated voltage to the second bus segment, wherein the regulated voltage corresponds to 12V when the switch module is in the nominal state and corresponds to 24V when the switch module is in the dual voltage state.

Abstract: A power system for a vehicle comprises a first power supply network configured to operate at a first voltage. The first power supply network comprises a first alternator, a starter motor, and a battery conductively connected to the first alternator and the starter motor. The system further comprises a second power supply network configured to operate at a second voltage. The second power supply network comprises a second alternator, a power supply receptacle configured to output power to an external accessory, and a capacitive energy storage device conductively connected to the second alternator and the power supply receptacle. A directional conduction device interconnects the first power supply network and the second power supply network.

Abstract: A monitoring method includes, among other things, within an electrified vehicle, providing an accessory battery that is configured to power an electrical bus, and a traction battery that is configured to power the electrical bus. The method further includes loading the electrical bus with electrical loads of the electrified vehicle when an amount of power provided to the electrical bus by the traction battery is reduced. After the loading, the method compares an electrical parameter of the accessory battery to a threshold value to assess a condition of the accessory battery.

Abstract: A monitoring method includes, among other things, within a vehicle, providing a first electrical system with an auxiliary battery, and a second electrical system with a primary battery. The method further includes electrically coupling the first electrical system to the second electrical system, electrically loading the auxiliary battery and the primary battery, and comparing an electrical parameter of the auxiliary battery to a threshold value to assess a state of the auxiliary battery.

Abstract: A powertrain control system may include an engine and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to a maximum difference in battery voltage values remaining less than a threshold value during a period in which a number of engine stop-start cycles exceeds a limit, enable an automatic stop-start system of the engine.

Abstract: An AC inverter in a vehicle operates using a 24V input when a vehicle powertrain is in a parked/idling state. A first 12V battery is connected with a first bus segment. A second 12V battery is connected with a second bus segment. A switch module selectably interconnects the first and second bus segments. In a nominal 12V state, the batteries are connected in parallel from the bus segments to ground. In a dual voltage state, the batteries are connected in series so the first bus segment is at 12V and the second bus segment is at 24V. A first alternator driven by the powertrain provides a regulated voltage to the second bus segment, wherein the regulated voltage corresponds to 12V when the switch module is in the nominal state and corresponds to 24V when the switch module is in the dual voltage state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring the health of a vehicle battery. An example method includes determining an initial amp-hour value for a vehicle battery of a vehicle. The method also includes measuring a net integrated amp-hour value added into the vehicle battery during a first time period. The method further includes determining that the initial amp-hour value plus the net integrated amp-hour value is greater than a threshold percentage of a rated capacity of the vehicle battery. And the method still further includes responsively providing an alert to a driver.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring the health of a vehicle battery. An example vehicle includes a vehicle battery, one or more vehicle battery sensors, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a battery health metric of the vehicle battery, wherein the battery health metric is based on a battery service time, a battery state of charge, and a battery temperature. The processor is also configured to perform a battery refresh operation on the vehicle battery responsive to determining that the battery health metric is above a refresh threshold. And the processor is further configured to activate a vehicle alert responsive to determining that the battery health metric is above an end-of-life threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle operates an internal combustion engine according to an automatic start-stop function to reduce fuel consumption. A first DC bus is adapted to connect to a plurality of DC loads. A primary battery is coupled between the first DC bus and a ground. A first alternator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electrical power to the first DC bus. A second DC bus is connected to a positive terminal of an auxiliary battery. A negative terminal of the auxiliary battery is connected to the first DC bus. A second alternator is driven by the internal combustion engine to supply electrical power to the second bus at a voltage corresponding to a sum of voltages of the primary and auxiliary batteries. An inverter receives electrical power from the second DC bus to generate an AC output adapted to connect to accessory AC loads.

Abstract: A vehicle determines a first resistance of a starter motor and a starter cable connected thereto based at least in part on the first voltage of a power source. The vehicle determines a predicted minimum battery voltage based at least in part on the first resistance of the starter motor and the starter cable. The vehicle, in response to the predicted minimum battery voltage satisfying a threshold, enables a vehicle stop-start function, and, in response to the predicted minimum battery voltage failing to satisfy the threshold, disables the vehicle stop-start function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle charge control for protection against cold crank failure. An example vehicle includes a battery and a body control module. The body control module is to obtain state of charge information of the battery, obtain temperature information, and estimate a next crank time based on the state of charge information and the temperature information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for vehicle charge control for protection against cold crank failure. An example vehicle includes a battery and a body control module. The body control module is to obtain state of charge information of the battery, obtain temperature information, and estimate a next crank time based on the state of charge information and the temperature information.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for detecting and refreshing an aged battery in a vehicle with a start-stop system. An example vehicle includes an engine configured to operate in a start-stop mode and a power management system. The power management system is configured for determining that a charge acceptance value of a battery is below a threshold, responsively disabling the start-stop mode and displaying a message via a display, refreshing the battery and enabling the start-stop mode after refreshing the battery.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling charge levels of vehicle batteries. An example vehicle includes a battery, a battery sensor for detecting a current of the battery, a power connector for connecting to an external electrical device, a relay electrically connected between the power connection and the battery, and a body control module to position the relay in a closed state in response to determining that the current is greater than zero and the battery is not in an overcharge state.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting and mitigating vehicle battery gas emission into the vehicle cabin. An example vehicle includes a battery, a vent tube coupled to the battery for venting gas outside a vehicle cabin, a gas flow sensor for determining a measured flow rate at an end of the vent tube opposite the battery, and a processor. The processor is configured for determining an expected flow rate range based on a battery characteristic, and responsive to determining that the measured flow rate is outside the expected flow rate range, initiating a protective action.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for vehicle accessory power management. An example vehicle includes an engine configured to operate in a start-stop mode, and a power management system. The power management system is configured to receive an input requesting use of a vehicle accessory in an accessory mode, and responsive to the input, reduce an electrical load, disable the start-stop mode, and enable use of the accessory mode.