My i-Force Max has an.... Alternator???

[2battranger]

April 25 built off-road here. No aux switches and no alternator.

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[Franko Manini]

The batteries in the iForce MAX hybrids are not AGM batteries. They are made by Clarios, model # 380LN3-MF. It is an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB), designed for automotive use. It is a maintenance-free battery, meaning it does not require refilling with fluid after use. The "MF" in the product name stands for "Maintenance Free". This battery is a suitable replacement for various vehicle models, including the 2018 Toyota Camry. It has a 12VDC voltage and is identified by the BCI Group Size 48, EN Group Size LN3, and DIN Group Size H6.

 

[Franko Manini]

My 2024 Trailhunter does not have an alternator. It has been in the shop for repeated battery drains where I could not start the truck and required a jump. They tested the battery and subsequently replaced it under warranty. The said that a number of vehicles (not just Tacomas) went out with faulty batteries and they have been seeing bad batteries in several models lately.

 

[max911]

Franko, how long has it been since they installed the new battery?
Has everything been okay since the replacement?

(I had mine replaced under warranty about a month ago and so far-so good)

 

[TacoFreak]

(I had mine replaced under warranty about a month ago and so far-so good)

Max, have you checked the State of Charge of the new battery?

 

[max911]

For the first while it showed 14v on the voltmeter on the dash.
After a few (half dozen) trips i now notice that it drops down somewhat on the gauge after driving for about ten minutes.

Haven't had a chance to get my multimeter on it yet to see accurate readings.

The main thing is- the truck fires up perfectly now, so I am a lot happier than i was.

 

[TacoFreak]

Yeah - that would be a huge improvement.

Even when my battery reads really low, like 12.07 volts today, as soon as I start it the voltmeter on the dash jumps to 14v. Then it randomly jumps around as I drive like yours does and I just ignore it. I am hoping to get my battery replaced too and wondering what the state of charge might be with a new battery.

Good to hear that your truck is working again and starting reliably.

 

[SnowmanJPS]

My 2024 Trailhunter does not have an alternator. It has been in the shop for repeated battery drains where I could not start the truck and required a jump. They tested the battery and subsequently replaced it under warranty. The said that a number of vehicles (not just Tacomas) went out with faulty batteries and they have been seeing bad batteries in several models lately.

What did they replace it with..?

 

[gpburdell]

The batteries in the iForce MAX hybrids are not AGM batteries. They are made by Clarios, model # 380LN3-MF. It is an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB), designed for automotive use. It is a maintenance-free battery, meaning it does not require refilling with fluid after use. The "MF" in the product name stands for "Maintenance Free". This battery is a suitable replacement for various vehicle models, including the 2018 Toyota Camry. It has a 12VDC voltage and is identified by the BCI Group Size 48, EN Group Size LN3, and DIN Group Size H6.

What’s your source that says the 380LN3-MF isn’t AGM?

‘cuz every replacement that comes up in a search is AGM.

 

[Franko Manini]

What did they replace it with..?

Exactly the same battery.

Franko, how long has it been since they installed the new battery?
Has everything been okay since the replacement?

(I had mine replaced under warranty about a month ago and so far-so good)

It's been about a month now and I haven't had any issues. I was away on a camping trip and left the truck for several days without starting it without issue. Again, so far, so good.

 

[max911]

 

[Franko Manini]

What’s your source that says the 380LN3-MF isn’t AGM?

Honestly, that's just a copy/paste from ChatGPT, but I did do some independent Googling and came up with BASICALLY the same info. When I looked on the Clarios site, they don't list specific models, but they do talk about "Enhanced Flooded Batteries" as a unique technology.

‘cuz every replacement that comes up in a search is AGM.

I suspect that EFB batteries are not a standard flooded battery, but they are also not AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries. So likely, the best replacement for them are AGMs.

 

[Franko Manini]

Max, have you checked the State of Charge of the new battery?

Not yet. I have a battery analyzer I can use to do that. Maybe I'll do that this weekend.

I'd also like to check the jump start tab under the hood to see if there is power there when the key is OFF.

 

[TacoFreak]

I'd also like to check the jump start tab under the hood to see if there is power there when the key is OFF.

Yes, there is power to the jump start connection when the key is off. It should give the same reading as testing directly from the battery and is a whole lot easier to access.

 

[SnowmanJPS]

Exactly the same battery.

It's been about a month now and I haven't had any issues. I was away on a camping trip and left the truck for several days without starting it without issue. Again, so far, so good.

Well that’s annoying, fingers crossed the new battery fixes it though

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