Why Does A Nissan Leaf Have A 12 Volt Battery?

Which of the Leaf’s systems is powered by the 12 volt lead acid battery, wrote gschettl? I’d like to know if running my heated seats and steering wheel will reduce my range.

Is there a dashboard indicator that indicates when the primary lithium battery is charging the secondary 12 volt battery?

The main traction motor, the air conditioner, and the heater are the only systems that, to the best of my knowledge, DO NOT run from the 12v system. The temperature control system DOES run on 12 volts, including the fans, vent control, and logic section. Someone will undoubtedly come up with a different solution that runs off the traction batteries, but that’s close. 12v warmers are used for the steering wheel and seats.

When the automobile is in “Ready” mode or is actually charging the primary battery, the 12v battery is charged. If the car is turned off and not plugged in for five days, the 12 volt battery will also receive a “maintenance” charge. Unfortunately, if you plug the car in for an extended amount of time, the 12 volt battery will not be charged, and you will eventually need to jump start the car.

Aiming to be your go-to source for EV forums, community, and information, the My Electric Car Forums network of websites builds on the popularity of the Nissan Leaf Forum, which launched in 2009.

Yes, the 12-volt battery in the Nissan LEAF is still present, and you must maintain it.

Let’s be clear about one thing: if you choose to purchase a Nissan Leaf or any other electric vehicle, you will still need to maintain a 12-volt lead-acid battery.

Everyone is aware by this point that EVs have a sizable lithium-ion traction battery that is normally located at the bottom of the vehicle. The electric motor that powers the wheels uses this as its power source.

What most people are unaware of is that the majority of EVs still use 12-volt lead-acid batteries (there are exceptions, of course) (this includes the new Nissan Leaf, see below photo). The 12-volt battery still powers the car’s extras, such the radio and air conditioning. Sadly, much like its internal combustion equivalent, once this battery dies, your EV won’t be able to move.

But the 12-volt lead acid battery won’t be continuously charged by the big-ass battery, right? I’m happy you asked. Normally, 12-volt lead-acid batteries in EVs charge when the vehicle is in “Ready to Drive” mode, also known as idling in ICE jargon, or while it is being driven. Some people will also use their traction battery to recharge their 12-volt battery, but only if the traction battery is actually charging rather than merely being plugged in (it stops charging the 12-volt battery once the traction battery reaches 100 percent charge).

This means that for potential EV owners, such as the Leaf, merely leaving their cars plugged in over extended intervals of inactivity may not be sufficient to take care of the 12-volt battery. It is strongly advised that EV owners either leave their vehicles “running” but unplugged from time to time to maintain the 12-volt battery charged, or follow the example of owners of gasoline and diesel vehicles and purchase a trickle charger like the CTEK.

Replacement 12 volt auxiliary battery for Nissan Leaf

When my wife began her Leaf for the drive home one evening, it “behaved wacky,” she said, with numerous warning lights on the dash, and the brake pedal went to the floor rather than preventing the Leaf from edging out of the parking place she was in. The electronics in the automobile really don’t like it when the 12 volt accessory battery is in a low voltage state and no longer holding a charge. This occurs as the battery ages, and Nissan Leafs have a reputation for swiftly depleting 12 volt accessory batteries. The primary power distribution unit will recharge the battery at a high amp rate when the automobile is running, even though the batteries don’t need to supply many cold cranking amps to turn an engine over. Additionally, they have a modest, sub-compact size (Group Size 51R). The OEM battery needed to be changed because the vehicle is four years old.

I looked at the battery underneath the hood and saw that it needed to be replaced as soon as possible. When the unique blue power crystals come loose from the positive terminal lug or when the paint on your battery hold-down bar is being eaten away by battery acid, it is never a good sign.

I thus painted the battery hold down strap again and purchased a Duralast Platinum 51R AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery from AutoZone that has a 3-year replacement warranty after spraying foaming battery acid neutralizer all over the spot. (It had the same warranty length and was less expensive than the yellow top Optima AGM battery, which is frequently suggested for the Leaf.)

Since AGMs are sealed, I assume they would be less prone to vent acid over other sections of the car. Online users have claimed that AGMs operate better with the high current charge rate offered by the power distribution center of the Leaf. I could have chosen the $70 battery with a three-month warranty, but I reasoned that the Leaf is so demanding of its accessory battery that I should spend the extra money on a good one.

The Leaf has only needed a minimal amount of maintenance thus far, and this was the first significant component that needed to be changed. (New tires will soon be available.) The cabin air filter was changed, the wiper fluid was refilled, the tires were rotated, and I purchased new wiper blades in addition to this battery replacement.

Which 12V battery type does a Nissan Leaf have?

In comparison to a typical lead acid battery, the Ohmmu 12V LiFePO4 battery is 4 times more durable, lighter, more effective, and has a greater useful capacity.

  • 4-year warranty for complete replacement
  • exclusive 12V Lithium cell with BMS technology that may be used to replace your current battery with minimal modifications (no firmware changes needed)
  • The battery management system balances the battery cells to preserve the pack for a longer service life and guards against damage to the battery in extreme circumstances!
  • True Lithium battery capacity >40Ah on a 5-hour discharge test (more aggressive test than any Lead Acid test)
  • Only 11 lbs in weight and a simple carrying handle
  • More than 2000 full charges and discharges!
  • tested for dependability and performance in harsh environments and automotive settings.

What does a leaf’s 12-volt battery do?

Some things have happened since I published this post. because of the Russian War and COVID, respectively. World trade has experienced a wide range of issues as a result of these occurrences. Many goods, including some battery brands, are now in “limited supply.”

Optima batteries are a part of this. Small shipments of Optima batteries have been entering the UK, which has led to shortages. Now that it’s September 9, 2022, nothing seems to be getting better. Additionally, the 12 volt batteries installed in ordinary petrol-powered cars, not the Nissan Leaf electric car battery, are the subject of this article.

Particularly with regard to any battery issues.

I learned about the issues with the Nissan leaf batteries as a result. especially the battery with 12 volts.

For my readers who are unaware. Then, the car’s systems that must run continuously are powered by the 12 volt battery. As a result, when the charger for the primary Lithium-Ion battery drive unit is plugged in, this also applies to the central locking and detesting. As a result, the 12 volt Yellow Top Optima battery is a crucial component of the vehicle. As a result, the electrical and wiring systems are purchased by the automobile manufacturers. These are utilized by common petrol-powered vehicles. The unit cost is reduced as a result of the amount consumed. Therefore, these Nissan Leafs and other vehicles of a similar nature use the same 12 volt electric systems.

Therefore, lead acid batteries are employed in this scenario.

The Yellow Top Optima AGM lead acid battery would be a superior option, in my opinion. In reality, I am aware that this has been tested on a Nissan Leaf owned by the Carwings firm. Of course, up until now, this has been successful. The leaf battery is perfectly replaced by Optima yellow Top batteries. providing a battery with a lot more power and a longer cycle. The same issues are being experienced by many Nissan Leaf customers. However, not all are battery-focused.

How long does the Nissan Leaf’s 12V battery last?

Depending on where you are and what you do, you’ll receive a specific timeline for your car. Extreme heat, frequent recharging (such as twice or three times a day), and city driving all hasten the battery’s depletion. The Nissan LEAF was designed to endure as much of these typical battery killers as possible, so you would have to be very rough on your car before you saw a significant change.

The Nissan LEAF was designed to travel up to 107 miles a day on a highway without recharging (depending on the model you choose.) You may travel up to 90 miles in even the busiest metropolitan traffic without having to worry about running out of juice. The battery will eventually lose power, but the amount of mileage you obtain will steadily decrease. The erosion will probably only have a minimal impact on you because the ordinary American will travel significantly less than the daily maximums. When you take care of your car, the Nissan LEAF battery should last between 8 and 10 years.

Are there two batteries in the Nissan Leaf?

The Nissan LEAF is simple to charge because to its huge battery capacities and flexible charging choices. When your LEAF is completely charged, you may go about your everyday activities without worrying about charging it.

You can select the battery in the Nissan LEAF that best suits your daily driving habits from two available options. If the LEAF has a 40kWh battery, it can travel up to 150 miles overall. 1 The LEAF boasts an amazing range of up to 226 miles thanks to its 62 kWh battery. 1

Place your Nissan LEAF in your garage or another convenient parking space, and turn the ignition off. To insert the charge connector, first remove the lid and cover from the charge port. To let you know it’s properly plugged in, the LEAF will quickly beep. The LEAF will automatically stop charging when the battery is fully charged. To stop the charging process early, you can easily remove the charge connector at any time.

There are also public charging stations you can use if you have a longer commute and can’t charge at home. There are three charging options available depending on where you are. Your LEAF can be charged at home or at a public station using a Level 2 charging connection and a 240-volt outlet. A 40 kWh battery will require eight hours to fully charge, whereas a 62 kWh battery will require 11.5 hours.

A 480-volt plug for DC Quick Charging is offered at a number of stations across the US. The 40 kWh battery can be charged to 80% with the 50 kWh DC Quick Charge in about 40 minutes, while the 62 kWh battery can be charged to 80% with the same device in 60 minutes. 2 The 100 kWh DC Quick Charge can also charge the 62 kWh battery in 45 minutes. 2 The Level 1 charging wire is usable practically anywhere there is an electrical outlet. The 12-volt charging cable is the least quick of the three, but it works well in a pinch.

The ecologically friendly Nissan LEAF is a favorite of ours at Pischke Motors Nissan, and we cordially encourage you to test-drive the well-liked EV at our shop.

1EPA range predictions for the 2019 Nissan LEAF:

  • S, SV, and SL: 150 miles maximum
  • Up to 226 miles with S Plus
  • Up to 215 miles for SV PLUS and SL PLUS

Use just as a comparison because actual range may vary depending on the trim level, options, and driving conditions. For further information, see Customer Disclosure Form.