iansmith

I've had the car three weeks so far. I was standing outside my 2018 Fusion Hybrid leaning against the passenger door and I head and felt a noise that was similar to the door locks engaging but deeper and stronger. When I got into the car and turned it on, the engine started up immediately and I saw the HV battery gauge at 0%. I let it sit for several minutes but it never budged. When I say 0% I mean there was no blue at all in the gauge. ODB said the HV battery was 275V. I know I had about a 50% charge when I last drove it yesterday. So I drove it around for a few minutes and the regen symbol came on every time I braked but the battery gauge was still totally empty. Then I heard and felt that noise again, it sounded like it came from the passenger side, and suddenly my battery meter was at 50%-60%, and ODB reported 295V. I've never seen the reported voltage that high before. I drove home and shut it off, then came back an hour later and the battery gauge was suddenly 100% full. Anyone know what just happened?

I tend to leave my car for a month unused while traveling 2-3 times a year and am worried about killing the 12v battery. I've seen mention about people using solar chargers (smart chargers so it doesn't over charge) and was wondering if anyone has any brand recommendations or success stories? Should I hook it up to the trunk battery, or the front hood terminals? Other that potential hydrogen gas buildup when doing the initial hookup in the back, any reason not to wire it up there? Am I correct that the HV battery charges the 12v ONLY when the car is started and running? So I don't have to worry about killing the HV batteries if it sits? Any downsides to this? Thanks!