Buss bar fuse cracked, would have been stranded.

[Ronvdp]

I'm curious if anyone has seen this before. I was out on a really rough road for about an hour-the kind of road that just vibrates everything, even aired down a bit it was rugged. On the way back i was getting voltage faults from my Alternator charger. The battery was diving and there was no power coming from the alternator. I had a backup battery system that allowed me to get to civilization but ultimately that gave out as the warning lights were going nuts and losing power steering. Finally had to have it towed to Ford, Roadside assistance was worthless so they said I could find my own Tow and they'll reimburse me. I assumed the alternator died and while waiting read up on alternator chargers not being completely safe-if you use a DC-DC charger you should familiarize yourself with the do's and don's of those systems. My assumption on the alternator was because I could start the engine but it dies instantly when I remove the negative terminal from the battery.

Anyway, The dealer told me two days later it was a cracked buss bar, probably from rough roads. There was no burn signature from reversed polarity on a jump start which is how these usually blow. The excuse for it happening being rough roads was concerning, pretty sure that's the whole point of the Raptor. Additionally, when doing research I found a vendor that makes a heavy duty version of the Buss bar. Seems it should be heavy duty from the factory.

Has anyone else had this issue or even heard of it? I'm getting a backup part since I get out to nowhere and don't want to be stranded.

 

[Bschurr]

I'm curious if anyone has seen this before. I was out on a really rough road for about an hour-the kind of road that just vibrates everything, even aired down a bit it was rugged. On the way back i was getting voltage faults from my Alternator charger. The battery was diving and there was no power coming from the alternator. I had a backup battery system that allowed me to get to civilization but ultimately that gave out as the warning lights were going nuts and losing power steering. Finally had to have it towed to Ford, Roadside assistance was worthless so they said I could find my own Tow and they'll reimburse me. I assumed the alternator died and while waiting read up on alternator chargers not being completely safe-if you use a DC-DC charger you should familiarize yourself with the do's and don's of those systems. My assumption on the alternator was because I could start the engine but it dies instantly when I remove the negative terminal from the battery.

Anyway, The dealer told me two days later it was a cracked buss bar, probably from rough roads. There was no burn signature from reversed polarity on a jump start which is how these usually blow. The excuse for it happening being rough roads was concerning, pretty sure that's the whole point of the Raptor. Additionally, when doing research I found a vendor that makes a heavy duty version of the Buss bar. Seems it should be heavy duty from the factory.

Has anyone else had this issue or even heard of it? I'm getting a backup part since I get out to nowhere and don't want to be stranded.

Sorry to hear your woes but the dealership’s explanation of rough roads sounds a bit Busch League to me. Anyone who has attended Raptor Off-Roadeo has driven these at 30 to 50 MPH on rough roads for 30+ minutes at a clip to and from Raptor Valley without incident (and these rigs have been performing this duty cycle weekly for months if not years - mine had 5k miles on the clock in June 2024).

Glad it’s fixed and you are back in business - Braptor on!

 

[Ronvdp]

Thanks and yes I agree the explanation was bs. What I thought was more concerning was that a company went and made a beefier version of the part. Without a backup battery I would have been screwed. I’d be interested to hear if there is a trailside repair option for this other than a backup part.

 

[Bschurr]

Thanks and yes I agree the explanation was bs. What I thought was more concerning was that a company went and made a beefier version of the part. Without a backup battery I would have been screwed. I’d be interested to hear if there is a trailside repair option for this other than a backup part.

Although I am not familiar with this specific part, a buss bar is typically just a common connection for multiple anodes so if you have some appropriately gauged wire like sacrificing a jumper cable or doubling up your aftermarket amplifier power lead or winch connection to the battery (you get it) you should be able to get yourself home. YMMV