KwH meter for Ford Charge Station Pro

deltacap · Jan 16, 2024

I have a 12 KW grid-tied solar array, and was curious when I installed my FCSP how much power I would be using to charge my F150L. The KWS-AC301 multimeter, available on Ebay for $15, gives a readout of a variety of parameters including cumulative KwH, and retains this value even when powered off.

Installation consists of two wires piggy-backed on the 240V connection ( A(L1) and B(N) ) to power the meter and an inductive coil to measure current placed around either of the 240V lines and connected via its two leads to the back of the meter. I cut a rectangular hole in a black blank outlet plate and mounted it to an old-work one gang electrical box mounted above the FCSP.

In the last photo, you can see the circular inductive coil placed around the red 240V lead, and its short green and yellow leads connected to a grey cable which runs to the meter. The dark green cable to power the meter enters with the 240V leads, and its black and white conductors piggy-back on the 240V leads.

Ford F-150 Lightning KwH meter for Ford Charge Station Pro {filename}

Ford F-150 Lightning KwH meter for Ford Charge Station Pro 20231229_170339

Ford F-150 Lightning KwH meter for Ford Charge Station Pro 20240116_101857

deltacap · Jan 16, 2024

Here's a closeup of the KWS-AC301 meter in action that somehow was deleted from the original post:

Ford F-150 Lightning KwH meter for Ford Charge Station Pro 20240114_180314

Howard_Scott_Warshaw · Jan 16, 2024

Did you wire up the RS485 interface so you can download historical load data?

deltacap · Jan 16, 2024

Howard_Scott_Warshaw said:
Did you wire up the RS485 interface so you can download historical load data?

I ran a cable from the meter to my utility room/internet hub while I had the wall open,, but I haven't wired it up yet. I'm not sure I would ever need that data; I'm mostly concerned about how much total power the FCSP uses in a month, and the meter alone gives me that.

Heliian · Jan 17, 2024

How do your numbers compare to what the station reports?

If the fcsp has a good connection and is stable, you will get daily logs of how much was used. I've found it to be accurate enough but it does miss days and spit out bad numbers occasionally.

The Weatherman · Jan 17, 2024

Thanks for posting this information.

My FSCP isn’t on internet network and I’ve been wanting to see what it’s actually been up to. Just ordered one of these for dumb install. Thanks.

deltacap · Jan 17, 2024

Heliian said:
How do your numbers compare to what the station reports?

If the fcsp has a good connection and is stable, you will get daily logs of how much was used. I've found it to be accurate enough but it does miss days and spit out bad numbers occasionally.

Like many I can't get my FCSP to remain connected on a regular basis. The readings from the KWS-AC301 correspond very closely with those I get from my (much more expensive) Amprobe clamp-on ammeter.

The Weatherman · Jan 22, 2024

deltacap said:
I have a 12 KW grid-tied solar array, and was curious when I installed my FCSP how much power I would be using to charge my F150L. The KWS-AC301 multimeter, available on Ebay for $15

Installation consists of two wires piggy-backed on the 240V connection ( A(L1) and B(N) ) to power the meter and an inductive coil to measure current placed around either of the 240V lines and connected via its two

I just received my Monitor today and was looking for guidance on the wiring.

Just want to be sure and get it right the first time.

Here’s a shot of the connection diagrams and was hoping you might list your wire connections as they relate to the post numbers?

Ford F-150 Lightning KwH meter for Ford Charge Station Pro image

deltacap · Jan 22, 2024

Happy to help -
Terminals 1 and 2 connect to the round black inductor (current transformer), which is placed around either of the 240V leads (either A(L1) or B(N)) connecting your FCSP to your electrical panel (thick black and red wires in my picture above). The inductor senses the magnetic field generated by current flowing through the 240V lines running from your panel to your FCSP. Don't place the inductor around the ground wire from your panel. The leads from the inductor are very short so you will need to extend these with any small gauge wire you might have. CAT5 cable would work fine.
Terminals 3 and 4 connect to A(L1) and B(N) -- it doesn't matter which lead goes to which connection. These supply 240V power to the meter. I used a piece of 16 gauge extension cord to make this connection.
Please be sure to turn off power to your FCSP before opening it up. Good luck and let me know if you have any other question.

The Weatherman · Jan 22, 2024

deltacap said:
Happy to help -
Terminals 1 and 2 connect to the round black inductor (current transformer), which is placed around either of the 240V leads (either A(L1) or B(N)) connecting your FCSP to your electrical panel (thick black and red wires in my picture above). The inductor senses the magnetic field generated by current flowing through the 240V lines running from your panel to your FCSP. Don't place the inductor around the ground wire from your panel. The leads from the inductor are very short so you will need to extend these with any small gauge wire you might have. CAT5 cable would work fine.
Terminals 3 and 4 connect to A(L1) and B(N) -- it doesn't matter which lead goes to which connection. These supply 240V power to the meter. I used a piece of 16 gauge extension cord to make this connection.
Please be sure to turn off power to your FCSP before opening it up. Good luck and let me know if you have any other question.

Catcha. No problem with wire required and for sure I’ll trip the breaker before I pull the cover.

Not an electrician, but I’m a pretty good Jack.

Thanks!!

mr.Magoo · Jan 22, 2024

Maybe I'm missing something here, but by only measuring one leg / phase aren't you only getting half the amperage / kW reading ? (or does it have an internal function to double the reading hoping both legs are 100% balanced)

Maquis · Jan 22, 2024

mr.Magoo said:
Maybe I'm missing something here, but by only measuring one leg / phase aren't you only getting half the amperage / kW reading ? (or does it have an internal function to double the reading hoping both legs are 100% balanced)

There is no neutral. The L1 and L2 currents must equal.

mr.Magoo · Jan 22, 2024

Maquis said:
There is no neutral. The L1 and L2 currents must equal.

Even so, you'd still end up with half with only one leg through one CT

Maquis · Jan 22, 2024

mr.Magoo said:
Even so, you'd still end up with half with only one leg through one CT

No, you don’t. The CT reads the total current.
For example, say it reads 10A. The voltage reading is 240 V. (VxAxTxPF)= kWh, so in one hour, the power is 2.4 kWh (assuming a power factor of 1.

deltacap · Jan 22, 2024

mr.Magoo said:
Even so, you'd still end up with half with only one leg through one CT

I was uncertain how this would work, but Maquis is right. With no neutral wire the current is equal through each leg of the 240V supply. My meter reads 76-77A when charging after a few minutes.

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