Is the Mobile Power cord worth the $500 they are now charging?

[ivan256]

The problem is that most people considering using a dryer outlet don't understand they need an adjustable EVSE.

I can't be the only person that gets triggered by this. "Equipment" - the last 'E' in EVSE - is plural. The 'an' is redundant.

(Also 'EVSE' is an acronym that only a bureaucrat or EV enthusiast can love. Can't we just say "charger"?)

EV owner points fingers everywhere but at themselves.

To be fair, though, a fire should require multiple failures. An idiot with an adapter shouldn't be good enough. The breaker should trip before the wiring can start a fire. That's what it's there for after all. Plugging in something that pulls too much power isn't supposed to cause a fire. It's supposed to cause an outage. Specifically because people can't be expected to understand.

I would wager that the majority of fires caused by EV charging could be reasonably pinned on faulty wiring. (Perhaps combined by an uninformed user with an adapter)

Exactly, I'm going to keep the 40a AmpRoad charger in my truck as my emergency charger. It feels like a quality product.

I bought the AmpRoad charger at your recommendation specifically to be able to adjust the charging current. I've had it fail to limit the current twice so far - though it works MOST of the time. When it fails the truck stops charging. It doesn't explode or anything. It's just annoying to find you didn't charge when you thought you would. Since I can't reliably reproduce the problem I haven't been able to reach a solution yet. Just something to keep in mind when you're choosing between the limited set of adjustable chargers.

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[RickLightning]

I can't be the only person that gets triggered by this. "Equipment" - the last 'E' in EVSE - is plural. The 'an' is redundant.

(Also 'EVSE' is an acronym that only a bureaucrat or EV enthusiast can love. Can't we just say "charger"?)

Two be fair, though, a fire should require multiple failures. An idiot with an adapter shouldn't be good enough. The breaker should trip before the wiring can start a fire. That's what it's there for after all. Plugging in something that pulls too much power isn't supposed to cause a fire. It's supposed to cause an outage. Specifically because people can't be expected to understand.

You shouldn't critique grammar, two be fair...

 

[ivan256]

You shouldn't critique grammar, two be fair...

Damnit, I caught that and edited it in SECONDS, but you beat me to it!

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

I can't be the only person that gets triggered by this. "Equipment" - the last 'E' in EVSE - is plural. The 'an' is redundant.

(Also 'EVSE' is an acronym that only a bureaucrat or EV enthusiast can love. Can't we just say "charger"?)

You could call it a charger if you want, the majority of people would have no issue with that (me included). It just technically isn't correct, the charger is actually in your truck. The EVSE, sorry..."charger", just provides power.

I bought the AmpRoad charger at your recommendation specifically to be able to adjust the charging current. I've had it fail to limit the current twice so far - though it works MOST of the time. When it fails the truck stops charging. It doesn't explode or anything. It's just annoying to find you didn't charge when you thought you would. Since I can't reliably reproduce the problem I haven't been able to reach a solution yet. Just something to keep in mind when you're choosing between the limited set of adjustable chargers.

I haven't used my AmpRoad yet, my truck should be here in the next 2 weeks. Just posted that was the one I was deciding on for a mobile unit because it is adjustable and goes up to 40a (and the generally positive reviews).

Are you changing the Amperage on the unit or via the web interface?

 

[ivan256]

I haven't used my AmpRoad yet, my truck should be here in the next 2 weeks. Just posted that was the one I was deciding on for a mobile unit because it is adjustable and goes up to 40a (and the generally positive reviews).

Are you changing the Amperage on the unit or via the web interface?

I haven't tried the web interface yet. Don't really see the need for it TBH. Just the button on the front. I have a 30 amp outlet, so I keep it set to 24A. The problem resolves itself it you wait 5-10 minutes and plug in again. Really the only problem is that you can't plug in and walk away. You have to actually stand there for 30 seconds and make sure it worked. I'm willing to put up with it, but my wife isn't.

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

I haven't tried the web interface yet. Don't really see the need for it TBH. Just the button on the front. I have a 30 amp outlet, so I keep it set to 24A. The problem resolves itself it you wait 5-10 minutes and plug in again. Really the only problem is that you can't plug in and walk away. You have to actually stand there for 30 seconds and make sure it worked. I'm willing to put up with it, but my wife isn't.

Understood. The only thing I'd suggest is reaching out to the manufacturer. The reviews did state they were responsive.

 

[Maxx]

The man got me. Amazon got me to do an impulse buy paying twice the price feeling like I am getting a deal while they get me to sign up for prime to get 20% off. Got a J+ Booster 2 and I don’t even have an EV to charge it with. AI, Amazon and Black Friday is a deadly combination. Now should I buy that eBikes I have no use for before midnight?

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

The man got me. Amazon got me to do an impulse buy paying twice the price feeling like I am getting a deal while they get me to sign up for prime to get 20% off. Got a J+ Booster 2 and I don’t even have an EV to charge it with. AI, Amazon and Black Friday is a deadly combination. Now should I buy that eBikes I have no use for before midnight?

That J+ Boosters style is amazing. The price was what kept me from it.

 

[Maxx]

That J+ Boosters style is amazing. The price was what kept me from it.

Good reason to stay away. I tried to justify it by telling myself:

• after 20% off sale it is almost same price as Ford mobile Charger
• If I get the Pro at $12K discount, I can spring for a bomb proof charger
• I Really want that simple physical control over current.
• the old European YouTube videos of folks dumping it in snow while charging and American one’s charging while submerged in water just looks cool

but at the end, even with discount it is twice the price of other chargers doing basically the same thing. I just hope the electronics is as robust as the rest. It seems like even after warranty they repair it if something goes wrong.

If my dealer pulls something and I don’t get my Pro and you see me walking around with a $600 Charger without an EV, do not laugh out loud.

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

Good reason to stay away. I tried to justify it by telling myself:

• after 20% off sale it is almost same price as Ford mobile Charger
• If I get the Pro at $12K discount, I can spring for a bomb proof charger
• I Really want that simple physical control over current.
• the old European YouTube videos of folks dumping it in snow while charging and American one’s charging while submerged in water just looks cool

but at the end, even with discount it is twice the price of other chargers doing basically the same thing. I just hope the electronics is as robust as the rest. It seems like even after warranty they repair it if something goes wrong.

If my dealer pulls something and I don’t get my Pro and you see me walking around with a $600 Charger without an EV, do not laugh out loud.

All valid reasons, I would've done the same thing. The adapters look awesome if you splurge for those.

 

[timwren]

Good reason to stay away. I tried to justify it by telling myself:

• after 20% off sale it is almost same price as Ford mobile Charger
• If I get the Pro at $12K discount, I can spring for a bomb proof charger
• I Really want that simple physical control over current.
• the old European YouTube videos of folks dumping it in snow while charging and American one’s charging while submerged in water just looks cool

but at the end, even with discount it is twice the price of other chargers doing basically the same thing. I just hope the electronics is as robust as the rest. It seems like even after warranty they repair it if something goes wrong.

If my dealer pulls something and I don’t get my Pro and you see me walking around with a $600 Charger without an EV, do not laugh out loud.

Well, add me to the club of those without physical possession of a pro and a ridiculously expensive EVSE. I original had a Tesla Mobile unit and a Lectron adapter but after reading @BennyTheBeaver comment on the IP rating of a similar adapter I started to rethinking using that setup at a ski resort parking lot and here we are. I’ll add that it is manufactured in Switzerland and we can write off 30% to @Maxx ‘s list of justifications.

 

[Maxx]

Well, add me to the club of those without physical possession of a pro and a ridiculously expensive EVSE. I original had a Tesla Mobile unit and a Lectron adapter but after reading @BennyTheBeaver comment on the IP rating of a similar adapter I started to rethinking using that setup at a ski resort parking lot and here we are. I’ll add that it is manufactured in Switzerland and we can write off 30% to @Maxx ‘s list of justifications.

welcome to the club. My only concern is that they are not selling their own adapters yet and there is no telling when they will. Some people say the generic 14-30 to 14-50 adapters for a dryer would not work on these and cause fault. Not sure if it is true but it would be a bummer if it is because it makes it less mobile until they have one available. I can’t even test it when I get mine in a few days. If any of you guys have one of these and an adapter like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V9ZP2X...colid=KBLKTWSAYUWQ&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

please let the rest of us know if it works.

 

[xwing]

The TFL Trucks team brought one of these ZenCar mobile chargers in the Lightning trip to Alaska. It gave them an extra 8 amps over the Ford mobile charger which will improve charging time by 25%.

I've tested my Ford Mobile charger at home plugged into a NEMA 1450 outlet. It is very slow compared to my 48 amp ChargePoint wall charger. (48 amps is 50% faster than 32 amps).

I bought this charger rather than getting the Ford Charger. Got it on sale for $259. Unfortunately, I could not get it to charger faster that 32 amps. With it set to 40 amps it would jump to 32 as soon as I clicked in. I worked with them and they sent a second one that did the same thing. They are going back to Amazon. I ordered this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NPF2CL8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

So far seems to be working well. It has a heavier cord than the ZenCar.

 

[RedLightning86]

My Ford Mobile Power Cord (aka POS) just sits and pulses blue, but the truck can't find it. That's after trying both the NEMA 14-50 and the 120V plugs in different outlets. And hotel Charge Point chargers do work just fine, but I can't spend the whole night out charging. When the truck should be just plugged in and charging on my RV 50A pedestal. And don't even get me started about Wisconsin's SunBadger excuses for not getting my FCSP installed.

Amazon just got my order for the AmpRoad adjustable charger. I will probably set it at 32A most of the time, to insure it doesn't over stress whatever 50A plug it is in.

Doggone it Ford!

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

My Ford Mobile Power Cord (aka POS) just sits and pulses blue, but the truck can't find it. That's after trying both the NEMA 14-50 and the 120V plugs in different outlets. And hotel Charge Point chargers do work just fine, but I can't spend the whole night out charging. When the truck should be just plugged in and charging on my RV 50A pedestal. And don't even get me started about Wisconsin's SunBadger excuses for not getting my FCSP installed.

Amazon just got my order for the AmpRoad adjustable charger. I will probably set it at 32A most of the time, to insure it doesn't over stress whatever 50A plug it is in.

Doggone it Ford!

Warranty the Ford cord, and sell the new one they return you, on eBay. Should pay for the AmpRoad charger.

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