Power failure...leave Lightning plugged in?

[OtterJohn]

Just had our first power failure after getting the Lightning. Only lasted about 15 minutes, but I ran down to the garage and unplugged the truck in a panic. In retrospect, this was probably foolish, but I wanted to get some insight from you all (I've only had the truck for six weeks). Several years ago, I had a washing machine motor burn out completely because it was running during a power failure and I didn't turn it off while the power was out, so that it couldn't handle the surge when the power came back on. I'm (I think, justifiably) more concerned about an $80K vehicle than a $300 washing machine motor.

I've read the manual, and couldn't find anything about this specific scenario. That being said, I've had four hours of sleep due to work last night, so I'm a little cross-eyed at the moment.

Our Lightning is plugged into a NEMA 14-50, professionally installed, using the Ford portable charger.

TIA!!

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[RickLightning]

Can a power surge damage the truck? Maybe. It can damage the charger, that's for sure. I lost a JuiceBox charger with a power surge. Vehicles were fine. Everything else was fine except 2 strip surge protectors which melted inside.

 

[OtterJohn]

Can a power surge damage the truck? Maybe. It can damage the charger, that's for sure. I lost a JuiceBox charger with a power surge. Vehicles were fine. Everything else was fine except 2 strip surge protectors which melted inside.

I'd rather fry a $500 charger than the truck, for sure.

"Surge protector"...some of them really are garbage (had a few of those myself in years past). We have just about everything else in the house on UPS systems. My theory is if whatever I'm protecting costs more than the UPS, the UPS is worth the cost.

 

[carys98]

There is a microprocessor controlled relay (the click you hear when charging starts) in the EVSE that physically disconnects when the power is off. Once the power comes back on the microprocessor has to boot up and communicate with the truck before the relay will close and send power to the truck. Any surge will be long gone by then. There is some danger of damage to the control board in the EVSE but it’s probably minimal.

 

[OtterJohn]

There is a microprocessor controlled relay (the click you hear when charging starts) in the EVSE that physically disconnects when the power is off. Once the power comes back on the microprocessor has to boot up and communicate with the truck before the relay will close and send power to the truck. Any surge will be long gone by then. There is some danger of damage to the control board in the EVSE but it’s probably minimal.

Perfect explanation, thank you!!

 

[Henry Ford]

When my power goes out I run to the truck to plug the house into the truck. How would I post to f150lightningforum.com without electricity?

 

[OtterJohn]

When my power goes out I run to the truck to plug the house into the truck. How would I post to f150lightningforum.com without electricity?

This is the way!

Our current house isn't worth the expense, but when we move (hopefully in the next year or two) to our permanent home (i.e. prepping for retirement) I'm definitely having the FCSP, solar and perhaps an additional battery backup solution installed.

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