Charging 120v Question / Issue?

[Calson]

The longer the extension cord the larger the gauge should be. My 100 ft cords are 10 gauge and non are less than 12 gauge.

https://www.protoolreviews.com/extension-cord-size-chart-wire-gauge-amps/

I ran a 240V line in my garage for a heater and for a welder and now it is also used for the EV charger with a special adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B6NM4TKL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

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[chl]

So just want to point somethings out.

As the OP's experience may prove, the FMPC is drawing more than 12A on a 120V circuit continuously. Maybe 15A?

First the 240V use of the FMPC - is it 30A or really 24A?

1) those Ford Mobile Power Cables have a lot of failures, overheating evidenced when they fail, what causes overheating? Higher current than the device can handle. Either the device is poorly designed or the Lightning is requesting too much current, or both.

2) The FMPC is supposed to be able to provide up to 30A on a 240V circuit to the Lightning, that would tend to indicate that on a 120V circuit it would provide up to 15A - half the voltage, half the current.
Why do I say this?
Because I traced the wiring of the dongles for the FMPC, both the 240V and 120V dongles:

240V between Hot1 and Hot 2 in one dongle providing up to 30A, 120V between Hot1 and Neutral in the other.

3) Since most household 120V outlets are on 15A circuits, and since an EVSE is a continuous load, the current should be scaled back to a max of 12A (15A x 80%). Which means the 240V output should be scaled back to 24A max as well. Some posts have indicated that is the measured current at 240V with the FMPC.

4) Given the number of failures from an apparent over current in the FMPC, something unexpected is happening. Is the FMPC communicating to the Lightning it can handle 30A when it can only handle 24A on a continuous basis? Or 15A when it can only handle 12A on a continuous basis?

It could be like the problem of peak power vs RMS power: RMS = 0.707 Peak Power.

If the FMPC is rated for a peak power of 7.2kW at 240V, the the continuous power it can provide is about 5.1kW. That's a current of about 21A. Over time running at peak power will burn a device up from over current.

If the FMPC was programmed to report peak current instead of RMS/continuous current, and the Lightning expects it to report RMS/continuous current, then Houston, we have a problem.

Either way, do not use a 120V 15A extension cable with the FMPC even if it should hanlde 12A because as your experience may prove, the FMPC is drawing more than 12A continuously.
----
For wiring an outlet for the 240V use of the FMPC.
If it were a 24A continuous load, #10 wire could be used. #10 gauge wire is rated for 30A peak, not continuous, loads.

But if the current draw is 30A, using the 125% rule the circuit has to handle 37.5A, so #8 wire on a 40A breaker is needed.

I used the FMPC on a 240V 40A circuit and breaker with no problem with the Lightning before I received my FCSP, but only for a short time.

I also used it with my Leaf which can only ask for 16A on L2 due to it's small on-board circuitry.

 

[Vcrpromo]

I've used an extension cord on 110v to charge but the plugs, especially at the ford mobile charger, get warm. My cord is 12 Gauge. I used a regular long cord once but it was a top off and maintenance charge which have a much lower amp draw.
If you don't install a L2 charger you can go with the Mobile charger but install a high quality 240V 30+ amp plug. State of Charge on Youtube talks about low vs. good quality but expensive plugs. A proper L2 charger is better.

I have a 220 receptacle and have no problems charging it but lately I've noticed the range has gone down from 180 mi to i40 mi for an 80% charge i live in san antonio tx and it's cold but does the weather make a difference?

 

[TaxmanHog]

I have a 220 receptacle and have no problems charging it but lately I've noticed the range has gone down from 180 mi to 140 mi for an 80% charge I live in san antonio tx and it's cold but does the weather make a difference?

It does, this is on a Lariat-ER with ideal conditions range of 320 miles, at the moment of this photo the battery was 100% charged and conditioned for a long road trip. 18% adjustment for the highway trip in 28° and colder weather as the day/evening progressed.

Your numbers show a steeper decline, even with an SR pack, 180/.8=225 which is 93.75% of an ideal 240, now with worse conditions 140/.8= 175 which is 73% of an ideal 240 miles, this value could improve if the battery is preconditioned like mine was.

 

[Vcrpromo]

It does, this is on a Lariat-ER with ideal conditions range of 320 miles, at the moment of this photo the battery was 100% charged and conditioned for a long road trip. 18% adjustment for the highway trip in 28° and colder weather as the day/evening progressed.

Your numbers show a steeper decline, even with an SR pack, 180/.8=225 which is 93.75% of an ideal 240, now with worse conditions 140/.8= 175 which is 73% of an ideal 240 miles, this value could improve if the battery is preconditioned like mine was.

Thank you for the information it's greatly appreciated god bless you

 

[Ishkatan]

I have a 220 receptacle and have no problems charging it but lately I've noticed the range has gone down from 180 mi to i40 mi for an 80% charge i live in san antonio tx and it's cold but does the weather make a difference?

My Reported range is down from 242 in summer to 196 in 20 degree temps (at 80% target). 35 mile reported range drop going from 70 degrees to 40 degrees.

Note that this is the "Estimated" range which is very questionable. My miles/kW dropped from 2.4 in summer to 1.4 in 20 degree weather. The truck also tells me to plug in when I finish a trip. It seems to draw power to maintain the battery in the cold and my electric bill is up about $50 for the month and $100 compared to pre-EV spring (low usage) rates. No complaints really - I used to spend $50-90 per fill-up several times a month.

 

[TomAHawk]

The J1772 extension cable is very expensive, even on Amazon ($224). I just received mine yesterday but it's more for convenience of parking for me. Just in case my son or wife take my spot I have the option of using the extension and parking further away from the garage. As the others have said, you shouldn't use a 15 amp extension cable for your charger, especially for daily use. I keep a 20 amp rated cable ($80 for 20 feet) in the frunk for emergencies only. Either get the level 2 charger installed or pay for the 1772 extension.

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