Energy Storage/Whole Home Backup/Home Integration System (HIS)

[Tinnemaha]

I love the concept of using an EV in general (&, of course, specifically a Lightning!) as energy storage. But I understand that making the concept a reality is a difficult & costly proposition; Any advice from those who have gone there?

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[Jim Lewis]

There are already quite a few threads and opinions on this topic on the forum. And you don't list a Ford Lightning as a vehicle you own. Are you getting ready to take the plunge, so to speak?

 

[Tinnemaha]

Thank you for the info; Will you please point me to those threads? I feel like the proverbial blind squirrel.

Yes, I'm getting ready to take the plunge on an E.R. Lariat with max tow pkg, but some of the final decision rests on the IBP/HIS

 

[Tinnemaha]

If you are thinking about buying a Lightning, you need to buy one with Pro Power OnBoard. I bought a 23 XLT Lightning with the PPOB and no other options, not even the $500 charging cable. The PPOB system should be standard on the Lightnings in my opinion.

I thought PPOB is standard on all models. Someone please confirm. Now I'm even more confused.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

I love the concept of using an EV in general (&, of course, specifically a Lightning!) as energy storage. But I understand that making the concept a reality is a difficult & costly proposition; Any advice from those who have gone there?

I have the HIS and with my solar, it actually charges the truck with the sun out during a power outage. This wasn’t a specific feature advertised by sunrun or ford but I’m glad it works this way.

 

[Tinnemaha]

That's GREAT to hear, Pitbull! Who installed it? I'm currently under the impression that it's super complicated and not just any electrician can do the job. So I'm curious if that was your experience.

 

[Dino]

I thought PPOB is standard on all models. Someone please confirm. Now I'm even more confused.

PBOB that includes the bed outlets (240V) was a $1200 option on my 23 XLT Lightning. I looked at several Lightnings that did not have the 240V bed outlet.

 

[Wattsgas]

IBP is hit or miss. I have had the system for over a year. It works sometimes. Just when you think it will be reliable, it fails. I love the idea of IBP. Ford has not been able to tell me what the problem is with my system. The pro power is reliable. It is really frustrating to be in a power outage and see that your truck is preparing to provide power, but never does. Some speculation has been with bluetooth communication. When I make calls to Ford tech support, the answer ends up being that there is a software update which should fix the problem.

Add to this that there doesn't seem to be a national standard on how these home systems. Could be that your system will only be compatible with the Ford system. A home solar system with an inverter will power and charge your vehicle through any charger. Your truck will power your house with pro power and a generator plug.

 

[Maquis]

One thing to realize is that the Ford HIS is for backup power only. It does not do V2H when grid power is available.

I think ProPower is standard on the Lariat trim (group 511A) you are considering. Someone will correct me if that’s not the case.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

That's GREAT to hear, Pitbull! Who installed it? I'm currently under the impression that it's super complicated and not just any electrician can do the job. So I'm curious if that was your experience.

I installed with the help of an electrician so I didn’t kill my self.
He has no idea how the connections, schematics worked but knew the local code. So we just worked together. And then I pretty much trouble shot it with sunrun because this was over a year ago and nothing worked right. Lol

the other good thing is the inverter is a 10kw inverter and I have 8.4. I have an extra string open to add about a 5kw string to make my system more robust

 

[Stonelew]

One thing to realize is that the Ford HIS is for backup power only. It does not do V2H when grid power is available.

I think ProPower is standard on the Lariat trim (group 511A) you are considering. Someone will correct me if that’s not the case.

All you have to do is flip the main.

 

[Maquis]

All you have to do is flip the main.

“Flipping the main” = grid power not available to the system.

The point is, you can’t use energy stored in the truck’s battery to feed back to the grid.

 

[RickLightning]

IBP is hit or miss. I have had the system for over a year. It works sometimes. Just when you think it will be reliable, it fails. I love the idea of IBP. Ford has not been able to tell me what the problem is with my system. The pro power is reliable. It is really frustrating to be in a power outage and see that your truck is preparing to provide power, but never does. Some speculation has been with bluetooth communication. When I make calls to Ford tech support, the answer ends up being that there is a software update which should fix the problem.

Add to this that there doesn't seem to be a national standard on how these home systems. Could be that your system will only be compatible with the Ford system. A home solar system with an inverter will power and charge your vehicle through any charger. Your truck will power your house with pro power and a generator plug.

I would guess that the number of people with reliable HIS is less than 50, probably less than. 10, based on things I have read.

Forum member had his truck bought back when Ford and Sunrun failed to get his reliably working.

 

[Jake24]

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