First long trip in the Lightning

[GDN]

Can't you override even DCFC by just going into the app (or from inside the truck) and hitting the 100% button? Maybe it's not that simple, but should be.

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[The Weatherman]

What @GDN said.

 

[mklcolvin]

Can't you override even DCFC by just going into the app (or from inside the truck) and hitting the 100% button? Maybe it's not that simple, but should be.

Unless it’s set on a per-charge basis, I’d already set it to charge to 100% on the initial charge before setting out on the trip. It wasn’t matching the truck even - I normally only charge to 80% at home, not 90%. So that figure came from the DCFC itself.

 

[Maquis]

Unless it’s set on a per-charge basis, I’d already set it to charge to 100% on the initial charge before setting out on the trip. It wasn’t matching the truck even - I normally only charge to 80% at home, not 90%. So that figure came from the DCFC itself.

Your initial setting doesn’t apply to DCFC. The Lightning defaults to a 90% limit when at a DCFC unless you intervene. The charge station will not stop charging unless it’s told to, or detects a problem.

 

[mklcolvin]

Your initial setting doesn’t apply to DCFC. The Lightning defaults to a 90% limit when at a DCFC unless you intervene. The charge station will not stop charging unless it’s told to, or detects a problem.

Didn't know this - thanks! That'll help a lot for my next road trip. Is there a different place to see/adjust the DCFC preferences, or does that not show up until you're actually charging?

 

[Maquis]

Didn't know this - thanks! That'll help a lot for my next road trip. Is there a different place to see/adjust the DCFC preferences, or does that not show up until you're actually charging?

The only setting you can make to control DCFC is the one-time charge limit.
See the manual:

 

[mklcolvin]

It was way easier to do on a Tesla, IIRC...

 

[astricklin]

The only setting you can make to control DCFC is the one-time charge limit.
See the manual:

And unfortunately many times this setting doesn't work and it still stops at 90%

 

[Maquis]

And unfortunately many times this setting doesn't work and it still stops at 90%

I’ve heard people say that for DC, you have to set the one-time limit before you initiate the session or it won’t work (AC can be set after charging starts). Even though that’s clearly not what’s indicated in the manual.
Have you tried setting it both before and after starting the DC session? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[GDN]

I'm about 90% sure that last time I charged at a DCFC I plugged in and it targeted 80% - all I had to do was open the app or the GUI in the truck and make a change. I'll be putting about 450 miles on it tomorrow and will charge twice - so I'll do my best to document. I know its slower, but I need about 90% at the charger for my driving.

 

[Pioneer74]

I can't remember what happened when we road tripped our Lightning last year, but we just got back from a long trip with our Mach-E. It would have went to 100% with no input from me if we hadn't stopped it. By the time we got done eating we were around 93%. I can't imagine they would be different.

 

[Maquis]

I'm about 90% sure that last time I charged at a DCFC I plugged in and it targeted 80% - all I had to do was open the app or the GUI in the truck and make a change. I'll be putting about 450 miles on it tomorrow and will charge twice - so I'll do my best to document. I know its slower, but I need about 90% at the charger for my driving.

Presume you use the one-time charge limit to accomplish this?

I can't remember what happened when we road tripped our Lightning last year, but we just got back from a long trip with our Mach-E. It would have went to 100% with no input from me if we hadn't stopped it. By the time we got done eating we were around 93%. I can't imagine they would be different.

There are many differences between the logic of the Lightning and Mach-E. Two of which are the ability to set a one-time charge limit, and the default DC limit. I thought the DC limit was documented in the manual, but it’s not.

12V battery charge logic is also different.

When I first got the Lightning, I was under the same assumption about things being consistent, but have been proven wrong more than once.

Edit….the instructions for usin a one-time charge limit states that there is a “system default” but doesn’t tell us what it it:

 

[RickLightning]

Didn't know this - thanks! That'll help a lot for my next road trip. Is there a different place to see/adjust the DCFC preferences, or does that not show up until you're actually charging?

Unlike level 1 and level 2 charging (i.e. at home), you cannot save a DC fast charging location and set limits.

When you DC fast charge, you can monitor the state of charge in the FordPass app. If you use the EA app to initiate the charge (or ChargePoint, or ____), you can also monitor in their app.

Note that DC fast charging may stop at 90%, but you are still on the hook for possible penalty costs if you don't move your vehicle quickly. The idea with DC fast charging is that you charge, and move your vehicle.

Also note that the fast charging curve dramatically slows at 80%. The idea on a trip is to go from 80% down to say 20%, then back up to 80% (highly dependent on spacing of charging stops). It slows at 80% for two reasons. First, to not tax the battery too much. Second, to get you to move your vehicle for others.

Some people use their local DC fast chargers to charge, to 100%, on a regular basis. Many of them have 2 or 3 years of free charging, or they get 30 minutes at a time free (and simply unplug, then plug back in). You will find that some people plug in, and go shopping, leaving their vehicle sit (the free charging years don't have penalties in them).

Remember that most DC fast charging is designed for travelers, who want to charge and get on their way. Charge to 80% (unless you have to have more to get to the next charger), unplug, and move your vehicle.

 

[GDN]

I didn't poke around long in the app, but didn't see a quick way to override, but in the GUI you can definitely override the standard 90% DCFC - touch it, select your max, and save. You can override for that session of DCFC charging.


Set at 90%

Set at 100%