Ford Mobile Charger

[GDN]

Or not, public charging is becoming more common and will be ubiquitous in a few years. All depends on your personal use case and comfort level. I’m sure some people also have a full gas can in the bed of their gas truck “just in case “. Each their own.

I agree with you - "in a few years". It just isn't there today and Ford has no control over it's partners that you charge with. They aren't owned by Ford.

3rd party DCFC just isn't populated today to get in your vehicle and head out to smaller towns without worry. Stick with interstates and you should do pretty well.

Sponsored

 

[beatle]

I think I've only used my mobile connector when I visit family and friends overnight, but I use it every time I visit them. I plan to use the Tesla UMC and a TeslaTap adapter since most of my family does not have a 14-50 in the garage, and the Tesla UMC has plug adapters for many types of receptacles. The TeslaTap will also come in handy if staying somewhere that only has a Tesla connector (and there are some).

 

[Tony Burgh]

I think I've only used my mobile connector when I visit family and friends overnight, but I use it every time I visit them. I plan to use the Tesla UMC and a TeslaTap adapter since most of my family does not have a 14-50 in the garage, and the Tesla UMC has plug adapters for many types of receptacles. The TeslaTap will also come in handy if staying somewhere that only has a Tesla connector (and there are some).

Great way to get your family to buy your “gas”. I’ll bet I get to see my kids and grandkid more often once I install the electrical outlet by my garage door.

 

[shutterbug]

For those hoping to use mobile charger as a long term solution for home charging read through this:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/defective-ford-mobile-chargers.14517

 

[Maquis]

For those hoping to use mobile charger as a long term solution for home charging read through this:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/defective-ford-mobile-chargers.14517

I wouldn’t let that stop me from using it as my primary method to charge. The owners of the thousands that work just fine don’t post in forums about it.

 

[beatle]

Great way to get your family to buy your “gas”. I’ll bet I get to see my kids and grandkid more often once I install the electrical outlet by my garage door.

I take some ribbing every time I plug in, but that's par for the family.

According to TeslaFi, I've charged 29 times and used $82.99 worth of electricity at my parents' house.

 

[jefro]

Some sites claim that there can be an issue with the connection between the cord and vehicle port. If there is a poor connection there it ends up a mess. Not sure if I was supposed to but I put dielectric grease in it to help keep corrosion down.

 

[shutterbug]

I wouldn’t let that stop me from using it as my primary method to charge. The owners of the thousands that work just fine don’t post in forums about it.

Sure. But the way I see it is after spending $40K-70K on a vehicle, another 1% to 0.5% on EVSE with better specs is a drop in the bucket.

 

[Maquis]

Sure. But the way I see it is after spending $40K-70K on a vehicle, another 1% to 0.5% on EVSE with better specs is a drop in the bucket.

That’s fine, but I don’t think there are any data available to prove that a given EVSE is going to be more reliable than the FMC.

But your approach does give you a backup in case either of them fail. ?

 

[COrocket]

When I got my first EV four years ago, I put my Tesla mobile charger in the trunk in case of emergency. After a few road trips I left it at home and never wished I brought it since.

Looking at PlugShare, 14-50 outlets are not that common out in the wild except at campgrounds, with J1772 stations far outnumbering them. The only real value charging on 120V is if you plan to be at a destination for several days to recharge, since a Tesla sedan charges at anywhere from 0-4 MPH depending on temperature. With my Lightning, I won’t expect more than 2 MPH out of the truck charging on 120V. So if I got stranded and out of range of a J1772 or DCFC, I’d probably get the truck towed to one, assuming I had to be somewhere in the next day or so.

 

[PA Lightning]

Had one company come out and give an estimate. Was $1,400 for the 50A GFCI install.

After reviewing specs, I decided to go with a 60Amp non-GFCI in case I want to upgrade to the Ford Connected Charger in the future.

Turns out I need 100 foot of wire. I chose the four wire configuration. Cost for materials and installation is $1,050

 

[TheVirtualTim]

Agreed. That is why I decided to go with the Ford Mobile Charger. Ford print out recommends a 50A GFCI. The Ford Connected Charger print out requires a 60A non GFCI. I was going to get a 60A installed just in case I wanted to upgrade to the Connected Charger in the future but given one recommends the GFCI and the other does not, I would have to swap breakers anyway.
All new to me.

The Ford Connected Charge Station has DIP switches that let you limit the amperage. You don't *have* to charge at the full 48 amp rate if your circuit wont handle the load.

The Ford Mobile Charger does have built-in GFCI protection ... but this only protects from the brick to the car. If there is a problem with the circuit before you get to the brick (e.g. between the NEMA 14-50 outlet and the brick) then nothing would trip the power off. This is why the GFCI breaker is recommended.

I am not an electrician ... but I *think* there is a difference in the code depending on if the outlet is installed outside vs. in the garage. My city inspector told us that we technically aren't not *required* to have a GFCI breaker because it is installed INSIDE the garage. I think it would have been required if it was outside.

 

[jefro]

PA Lightning, seems like a current going price. DIY might have been cheaper too if you had time to fool with it. Parts and copper going for gold prices.

Every EVSE has to have a gfci built into it. Part of spec.

The latest NEC code for EVSE's with plugs require that the socket have a gfci on it. (even though we know not to put two gfci's in same circuit). Hardwired they are not in code.
If your location demands latest code then it is pretty simple to add in gfci breaker usually. Not sure if you will get an combo A/Gfci easily and in some cases to work well in wet locations if that is required.

 

[Maquis]

The Ford Connected Charge Station has DIP switches that let you limit the amperage. You don't *have* to charge at the full 48 amp rate if your circuit wont handle the load.

The Ford Mobile Charger does have built-in GFCI protection ... but this only protects from the brick to the car. If there is a problem with the circuit before you get to the brick (e.g. between the NEMA 14-50 outlet and the brick) then nothing would trip the power off. This is why the GFCI breaker is recommended.

I am not an electrician ... but I *think* there is a difference in the code depending on if the outlet is installed outside vs. in the garage. My city inspector told us that we technically aren't not *required* to have a GFCI breaker because it is installed INSIDE the garage. I think it would have been required if it was outside.

2020 NEC requires all outlets 50A or less to be GFCI protected in both garages and outdoors. Before 2020, there are a lot of differences.

 

[sotek2345]

2020 NEC requires all outlets 50A or less to be GFCI protected in both garages and outdoors. Before 2020, there are a lot of differences.

Just asking because you are so knowledgeable, what are the rules / best way to have 2 EVSEs off of a 100A circuit, exterior mounted.

When we installed the EVSE for my wife's Mach-e we ran a 100A circuit to prep for the Lightning, but just put a 40A EVSE on it for now. The plan was to swap to the 80A unit, but we have since learned you can tune that one down with dip switches and being able to have 2 40A EVSEs instead of one 80A one would be great for us having 2 EVs.

Sponsored