Ford Pro Charging Station vs. Nema 14-50 outlet

[Halbach]

It’s a pain in the butt to have to get it out, plug in, pack it back up again. Then there is the wear and tear on the 14-50 parts. Sandy Munro did a video on the failure of parts that weren’t designed for the sustained high current load that EV charging puts electrical components. It’s the reason why the Charge Station Pro has torque requirements for the incoming power connections. Loose connections equals high resistance, high heat failure points that risk burning down your house.

I've never installed a 14-50 outlet that didn't have torque requirements on the wire clamps, but I'm not a pro so experience is limited.

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[Ostrichsak]

It’s a pain in the butt to have to get it out, plug in, pack it back up again. Then there is the wear and tear on the 14-50 parts. Sandy Munro did a video on the failure of parts that weren’t designed for the sustained high current load that EV charging puts electrical components. It’s the reason why the Charge Station Pro has torque requirements for the incoming power connections. Loose connections equals high resistance, high heat failure points that risk burning down your house.

Proper installation of proper parts eliminates long term usage concerns. Let's not panic over one video. It will help people understand what I've been saying for years about how important proper installation is but overreacting & scaring people away when it's perfectly safe isn't helping with EV adoption either.

 

[ddbrooke]

Proper installation of proper parts eliminates long term usage concerns. Let's not panic over one video. It will help people understand what I've been saying for years about how important proper installation is but overreacting & scaring people away when it's perfectly safe isn't helping with EV adoption either.

My point is the mobile charger and its 14-50 plug are not high duty cycle components. They rely on spring tension to make a tight connection. Not overreacting, just expressing a cautious viewpoint that comes from decades of working with high current industrial equipment.

 

[SmokingtheMeats]

Greetings current and future Lightning owners. Trying to decide if I should have an electrician come and install a Nema 14-50 in my garage now or wait until I receive the Ford Pro Charging station after my 2023 Lighting Lariat (Avalanche Grey) is delivered in approx 1 month?

I'd like to have a decent charging option when I receive the pickup, but don't know how long the Pro Charging station will take to arrive. Also don't want to hire an electrician to come for two different jobs if not necessary.

Any thoughts, recommendations or input would be appreciate. Thank you.

My FCSP arrived in a week

 

[newF150]

I have a 14-50 outlet that I use the mobile charger on to charge my Mach-E. Currently using it to charge the Lightning overnight, no issues. Back to 90% in the morning everyday so far.

 

[Curtis G]

It took a month before I got my FCSP.

Did you use DC fast chargers while waiting that month?

 

[Curtis G]

I have a 14-50 outlet that I use the mobile charger on to charge my Mach-E. Currently using it to charge the Lightning overnight, no issues. Back to 90% in the morning everyday so far.

Im thinking having a 14-50 option available may be a good idea just incase the Pro Charger has issues

 

[Pioneer74]

Did you use DC fast chargers while waiting that month?

No. I also have a Mach-E on order. I hardwired an Emporia 48 amp charger and installed a NEMA 14-50 before I got my Lightning.

I'm going to install my FCSP this week. I sized up the conduit on my hardwire install so I can pull #2 THHN for the FCSP and I'll put the 14-50 cord back on the Emporia, plug it into the receptacle and derate it for the Mach-E.

 

[Maquis]

No. I also have a Mach-E on order. I hardwired an Emporia 48 amp charger and installed a NEMA 14-50 before I got my Lightning.



I'm going to install my FCSP this week. I sized up the conduit on my hardwire install so I can pull #2 THHN for the FCSP and I'll put the 14-50 cord back on the Emporia, plug it into the receptacle and derate it for the Mach-E.

I believe the FCSP only accepts #3 AWG max.

 

[Pioneer74]

I believe the FCSP only accepts #3 AWG max.

That would be silly. Longer runs would demand a larger gauge for voltage drop.

And I couldn't find #3. I'll make it work one way or another.

 

[newF150]

Im thinking having a 14-50 option available may be a good idea just incase the Pro Charger has issues

At this point I'm thinking I'm going to just add another 14-50 plug and be done with it and not have to deal with all the issues I'm seeing people report about the Pro Charger.

 

[Firestop]

At this point I'm thinking I'm going to just add another 14-50 plug and be done with it and not have to deal with all the issues I'm seeing people report about the Pro Charger.

Yes, there have been issues, but I’ve been using mine on 80A since August (including several ~20-100% charge sessions) with none. It isn’t perfect, but would consider your pro/cons a little more before writing the FCSP off…..

 

[Pioneer74]

At this point I'm thinking I'm going to just add another 14-50 plug and be done with it and not have to deal with all the issues I'm seeing people report about the Pro Charger.

What problems? The only problem I know about was the overheating issue charging at 80 amps in a hot climate. And that seems to be fixed with an OTA update.

 

[newF150]

Yes, there have been issues, but I’ve been using mine on 80A since August (including several ~20-100% charge sessions) with none. It isn’t perfect, but would consider your pro/cons a little more before writing the FCSP off…..

I was thinking of setting the rate to 48 amps as I have to charge the Mach E overnight as well which would put me at 80 amps on a 200 amp service. And I've had no problems getting back up to 90% overnight on the Lightning.

 

[Akbrian]

Install both on separate circuits. The 14-50 is a dumb plug will charge whatever you plug into it if there is power and is great backup for the pro charger when the board dies.

the pro is nice because you can turn the charge rate up/down, setup times, monitor the charging etc. unless you are drawing your battery everyday most people don’t need 80a charging but nice to have it available.

the pro charger is not a simple plug and play but once it is setup it is great. Ideally it would be a little smarter and you could set departure time and it would lower current to achieve the desired charge at that time.

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