Installing a Home Integration System for Intelligent Backup Power (without SunRun)

[hifixenthusiast]

Roger that and thank you for re-confirming. I too have a ticket on this issue opened up with Ford. What I realized during my last customer support call with Ford is that their checklist ends at the Ford Charge Station Pro EVSE. I am still working with a very helpful AEEE Solar engineer and remain optimistic that we will get to a resolution now that the holiday break is over with. I will keep you posted.

Current Status: The system is still functional (after multiple tests), but the 3 errors (LG batteries not present) noted earlier remain and an audible alarm is coming from the transfer switch box. I assume the audible alarm is the result of the 3 errors.

Here is the update that I received this evening from AEEsolar. For reference, the following questions that were asked through my point of contact at AEE Solar, who in turn asked then asked the internal SunRun teams.

I hope this helps and I will continue to update this thread as I have more information regarding my experience.

Question 1: Is it possible to disable the "Battery" feature in the BDI to clear the errors, but keep the functionality of the CT’s registering power flow? When I have configured the BDI to clear the errors, it doesn't recognize power flow from the CT's.

I believe this is now possible after the recent software update from Delta. There should now be a way to go into the M-Professional app and turn off the battery.

Question 2: How does the Ford Pass application recognize that the system installation is completed and functioning? What experience does the Sun Run installation team have with this feature? Is there an undocumented step that they complete (with Ford) to have this enabled?

The Customer can call our Sunrun Care team and provide the proper information to register the equipment. The registration process is still being worked on, but from there, Sunrun will send the information to Delta to complete registration and then can pass that information to Ford.

Question 3: Should the Intelligent Backup Power system take 3-5 minutes to startup after an outage? or is this partially the result of the Home Integration System not registering in the Ford Pass application?

We have seen backup power transfers take anywhere from 90 seconds to 5 minutes. This is something that Ford would like to improve as the majority of the time is communication between the truck and charger. The Registration of the Home Integration System will not prevent the system from operating.

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[hifixenthusiast]

Here is the update that I received this evening from AEEsolar. For reference, the following questions that were asked through my point of contact at AEE Solar, who in turn asked then asked the internal SunRun teams.

I hope this helps and I continue to update this thread as I have more information regarding my experience.

Question 1: Is it possible to disable the "Battery" feature in the BDI to clear the errors, but keep the functionality of the CT’s registering power flow? When I have configured the BDI to clear the errors, it doesn't recognize power flow from the CT's.

I believe this is now possible after the recent software update from Delta. There should now be a way to go into the M-Professional app and turn off the battery.

Question 2: How does the Ford Pass application recognize that the system installation is completed and functioning? What experience does the Sun Run installation team have with this feature? Is there an undocumented step that they complete (with Ford) to have this enabled?

The Customer can call our Sunrun Care team and provide the proper information to register the equipment. The registration process is still being worked on, but from there, Sunrun will send the information to Delta to complete registration and then can pass that information to Ford.

Question 3: Should the Intelligent Backup Power system take 3-5 minutes to startup after an outage? or is this partially the result of the Home Integration System not registering in the Ford Pass application?

We have seen backup power transfers take anywhere from 90 seconds to 5 minutes. This is something that Ford would like to improve as the majority of the time is communication between the truck and charger. The Registration of the Home Integration System will not prevent the system from operating.

1/4/2023
I called into SunRun Customer Care (1-844-809-4320) and stated that I was calling in to register my Home Integration System for my Ford F-150 Lightning. The customer care representative transferred me to the SunRun Ford Customer Care team. The SunRun Ford Customer Care representative requested the VIN for my F-150 Lightning and then requested my contact information. I then was then transferred to my "assigned specialist", which was a SunRun Solar sales representative to leave a voicemail. I emailed her instead and after some correspondence, I was advised that she couldn’t assist due to liability.

1/5/2023
I called back into SunRun Customer Care (1-844-809-4320) and provided the details of my experience thus far and stated that I was calling to register my Home Integration System for my Ford F150 Lightning. The customer care representative transferred me to the SunRun Ford Customer Care team. The SunRun Ford Customer Care representative collected my name and address and then put me on a brief hold while she collected the necessary documentation to register my system. When she returned, she re-validated my address, collected my phone number and e-mail address and then requested the serial numbers of the Home Integration System inverter and the Ford Charge Station Pro. After collecting this information, she said that my system would be registered and that I should expect to receive a notification in the Ford Pass app and/or an e-mail by the week of January 15th confirming that my system had been registered.

Fingers crossed! I hope this helps!

 

[yed19]

Yeah, s I just called today and went through the same process. Looks like they are finally clearing the logjam for us non-SunRun customers with a HIS. I got the same date of 1/15 so it seems like an update may be coming through that week. Fingers also crossed.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

I didn't see on your initial post but how much solar do you have and how big of an inverter did you get for the HIS? I have 8.6kw and don't know whether to get the 8kw or the 10kw. Thanks!

 

[yed19]

I didn't see on your initial post but how much solar do you have and how big of an inverter did you get for the HIS? I have 8.6kw and don't know whether to get the 8kw or the 10kw. Thanks!

Yeah, I do not use the inverter in the HIS. I have a 15.6 KHW inline inverter system that would not integrate with the 4KW max BDI. I am aware that the BDI comes in larger (up to 10KW) so it may work for you if you plan on not using inline inverters. My enphase system hence does not "play" with the BDI input since its DC. So... I essentially just use the HIS for backup power to the house which works great (there is a 30 second to 1 minute or so delay when it kicks over but thats not bad and it is great when there is no generator noise like my neighbors .)

Again though, utilizing the BDI required not inline inverter systems and the system should be below 10KWH from what I understand. I could at some point add some DC panels and it would work to charge the truck and add to the system (I think it would be rather simple actually to do) but am really only losing the ability to charge the truck right now when the power is out.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

Yeah, I do not use the inverter in the HIS. I have a 15.6 KHW inline inverter system that would not integrate with the 4KW max BDI. I am aware that the BDI comes in larger (up to 10KW) so it may work for you if you plan on not using inline inverters. My enphase system hence does not "play" with the BDI input since its DC. So... I essentially just use the HIS for backup power to the house which works great (there is a 30 second to 1 minute or so delay when it kicks over but thats not bad and it is great when there is no generator noise like my neighbors .)

Again though, utilizing the BDI required not inline inverter systems and the system should be below 10KWH from what I understand. I could at some point add some DC panels and it would work to charge the truck and add to the system (I think it would be rather simple actually to do) but am really only losing the ability to charge the truck right now when the power is out.

I see what you're saying. From your understanding, would the 10kw be the one I choose with 8.6kw of solar I have?

 

[yed19]

I see what you're saying. From your understanding, would the 10kw be the one I choose with 8.6kw of solar I have?

It depends on your solar system. If you are building it, you could just simply install the panels (non-enphase/inline inverters) and it would work from what I understand with the inputs on the BDI. I.e. It has to have a DC input, not an AC and be under 10KW in total power.

 

[hifixenthusiast]

Yeah, s I just called today and went through the same process. Looks like they are finally clearing the logjam for us non-SunRun customers with a HIS. I got the same date of 1/15 so it seems like an update may be coming through that week. Fingers also crossed.

Any update? The only change I have seen in the Ford Pass application is it is no longer showing a green check mark for step 3. Still waiting for step 2 to update…

 

[yed19]

Any update? The only change I have seen in the Ford Pass application is it is no longer showing a green check mark for step 3. Still waiting for step 2 to update…

Yep, nothing else for me. The person said the week of the 15th. And based upon Tom's comments in his new video on this subject, I would expect something in the next week or two.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

Are you guys required to pull permits from electricity/utility when doing this with an electrician (not Sunrun, who I guess does permitting on their own)

 

[yed19]

Are you guys required to pull permits from electricity/utility when doing this with an electrician (not Sunrun, who I guess does permitting on their own)

Our electrician coordinated permitting. Sunrun did not require pictures or anything of the permit but they require the name of the contractor.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

Our electrician coordinated permitting. Sunrun did not require pictures or anything of the permit but they require the name of the contractor.

Is sunrun required to be in the loop to activate the equipment or something?

 

[yed19]

So SunRun has to be included only to register the equipment so that it shows up in the Fordpass, supposedly. I say supposidly since my backup power still does not show in the Fordpass app yet. They said it might start by the end of the month according to Mikes video.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

So SunRun has to be included only to register the equipment so that it shows up in the Fordpass, supposedly. I say supposidly since my backup power still does not show in the Fordpass app yet. They said it might start by the end of the month according to Mikes video.

This is amazing help, thank you so much. I just purchased the HIS bundle on AEE and have an electrician lined up to install as sunrun has not worked out.

Edit: @yed19 I see it's been a while since sunrun said it should be active for you. Has nothing changed this week?

 

[Pitbull2o08]

Let me know what you learn. I am in a similar situation - Check marks 1 & 3 are complete, but check mark 2 is not. However, as a test, I connected the charging cable and killed power to the house. The automatic transfer did occur (it took about 10 seconds) and the truck powered my home flawlessly. I ran my entire home for a few hours and then restored power to the house and the system returned to normal operation. My only concern: I never received a notice on my app that I was running on back-up power.

Are you not running a critical load panel since your entire house had power?

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