Intelligent backup power issues/unreliable

[bananaslug79]

If backup transfer does fail after the system has sat for days or weeks, I've reached the state where a cold reboot has always restored power transfer capability (shut off power to FCSP and the HIS unit; shut down the Dark Start battery of the HIS unit via the M Professional app Menu, Additional Feature, DS Battery).

Does this still work for you? I'm looking to get more serious about testing our system monthly. I don't have this M Professional app; to my recollection I think our electrician used this during install but I have never used it. Any guidance on getting started with this?

My most recent test of the system failed after 5 minutes but it had been quite awhile since I tried it; if better reliability requires more regular interventions I am more willing nowadays. Our FSCP went green when I shut down the power but the truck didn't transfer power I'm not sure if the test is valid but I shut off the backup panel breaker via our main panel and then the FSCP breaker (I'm no electrician but I am paranoid about shutting off the main breaker).

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[Sea Ranch]

Does this still work for you? I'm looking to get more serious about testing our system monthly. I don't have this M Professional app; to my recollection I think our electrician used this during install but I have never used it. Any guidance on getting started with this?

My most recent test of the system failed after 5 minutes but it had been quite awhile since I tried it; if better reliability requires more regular interventions I am more willing nowadays. Our FSCP went green when I shut down the power but the truck didn't transfer power I'm not sure if the test is valid but I shut off the backup panel breaker via our main panel and then the FSCP breaker (I'm no electrician but I am paranoid about shutting off the main breaker).

The next time the simulated power outage fails, try unplugging the truck from the charger and lock the door for 5 minutes and then try again. This has worked for me. Fortunately the last few times my tests have been successful. I struggled for a long time to get my system to work. One major problem that I had is that I failed to register the Inverter with Sunrun. I did not realize that this was a requirement and it caused me months of pain.

 

[tearitupsports]

Does this still work for you? I'm looking to get more serious about testing our system monthly. I don't have this M Professional app; to my recollection I think our electrician used this during install but I have never used it. Any guidance on getting started with this?

My most recent test of the system failed after 5 minutes but it had been quite awhile since I tried it; if better reliability requires more regular interventions I am more willing nowadays. Our FSCP went green when I shut down the power but the truck didn't transfer power I'm not sure if the test is valid but I shut off the backup panel breaker via our main panel and then the FSCP breaker (I'm no electrician but I am paranoid about shutting off the main breaker).

Switching off the breaker going to the transfer switch (from the main panel) and also switching off the charger also in the main panel is the correct test mode. Only your backup panel loads will turn off during this.
Just make sure that there is nothing shut off between the transfer switch, backup panel, and inverter. Anything off between those will cause the system not to work.

Assuming you are past the 6.14 update in the truck, then the main issue is the truck modem working and being close enough to your charger. I usually make sure at least the front of the truck is close to the charge station pro. Having the backseat down and lined up next to the charger is not necessary in my experience, but could possibly help.

The light on the charge station pro will start as a dim green, and the truck charge port light should be white.
After about a minute the truck port light will turn green, and charge station pro will go bright green.
Once the inverter kicks on (you will hear a bunch of clicking) then the charger station pro and the truck will both have a green pulse and the backed up loads will come on.

If at any point the truck charge ring light goes off, then the process will not work. The quickest fix is to press the button in it to reset, and unplug and re-plug the charger (I don't think timing or sequence really matter on this).

If you have the system working and delivering power for several minutes, but it turns off suddenly, it is the truck modem locking up. I have had this happen twice.

Whatever you do, do not reset any of the equipment if the system has worked previously. I really think that is where people get into trouble (despite this advice from Sunrun or Ford). I have tested quite extensively and the charge station never needs to be reset to factory defaults (or even power cycled). Also the truck never needs to be re-paired on bluetooth to get the system running (regardless of what might be displayed on the screen). I think some of this was true in the past, but with current firmware all that has been resolved.

 

[Jim Lewis]

If at any point the truck charge ring light goes off, then the process will not work. The quickest fix is to press the button in it to reset, and unplug and re-plug the charger (I don't think timing or sequence really matter on this).

On the button, the one that's worked for me is the UNLOCK button to the right of the charger head on the charger port itself, not the button on the charger head itself (which you have to push eventually anyway to remove the charger head after pressing the UNLOCK button on the port). I found that immediately plugging the charger head back in with no delay didn't work, but leaving it out 10 to 15 seconds up through at least three or four minutes did. So, the last few times I tested backup power transfer back in October 2024, I left the charger head unplugged ~15 secs before plugging it in and getting backup power transfer to work.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...nt-backup-power-is-up-ahead.18856/post-424817

 

[tearitupsports]

On the button, the one that's worked for me is the UNLOCK button to the right of the charger head on the charger port itself, not the button on the charger head itself (which you have to push eventually anyway to remove the charger head after pressing the UNLOCK button on the port). I found that immediately plugging the charger head back in with no delay didn't work, but leaving it out 10 to 15 seconds up through at least three or four minutes did. So, the last few times I tested backup power transfer back in October 2024, I left the charger head unplugged ~15 secs before plugging it in and getting backup power transfer to work.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...nt-backup-power-is-up-ahead.18856/post-424817

Yes sorry if I wasn't clear. I am only referencing the charge port unlock button that is inside the LED light ring next to the charge port on the truck.

As a point of reference however I had no issues plugging the charge cable back in with no time delay. In fact I have plugged it back in prior to the LED lights completing the initialization (looks like they are spinning around) and had successful power transfer after. This was true on both mine and Jackie's system.

What I have seen is that the distance the truck is away from the charger does directly affect the chance of success. With the truck about 4 feet from my garage door I had success only after the 3rd or 4th time trying. Pulling up the extra 4 feet had almost immediate success.
For reference my charger is on the wall just inside of my garage door (same side as the truck charge port). I am able to have success with the truck pulled up just outside (essentially up to the garage door if it was closed). I have never tried to test with the garage door closed. I had no success with the frunk open which acted as a barrier with the line of site from the modem in the back seat to the charge station.

 

[Cfieldsj]

Just a note after working through this tread and getting my Intelligent Backup Power to actually work after over a year since commissioning! So this is what I did following suggestions in this thread. It was a bit of a mystery since it has been so long since it worked last after being installed. Here are the steps that led me to success after a power outage at home on Christmas Day 2024. My Lightning is a 6/2023 Platinum.

1. I used M Professional to update the software on my Sunrun inverter to the latest available. (My system was one version behind.)

2. Parked my truck about 10 feet away from the Charge Station Pro (charge port on truck to FCSP) and plugged it into the FCSP. Garage door opened fully!

3. Got into the truck, turned it on in accessory mode (no foot on the brake petal) and on the SYNC screen selected the APPS menu to select Intelligent Backup Power app.

4. Home Power Transfer screen came up and I selected the Automatic Backup option. This screen updated VERY slowly!!! I disconnected the FCSP from the truck’s charge port and reconnected after about 15 seconds… The app then updated to say that automatic connect would be started after pressing the “Start” icon on the app screen. (Very weird since it required a manual icon push to enable an automatic function!!!)

5. SYNC screen updated over several minutes to show that connection was in work. Eventually, the connection was made and both the FCSP and the truck port LEDs glowed bright green!!! I was elated, system working to power select circuits in the house!

6. Power restored to house (from grid power outage) after about 20 minutes and normal operation happened with FCSP charging truck again. (Blue LEDs on FCSP and truck charge port)

Was a nice Christmas present to see it working after so much disappointment with FORD engineering over the last 18 months!

Good luck, hope something in this process helps you with your HIS!

 

[tearitupsports]

Just a note after working through this tread and getting my Intelligent Backup Power to actually work after over a year since commissioning! So this is what I did following suggestions in this thread. It was a bit of a mystery since it has been so long since it worked last after being installed. Here are the steps that led me to success after a power outage at home on Christmas Day 2024. My Lightning is a 6/2023 Platinum.

1. I used M Professional to update the software on my Sunrun inverter to the latest available. (My system was one version behind.)

2. Parked my truck about 10 feet away from the Charge Station Pro (charge port on truck to FCSP) and plugged it into the FCSP. Garage door opened fully!

3. Got into the truck, turned it on in accessory mode (no foot on the brake petal) and on the SYNC screen selected the APPS menu to select Intelligent Backup Power app.

4. Home Power Transfer screen came up and I selected the Automatic Backup option. This screen updated VERY slowly!!! I disconnected the FCSP from the truck’s charge port and reconnected after about 15 seconds… The app then updated to say that automatic connect would be started after pressing the “Start” icon on the app screen. (Very weird since it required a manual icon push to enable an automatic function!!!)

5. SYNC screen updated over several minutes to show that connection was in work. Eventually, the connection was made and both the FCSP and the truck port LEDs glowed bright green!!! I was elated, system working to power select circuits in the house!

6. Power restored to house (from grid power outage) after about 20 minutes and normal operation happened with FCSP charging truck again. (Blue LEDs on FCSP and truck charge port)

Was a nice Christmas present to see it working after so much disappointment with FORD engineering over the last 18 months!

Good luck, hope something in this process helps you with your HIS!

So glad that your system is now working to provide power. I would say out of all the things listed, #2 was the most likely reason for success. It was also probably that your truck had the latest updates which are also key to the system working. Mine never worked prior to 6.14 and has always worked since.

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