Limiting Charging Current with Ford Mobile Charger or other chargers (30a dryer circuit)?

[V8BoatBuilder]

If we had EVSE devices that could simply detect the maximum Breaker amperage of a circuit, we'd have this licked - but I don't think that technology is advanced enough....yet. Right now, you have to KNOW the circuit's breaker/wiring capacity and use the device that does not expect to draw more amperage than that, or to have an ADJUSTABLE EVSE that provides the ability to 'dial down' the maximum amperage it will try to draw...
I've just ordered one of these today, since the Ford Mobile Charger is FIXED at/about 30amps. Now, whether the Ford EVSE is a CONTINUOUS 30amps draw, or slightly less, is something for someone who already has one to check out. I'm not sure you could really know the amperage unless you apply a CLAMP METER to the EVSE wire between the Charger body and the Outlet.
I'll give this a try when I get my truck soon, but for the time being, I wanted another way to 'lower' that 240v draw, just in case. I do have a 20amp 240v outlet in my garage, which my KIA PHEV uses with a 16amp 240v EVSE, but I would not be able to use the Ford charger since it would certainly kick the breaker quickly.
Also, when camping, having a 50amp 240v outlet is IDEAL, but they are not at every campground, or even every campsite. I know of one campground we love which has TWO 30amp 120v common RV outlets, but not the 50amp, etc.

I would be curious if any commercially available EVSEs have a digital display with an ammeter.

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[Tony Burgh]

That is exactly what I want to do. Tesla allows you to set charge current from their vehicles.

This feature allows you to safely de-rate the mobile charger to fit the circuit it is plugged into.

It’s built into the FCSP app. Probably could have been built into the mobile charger. Or into the Lightning. I’m thrilled they got as much right as they did.

 

[Tony Burgh]

I would be curious if any commercially available EVSEs have a digital display with an ammeter.

There are two amp coils in the FCSP. Read outs from those would not be difficult, just cost more money.

 

[VTbuckeye]

I am not familiar with the Tesla charging options, but in our Volvo the charging screen let's us select the max charging amp, set the desired charging level, schedule charging. The driver's screen shows current charge rate in miles per hour and amp and expected charge completion time. If DCFC it will show the charge in KW

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Wow… Volvo gets it right!!

 

[Tony Burgh]

I am not familiar with the Tesla charging options, but in our Volvo the charging screen let's us select the max charging amp, set the desired charging level, schedule charging. The driver's screen shows current charge rate in miles per hour and amp and expected charge completion time. If DCFC it will show the charge in KW

I like the “90% is recommended to preserve battery”

 

[Maquis]

Correct, the wiring and breaker has to be able to handle 80 amps even though dialing the charger down to 48 amps. In my case wanted to use the charger pro at 48 amps with 60 amp breaker and wire. Inspector stated that the charger had to be hardwired not dialed for 48 amps.

The circuit can be sized to the “dialed down” hardware setting. Your inspector is making up his own rules. That happens all too often.

 

[JohnnyBee]

Is there a way to limit the truck's current draw when using the included Ford mobile charger on level 2?

For instance - if I can plug into a 30a dryer outlet, then I'd want to limit my current pull to ~24 amps per the 80% rule. Is there a setting in the truck to do this?

Cant you just turn down the Amps you are drawing in the FordPass app?
Here: https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...-my-all-electric-vehicle-in-the-fordpass-app/

 

[Firestop]

Cant you just turn down the Amps you are drawing in the FordPass app?
Here: https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...-my-all-electric-vehicle-in-the-fordpass-app/

That option does not show in my FordPass app…….

 

[hturnerfamily]

If that becomes available for the LIGHTNING, it certainly helps solve these issues... let's hope, but I believe this is for the 48A Ford Connected Charge Station only:

"...using a Ford Connected Charge Station and the FordPass App"

so, it sounds like the adjustment is to the charge station, not the truck. : /

 

[Maquis]

If that becomes available for the LIGHTNING, it certainly helps solve these issues... let's hope, but I believe this is for the 48A Ford Connected Charge Station only:

"...using a Ford Connected Charge Station and the FordPass App"

so, it sounds like the adjustment is to the charge station, not the truck. : /

You are correct. The FCCS can be adjusted in FordPass. That limit will apply to any vehicle plugged in to that station.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Cant you just turn down the Amps you are drawing in the FordPass app?
Here: https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...-my-all-electric-vehicle-in-the-fordpass-app/

@JohnnyBee I was excited when I found that too, but it does not apply to the truck. You are adjusting the settings in the Connected Chsrge Station, not the mobile charger or the truck.

 

[FlasherZ]

The circuit can be sized to the “dialed down” hardware setting. Your inspector is making up his own rules. That happens all too often.

I've had to escalate an AHJ's decision to the chief inspector and even the occasional municipal or county board meeting when the MSU (make s*&t up) ruleset is used.

This was specifically addressed by the CMP in the 2020 code. It is acceptable to size the circuit to the HARDWARE limitation set by the installer, but it is not acceptable to size the circuit to a smaller value that the user can easily modify.

625.42:

Adjustable settings shall be permitted on fixed-in-place equipment only. If adjustments have an impact on the rating label, those changes shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, and the adjusted rating shall appear with sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved on the rating label. Electric vehicle supply equipment with restricted access to an ampere adjusting means shall be permitted to have ampere ratings that are equal to the adjusted current setting. Sizing the service and feeder to match the adjusting means shall be permitted. Restricted access shall prevent the user from gaining access to the adjusting means. Restricted access shall be accomplished by at least one of the following: (1) A cover or door that requires the use of a tool to open (2) Locked doors accessible only to qualified personnel (3) Password protected commissioning software accessible only to qualified personnel

To most AHJ's, neither the FordPass app nor the Siemens setup app are considered "password protected commissioning software" for the purposes of that paragraph because the limit can be increased too easily by standard users. The rotary switch under the cover does fit the criteria, though.

 

[FlasherZ]

@JohnnyBee I was excited when I found that too, but it does not apply to the truck. You are adjusting the settings in the Connected Chsrge Station, not the mobile charger or the truck.

And we probably won't be getting it in the mobile connector anytime soon due to the mention of "fixed-in-place equipment only" in 2020's 625.42. We really need the adjustment in the vehicle itself, not on the EVSE.

 

[Amps]

To most AHJ's, neither the FordPass app nor the Siemens setup app are considered "password protected commissioning software" for the purposes of that paragraph because the limit can be increased too easily by standard users. The rotary switch under the cover does fit the criteria, though.

I'm almost certain that this is the reason Chargepoint Home Flex's app was updated to make it extremely difficult to increase amperage settings. You have to completely re-initialize the EVSE account, as there is no mechanical adjustment possible in their existing EVSE.

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