Max current setting switch

[Charley]

What is the optimal setting for this switch?

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[Charley]

See picture for location inside Charge Station Pro Box

 

[Maquis]

It must be set not more than 80% of the rating of its branch circuit.

 

[Charley]

It must be set not more than 80% of the rating of its branch circuit.

It’s set on 7 right now. Not sure if that is correct. Trying to figure out how to improve my charging speed. Just got my station talking to Ford pass but I can’t seem to figure out how to set a higher charge speed.

 

[ddbrooke]

It’s set on 7 right now. Not sure if that is correct. Trying to figure out how to improve my charging speed. Just got my station talking to Ford pass but I can’t seem to figure out how to set a higher charge speed.

7 is the 80 amp setting which requires that you have it connected to a 100amp breaker with the appropriate sized wiring. It's all in the manual that came with the charger.

 

[Charley]

7 is the 80 amp setting which requires that you have it connected to a 100amp breaker with the appropriate sized wiring. It's all in the manual that came with the charger.

I had an electrician installed the unit and they used an 80 amp breaker. I guess they missed that. Will an 80 amp breaker reduce the charge rate?

 

[greenne]

I had an electrician installed the unit and they used an 80 amp breaker. I guess they missed that. Will an 80 amp breaker reduce the charge rate?

If you have an 80A breaker the station should be set at no more than 64A (80%)...

 

[Charley]

If you have an 80A breaker the station should be set at no more than 64A (80%)...

So that could cause it to overheat.

 

[TaxmanHog]

So that could cause it to overheat.

Yes, the circuit might be undersized, what gauge wire was used for the connection from 80 amp breaker to EVSE?

 

[Monkey]

I had an electrician installed the unit and they used an 80 amp breaker. I guess they missed that. Will an 80 amp breaker reduce the charge rate?

The breaker will not reduce the charge rate as the charger has no clue what size the breaker is. In this case, if you sustain a charge at 80 AMPs through an 80 AMP breaker, it will work to some extent... But yes, can overheat, can cause strain on the breaker and the wiring as well if it's not up to snuff. This will end in tripped breakers or worse, burn your house down. Your electrician really didn't pay attention on this one or has no clue how EVs work, nor understands how sustained loads work. The latter part about sustained loads is something all licensed electricians should know. And that current National Electric Code states that circuits supporting sustained loads are to be designed with 20% overhead.

Setting 7 for 80A of charging (100A circuit/breaker) is the maximum charge rate you are going to get out of the Ford Charge Station Pro and the highest you are going to find from any at-home Level 2 EVSE out there. Tesla 1st and 2nd generation wall chargers also support 80A charging.

If you need faster charging than that, then you're not looking at a normal "charge over night" residential situation. So you either need to visit a public DC fast charger or you can install a commercial charger -- usually requiring 480V 3-phase power service. There are some 50kW commercial units out there that anyone can buy from makers like ChargePoint and are relatively inexpensive (still a few thousand $$$ each plus installation). Mostly targeted for those with rental properties, business that want charging, hotel destination chargers, etc..

You should talk with your electrician and see what wiring he installed for the charger and what options you have based on panel capacity and all that. Maybe it's a simple fix to get your circuit up to 100A, maybe not. Worst case is you're probably ok at 80A and can set the charger to charge at 64A, which is quite good for a residential setup.

 

[ddbrooke]

So that could cause it to overheat.

Your charger should be set to 6 in this case. Your install doesn't meet the code as it is set now. Not an electrician but I would expect you will trip the breaker by drawing 80amps on an 80 breaker. You should have your electrician come back. The manual calls for #3 wire on L1 and L2. If they install that size wire and your panel and total input power have the capacity, they could swap in a 100amp breaker.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Also, since you're a new installation, have you power cycled the EVSE yet?
Unplug truck from EVSE, cut off 80 amp breaker for 5-10 minutes, then turn on again, then let EVSE idle for 30 minutes, then reconnect the truck, this should ensure your firmware is updated and your not temping out for that reason, aside from the source wiring issue you mentioned above.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Also, in your Ford pass app, under the ACCOUNT icon find the connected charge station tile, lower right corner of the page, goto settings, adjusted the rate slider to 64 amps until you get a confirmation of the wiring supporting your installation

 

[Maquis]

Your charger should be set to 6 in this case. Your install doesn't meet the code as it is set now. Not an electrician but I would expect you will trip the breaker by drawing 80amps on an 80 breaker. You should have your electrician come back. The manual calls for #3 wire on L1 and L2. If they install that size wire and your panel and total input power have the capacity, they could swap in a 100amp breaker.

A breaker is designed to carry its rating, not trip at it.
In this case, that’s not a good thing.

 

[Charley]

Yes, the circuit might be undersized, what gauge wire was used for the connection from 80 amp breaker to EVSE?

Not sure. Conversation happening with the electrical contractor tomorrow.

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