Mobile Charger Question

[Kakaratto]

Hi,

As I said in my intro post, I previously owned a Chevy Bolt EUV and a Chevy Volt before that. Both vehicles came with a mobile charger that could charge at 240v 12a via the 6-15 plug using an adapter like this.

My question is, can the Ford Mobile adapter do this too? I have an adapter and I was wondering if I should keep it or sell it.

Thanks,

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[The Weatherman]

Yes. It will charge at 120 or 240volt and at 15 or 30amps respectively.

 

[Tfarrell73]

Ford Mobile charger won't do 12 Amos at 240v. It will try to draw 30 amps and probable trip the circuit. Other adjustable EVSEs will do it.

 

[Firn]

If using the 4 prong 14-50 plug the mobile charger will draw 240v 30a.

If using the 5-15 plug on 110v the mobile charger will draw 110v 12a.

If you decide to not follow the NEC and create a 240v connector using a 5-15 plug end then the mobile charger will provide 240v 12a.

 

[Kakaratto]

Thanks!

 

[chl]

Hi,

As I said in my intro post, I previously owned a Chevy Bolt EUV and a Chevy Volt before that. Both vehicles came with a mobile charger that could charge at 240v 12a via the 6-15 plug using an adapter like this.

My question is, can the Ford Mobile adapter do this too? I have an adapter and I was wondering if I should keep it or sell it.

Thanks,

You can use an adapter but your circuitry (breaker and wire and outlet) needs to be rated for a 30A continuous load. 30A/.8 = 37.5A but no 37.5 breaker next highest is 40A, and 40A x 80% = 32A so a 40A breaker can handle the 30A continuous load. There is some indication from user reports that the MPC may draw 32A. [Another way to calculate it is take your continuous load current and multiply by 1.25.]

The "80% rule" for continuous loads means that when designing an electrical circuit with a continuous load (a load that runs for 3 hours or more), you can only utilize up to 80% of the circuit breaker's rated capacity to prevent overheating due to prolonged current draw; essentially, you should not exceed 80% of the breaker's amperage rating for continuous loads.

If your circuitry, wire and breaker are not rated for that load, you could have a fire if the breaker doesn't trip in time, and you will not be compliant with building and safety codes which are there to protect you and you neighbors from fire and electrocution.

But the Ford MPC has a long history of failures, overheating, melting, and just failing to work, so best get something more reliable for everyday charging and save the MPC for an emergency out on the road maybe. Even when hooked up properly.

It is equivalent (or the same as) the Webasto Go sold on Amazon for example, and the reviews had meany examples of melted units.

Regarding adapters, the MPC with the 240v dongle does not need or use a neutral connection, just the two hots and ground. If run at 120V 20A the dongle uses a hot, neutral and ground, the neutral for 'return' current.

Good luck and be safe.

 

[Calvin H-C]

There is some indication from user reports that the MPC may draw 32A.

From what I read awhile back, the device was originally designed to draw 32A and when provided to MME owners, it did.

When the Lightning became available, Ford altered it to draw only 30A so that it could be plugged into the 240V ProPower outlet, which is capable of providing a 30A continuous load.

One commercial for the Lightning made the claim it is "an EV so powerful that it can charge other EVs". The derating of their mobile EVSE wasn't needed to make this claim, since one could use any other EVSE including the 120V one that came with my FFE, but the commercial making the claim showed the Lightning's own EVSE.

 

[RickLightning]

There is some indication from user reports that the MPC may draw 32A.

Posted many times. The Ford Mobile Charger supplied with the Mach-E pulls 32amps. The Lightning version pulls 30amps, with a different pigtail that has a yellow band on it (same charger). As was stated, that's so it can be used in the bed outlet and not blow the 30amp circuit.

 

[Heliian]

A lot of incorrect information here.

Look at the rating on your evse, that will decide the circuit. The mobile charge cord is not adjustable.

could charge at 240v 12a

It's not adjustable

120V 20A

The truck won't go over 12a at 120v no matter the evse

The Ford Mobile Charger supplied with the Mach-E pulls 32amps. The Lightning version pulls 30amps,

I haven't seen any testing of this. I believe the webasto go units are rated 32a but only draw about 30a continuous. I bought mine on the open market, it's Ford branded and labeled 32a but doesn't trip the 30a breaker I had in my garage.

 

[Maquis]

I haven't seen any testing of this. I believe the webasto go units are rated 32a but only draw about 30a continuous. I bought mine on the open market, it's Ford branded and labeled 32a but doesn't trip the 30a breaker I had in my garage.

I think Rick did some testing of this when the new dongle was introduced with the Lightning. I don’t remember how detailed it was.

Drawing 32A on a 30A breaker may never trip it, but that doesn’t make it safe.

 

[RickLightning]

I haven't seen any testing of this. I believe the webasto go units are rated 32a but only draw about 30a continuous. I bought mine on the open market, it's Ford branded and labeled 32a but doesn't trip the 30a breaker I had in my garage.

I tested it, among others. Both vehicles come with the same charger, different pigtails. The 30amp version has a yellow band on it. I charged my Mach-E with both chargers and both pigtails on each, and the Mach-E 32amp pigtail popped the Lightning breaker each time, and the Lightning pigtail did not.

 

[Zprime29]

Hi,

As I said in my intro post, I previously owned a Chevy Bolt EUV and a Chevy Volt before that. Both vehicles came with a mobile charger that could charge at 240v 12a via the 6-15 plug using an adapter like this.

My question is, can the Ford Mobile adapter do this too? I have an adapter and I was wondering if I should keep it or sell it.

Thanks,

Out of curiosity, are you asking for another vehicle?

 

[chl]

A lot of incorrect information here.

Look at the rating on your evse, that will decide the circuit. The mobile charge cord is not adjustable.


It's not adjustable

The truck won't go over 12a at 120v no matter the evse

I haven't seen any testing of this. I believe the webasto go units are rated 32a but only draw about 30a continuous. I bought mine on the open market, it's Ford branded and labeled 32a but doesn't trip the 30a breaker I had in my garage.

Right 12A per the documentation and NEC 80% rule assuming a 15A breaker and wiring as is typical.

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