New owner with an EVSE question

[franklrb81]

Hey guys, new owner of a used 2023 Lightning Lariat SR here. It’s been a busy few weeks diving into this deep end but after seven days with the new truck (traded in a 2022 Ford Ranger Lariat), I’m really loving it.

I was able to get my electrician to install a Lectron V-Box Pro yesterday, so I finally have my Level 2 charging situation sorted at home. I was curious if other folks with Lightnings have had much/any experience with this specific EVSE. The app seems to make it pretty easy to handle/schedule charging sessions but I’d love some feedback on the unit if others have it. My electrician mentioned that I might want to power the unit off when not in use so I was wondering too if anyone here did that with either the V-Box Pro or with their EVSE.

Thanks!

Sponsored

 

[Grumpy2]

Congratulations on your Lightning Lariat!
We have an Emporia that stays on continuously, but when the truck is home it is plugged into it.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I use the Ford Charge Station Pro, always on, except a quarterly reboot.

 

[Maquis]

Leave it on. Quiescent power draw is minimal.

 

[Kickinback]

I use the Ford Charge Station Pro, always on, except a quarterly reboot.

After getting your lightning, how long did you have to wait to get the Ford Pro Charger? Did Ford send it to you?

 

[TaxmanHog]

After getting your lightning, how long did you have to wait to get the Ford Pro Charger? Did Ford send it to you?

11 days, completely automatic, when Sunrun was running the distribution process, sales record completed on purchase day 8/4/2022, a couple days later I got the confirm your email address email from Sunrun, the FCSP arrived at my door step, 8/15

I had to wait for the special circumstances of my install to be resolved, when the brand new 200 amp service to my garage was commissioned, first charge was on 9/30/2022.

 

[Calvin H-C]

We have the Emporia, but we have it scheduled to only operate from 11 pm to 7 am because we are on what is called the "ultra low" tiered rate. That means 2.8 c/kWh during those hours.

While the lightning is scheduled to not start charging until midnight, it will start sooner if it figures it needs extra time to get to the charge target in its scheduled window. On weekdays, we don't get the "low" tier in the evening (7.6 c/kWh) but pay the mid-peak price (12.2 c/kWh), so unless it's urgent, we want to wait.

One other benefit that the Emporia has that yours might is to be able to set the charge rate from 6 A (1.44 kW) to 48 A (11.5 kW). Weekdays, we're typically charging from 75% or higher to 90% over 6 hours, so we can dial it down to take much of that time, but weekends often need to charge from a lower SOC in a shorter window, so it's usually at full power.

It would be nice if Emporia allowed scheduling power level. Look to see if yours does, as it may be useful to you.

 

[gbuydos]

I use the Ford Charge Pro, always on.

 

[Joe Dablock]

I would think if they were supposed to be turned off when not in use there would be an on/off switch.
I have 2 and they are on all the time.

 

[Henry Ford]

My electrician mentioned that I might want to power the unit off when not in use so I was wondering too if anyone here did that with either the V-Box Pro or with their EVSE.

To me the risk of forgetting to turn the charger back on and not charging outweighs any savings shutting down the charger might afford. Wear and tear on a switch is another consideration.

 

[RobiWan]

Congrats on getting a Lightning. I just purchased a 2024 Flash in December. The Lightning is my first EV. I would recommend checking out Tom with State of Charge on YT. He does an excellent job of testing and reviewing all kinds of chargers including the Lectron V-Box.

Here is his review specifically on the V-Box. Not sure if it answers all your questions.
https://evchargingstations.com/chargerreviews/lectron-v-box/

Sponsored