Powering a 220v clothes dryer with the Lightning

[danvilla]

In the recent power outage in the Seattle area, I was happy to be able to run the electric dryer off the truck as my backup gas generator does not supply 220V appliances.

 

[majerus]

Yep, having huge batteries is great..

 

[GDN]

Now imagine the possibilities if you back feed your panel and power the whole house or get you a sub panel and power at least select circuits with just a simple plug in to the truck.

 

[danvilla]

Now imagine the possibilities if you back feed your panel and power the whole house or get you a sub panel and power at least select circuits with just a simple plug in to the truck.

Yes, yes. Baby steps for me. Not as urgent since I already have the backup gas generator (you can see the sub panel near the garage door). Just a neat realization that wasn't obvious to me until a multi-day power outage forced me to figure out if I could still do laundry

 

[XENOILPHOBE]

Here in Virginia we use a new technology called a clothesline, and sunlight. I know you guys don't get any sunlight, so this is the next best option.

 

[MotoGary]

Take note ladies....THIS is how you get a dude to do laundry!

 

[Lightning Rod]

This is very inspiring. I have a big question though...

Did you adjust the temperature to high, where the heating elements would be using full 220V?

I'm wondering if that would be too much amp draw.

 

[Maquis]

This is very inspiring. I have a big question though...

Did you adjust the temperature to high, where the heating elements would be using full 220V?

I'm wondering if that would be too much amp draw.

Most dryers draw 22-24A full load. Shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[danvilla]

This is very inspiring. I have a big question though...

Did you adjust the temperature to high, where the heating elements would be using full 220V?

I'm wondering if that would be too much amp draw.

This is a great question. I looked at the ProPower app in the truck while the dryer was running and it showed consumption of around 400W. Heat was on medium setting. This is nowhere close to the 3500W limit on the truck bed circuit. Assuming high heat was double I could have run 4 dryers at the same time!

 

[Maquis]

This is a great question. I looked at the ProPower app in the truck while the dryer was running and it showed consumption of around 400W. Heat was on medium setting. This is nowhere close to the 3500W limit on the truck bed circuit. Assuming high heat was double I could have run 4 dryers at the same time!

When you checked, the heating element wasn’t powered. 400W would be approximately the power requirement of the motor.

 

[Lorincz]

Now imagine the possibilities if you back feed your panel and power the whole house or get you a sub panel and power at least select circuits with just a simple plug in to the truck.

I considered installing the Ford Home Integration System to use my truck as a backup power source. However, the total cost estimate was $17K — $6K for adding an additional 100A service from the utility pole, and the remainder for Ford's system. Given that power outages occur only once or twice a year in my area, the expense didn't justify the convenience. I live in the Bay Area.

During power outages, I typically use extension cords to backfeed my refrigerator and other critical equipment, like lights in the evening. While this setup is inconvenient, it's manageable. The main drawback is that I have to keep the truck running continuously to supply power, which involves turning off the HVAC, lights, and disabling auto shut down—a cumbersome process. It would be much more convenient to activate the truck's outlets without all this hassle.

 

[kayak1]

I considered installing the Ford Home Integration System to use my truck as a backup power source. However, the total cost estimate was $17K — $6K for adding an additional 100A service from the utility pole, and the remainder for Ford's system. Given that power outages occur only once or twice a year in my area, the expense didn't justify the convenience. I live in the Bay Area.

During power outages, I typically use extension cords to backfeed my refrigerator and other critical equipment, like lights in the evening. While this setup is inconvenient, it's manageable. The main drawback is that I have to keep the truck running continuously to supply power, which involves turning off the HVAC, lights, and disabling auto shut down—a cumbersome process. It would be much more convenient to activate the truck's outlets without all this hassle.

If you have current software on the truck, you can set Pro Power to run when the truck is off; thus, it's not cumbersome.

 

[Revenge]

If you have current software on the truck, you can set Pro Power to run when the truck is off; thus, it's not cumbersome.

Which software version allows this?

 

[Runaway Tractor]

If you have current software on the truck, you can set Pro Power to run when the truck is off; thus, it's not cumbersome.

There no actual definition of "current software" due to the fluster cluck of modules. So can you be a little more specific?

 

[GDN]

I considered installing the Ford Home Integration System to use my truck as a backup power source. However, the total cost estimate was $17K — $6K for adding an additional 100A service from the utility pole, and the remainder for Ford's system. Given that power outages occur only once or twice a year in my area, the expense didn't justify the convenience. I live in the Bay Area.

During power outages, I typically use extension cords to backfeed my refrigerator and other critical equipment, like lights in the evening. While this setup is inconvenient, it's manageable. The main drawback is that I have to keep the truck running continuously to supply power, which involves turning off the HVAC, lights, and disabling auto shut down—a cumbersome process. It would be much more convenient to activate the truck's outlets without all this hassle.

The Home Integration system is definitely another option, but I'm not proposing that at all and from the problems I read about I wouldn't pay Ford $100 for it. The HIS is definitely not what I was suggesting.

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