Using portable charger daily?

JRT · Aug 17, 2023

I'm moving up to an XLT ER from my 2021 MME standard range in a few months. I've had the portable plugged in 24 / 7 and almost always daily charge at night the MME with 0 issues. I'm plan to stick with the same setup with the XLT, but curious if others are using the 240v portable daily with the bigger battery?

Maquis · Aug 17, 2023

The EVSE can’t tell anything about the battery it’s charging. Everything will behave the same, except it will take longer to get the same % charge.

Several folks have had problems with the mobile charger, but it isn’t clear that more use = more problems. Some never worked from the beginning, others failed later at various points.

COrocket · Aug 17, 2023

I’m using the portable charger as my daily. It’s worked fine so far and never failed, but sometimes overheats when it’s really warm outside and the charge rate slows. If yours has been working for the Mach-E then it’ll work fine with the Lightning since the cord is pushing the same amount of power regardless of vehicle.

Just be aware that the Lightning charges at about 15 mph instead of the 20 mph that you are used to with the Mach E using the portable charger. This is due to the larger battery needed for similar range. If 15 mph is suitable then I don’t see a reason to upgrade.

Jseis · Aug 17, 2023

I did with our MME (daily at 240 V) and it died at 40K miles/18 months. Red light of death. I charge the truck on a CP Home Flex and the wife’s MME on 120 V mobile. Probably last longer.

Pod · Aug 17, 2023

I use my AmpRoad portable charger every day on 110v. Works like a charm. My commute makes it so I can charge once a month over the weekend or day to day if I want to keep level up. I love it.

JRT · Aug 17, 2023

Nice feedback, our normal use is probably just commuting. We like the MME, but range and space are an issue if it is more then myself and wife and we have a tight schedule. I feel pretty comfortable in EV for sure but no way I'm getting ride of our Challenger GT.

mattskr · Aug 17, 2023

Been using the portable since I got the truck. I don’t charge daily but hasn’t failed once.

WildBlue · Aug 18, 2023

Pod said:
I use my AmpRoad portable charger every day on 110v. Works like a charm. My commute makes it so I can charge once a month over the weekend or day to day if I want to keep level up. I love it.

I recently bought one of these to store in the truck (when mine arrives). I have been using it to charge my other EV as a test and agree, it's working great! Best part is my local utility sent me a check covering most of the cost of it as well!

Adventureboy · Aug 18, 2023

I used the Ford charger daily on my wife's MME without any issues - zero failures. It charges at 30 Amps.
I use a portable adjustable current EVSE from EV-Chargers.com on my Lightning. This gives me 40 Amps when I need it and lower if the supply lines only provide limited amperage. The Ford charger will kick out a 30 amp breaker (rightfully so) and the EV-Charger can be set to 24 Amps to safely use a 30 Amp circuit. To be fair, the EVSE has kicked out twice in 6 months on an unknown fault on one outlet that I use, otherwise, it has been good.

Jseis · Aug 18, 2023

JRT said:
Nice feedback, our normal use is probably just commuting. We like the MME, but range and space are an issue if it is more then myself and wife and we have a tight schedule. I feel pretty comfortable in EV for sure but no way I'm getting ride of our Challenger GT.

The LT will bury just about any stock muscle car in the 1/4 mile which still astounds me. If you took off the tailgate, pulled the back seat/front passenger. Emptied the wash resevoir and I don’t what tires? But maybe a drag radial? I bet it would run high 11’s. just crazy. I get passed by Mustang/Challengers/big V8 trucks/diesels. They’ve no clue. I respect your passion to the wailing ICE big blocks. Quaint.

kbuicker · Aug 18, 2023

I used mine for about the first year of ownership. Closed garage and temps well over 100 everyday. It worked flawlessly. I only stopped using it in order to keep it in the truck with me.

Peddyr · Aug 18, 2023

I used mine for the first 7 months that I had it, charging daily because of my long commute. Come July, I was tired of the slow charge rate when the weather got into the 90's so I bought an Emporia which has been great. I'm selling the portable, though so far there has been zero interest in it, so I might just keep it as a backup in the truck.