Using portable generator to charge vehicle

[pmuck75]

I did an experiment yesterday to see if my portable generator (which can produce 240v with max 7500w) would charge my Flash using the mobile power cord. The truck would not charge - when I plugged in the mobile cord I got a red light then an orange light. Tried it on both the 240v and 120v generator outlets - same result. I connected the mobile cord to my 120v in the garage and it worked. Any thoughts on why the generator power wouldn't work but the house current would?

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[TMND]

Maybe not sine wave power? here’s a video of me using a little Honda knock off.

 

[pmuck75]

I figured that the power quality may have something to do with it - I have a smaller generator that only supplies 120v - have to give that one a try...

 

[luebri]

Correct. My understanding is you need to use an Inverter Generator to get the cleaner power.

 

[pmuck75]

Forgot to mention that I also tried a 120v charge cord that I had with my iD.4 - it worked on the generator to the Flash - must be that the Ford mobile cord is more power sensitive?

 

[StrikesTwice]

I remember watching a youtube video of someone charging their Tesla off of a portable generator. His portable charger wouldn’t charge either. I think it had something to do with the floating neutral of the generator. He had a plug with the wires connected that he used in one of the outlets of the generator. Afterwards, the Tesla started to charge.

 

[Maquis]

I remember watching a youtube video of someone charging their Tesla off of a portable generator. His portable charger wouldn’t charge either. I think it had something to do with the floating neutral of the generator. He had a plug with the wires connected that he used in one of the outlets of the generator. Afterwards, the Tesla started to charge.

Unless it had been modified, every portable generator has a bonded neutral. Also, charging an EV on 240V doesn’t use the neutral.

 

[StrikesTwice]

Unless it had been modified, every portable generator has a bonded neutral. Also, charging an EV on 240V doesn’t use the neutral.

This is the video I was referring to.

 

[potato]

With my cheapo generator, it won't charge unless I have some other load connected at the time I plug it in. Once it starts I can remove the extra load. I presume this smooths out the waveform a bit so the Lightning can recognize it. OBD dongle shows odd input voltage/frequency measurements without the load.

 

[pmuck75]

I'm not an electrician so I don't understand why the plug with the ground & neutral tied together with no load made the EV charge work!

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