How fast is charger come with MME?

[06VistaGT]

So the real question is: do you want all the other bells & whistles that the Ford charger comes with and is that worth the $$ to you?

For me, at least, the wall mounted charger also "frees up" the included portable charger to keep it in car all the time. Probably not a big deal for most, but I like the comfort of knowing I won't forget the charger when going on a trip (i.e.camping).

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[JamieGeek]

For me, at least, the wall mounted charger also "frees up" the included portable charger to keep it in car all the time. Probably not a big deal for most, but I like the comfort of knowing I won't forget the charger when going on a trip (i.e.camping).

If thats all you want then there are less expensive options than Ford's connected charger.

(Personally I have 3 extra EVSE's laying around so....)

 

[Ponypower50]

Question:
Is a NEMA 15-50 outlet the same as a electric dryer?
Thanks

 

[JamieGeek]

Question:
Is a NEMA 15-50 outlet the same as a electric dryer?
Thanks

LOL that is a typo, should be 14-50.

 

[dbsb3233]

If thats all you want then there are less expensive options than Ford's connected charger.

(Personally I have 3 extra EVSE's laying around so....)

Which raises the question... what's the best-fit 3rd party charger for the Mach-e? There's probably already a thread on this (I'll go look), but I wasn't paying much attention to that issue as I just planned to use the included charger. Now I might consider one so I can leave that in the car.

What features should we be looking at when shopping for chargers (other than power level and J1772 connector)? Should we care about data/status connectivitity and compatibility with the car and/or smartphone, or will we simply use it as a dumb extension cord (so to speak) and do any monitoring/scheduling through the car's software and smartphone app?

Amazon has off-brand (probably Chinese) 32A chargers for as low as $279, and a bunch around $350. The "name-brands" like Juicebox and Clipper Creek are $hundreds more.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Which raises the question... what's the best-fit 3rd party charger for the Mach-e? There's probably already a thread on this.

Yes:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/do-we-absolutely-need-a-wall-charger-at-home.694/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...hen-diy-installing-a-wall-charger-outlet.613/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...-home-preparation-and-installing-charger.610/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/ford-charger-for-mach-e.365/

 

[dbsb3233]

Yes:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/do-we-absolutely-need-a-wall-charger-at-home.694/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...hen-diy-installing-a-wall-charger-outlet.613/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...-home-preparation-and-installing-charger.610/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/ford-charger-for-mach-e.365/

I was thinking more specifics on exact charger manufactures/models, not the wiring and general charging stuff. I've read most of those already (although that last thread is really long so there might be some in there I missed). There's a couple of passing references to charger manufacturers but not really what I was looking for.

I'll scan through that longer one again, but might start a thread on discussion of specific chargers.

 

[macchiaz-o]

I was thinking more specifics on exact charger manufactures/models, not the wiring and general charging stuff.

I'd narrow the field to chargers that are UL listed or Intertek tested. That eliminates most options sold on Amazon, for instance.

Wi-Fi or similar smart features seem pretty unnecessary to me, since the car is in control of the charging anyway, and has more "data" about what's going on.

 

[ajmartineau]

My thoughts about going bigger.
I went with a 50amp breaker when I only needed 40amp for the 32amp Blink charger I choose to install. I figured I might need more later and it wasn't really that much more money. (I had 3 of the 4 wires on hand, leftover from a furnace install, which helped me choose the max power of the outlet I installed.) Now I wish I had gone to 60amp. I also thought about other uses. I placed the NEMA 14-50 outlet in my driveway where 2 cars could easily access it while parked or even an RV.
I will probably end up using the portable Ford charger for a while to see what my needs are as life is always changing. My oldest is "going off" to college in September. I'm not sure what that will end up looking like. My guess is that I will end up getting a cheap 16-32 amp charger to leave plugged in with my electric dryer. Right now I will be charging the MME less than once per week so I'm in no rush to install anything.

Everyone's situation is different so all the advice on this thread will be of a different value to every person that reads it. I hope that my experience of planning and installing will help someone.

 

[macchiaz-o]

My guess is that I will end up getting a cheap 16-32 amp charger to leave plugged in with my electric dryer.

Check the circuit first... The dryer circuit is typically rated for 30A, which means EV charging at 24A max. And must not run dryer and vehicle charging at the same time.

 

[JamieGeek]

I was thinking more specifics on exact charger manufactures/models, not the wiring and general charging stuff. I've read most of those already (although that last thread is really long so there might be some in there I missed). There's a couple of passing references to charger manufacturers but not really what I was looking for.

I'll scan through that longer one again, but might start a thread on discussion of specific chargers.

I'd have to agree: Go with a UL listed or Intertek tested.

Electrons are electrons are electrons. All the "chargers" (EVSEs) are basically just a big GFCI circuit--the car handles the charging. All these boxes do is:

• Report back how much current they can supply and
• Break the connection if there is a fault

Anything else is just extra$ that the car is already doing (measuring how much, scheduling, etc.).

I use all 3 EVSE's I have interchangedly on all the plugin cars I've had (Focus Electric, C-Max Energi, and Bolt) in addition I've used them on a relative's Model S. (4 if you count the one that came with the car--but they have all been Level-1's so I don't use them; the Bolt's is still in its plastic! LOL)

 

[dbsb3233]

I'd have to agree: Go with a UL listed or Intertek tested.

Electrons are electrons are electrons. All the "chargers" (EVSEs) are basically just a big GFCI circuit--the car handles the charging.

That's kinda what I figured too, that we should just consider the charger as little more than a "dumb extension cord" (as I termed it) rather than feeling the need to pay for any extra features or smartphone monitoring or any of that kind of stuff, and just let the car do all that.

Cool. That means as long as it's a safe, dependable charger, none of the rest really matters. And we can save a few $hundred just going with a basic charger.

 

[timbop]

While it is not necessary for WIFI connectivity or "smart" features in the EVSE, I would avoid the cheapo stuff on Amazon. It may say it is UL certified, but that is often not actually true. Over the years I've been through the mill with cheap tools, cheap glasses, cheap camera gear, cheap lawnmowers, etc and EVERY SINGLE time it ended up costing me more money because I had to replace the junk that broke or just plain didn't work well.

It's a $50,000+ car - you don't have to get an $800 EVSE, but get something from a an established/legitimate manufacturer to avoid heartache later. Clipper creek and others make "dumb" EVSE (particularly in the 32A and below category) that are mid priced ($300 - $500) and sufficient for inside a garage (ie not ruggedly weatherproof, but not junk). Do yourself a favor and don't cheap out.

 

[JamieGeek]

Yup: "EVSE's are us" LOL

Here are my 3 on the wall:

• Bosch: This guy is an older model and was originally sold by SPX for the Volt. I have it set for 32 amps (20ft cord)
• Clipper Creek: This is an LCS-25P max 20 amps. I leave this guy in the car with a 14-50 adapter for campgrounds (25ft cord)
• JuiceBox: Also set to 32 amps, this only has a 4ft cord on it (orange one) so I only use it when I can park the car right next to it

Here are the 4 J1772 plugs (the Ford plug was for the Level-1 that came with the Focus Electric).
From Left to right:

• Bosch
• Clipper Creek
• JuiceBox
• Ford

If I were buying one now for the Mach-E I would definately consider a Clipper Creek unit. They are solid and perform well.

 

[zhackwyatt]

While it is not necessary for WIFI connectivity or "smart" features in the EVSE, I would avoid the cheapo stuff on Amazon. It may say it is UL certified, but that is often not actually true. Over the years I've been through the mill with cheap tools, cheap glasses, cheap camera gear, cheap lawnmowers, etc and EVERY SINGLE time it ended up costing me more money because I had to replace the junk that broke or just plain didn't work well.

It's a $50,000+ car - you don't have to get an $800 EVSE, but get something from a an established/legitimate manufacturer to avoid heartache later. Clipper creek and others make "dumb" EVSE (particularly in the 32A and below category) that are mid priced ($300 - $500) and sufficient for inside a garage (ie not ruggedly weatherproof, but not junk). Do yourself a favor and don't cheap out.

Agree. I'm still trying to figure out if Grizzl-E is cheapening out or not. $419 vs an equivalent Clipper Creek @ $659. I'm pretty sure it is actually rated and not just claimed to be. I only need 32A so I could drop down to the more portable designed Clipper Creek @ $520 (you have to spend an extra $36 to get a holster and a separate cable wrap. Not as nice cable management as the $419 Grizzle-E since it isn't all integrated. I could stay at 32A and upgrade to a non-portable type for better cable management, but then we are talking $589).

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