Which home charger?

[RickMachE]

Consumers Energy gives rebates on JuiceBox (top of 2nd page). Here is the approved list: https://www.consumersenergy.com/-/media/CE/Documents/pev/approved-chargers.ashx

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[heisnuts]

I bought a charger for my home so the one that came with the car can be kept in the car as a travel charger. I do not need it to fail and leave me stranded. It's worth having a faster charger and keeping the one from Ford as a spare. It's also hard wired, so no nema outlet, but can see the appeal of an outlet to some. I don't see why anyone would not buy a dedicated charger for the home and have a dedicated travel one, except maybe if they never go over 100 miles round trip and have lots of near by public chargers. Not many public chargers in my area, and I travel over 100 miles frequently.

Definitely worth checking with your utility company. In order to sign up to get better time of day pricing, I had to get an approved charger that they could monitor. So, it's not just the rebate, but ongoing cost savings for TOD electricity rates.

The problem with using the Ford charger as a travel charger is that you still need a 240V plug if you want any kind of level 2 charging, which can be hard to find easily accessible in the US.

While there is nothing wrong with having a charger hardwired, doing so makes it harder to swap it out if it fails and when moving to another location.

 

[delacruz.c5d]

I personally have the ChargePoint Home Flex. Had an electrician cannibalize an unused range circuit, upgraded to 60 amps, and installed my EVSE hardwired (48A available). So far, it's been smooth as silk for these last two days.

(runs over to some wood and knocks on it...rapidly and aggressively)

Also, I made the personal decision that I want to keep the Ford mobile cord in the car at all times. Like a previous post stated, there was a fed tax credit available to help offset some of the costs of home installed EVSE, so I figured...what the heck...do it.

Honestly, the nicest thing about the ChargePoint is the charge graph. Data fascinates me in the dumbest way possible:

I was charging to 100%, and at roughly 8:00 PM, you can see the power drop. That's when the car passed 90% SOC, and the charger in the car slowed down the power draw started to trickle charge/evened out the cells in the pack, or at least, that's what I think is going on.

Other than that, in a way, it's overkill. I use the scheduling in the car (recommended by many in the forum), and not in the smart EVSE because it can become a dueling banjo situation. The ChargePoint is in a garage, so I "SHOULDN'T" have to worry about a rogue car coming up to my EVSE and siphoning off some free electrons (But come to think of it, I don't think the ChargePoint has endpoint security like that either). My guess is that if you don't care about all of the fancy data graphs and tracking, then a simple EVSE without any connectivity will probably be just fine.

Of course, that's assuming correct installation, UL rating, etc. etc.

Happy EV motoring!

 

[Glen Boise]

Maybe it is time for the Mach-E Forum to establish a FAQ page. It would help new comers asking the same questions repeatedly. Though, Forum members are good about giving good advice. Most of us are slightly more experienced as EV owners.
Install a dedicated 240v/50 amp circuit at your Mach-E parking place. Do not accept less than 50 amps from your electrician.
Try the provided Ford EVSE. It worked for me.
Eventually, I found it was a hassle to get it out of the trunk, plug in and, later, unplug the proper input cable, and deal with avoiding the output cable, laying on the floor creating a tripping hazard.
I bought a ChargifyEV 40 amp EVSE. It has a nearly 3 foot long input cable. It was needed because my old, one car garage has all of the wall space filled with hooks and shelves for yard maintenance stuff and other stuff. It is a basic unit without the fancy Wi-Fi stuff.
(In Indiana, we do not have any of the incentives you read about available in other states.)
In addition, there are dedicated channels on YouTube that may help inform you on your options. Like Tom Mouloughney's channel, where he reviews and rates EVSE's. (The best advice I received from watching YouTube, when I was deciding on buying my Mach-E, addressed "range anxiety". The commentator suggested choosing the car battery size that fit your "normal" driving patterns. If you only drive long distances once or twice a year, then why buy and carry around a bigger, heavier battery, if the smaller battery will meet your normal needs.)
So, welcome to the Forum. We, Mach-E owners, are, in many ways, the second generation of EV owners. We benefit from the efforts of the pioneering "early adopters". Some of whom are on the Forum. Yet, we still have issues, like the lack of enough high speed DC fast chargers, and still relatively slow charging speeds compared to pumping gas.
Good Luck

 

[DudleyNigel]

Maybe it is time for the Mach-E Forum to establish a FAQ page. It would help new comers asking the same questions repeatedly. Though, Forum members are good about giving good advice. Most of us are slightly more experienced as EV owners.
Install a dedicated 240v/50 amp circuit at your Mach-E parking place. Do not accept less than 50 amps from your electrician.
Try the provided Ford EVSE. It worked for me.
Eventually, I found it was a hassle to get it out of the trunk, plug in and, later, unplug the proper input cable, and deal with avoiding the output cable, laying on the floor creating a tripping hazard.
I bought a ChargifyEV 40 amp EVSE. It has a nearly 3 foot long input cable. It was needed because my old, one car garage has all of the wall space filled with hooks and shelves for yard maintenance stuff and other stuff. It is a basic unit without the fancy Wi-Fi stuff.
(In Indiana, we do not have any of the incentives you read about available in other states.)
In addition, there are dedicated channels on YouTube that may help inform you on your options. Like Tom Mouloughney's channel, where he reviews and rates EVSE's. (The best advice I received from watching YouTube, when I was deciding on buying my Mach-E, addressed "range anxiety". The commentator suggested choosing the car battery size that fit your "normal" driving patterns. If you only drive long distances once or twice a year, then why buy and carry around a bigger, heavier battery, if the smaller battery will meet your normal needs.)
So, welcome to the Forum. We, Mach-E owners, are, in many ways, the second generation of EV owners. We benefit from the efforts of the pioneering "early adopters". Some of whom are on the Forum. Yet, we still have issues, like the lack of enough high speed DC fast chargers, and still relatively slow charging speeds compared to pumping gas.
Good Luck

I would agree with the first point. I haven't frequented this site until the last few days since I was still going back on forth on if we were going to for sure keep the car.

I will say since this question is frequently asked I appreciate everyone answering in a friendly way! Had this been reddit it probably would be a different outcome.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Maquis]

The problem with using the Ford charger as a travel charger is that you still need a 240V plug if you want any kind of level 2 charging, which can be hard to find easily accessible in the US.

I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make here. By definition, level 2 charging is 240V. It has nothing to with the FMC.

 

[BadgerGreg]

I'm going to give a minority opinion on this one. I have a ChargePoint Home Flex, but I have had a terrible experience with the reliability of the WiFi component. Although the unit never fails to provide a charge, I have had the WiFi connectivty crap out THREE times already and have had my unit replaced each time (I'm on my fourth unit now).

I'm going to give ChargePoint credit for good customer service, and they've worked with me to troubleshoot and then promptly FedEx'd me replacement units (all under warranty). That said, I'm wary of their hardware quality and if my unit fails again I'm going to ask for my money back and go with another vendor.

 

[islandboystan]

Have you asked yourself first what you are looking for from a charger? Unless you are getting a rebate that greatly reduces the cost of the charger, I don’t see why anyone Would need to buy another charger for the home. You will want a nema 14-50 240V outlet installed where you plan on parking the MME, but other than that I don’t see the $700 advantage of having an additional charger. Yes, some of the “smart” chargers offer a few more features than the Ford standard charger, but I don’t know if these features really justify the $700 cost.

My plan is to have a nema 14-50 240V outlet installed in the garage and try using that first. Then if that doesn’t seem to be working I will look into what charger will help fix what I am missing from the standard charger.

Hello all. I’m still waiting on mine but also looking into something faster level one (120v). I found a product called SPLITVOLT splitter. It’s a simple product that just replaces your 240 v dryer hookup in carport/garage with this device. Now you can replay the dryer in one outlet and your EV in the other. WHAM! It’s a smart device and will not allow you to run both. It’s sounds like a great product and will save you money. Hope this helps. ?

 

[RickMachE]

Hello all. I’m still waiting on mine but also looking into something faster level one (120v). I found a product called SPLITVOLT splitter. It’s a simple product that just replaces your 240 v dryer hookup in carport/garage with this device. Now you can replay the dryer in one outlet and your EV in the other. WHAM! It’s a smart device and will not allow you to run both. It’s sounds like a great product and will save you money. Hope this helps. ?

If the device doesn't limit amperage, then no - it cannot be used. The Mach-E's portable charger draws 32amps, and needs a 40amp breaker. It cannot be cut back in amperage. If this device comes with its own charger that limits one to 30amps, i.e. 24 amps of working power, then it would work.

 

[GW Shark]

I went with a refurbished Grizzl-e Classic with a 24' cable (regular diameter - which is very substantial). They have one at their site now for $409. The build quality and weatherproofing is excellent. No need for a smart charger as the MME can control start and end times. Also got the $14.95 lock, as mine is mounted outside. Excellent value and charges faster than the included charger (32 vs 40 amp).

 

[jlauro]

If the device doesn't limit amperage, then no - it cannot be used. The Mach-E's portable charger draws 32amps, and needs a 40amp breaker. It cannot be cut back in amperage. If this device comes with its own charger that limits one to 30amps, i.e. 24 amps of working power, then it would work.

The Mach-E only draws 30amps (unless there are multiple reversions). Originally they were stating 32 but I think all are 30 amp. Anyways, what makes you think he doesn't have a 40amp (or more) breaker on the existing dryer hookup? If he does, then this is a good way to save from having to add a new circuit.

 

[RickMachE]

The Mach-E only draws 30amps (unless there are multiple reversions). Originally they were stating 32 but I think all are 30 amp. Anyways, what makes you think he doesn't have a 40amp (or more) breaker on the existing dryer hookup? If he does, then this is a good way to save from having to add a new circuit.

Because the breaker is supposed to be sized properly, and electric dryers use 10 - 30 amps, with 30 the most common. But hey, maybe I'm wrong.

 

[jlauro]

Because the breaker is supposed to be sized properly, and electric dryers use 10 - 30 amps, with 30 the most common. But hey, maybe I'm wrong.

NEC requires a minimum of 30 amps for dryers (no 10-25), and typical size for dryer circuit is 30-50 AMP. Perhaps some time in the distant past dryer circuits could be smaller.

That said, if there is only a 30 amp circuit it will be a problem, but if it's a 50 amp he should be good to use it.

 

[Guppydriver]

I'll piggyback off this thread a little..

Anyone know of any progress or momentum to extend the Federal Tax credit for installing an approved EVSE into calendar year 2022?

I have a MME premium just ordered last week, so just started examining options.....

 

[RickMachE]

I'll piggyback off this thread a little..

Anyone know of any progress or momentum to extend the Federal Tax credit for installing an approved EVSE into calendar year 2022?

I have a MME premium just ordered last week, so just started examining options.....

It expired. There is zero chance it will be extended, because there are bigger things they're trying to push, including new incentives. IMO...

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