Do we absolutely need a wall charger at home?

[dbsb3233]

https://greentransportation.info/ev.../chap8-tech/electric-car-extension-cords.html

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[ClaudeMach-E]

Other things to consider: Make sure the outlet is in good shape. If it's kinda worn with contacts that have loosened and doesn't hold the plug well, replace it with a new one.

Also, avoid having much else plugged in and in use on the same circuit.

One article I found says the Ford Mobile Charger used at 120V draws 8A. That's not a huge draw on a 15A or 20A circuit, but it is constant (probably 8+ hours). So anything not well-oversized will gradually break down from some heat build-up. Even though it may be rated safe for general use.

If I needed to use an extension cord for 120V, I'd go as short as possible and probably get 10 gauge (and of course UL listed).

If I'm not mistaken the Ford Mobile Charger can do 8A on 15 amp circuit on the 120V and possibly 8A to 32A on the 240V, it is a variable output capable charger selectable from the Ford Pass app or the car itself.

https://electrek.co/2019/11/18/ford-mustang-mach-e-home-charging-on-par-with-tesla/

 

[macchiaz-o]

If I'm not mistaken the Ford Mobile Charger can do 8A on 15 amp circuit on the 120V and possibly 8A to 32A on the 240V, it is a variable output capable charger selectable from the Ford Pass app or the car itself.

https://electrek.co/2019/11/18/ford-mustang-mach-e-home-charging-on-par-with-tesla/

The in-car settings (and maybe the app) can be used to limit charging with any J1772 charger, not just Ford's charger.

With the mobile charge cord, there's additionally a maximum limiter built into the charger-to-wall-receptacle pigtail. Ford is including two pigtails for North American customers. I really like this solution -- it's safer and simpler than software-based limiters (à la ChargePoint).

One pigtail is for a typical household outlet (120V NEMA 5-15). I think it allows the vehicle to receive up to 12A, but maybe it will be limited to only 8A. Need to read the user manuals to verify.

The other pigtail is for a modern, typical electric oven/range outlet (240V NEMA 14-50). This one limits charging to 32A, which is the fastest rate supported by this mobile charger.

Tesla includes a very similar mobile charger with their new vehicles. They include only the 120V trickle pigtail, but they sell the additional pigtails for a reasonable price. Since I've already got 240V 20A circuits available in my garage, I'm hoping to find out that Ford will follow suit. So far, no details have been published.

 

[Gilles]

On my Volt, you can select 8 amps of 12 amps. With a short extension cord, 8 amps work fine. I have used that at our marina, but at home I have a 30 amps 22V circuit (using a 25 amps adapter). This gives me about 12 miles per hour of charge. Recently, I have seen splitting units you can use with a cloth dryer. The car only charges when te dryer is not in use.

 

[JamieGeek]

On my Volt, you can select 8 amps of 12 amps. With a short extension cord, 8 amps work fine. I have used that at our marina, but at home I have a 30 amps 22V circuit (using a 25 amps adapter). This gives me about 12 miles per hour of charge. Recently, I have seen splitting units you can use with a cloth dryer. The car only charges when te dryer is not in use.

The Bolt also allows you to select 8 or 12 amps when charging via Level-1 (120V).

 

[ChasingCoral]

Other things to consider: Make sure the outlet is in good shape. If it's kinda worn with contacts that have loosened and doesn't hold the plug well, replace it with a new one.

Also, avoid having much else plugged in and in use on the same circuit.

One article I found says the Ford Mobile Charger used at 120V draws 8A. That's not a huge draw on a 15A or 20A circuit, but it is constant (probably 8+ hours). So anything not well-oversized will gradually break down from some heat build-up. Even though it may be rated safe for general use.

If I needed to use an extension cord for 120V, I'd go as short as possible and probably get 10 gauge (and of course UL listed).

Remember: longer extension cords need to be heavier gauge (lower number).

 

[janitorjim]

Remember: longer extension cords need to be heavier gauge (lower number).

again with the fuzzy math

 

[ChasingCoral]

again with the fuzzy math

I'm not an electrician but I recall resistance increases with the length of run.

 

[dbsb3233]

Remember: longer extension cords need to be heavier gauge (lower number).

Thus "short as possible", as I said.

 

[janitorjim]

I'm not an electrician but I recall resistance increases with the length of run.

heavier gauge (lower number) just wearing out the joke

 

[GregM]

I have an electrian at my house today helping with a renovation and will be installing my 14-50 outlet - I am doing a 14-50 outlet on a 60 amp breaker - using the 60 amp since I may or may not upgrade to the home charger at a later date, at the moment, I plan to just use the mobile charger that comes with the car.

Does anyone know how I should orient the outlet based on the how the plug is oriented on the mobile charger?

thank you

 

[dbsb3233]

Does anyone know how I should orient the outlet based on the how the plug is oriented on the mobile charger?

It appears the round ground connector is probably on the top (assuming you want the mobile charger hanging down).

https://www.ford.com/powertrains/battery-electric-vehicles/

https://electrek.co/2019/11/18/ford-mustang-mach-e-home-charging-on-par-with-tesla/

Note however that picture in the 2nd link appears to just be a rendering, not a picture of the actual mobile charger. So it's not 100% definitive.

 

[GregM]

It appears the round ground connector is probably on the top (assuming you want the mobile charger hanging down).

https://www.ford.com/powertrains/battery-electric-vehicles/

https://electrek.co/2019/11/18/ford-mustang-mach-e-home-charging-on-par-with-tesla/

Note however that picture in the 2nd link appears to just be a rendering, not a picture of the actual mobile charger. So it's not 100% definitive.

Yes, that is what I have seen too, so I didn't know if this was actually/final how it would orient.

And Yes, hanging down is how I would like it to be.

In the electrek article you posted, I thought the picture was of the actual charger - goes to show how my eyes cant tell the difference between real and a rendering

 

[macchiaz-o]

I have an electrian at my house today helping with a renovation and will be installing my 14-50 outlet - I am doing a 14-50 outlet on a 60 amp breaker - using the 60 amp since I may or may not upgrade to the home charger at a later date, at the moment, I plan to just use the mobile charger that comes with the car.

Does anyone know how I should orient the outlet based on the how the plug is oriented on the mobile charger?

thank you

Greg,

New video that @hybrid2bev posted: https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...ustang-mach-e-video-from-ford.1447/post-36096

Definitely check that out ASAP. It shows the plug's pin orientation.

 

[GregM]

Yes, that is what I have seen too, so I didn't know if this was actually/final how it would orient.

And Yes, hanging down is how I would like it to be.

Greg,

New video that @hybrid2bev posted: https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...ustang-mach-e-video-from-ford.1447/post-36096

Definitely check that out ASAP. It shows the plug's pin orientation.

Thanks - I got the outlet orientation correct (round ground plug on top), but now confused about the added benefits that comes with purchasing the charger...like the two year comp fast charging....wow, decisions decisions

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