Hey Ford, can you please add a way to set the charge rate?

[babgvant]

Many EVs have a way to set the charge rate on the car. There are a few reasons why this is desirable, but for me the main one is that it makes it easier to use different plug/EVSE/cable combos without needing to jump through hoops.

For e.g., I am planning to buy a 40A portable EVSE to replace the 32A one that Ford supplies. The problem is that unless I get an adjustable EVSE, I will lose the ability to charge on circuits that are spec'd for 32A. This narrows the pool of candidates significantly, mostly to one (the Shell) because I'm not sure I want to roll the dice on the others that are out there.

Another e.g. is that I bought a J1772 extension cable that is rated at 40A (mostly for flexibility when traveling, but also as an anti-ICE'g measure). I haven't had a chance to see what happens if I plug it into my 48A home charger yet. I suspect that it will be fine, the thing weighs ~20lb, but it would be nice to be able to have the car enforce a 40A limit assuming the cable isn't doing some magic to limit it for me.

So Ford, if you're listening, pretty please! I bet F-150 owners would also like this feature

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[dml105]

Can you clarify? The car is variable, and the EVSEs tell the car how much charge they can deliver. So don’t you need a variable evse?

 

[babgvant]

The simplest use case is with NEMA 14-50 outlets. You can back that with wiring and breaker for 40A or 50A. No problem if I use the stock 32A EVSE, but if I have an 14-50 outlet at home that can do 40A so I would like to buy a portable EVSE that will take advantage of those extra Amps. If I take that on the road to speed up charge times, I need to be really careful about what I plug it into, and won't be able to on a 40A setup, unless it's adjustable.

Another use case would be using the stock 32A EVSE on a lower rated receptacle with a plug adapter. It's not currently possible to do that, unless I want to start a fire .

Adjustable EVSE are more expensive, and harder to find. There are several options out there on eBay/Alibaba/or small websites that look like they were designed in the early days of Internet commerce, but I'm only aware of one that I'm comfortable buying (the Shell one), and it's $500.

Negotiating currant happens in a very basic conversation between the car and EVSE, either party can manage it. Unless Ford did something really wonky in the Mach-E it should be possible for them to add the feature. Many EVs have it, would be nice if the Mach-E did as well.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Can you clarify? The car is variable, and the EVSEs tell the car how much charge they can deliver. So don’t you need a variable evse?

Simple. The car's charging rate is currently determined by the EVSE. That means it will charge at the maximum rate the EVSE allows.

What if you have a 32A EVSE like the Ford Mobile Power Cord but are plugging into a 30A outlet using an adapter. There is no way to charge at only 24A (max allowed on a 30A circuit).

Many EVs, like Tesla, have an option in the car's controls (think Sync 4a screen) to set the maximum charging rate for a session. This could be an option on the programmable charging controls right next to the maximum SOC.

 

[generaltso]

I'm only aware of one that I'm comfortable buying (the Shell one)

Not sure I'd trust the Shell one either.

 

[joebruin77]

I have a 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance and also have a 2022 MME GT on order. I would like the ability to lower the amp charge rate on the MME so that, if I am charging both cars at the same time, I am not over taxing the electrical system. So for example, if both cars are set to charge at a maximum of 25 amps, I am only using 50 amps total.

 

[QuRace]

.

I second that, although in my case, the horse is already through the barn doors...

I bought a very nice, adjustable, mobile charging unit made in Switzerland: Juice Booster 2. Not sure whether it's available in the US, though. And it was approx 900€...

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[babgvant]

Not sure I'd trust the Shell one either.

I've seen the review. Not what I'd expect from a $500 EVSE (or really anything). The UL thing is interesting though because there is UL verbiage in the Amazon product page. I asked Shell about that a few days ago, but haven't heard back. Comfort != trust

 

[JamieGeek]

My solution: Buy a 16amp EVSE. I can pretty much plug that in anywhere.

Very few 240V plugs have a breaker that small.

Sure its pretty slow but when I use it I'm likely at a campground or on vacation where the car isn't driven that much.

 

[generaltso]

I've seen the review. Not what I'd expect from a $500 EVSE (or really anything). The UL thing is interesting though because there is UL verbiage in the Amazon product page. I asked Shell about that a few days ago, but haven't heard back. Comfort != trust

This one isn't UL listed either, but it has been working great for me:

Amazon.com: Couplago ,40 AMP (9.6 KW)- Dual Voltage -240V/120V, EV Charging Station - Level 2- EVSE- Charger for Electric Vehicles, You Set The AMPS- 40 AMP, 24 AMP or 12 AMP - 14-50R to 5-15P /120V Adapter : Automotive

 

[WNKent]

I have a 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance and also have a 2022 MME GT on order. I would like the ability to lower the amp charge rate on the MME so that, if I am charging both cars at the same time, I am not over taxing the electrical system. So for example, if both cars are set to charge at a maximum of 25 amps, I am only using 50 amps total.

We have a model Y and a Mach on the way, we upgraded our level 2 Tesla charger to gen 3 and then added an additional one for the Mach-E, on the opposing side of the garage and they communicate via wifi and load share, so no danger of overloading the house, which also load shares, in favor of the house. I think we're covered.

 

[babgvant]

I'd prefer to have

This one isn't UL listed either, but it has been working great for me:

Amazon.com: Couplago ,40 AMP (9.6 KW)- Dual Voltage -240V/120V, EV Charging Station - Level 2- EVSE- Charger for Electric Vehicles, You Set The AMPS- 40 AMP, 24 AMP or 12 AMP - 14-50R to 5-15P /120V Adapter : Automotive

I was looking at that one, think it's sold under a few brands. The thing I didn't like about it is that I give up 32A. Not sure how much of a problem that is out in the wild.

 

[ZuleMME]

Yep it' s just pathetic that the Mach-E doesn't allow a user to manually configure the maximum charge rate the car should draw. Useful for all sorts of instances where you might find a public charger thats limited, or a campground that's limited, or heck even a house installation that's limited or being shared. Yes in the worst case you should only blow a breaker. But this is obviously electronically controlled already as the car takes the pilot rate max charge rate and uses it VERY well. Why not make a user controlled slider to change that same thing.

I use a OpenEVSE at home to allow this granular control in 1A increments. But it would be a very wise added feature for Ford to get this built in. And maybe not brick tens of thousands of cars with the OTA this time.

 

[AKgrampy]

I think the issue here is the car is wide open and it is up to you to set the charging speed separately. I can see lawsuits galore where someone sues a manufacturer because their car did not limit the charge rate and caused a fire! If this is an issue for you then you just need to purchase a mobile EVSE that is small enough to meet your concerns. Perhaps I am being too conservative.

 

[dml105]

Yep it' s just pathetic that the Mach-E doesn't allow a user to manually configure the maximum charge rate the car should draw. Useful for all sorts of instances where you might find a public charger thats limited, or a campground that's limited, or heck even a house installation that's limited or being shared.

That REALLY sounds to me like a problem with the EVSE, being rated to deliver more charge than the circuit it is on will allow. Isn't this the reason that most smart EVSE's don't let you select amperage with software, and make you use DIP switches instead?

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