FORD MOBILE CHARGER IS NOT MEANT FOR DAILY USE!!!

[Mysticcue1]

I was the same until I wasn't. 11 months went wonderfully for me. Got about 20 miles every hour. Suddenly I started getting amber error codes for reduced charging rate due to overheating. Happens about 5 minutes after plugging in, every single time.

Best part is it's almost impossible to get a replacement unit. Dealerships refuse to just replace it and insist it is software, but software updates won't install, so you're just in an endless loop. If mine completely fails I"m not sure what I'm going to do.

This exact issue ...was awesome for 10 months, then random amber light intermittent indication of overheating and slowing down charge. Woke up after plugging in at 20% to an 81% charge at 9AM using 240. I am currently going round and round with the dealer to replace. I did pick up a Juicebox 40a and it's noticably quicker to charge. I am now understanding the need for a back up plan so once it's replaced it will say with the car for travel use only.

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[RockwallRick]

I had an appointment with our local Ford dealer to take the FMC and car in to diagnose but then it started working again so I canceled out. With summer coming on and my Garage heating up I decided to go ahead and buy the Grizzle. So far so good but I have had to reset it a couple times.

 

[Stang68]

Looking back, my original post does look like a commercial. ?

But believe me, I, in no way shape or form, work for or are associated with Grizzl-e. Just think it's a great charger for the price. Very robust.

(Oh, and for the "it's not a 'charger' it's an EVSE" people, yes we know. Calm down. Just common informal nomenclature)

You don't miss any of the "smart" features other EVSEs use? I think the Grizzl-e is pretty basic, right?

 

[Burnsy8787]

This exact issue ...was awesome for 10 months, then random amber light intermittent indication of overheating and slowing down charge. Woke up after plugging in at 20% to an 81% charge at 9AM using 240. I am currently going round and round with the dealer to replace. I did pick up a Juicebox 40a and it's noticably quicker to charge. I am now understanding the need for a back up plan so once it's replaced it will say with the car for travel use only.

Yup, I'm also just going to buy a permanent one for my house. The sad reality is that the amount that I would have to spend on a rental car for the week that they have my car is significantly more than just buying a $500 charging unit.

There's a good chance I literally never take my Mach E to a dealership again. Almost certainly never getting the windows done, just based on how little they care. I fully expect significant damage to my car when I pick it up.

 

[JCHLi]

We all understand that these are not chargers, right?

Might cause some confusion with the name "Ford Mobile Charger"...

 

[bshaw]

There's a good chance I literally never take my Mach E to a dealership again.

Same. Going on 16 months of ownership (~9000 miles) and haven't taken the MME back to the dealership once.
If you use 1PD efficiently, and are not super-high mileage, I believe there's a chance the brakes last longer than the battery warranty (8-yrs).
Still need tire rotation / new tires, though you can get those done anywhere.

The home FDRS option got me through the OTA update delays, so I suppose if you're not up for using FDRS, then a dealership visit might still be in your future.

 

[Burnsy8787]

Same. Going on 16 months of ownership (~9000 miles) and haven't taken the MME back to the dealership once.
If you use 1PD efficiently, and are not super-high mileage, I believe there's a chance the brakes last longer than the battery warranty (8-yrs).
Still need tire rotation / new tires, though you can get those done anywhere.

The home FDRS option got me through the OTA update delays, so I suppose if you're not up for using FDRS, then a dealership visit might still be in your future.

Unfortunately I don't have most of that equipment and although I consider myself very tech savvy, I'd be scared of bricking my car. I managed to jailbreak xbox, iphones, psp, etc. as a 15 year old but something about bricking a $60k car sounds terrifying.

Truthfully I'd rather just not have the updates and live with it than take the very high risk of going to a dealership and them either holding my car for 2 weeks with nothing done to it, or bricking it completely. I cannot express how little faith I have in the dealerships by me.

 

[blkadr08]

I know, I konw, I know... then why do they give you a mount with it? I don't know, but I think the verdict is in. Look at this:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/ford-mobile-charger-intermittent-amber-warning-light.7066/

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...se-it-cannot-sustain-the-rated-32-amps.18001/

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/ford-supplied-charger-acting-up-what-to-do.18351/

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/yellow-light-on-mobile-charger.17938/

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/mobile-charger-not-working.17841/

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...er-and-dealer-software-updates-failing.17742/

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/mobile-charger.17591/

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/ford-mobile-charger-amber-light.17394/

And that's just a few.

My Grizzl-e showed up in the mail today. It's not even close. As soon as I unwrapped it and pulled it out of the box, I could tell the difference. The Ford Mobile Charger is not made for everyday use. Now, I know a Grizzl-e can handle "extreme conditions" so maybe they designed it a bit overkill, but seriously look at the size difference of the cables.

I think the verdict is in, the mobile charger is for the trunk, not the garage wall. Spread the word.

Terrible headline. This charger is obviously intended to charge the batteries when they need charging. Ford does not intend for MME owners to buy some other charger for daily use.

Are there aftermarket chargers that charge a little faster, or that are easier on the car’s batteries? Maybe. and are there anecdotal stories of problems with factory chargers? Probably, But that‘s a long way from establishing that they “are not intended for daily use” IMHO.

 

[Ming]

just dropped off my car at dealership, for the defective charger and 21P22 software update... the mobile charger is not labelled "use less than 2 hours a week" other manufacturers (tesla etc.) have similar mobile chargers and they don't go bad after several months.

 

[JJCritch]

You don't miss any of the "smart" features other EVSEs use? I think the Grizzl-e is pretty basic, right?

Yes, Hardy but basic. No 'smart' features on this model (they do make a smart model.) I've had a lot of luck with the FordPass app for that. And my DTE insight app for power use monitoring.

 

[Stang68]

Yes, Hardy but basic. No 'smart' features on this model (they do make a smart model.) I've had a lot of luck with the FordPass app for that. And my DTE insight app for power use monitoring.

Yeah I guess since the FordPass app shows us how much kWh it took to charge the car then I can just calculate cost on my own. Doesn’t seem like the smart chargers do much more than that. May look into the Grizzl-e.

 

[Mgobluegurl]

Ford charger/car since December and now I can't get through the night to add 20% charge without getting the fault error or it saying it will charge outside the time frame. It takes over 6 hours to get the 20% charge if I don't get the fault error. Bought the Grizzl e and now 2 hours for the 20% added charge.

 

[Bullitt_&_MME]

it's a mobile charger for the trunk, it's name couldn't be more clear... Why is this even a post? You want daily, HD charging, get a real wall mounted HD charger???

 

[Mach1E]

it's a mobile charger for the trunk, it's name couldn't be more clear... Why is this even a post? You want daily, HD charging, get a real wall mounted HD charger???

Except that Ford is now quoted as saying it could void your warranty (or at least the part that could be damaged by an aftermarket charger):

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/an-amusing-conversation-with-ford.18475/

 

[bshaw]

Except that Ford is now quoted as saying it could void your warranty (or at least the part that could be damaged by an aftermarket charger):

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/an-amusing-conversation-with-ford.18475/

Hang on, Stop this bus.
That thread is a recounting of a verbal conversation someone recalled having with a customer service representative. That information and the fact that it was shared for others to read is gibberish and a waste of everyone's time.
Hardly an official or quoted statement from Ford.
Continue as you were and use any EVSE device that conforms to the J-1772 spec, and don't perpetuate things like this in other places.

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