ChargeSmart App and "electrical system drain service required" any relation?

[J5hort]

Hey all,
Started using ChargeSmart app for a promotional/monthly rebate on my NationalGrid electrical service. This app connects to FordPass and monitors charge times to provide usage and a rebate on electric bill. I started using it around June. About a week ago, we stated getting the electrical system drain message on the Mach-E. Also noticed that the MME is in sleep mode at times to preserve battery, it is always plugged in at home. First, is there any relation to using app and error message and, second, I would assume if vehicle is plugged in and the app is polling the status, there should be plenty of power to accommodate. MME stays on the charger 80% of the day.

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[RickMachE]

The app is waking the car, which is draining the 12v battery. If you provided ChargeSmart with your FordPass logon info, expect to be locked out from FordPass for security reasons shortly. This has happened to numerous people using 3rd party apps.

A properly designed app shouldn't be causing excess battery drain.

Yes, in proper operation, as the 12v draws down, the HBV will charge it back up. But if the app is drawing it down rapidly, that's not ideal by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Logal727]

Hey all,
Started using ChargeSmart app for a promotional/monthly rebate on my NationalGrid electrical service. This app connects to FordPass and monitors charge times to provide usage and a rebate on electric bill. I started using it around June. About a week ago, we stated getting the electrical system drain message on the Mach-E. Also noticed that the MME is in sleep mode at times to preserve battery, it is always plugged in at home. First, is there any relation to using app and error message and, second, I would assume if vehicle is plugged in and the app is polling the status, there should be plenty of power to accommodate. MME stays on the charger 80% of the day.

Yes, third party apps ping the vehicle too often so the Sync screen usually comes on and it drains the 12v battery

 

[J5hort]

Been running the app since June, so just a little surprised it just started causing issue. Never had any FordPass lockout issues. ChargeSmart/NationalGrid is now in winter rebate mode, so much less incentive. I disabled app connection to FordPass and will monitor to see if error goes away.

 

[dtbaker61]

Hey all,
Started using ChargeSmart app for a promotional/monthly rebate on my NationalGrid electrical service. This app connects to FordPass and monitors charge times to provide usage and a rebate on electric bill. I started using it around June. About a week ago, we stated getting the electrical system drain message on the Mach-E. Also noticed that the MME is in sleep mode at times to preserve battery, it is always plugged in at home. First, is there any relation to using app and error message and, second, I would assume if vehicle is plugged in and the app is polling the status, there should be plenty of power to accommodate. MME stays on the charger 80% of the day.

if the App is 'waking up' the MME, the 12v loads to fire the systems up jumps up to about 200 watts expecting the MME to be started and driven, which would charge the 12v. If this happens over and over without being driven, the LVB will likely be discharged down to about 12.1-12.0, trigger a charge from the HV, and may throw an alert to let you know. Probably not a 'problem', just letting you know that you did indeed discharge the LVB to the point it had to be 'maintained'.

maybe there is a way you can reduce the frequency of the App pinging the MME? and shorten the auto-off time to 5 minutes ?

The alternative would be to leave the MME 'on' while plugged in, which would not hit the LVB at all, but it would incur a background load of around 200watts, which would reduce your net 'savings' considerably.

 

[J5hort]

if the App is 'waking up' the MME, the 12v loads to fire the systems up jumps up to about 200 watts expecting the MME to be started and driven, which would charge the 12v. If this happens over and over without being driven, the LVB will likely be discharged down to about 12.1-12.0, trigger a charge from the HV, and may throw an alert to let you know. Probably not a 'problem', just letting you know that you did indeed discharge the LVB to the point it had to be 'maintained'.

maybe there is a way you can reduce the frequency of the App pinging the MME? and shorten the auto-off time to 5 minutes ?

The alternative would be to leave the MME 'on' while plugged in, which would not hit the LVB at all, but it would incur a background load of around 200watts, which would reduce your net 'savings' considerably.

Thanks, good info, much appreciated for all. To my knowledge there is no way to schedule the frequency of the ChargeSmart app. I will leave feedback as this was a promo rebate. Received $50 for signing up and have been saving about around $10 average on my bill for charging on non-peak hours.

 

[J5hort]

Any other MA and NationalGrid users out there experiencing the same?

 

[MacherAWD]

Any other MA and NationalGrid users out there experiencing the same?

Yes I had the same. I downloaded and setup the app the other week after getting 3.5.4, I get that message every night with the app. I deleted and disconnected it and do not get message. I have a pixel android running 13.

 

[J5hort]

Yes I had the same. I downloaded and setup the app the other week after getting 3.5.4, I get that message every night with the app. I deleted and disconnected it and do not get message. I have a pixel android running 13.

Thanks for the confirmation/info? I am running Android as well.

 

[MacherAWD]

Thanks for the confirmation/info? I am running Android as well.

I just got invited to a webinar on the MA charge smart program for wednesday, I might join just to mention the app and the drain, see if they are aware and plan to fix.

 

[J5hort]

I just got invited to a webinar on the MA charge smart program for wednesday, I might join just to mention the app and the drain, see if they are aware and plan to fix.

Timely, keep us updated. I was going to provide online feedback as I am solicited to do so often.

 

[J5hort]

UPDATE:
Received an email from ChargeSmart MA representative reacing out for feedback on issues with the app.. It appears that there has been a few updates that correct the frequent polling problems. Here is some of the info in the email


We have identified the exact issue causing high-frequency polling of Ford vehicles, and fixed the issue on October 22. We've had no further reports from other participants related to battery drain warnings.

The rebate structure changed on October 1 to "non-summer months": Participants are eligible to receive a reward of $0.05/kWh for EV charging during off-peak hours from June 1 to September 30 (“summer months”) and $0.03/kWh for EV charging during off-peak hours from October 1 through May 31 (“non-summer months”). Off-peak hours are from 9PM-1PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays and weekends.

So, now through May 31 you'd be getting $0.03 per kWh charging during off-peak hours.

Not sure I want to enable again. Anyone have any desire to connect app to MME to test this out.

 

[MacherAWD]

I just downloaded it again and connected it back. Will see what happens tonight.

 

[OWG]

I just downloaded it again and connected it back. Will see what happens tonight.

Do you have an ability to measure a change in behavior?

 

[MacherAWD]

No drain error this morning, I would say give it a try

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