Use included Ford Mobile Power Cord as long term Level 2 Charger?

[radckh]

I feel like this would have already been asked, but I couldn't find it with a couple searches.
Apologies in advance if I missed it.

Is there any reason to NOT use the included (for $500!) Ford Mobile Power Cord as my long term Level 2 EVSE?
I'm looking at > $1,500 to install a 14-50 (LONG ~50' cable run from side of house, into garage, all the way to where I need the outlet), so if I can save $400 or more by not buying another EVSE, that would be great.
Other than 9 or 10 200-mile round trips to Breckenridge during ski season (HOPING I can make those on a single charge!), I don't see taking the Mach-E on more than 1 or 2 road trips during our 3 year lease, so I would almost never have to unplug it.

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[bshaw]

You're not going to make ~200 miles round trip in winter temps driving up into the mountains. Just not going to be possible, sorry. Recommend you find a lodge that has an L2 you can put some charge back while you're skiiing.

 

[HuntingPudel]

The reason not to use the Ford Mobile Charger (FMC) daily is that it’s not reliable. It will degrade itself after repeated usage, especially after it’s been exposed to high ambient temperatures while in the midst of a charge session. Occasional use is just fine. I have used my FMC exactly once on 115V since I bought my car, but there are a lot of people who have had theirs fail on them. I guess use it until you figure you can get a dedicated permanent EVSE, but don’t count on it. ?‍?

 

[c max]

I used my included L1 "charger" (FMC)from 2021 (Feb) to June 2023 exclusively on my '21 Select.....no problems 26000+ miles......that's a whole bunch of charging.....have used the included "charger" (FMC) about 3000+ miles on my '23 premium since the end of June '23....

Again this is with the L1 (120 line) so take it for what it's worth to you...

not the same but I did use my included charger with my 2013 c max until '21 when it was traded for my "21 Select MME

 

[Neil4Real]

As someone who has been using their Ford charger for 2 years, it has been fine for my use case. It does throttle all the freakin' time, but I've never not gotten in the car for work and been at 90%. I generally only get the battery down to 50% to 60% and charge it after 9pm. I think I've gotten it down to like 29% and that was the only time it may not have been back to 90% by the time I left for work, but I also got home really late that evening.

The only reason why I am using it, is because it is from my first MME Premium that I traded in for a GTPE and I still have the GTPE mobile charger brand new in the trunk if an emergency were to arise.

 

[circatee]

I have had my GT for less than a month, and I have already had to invest in an Emporia EV charger. Received it today, need to set it up later. The garage is too hot to do it now.
Thus far, the Ford Mobile Charger has flipped my breaker at least 4 times in a week.
Of course your use case may be different.

As my Missus would say, “It should just work and you shouldn’t have to spend even more money on your car…” I tend to agree…

 

[AtomicInternet]

I get 57 miles in 14 hours (overnight) on this Shockflo mobile charger using 120v (1 kW) speed. I was planning on getting a dedicated 240v line, but since I rarely drive farther than that in a day I stuck with my 120v for the last 4 months with no issues, and much cheaper than $1,500.
https://a.co/d/gcYMzzn

I've got my $500 Ford charger as backup in my trunk. If you're going on a 200 mile trip you'll be using public charging anyway, so if your daily drive is less than 50 miles round trip 120v should be all you need (obviously you'll be eliminating any buffer with a regular 50 mile round trip)

 

[RickMachE]

2021 and 2022s got it for "free". Having to pay $500 for it, or saving $500 by not getting it, is a great way to spend your money more wisely.

Using it on 110v and saying it is reliable is the same as saying that I get no wind noise at 10mph. Irrelevant to 240v overheating by 100s (1000s?) of Mach-E owners. Use your money elsewhere. I will sell you one for $475...

As was already said, you're not driving from Denver to Breckenridge on one charge. 200 miles is right on the edge in the winter with judicious use of heater. Now add climbing nearly 5,000 feet and it is impossible.

 

[Fins160]

If you already have it, use it til it breaks, then buy a new one. If not, get a better brand.

Any chance you have a dryer outlet or anything closer? You can always get a Splitvolt or similar system to share the outlet and won’t have to run the new line. I use my NEMA 10-30 dryer outlet at 24A with a Splitvolt Splitter and Charger and it works perfectly. Way cheaper than a dedicated line and way faster than 120V.

 

[generaltso]

Is there any reason to NOT use the included (for $500!) Ford Mobile Power Cord as my long term Level 2 EVSE?
I'm looking at > $1,500 to install a 14-50 (LONG ~50' cable run from side of house, into garage, all the way to where I need the outlet), so if I can save $400 or more by not buying another EVSE, that would be great.

You say you want to use the included EVSE for Level 2, but then say you don’t have a 14-50 outlet. So will be using it solely for Level 1 charging? Everyone’s use case is different, but I personally wouldn’t buy an EV without the ability to Level 2 charge at home or at work.

 

[AngryMan]

A charger and its installation is/are covered by a tax credit so if you spend more for the extra charger you'll get some of it back . Depending on which charger you choose you could also get a faster charging speed and/or connected abilities which can track the energy usage and cost of each session.
I like keeping the OEM in the back of the car for emergencies .

 

[AngryMan]

I have had my GT for less than a month, and I have already had to invest in an Emporia EV charger. Received it today, need to set it up later. The garage is too hot to do it now.
Thus far, the Ford Mobile Charger has flipped my breaker at least 4 times in a week.
Of course your use case may be different.

As my Missus would say, “It should just work and you shouldn’t have to spend even more money on your car…” I tend to agree…

The tripping may just be a fixture for you no matter which charger you use. Electrical codes usually call for a GFCI on the line itself . The problem comes from the fact that chargers have a built in GFCI so 2 on the same line causes trips. Hardwiring supposedly fixes this issue because you remove the outlet from the equation along with its GFCI.

 

[Red Baron]

The reason not to use the Ford Mobile Charger (FMC) daily is that it’s not reliable. It will degrade itself after repeated usage, especially after it’s been exposed to high ambient temperatures while in the midst of a charge session. Occasional use is just fine. I have used my FMC exactly once on 115V since I bought my car, but there are a lot of people who have had theirs fail on them. I guess use it until you figure you can get a dedicated permanent EVSE, but don’t count on it. ?‍?

I used the included charger for 18 months on L2 outlet. No problems.

 

[jpiazza67]

I use my charging cable, no issues. I usually chsrge at 20-30% and charge to 90. Duke Energy will pay the home owner for the install cost up to $1150. If you haven’t already, it won’t hurt check to see if your utility company offers to cover any costs.

 

[circatee]

The tripping may just be a fixture for you no matter which charger you use. Electrical codes usually call for a GFCI on the line itself . The problem comes from the fact that chargers have a built in GFCI so 2 on the same line causes trips. Hardwiring supposedly fixes this issue because you remove the outlet from the equation along with its GFCI.

Hmm, you might be onto something. Alas, once I install and test the Emporia, we will see. Thanks...

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