Returning the Ford Mobile Charger?

[Krom2040]

I purchased my MME about two weeks ago, and at the time, I figured that it would be good to have the mobile charger for $500. I’ve been using it at 120V and it’s passable, but in retrospect this was a straight up bad purchase, considering that other chargers like the J+ Boost 2 and the Grizzl-E Mini are both significantly better and are in a similar price bracket. Most importantly, I didn’t realize at the time that charging with the Ford Mobile Charger with a dryer plug is straight up dangerous, because it only has the option to charge at 30A which makes it very likely to either trip the 30A breaker or otherwise cause potentially serious heat issues. Those other chargers have the option of adjusting down to charge at 24A or less.

So, just curious if anybody has had any luck with just taking it back and asking for $500 back.

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[jpiazza67]

I haven’t heard of returning one for a refund. But you probably can use a good electrician. You need a 50amp circuit for the ford 32amp charger you have. Something like the grizl-e may go down 24 amps but that may even need a 40 amp circuit to operate safely. You are correct, your setup is dangerous. If they take back the charge, consider that a late Christmas gift. But that would be pretty cool. Good luck.

 

[ocdxfv]

iI would hang on to it for future road trips. I've used mine numerous time on 120v outlets when staying at VRBOs, relatives homes, and other places where charging isn't convenient. It's also helpful for keeping the battery conditioned in cold or hot climates.

Also, I charge on a dryer outlet regularly with a unit that can be set to 24a. Works great for me. You could either pay someone to upgrade your circuit to accommodate your Ford unit, or buy one that can accommodate your dryer outlet.

 

[BalsaDust]

If it was sold as part of the vehicle it can only be warranted, if sold after the fact by the dealer, it may be able to be returned, depends on the dealer naturally.

Tony

 

[Krom2040]

iI would hang on to it for future road trips. I've used mine numerous time on 120v outlets when staying at VRBOs, relatives homes, and other places where charging isn't convenient. It's also helpful for keeping the battery conditioned in cold or hot climates.

Also, I charge on a dryer outlet regularly with a unit that can be set to 24a. Works great for me. You could either pay someone to upgrade your circuit to accommodate your Ford unit, or buy one that can accommodate your dryer outlet.

The problem is that, if you’re going to have an electrician do that work, then it obviously makes sense to get a dedicated wall unit for 40A or 48A charging (which I am having done). And then if you’re using it for mobile charging, then there are much better options like the ones I listed, which are actually usable on dryer outlets rather than being a fire hazard.

In a sense, the Ford mobile charger does nothing well.

EDIT: to clarify, I’m saying that I definitely should just skipped it and just immediately purchased a better mobile unit, but I suppose that’s the one thing I didn’t do enough research about - specifically to realize that the mobile charger is functionally not usable in a dryer outlet.

 

[B177y]

... Most importantly, I didn’t realize at the time that charging with the Ford Mobile Charger with a dryer plug is straight up dangerous, because it only has the option to charge at 30A which makes it very likely to either trip the 30A breaker or otherwise cause potentially serious heat issues. Those other chargers have the option of adjusting down to charge at 24A or less...

If your existing dryer outlet is a NEMA 14-50, the same as the large Ford mobile charger plug, then that dryer outlet (assuming it was installed to code) is a 50-amp circuit and is safe to use.

If it was installed to code as a 30-amp dryer outlet, then it should be a NEMA 14-30, which won't accept the 14-50 plug from the Ford charger.

If the charger fits into the 14-50 outlet, you should be good to go.

 

[zvez]

The problem is that, if you’re going to have an electrician do that work, then it obviously makes sense to get a dedicated wall unit for 40A or 48A charging (which I am having done). And then if you’re using it for mobile charging, then there are much better options like the ones I listed, which are actually usable on dryer outlets rather than being a fire hazard.

In a sense, the Ford mobile charger does nothing well.

EDIT: to clarify, I’m saying that I definitely should just skipped it and just immediately purchased a better mobile unit, but I suppose that’s the one thing I didn’t do enough research about - specifically to realize that the mobile charger is functionally not usable in a dryer outlet.

On my 21 it came with the portable charger and used for eighteen months without issue on a nema 14-50 plug. My 23 it was a $500 option and declined it. I got a juicebox 40 (check with your local utility you may be able to get a charger for a discount, I did). I personally went with a nema 14-50 on a 50 amp breaker, many opt to hardwire but the nema 14-50 has been faultless.
As others have said if the portable came with the car as a $500 option I can't think you'd have any chance of returning it for a refund.

 

[nvabill]

I purchased my MME about two weeks ago, and at the time, I figured that it would be good to have the mobile charger for $500. I’ve been using it at 120V and it’s passable, but in retrospect this was a straight up bad purchase, considering that other chargers like the J+ Boost 2 and the Grizzl-E Mini are both significantly better and are in a similar price bracket. Most importantly, I didn’t realize at the time that charging with the Ford Mobile Charger with a dryer plug is straight up dangerous, because it only has the option to charge at 30A which makes it very likely to either trip the 30A breaker or otherwise cause potentially serious heat issues. Those other chargers have the option of adjusting down to charge at 24A or less.

So, just curious if anybody has had any luck with just taking it back and asking for $500 back.

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[GatorGrowl]

The problem is that, if you’re going to have an electrician do that work, then it obviously makes sense to get a dedicated wall unit for 40A or 48A charging (which I am having done). And then if you’re using it for mobile charging, then there are much better options like the ones I listed, which are actually usable on dryer outlets rather than being a fire hazard.

In a sense, the Ford mobile charger does nothing well.

EDIT: to clarify, I’m saying that I definitely should just skipped it and just immediately purchased a better mobile unit, but I suppose that’s the one thing I didn’t do enough research about - specifically to realize that the mobile charger is functionally not usable in a dryer outlet.

It’s usable, but pulls 32 amps. You need at least a 40 amp breaker. An electrician can tell you if you have capacity to swap out the breaker.
Ask them to check your dryer plug to ensure it’s rated for 32 amp continuous use. It may not be.
As far as whether it is worth $500, to me it’s like any other OEM accessory. You can pretty much always find something better for less money.
I just told the dealer I didn’t need or want it, along with the $50 first aid kit they decided to order. They took $550 off the price and gave me both items anyway.

 

[Auto Motive]

Our 2021

I purchased my MME about two weeks ago, and at the time, I figured that it would be good to have the mobile charger for $500. I’ve been using it at 120V and it’s passable, but in retrospect this was a straight up bad purchase, considering that other chargers like the J+ Boost 2 and the Grizzl-E Mini are both significantly better and are in a similar price bracket. Most importantly, I didn’t realize at the time that charging with the Ford Mobile Charger with a dryer plug is straight up dangerous, because it only has the option to charge at 30A which makes it very likely to either trip the 30A breaker or otherwise cause potentially serious heat issues. Those other chargers have the option of adjusting down to charge at 24A or less.

So, just curious if anybody has had any luck with just taking it back and asking for $500 back.

Came with our 2021 GTPE and a piece of junk. During spring 2022 on hot days it kept faulting. Dealer said leave it for a day and they would see the fault. In a air conditioned service bay. He said Ford will not replace or repair units. Problem thru summer, fed up so we bought juicebox 40 plug in runs 40amp on 50amp breaker and never a problem. App sucks though.

 

[KevinS]

Mine lives in the trunk under the floor panel, and is used for situations where I need to plug in when there's no charger... usually at 110v. With this light-duty use, it has served me well, but I certainly wouldn't use it as a daily charger.

 

[rcechinel]

16 months of ownership, 16k miles, exclusively charging with the mobile charger. It threw an error once.

 

[Vulnox]

If you can't return it, as others said, just put it under the lift out section of the hatch floor and keep it in case you need it while traveling.

I agree it's way better to have a dedicated home unit than the mobile charger while at home, but also doesn't hurt to actually have the "mobile" charger around for when you are, ya know, mobile.

The $500 part stings though of course. If it was included as part of the financing on the car, likely can't return it. eBay as someone said is an option, but given all the units out there for a couple hundred dollars less that are intended for mobile use I imagine it would be a tough sell without losing a good chunk of change.

Good luck though whatever you decide.

 

[Krom2040]

I agree it's way better to have a dedicated home unit than the mobile charger while at home, but also doesn't hurt to actually have the "mobile" charger around for when you are, ya know, mobile.

Problem is that I actually do want a mobile charger that I can use with Nema 14-30 outlets, as we have people we visit who have those plugs ??‍

 

[21st Century Pony]

Problem is that I actually do want a mobile charger that I can use with Nema 14-30 outlets, as we have people we visit who have those plugs ??‍

I use an older EVSEUpgrade, from a tiny early modifier company that has since shut down. They modified the 2010-era Nissan Leaf / Panasonic EVSE to be auto-switched at 240V / 110V and their modified unit has a common lockable plug end that fits into many easily available short 240V and 120V plugs... a welder's plug, an HVAC plug, an RV plug etc. etc.

These EVSEUpgrade units are still available on occasion thru Ebay and similar sites. Worth putting an alert out on Ebay for it. They were known to be super-reliable. Mine is, and I've used it on three PHEVs/EVs including the Mach E now.

I now have a Go Box of 240V and 110V adapters for this older EVSE, which charges at 20 amps (240V). I've used over half of these adapter plugs so far in my travels, some more than others.

Hope this gives you ideas. See my post here:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/my-long-range-trip-non-dcfc-charging-gobox.31631/

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