Preparing for Mach-E charging at home - preparation and installing charger

[Illinibird]

If I drive to visit family this summer, I plan to unplug their electric range and plug in there overnight for a full charge. Again, where is the outlet located? Do you have a rated extension cord to make the run (even though you are NOT supposed to use extension cords)?

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[generaltso]

14-50 outlet? 50 amp circuit breaker?

If the range outlet was installed after 1996, yes. If it was installed before that, it is more likely a 10-50 outlet, which can still be used with an adapter.

 

[generaltso]

14-50 outlet? 50 amp circuit breaker? Where's the electric range located? According to Ford and electricians you're not supposed to use extension cords with charger (unless they're rated for 50 amp service - #6 gauge wire).

You can use an extension cord on the J1772 end. This is the one that I have, but there are many others.

Amazon.com: Lectron 40ft/12m J1772 Extension Cable Compatible with All J1772 EV Chargers - Flexible Charging for Your Electric Vehicle: Automotive

 

[Illinibird]

If the range outlet was installed after 1996, yes. If it was installed before that, it is more likely a 10-50 outlet, which can still be used with an adapter.

What amperage is the breaker? Do you have an extension cord that meets the requirements needed for the run (even though you're NOT supposed to use an extension cord)? Extension cords that could safely handle this are few and far between so take one with you.

 

[Illinibird]

You can use an extension cord on the J1772 end. This is the one that I have, but there are many others.

Amazon.com: Lectron 40ft/12m J1772 Extension Cable Compatible with All J1772 EV Chargers - Flexible Charging for Your Electric Vehicle: Automotive

Looks good but how do you connect this to the Ford Mobile Charger?

 

[generaltso]

What amperage is the breaker? Do you have an extension cord that meets the requirements needed for the run (even though you're NOT supposed to use an extension cord)? Extension cords that could safely handle this are few and far between so take one with you.

Most of the time, a range outlet will have a 50A breaker (with a 14-50 outlet or 10-50 if it's old). If you use an extension cord on the J1772 end, it only has to be rated for 40A since the mobile charger can only output 32A.

 

[generaltso]

Looks good but how do you connect this to the Ford Mobile Charger?

You just plug the J1772 plug from the mobile charger (or any charger) into the female end of the extension cable. Then plug the other end into the car. Simple as that.

 

[buffasnow]

My thoughts exactly! I was planning on taking my Ford Mobile Charger with me in the car when I visit my daughter up in Sycamore Illinois just in case I can't find a charger up there (very rural and even the new Meijer doesn't have a DC charger let alone a Level 2 charger) but the 110 volt Level 1 charger is useless as I wouldn't want to stay days to get the car charged to go home. She, of course, doesn't have a 32 amp 240 volt SEMA 14-50 plug in her garage. The "emergency" rationale for taking the Mobile Charger with you doesn't hold water for most situations IMHO unless you're certain you have access to somebody with a Level 2 outlet in their residence. It makes a lot more sense to leave your 32 amp 240 volt Mobile Charger attached to your garage wall with the included mounting bracket and plan ahead with the many EV charging programs that map out where charging stations are (personally I prefer EA if available). Just my $0.02.

Yes, this is very personal. I'm not a prepper, but I have spent money to have items in my cars that I rarely if ever use these days (hydraulic jack, spare tire, manual pump, tools, rain gear, food/water/blankets). For me, the cost is worth the peace of mind. For others, it's overkill.

I plan to keep the provided mobile charger in the car and install a Chargepoint Flex in the garage.
I don't need it, but I want it. Actually, same for the car!

 

[Illinibird]

Correct. The Ford Mobile Charger that comes with the Mach-E can plug into a 14-50 outlet and charge at 32A. 32A x 240V = 7.6 kW. That's 7.6 kWh per hour of charging (actually more like 7 with some loss while charging). That will easily fill the battery in less than 12 hours overnight.

Some of us chose to go ahead and buy a separate charger anyway (like a Grizzl-E for $400) so we can just leave the Ford Mobile Charger in the car for emergencies (rare as they would be), just to have one mounted on the wall. And because the 30% federal tax credit that expires in 2 weeks made it a bargain. But it's not necessary to buy one. The included one will work fine.

I will use the 30% tax break for my $800 electrician mounted 14-50 outlet to my garage. I'm not going to spend an additional $400 to get a 30% tax rebate; to me doesn't make sense.

 

[Illinibird]

You just plug the J1772 plug from the mobile charger (or any charger) into the female end of the extension cable. Then plug the other end into the car. Simple as that.

Slick! Now that's a real solution for an emergency IF you can find a relative, neighbor, campground etc. that can safely handle the amperage.

 

[Illinibird]

Yes, this is very personal. I'm not a prepper, but I have spent money to have items in my cars that I rarely if ever use these days (hydraulic jack, spare tire, manual pump, tools, rain gear, food/water/blankets). For me, the cost is worth the peace of mind. For others, it's overkill.

I plan to keep the provided mobile charger in the car and install a Chargepoint Flex in the garage.
I don't need it, but I want it. Actually, same for the car!

Have at it! To each his own and I'm not criticizing your decision if that's what you want. I, too, spend money that really is overkill (not necessary according to my Wife) and that's what I want to do; just not in this case.

 

[generaltso]

Slick! Now that's a real solution for an emergency IF you can find a relative, neighbor, campground etc. that can safely handle the amperage.

Yeah, it works great. I've also used the extension cord several times when public charging stations were blocked. They're a lot easier to use when you only have to get within 40 feet of them.

 

[Illinibird]

There are a number of garages with a 240V receptacle for things like welders. Some cities/businesses/hotels also have 240V receptacles available. Also - in the case of an emergency, 120V could be a life saver, some power is better than no power.

Additional benefit of a having a stationary charger at home on a 14-50 receptacle is that if it goes bad, you can just plug in the mobile charger and keep on charging.

Not supposed to have 60 amp on a 14-50 outlet.

 

[Illinibird]

Most of the time, a range outlet will have a 50A breaker (with a 14-50 outlet or 10-50 if it's old). If you use an extension cord on the J1772 end, it only has to be rated for 40A since the mobile charger can only output 32A.

Mobile charger "should" have a 50 amp breaker (GFCI) with 14-50 outlet according to Ford' recommendation and from what my electrician told me about codes in my area. If you do a sustained charge with 40 amp you can run the risk of overheating (80% rule). I thought the same thing and had to have my 40 amp breaker taken out and a 50 amp GFCI breaker swapped in to meet code.

 

[Illinibird]

Yeah, it works great. I've also used the extension cord several times when public charging stations were blocked. They're a lot easier to use when you only have to get within 40 feet of them.

That's another advantage I didn't think of as many people don't care and block the EV charging station. I think I'll order one for emergencies too.

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