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

[dbsb3233]

Thank you for your reply.
If you install a charger at home so that you can have your portable charger in case of emergency, how would that work? The 110 charger is just about worthless for charging. And to use the 240 charger, you'd have to be somewhere that there was access to a 240V plug right? I wouldn't think most people are going to have a 240V plug anywhere that would be readily within reach of the length of the supplied cord? So you would you use it in that case?

You're right, 240V outlets are few and far between. Campgrounds are the most likely place (use Plugshare to located chargers and you'll see most of the 14-50's are at campgrounds or parks). Maybe for visiting family/friends that buy a BEV themselves and install 240V at home too. But it's slim pickins for sure.

As you said, 120V is ugly slow (but readily available). That's why I said "emergency use". If you're out somewhere and find yourself dangerously low, plugging in 120V might get you enough miles to limp into a DCFC charger. Or allow you to add 40 miles at a hotel overnight if they don't have 240V. Certainly not something you'd want to plan to use, but in a rare pinch, it's better to be carrying it than not.

And in 5 years, maybe we'll see more places installing 240V outlets (parking garages, apartments, etc). Probably not much, but it's a much cheaper way to accommodate BEVs than installing and maintaining chargers.

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[methorian]

Sorry. I thought you were talking about adding a pigtail to the 48 amp Ford Connect charger which requires a 60 amp breaker and plugging it into the 14-50. I misunderstood and apologize. ?

No worries - I was concerned that I had confused or miss-worded something.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Feel free to redirect this post/reply if there is already a thread for it.
So the Ford branded Connect Level-2 Charger ($799) is to have a lot of connectivity features.
But my question is, how much/many more features is it to have?
Kind of hard to explain. The car itself has a host of info on it that you can see. And can't the Ford Pass App. show us all that the car shows?
So if I would just put in a 220 14-50 receptacle and use the mobile charger that comes with the Mach-E, can't I see everything anyway, on the app.?
What advantages do we get if we spend the money on the Ford branded home charger?

I of course would like to be totally integrated with Ford stuff... Not needing another aftermarket app., for their charger but many of the level-2 chargers, like Grizzl-e and such are cheaper.

Depending on some of the opinions on here, maybe a good alternative, with a 220, 14-50 receptacle already, would be to just to buy an second mobile charger once they begin selling them and keep the one in the car but keep the other one plugged in and ready to go for home use.
Thoughts?

Yeah it's been posted elsewhere a bunch... but it's also really difficult to search the forum ('cause we post so much!).

In summary:

You're on the right track... The actual AC charger is built into the car. The car has nearly all the details regarding charging efficiency, kilowatts consumed, etc etc. The car has a lot more info than any EVSE that you'd connect to it.

Advantages of the FCCS are a short list:

- integrates with FordPass app (but... so what?)

- can be disabled/enabled remotely (useful if it's in a public location and not intended for others to use)

- supports connectivity with your power utility if you authorize it and if they support it, which could bring you some benefits if your utility company offers any

- can charge at a rate that is 50% faster than the fastest rate supported by the mobile charger

- (probably) has better reliability/usability in extreme high temperature environments such as Death Valley, Yuma, and Phoenix.

- can be incorporated into vehicle financing if desired

 

[dbsb3233]

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.

It doesn't apply to just one or the other, it applies to both. It's any costs incurred to buy and install a home charger. I'm claiming all $1300 ($400 charger + $900 240V install).

https://www.chargepoint.com/resources/how-claim-your-federal-tax-credit-home-charging/

https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tip...l-vehicle-refueling-property-credit/L3MRAZHho

 

[generaltso]

- supports connectivity with your power utility if you authorize it and if they support it, which could bring you some benefits if your utility company offers any

Has Ford claimed that? My power company supports ChargePoint and Flo, but I highly doubt they'll be adding support for a Ford branded charger.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Has Ford claimed that? My power company supports ChargePoint and Flo, but I highly doubt they'll be adding support for a Ford branded charger.

I'm not aware of them explicitly saying so. However, these statements appear in the product specifications:

On this Ford web page:

https://parts.ford.com/shop/en/us/a...ries/ford-connected-charge-station-13221001-1

 

[TheSeg]

This is specifically for my needs as a renter in the East Bay of the San Francisco area. Hopefully this helps others in their plans!

• Hardwired Level 2 charger at home (decided on a ChargePoint Home Flex).
• Keep the Ford Mobile Charger in the car until needed.

At home, I didn't want to keep bringing out and packing a charger. Partly so I didn't forget to put the charger in the car, partly to reduce chances of getting it stolen, and mostly for weatherproofing. My parking spot is private, but not covered from the elements.

After a bit of work, my landlord approved paying for the install of a hardwired charger. But I needed to provide the appliance. The power company provides $800, but only direct to the electricity customer, so that was a big range of a budget.

The Ford Connected Charge Station was out of the question as it wasn't available. The IRS credit expires Dec 31st and everything hinged on completing the job -- with the appliance -- by that date. With the subsidy I'd pay that premium, but it just wasn't available in time.

I settled on the ChargePoint as it fit the regulatory commitments, had a decent data for each charge, and was weatherproofed to my standards. I also really favored the mount built into the unit itself. While I won't have the most slickest integration with the Ford app, it wasn't worth breaking the rest of the deal of my landlord paying for the install. I also tell the app what power company and fee schedule I'm on, and it will tell me how much each charge cost me.

 

[KAustin]

Has anyone been able to confirm the pricing with Amazon for the installation?

 

[macchiaz-o]

Has anyone been able to confirm the pricing with Amazon for the installation?

No, I contacted an electrician outside of Amazon for mine.

However, I used to be able to get pricing through the Amazon web site. Now it's saying there are no installers near my zip code.

To see options, go to Amazon's site and put "electric car charger installation" in the search box. You'll see results like this one:

https://smile.amazon.com/Electric-Car-Charger-Installation-Non-Basement/dp/B07KZH6TPT

 

[Illinibird]

You're right, 240V outlets are few and far between. Campgrounds are the most likely place (use Plugshare to located chargers and you'll see most of the 14-50's are at campgrounds or parks). Maybe for visiting family/friends that buy a BEV themselves and install 240V at home too. But it's slim pickins for sure.

As you said, 120V is ugly slow (but readily available). That's why I said "emergency use". If you're out somewhere and find yourself dangerously low, plugging in 120V might get you enough miles to limp into a DCFC charger. Or allow you to add 40 miles at a hotel overnight if they don't have 240V. Certainly not something you'd want to plan to use, but in a rare pinch, it's better to be carrying it than not.

And in 5 years, maybe we'll see more places installing 240V outlets (parking garages, apartments, etc). Probably not much, but it's a much cheaper way to accommodate BEVs than installing and maintaining chargers.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Ford offers “Emergency Service” for the Mach E that includes towing (flatbed truck) your car to your home or nearest Level 2 charger for 2 years. This service is included with the purchase of the car which negates the rationale of always keeping a mobile charger with you in most cases most people would be in. I’m not talking about seeing Auntie Bertha in a remote village or taking the car on a trip that involves camp grounds, etc. I don’t take my car into any of those scenarios and I bet most people don’t either so having the Ford Mobile Charger always with you just for a 3 mile or so emergency charge would be overkill for the first two years of ownership. As BEV vehicles become more the standard in the US I’ll bet other roadside assistance programs such as AAA will include this as a benefit too (akin to providing enough fuel for your ICE car to get to the nearest gas station). So I’m back to my original position that you don’t need to have a mobile charger with you because.true emergencies for the majority of people (myself included) would be covered by Fords perk when you purchase the Mach E. After 2 years you’d have to see if other programs you might have add this as a perk to your car insurance, etc., and then be included.in the policy. For peace of mind I suppose I would take the mobile charger with me if on vacation, etc., but since I don’t want to be bothered spending 30+ minutes “filling up” the car we’d be in my ICE Acura MDX anyway. Battery technology just isn’t there yet for my particular situation (IMHO). Once again, to each his own.

 

[generaltso]

Has anyone been able to confirm the pricing with Amazon for the installation?

It varies widely depending on your location and how involved the install is. When I did the estimator on Amazon, it said it would cost $5000. Needless to say, I didn’t go that route.

 

[eltonlin]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Ford offers “Emergency Service” for the Mach E that includes towing (flatbed truck) your car to your home or nearest Level 2 charger for 2 years. This service is included with the purchase of the car which negates the rationale of always keeping a mobile charger with you in most cases most people would be in. I’m not talking about seeing Auntie Bertha in a remote village or taking the car on a trip that involves camp grounds, etc. I don’t take my car into any of those scenarios and I bet most people don’t either so having the Ford Mobile Charger always with you just for a 3 mile or so emergency charge would be overkill for the first two years of ownership. As BEV vehicles become more the standard in the US I’ll bet other roadside assistance programs such as AAA will include this as a benefit too (akin to providing enough fuel for your ICE car to get to the nearest gas station). So I’m back to my original position that you don’t need to have a mobile charger with you because.true emergencies for the majority of people (myself included) would be covered by Fords perk when you purchase the Mach E. After 2 years you’d have to see if other programs you might have add this as a perk to your car insurance, etc., and then be included.in the policy. For peace of mind I suppose I would take the mobile charger with me if on vacation, etc., but since I don’t want to be bothered spending 30+ minutes “filling up” the car we’d be in my ICE Acura MDX anyway. Battery technology just isn’t there yet for my particular situation (IMHO). Once again, to each his own.

This is from the FordPass app. Wonder how the emergency charge works...

 

[KAustin]

No, I contacted an electrician outside of Amazon for mine.

However, I used to be able to get pricing through the Amazon web site. Now it's saying there are no installers near my zip code.

To see options, go to Amazon's site and put "electric car charger installation" in the search box. You'll see results like this one:

https://smile.amazon.com/Electric-Car-Charger-Installation-Non-Basement/dp/B07KZH6TPT

Thanks. I have been getting the same message and have quotes from other electricians.

 

[Illinibird]

This is from the FordPass app. Wonder how the emergency charge works...

Ford Pass works great on my iPhone and they have an icon for Roadside Assistance. I'm too chicken to click it because I'm afraid it would start a cascade from them thinking I was in trouble. Has anybody tried it?

 

[shutterbug]

As BEV vehicles become more the standard in the US I’ll bet other roadside assistance programs such as AAA will include this as a benefit too (akin to providing enough fuel for your ICE car to get to the nearest gas station).

Don't bet your last dollar on that. AAA already had a demo program in several cities, where they would send a truck with a charger to give you a small charge. They dropped it, because it was hardly used and wasn't cost effective. They still provide towing service, but right now they refuse to let you ride with the tow truck. So yes, they will tow your car to a charging location, but you'll be stuck on the side of the road. Not an optimal position to be in.

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