Charging on Dryer Outlet

[2023macheB]

Thank you in advanced.
Brand new owners.

looking at the charging options. So does good, but obviously want to be able to charge it faster. I do have a dryer outlet plug in the garage.
-its a 30amp breaker.
-Bought the heavy duty adapter to change the plug for the ford charger.
1. what is the amp pull for the charger?
2. Anyone done this before?
3. Is the Ford charger a dynamic voltage depending on where you plug it into?

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[breeves002]

80% for continuous load so 30A*0.8 = 24A.

You cannot use the Ford charger. You must buy an EVSE that is 24A or adjustable to 24A. The Mach E doesn't have a way to change L2 charging current in the vehicle like some other EVs.

Lots of people use the 30A dryer plugs, but they had to buy a 24A EVSE.

 

[ThatGuyLando]

Some EVSE's have limiters either with a physical switch (sometimes under a screwed on cover), or handled through their apps. Just make sure that whatever you buy, set it and check afterwards that it's not pulling more than what you told it to. Fire risks/breakers tripping become an issue if they do.

 

[ATL]

80% for continuous load so 30A*0.8 = 24A.

You cannot use the Ford charger. You must buy an EVSE that is 24A or adjustable to 24A. The Mach E doesn't have a way to change L2 charging current in the vehicle like some other EVs.

Lots of people use the 30A dryer plugs, but they had to buy a 24A EVSE.

This, absolutely. Also remember that no matter what anyone may say, those adapters aren't intended for continuous use. Using one at or near it's rating for long periods, like you will when adding a significant charge to a depleted EV battery, will expose any imperfections in manufacture or due to contact wear. Monitor closely for hot spots and replace if you find any issues.

Better yet, if you can, upgrade that outlet to a proper industrial grade 50 amp one. Best of all, hard wire an EVSE for long term safety and peace of mind.

 

[Todd44]

I changed the outlet on my dryer to a NEMA 6-50, plugged in my Siemens Charger, set it to 24 amps (or might have been 30, the instructions were to either set charger to max draw, or set it to match breaker, don’t recall) that was 9 years ago, have been charging my MachE for a year+ and my Nissan Leaf the previous years. No issues.

 

[ATL]

I changed the outlet on my dryer to a NEMA 6-50, plugged in my Siemens Charger, set it to 24 amps (or might have been 30, the instructions were to either set charger to max draw, or set it to match breaker, don’t recall) that was 9 years ago, have been charging my MachE for a year+ and my Nissan Leaf the previous years. No issues.

I understand this works for you. That NEMA 6-50 is well under it's rating so all is operating safely and well, though your breaker and conductors are likely running warm. However, as I expect you are aware, it's not Code-compliant, and represents a significant trap for any subsequent occupant. You might incur some liability for the consequences, so be certain to change it back if you ever move... Or when you die--though you might not worry about the liability at that point.

 

[GatorGrowl]

As is said before, a 30A dryer outlet is insufficient for most EVs. If you want to change it, I highly recommend Qmerit - they will send a local electrician certified in EV installs. At a minimum, you can use their web site to send in some pictures and see if it’s even possible and how much it would likely cost.

I recommend the ChargePoint Home Flex. The electrician can set it to match your circuit’s capabilities, and if you choose to upgrade to a 60A circuit later it can be reprogrammed. It can also change cables between J1772 and Tesla if you need to in the future.

 

[LinkRS]

80% for continuous load so 30A*0.8 = 24A.

You cannot use the Ford charger. You must buy an EVSE that is 24A or adjustable to 24A. The Mach E doesn't have a way to change L2 charging current in the vehicle like some other EVs.

Lots of people use the 30A dryer plugs, but they had to buy a 24A EVSE.

Unless I am misunderstanding, this contradicts what is listed on the Ford site: https://www.ford.com/support/category/electric-vehicle/charging/home-charging/

The Ford Mobile Charger includes a 240V plug here in the US. Personally I used a 120V plug with mine, as my dryer outlet differed from the included plug, and it wouldn't fit.

Not arguing, just trying to understand.

 

[n2585722]

I use a Dryer outlet to charge but I got a SplitVolt switch and a SplitVolt charger for 10-30 which is the type of dryer outlet I have. You cannot use a 14-50 charger on a 10-30 or 14-30 outlet since those are 30 amp max and the 14-50 is a 50 amp outlet but requires the correct wire cable to the outlet to withstand the higher current level. The Ford charger cannot be dropped to the lower current. My SplitVolt charger draws just under 24 amps which is about the most you would want on a 30 amp circuit at continuous use. The SplitVolt switch will switch between the dryer and the charger when the dryer is started. I have not done it since I make sure not to use the dryer when the car is plugged in. Otherwise the dryer seems to work like it always has.

 

[CJ74]

Thank you in advanced.
Brand new owners.

looking at the charging options. So does good, but obviously want to be able to charge it faster. I do have a dryer outlet plug in the garage.
-its a 30amp breaker.
-Bought the heavy duty adapter to change the plug for the ford charger.
1. what is the amp pull for the charger?
2. Anyone done this before?
3. Is the Ford charger a dynamic voltage depending on where you plug it into?

I did the same thing last August. I got a grizzl-e charger, set it to 24amp since my breaker is 30amp. I check it from time to time and it's all good. It won't charge as fast as a 50amp line. Mine adds around 17 miles an hour.

 

[Todd44]

My 24amp charging is completely sufficient. Charges over night when needed. and I don’t need to upgrade the service at the house.

 

[bbulkow]

Unless I am misunderstanding, this contradicts what is listed on the Ford site: https://www.ford.com/support/category/electric-vehicle/charging/home-charging/

The Ford Mobile Charger includes a 240V plug here in the US. Personally I used a 120V plug with mine, as my dryer outlet differed from the included plug, and it wouldn't fit.

Not arguing, just trying to understand.

The advice posted does *NOT* contradict what's on the website, in my opinion. The website is just a little.... amibiguous? Or .... wrong?

"Plug into any 240V", the website says. Not true --- plug into any 240V you*can* plug into. The Ford charger supports only NEMA 14-50. A 14-50 has to be fused to 50A (and would be better installed as 60A because it could be a continuous load but in either case the 42A charger is safe).

If you get an adapter to a 30A plug, put their 42A charger on a 30A circuit... You'll have a bad time. The breaker should blow. You shouldn't get a fire, because that's what breakers do, but if your breaker malfunctions, then you probably will get some very bad juju (melted wires and shit smoking if not catching fire). As they say, "not recommended". In any case, it won't / shouldn't work - it should trip breakers.

If you're going to use adapters, you really need to know what you're up to. All these plug formats exist for a reason, and an adapter circumvents the physical safety mechanism, which requires you to use the safety mechanism called your brain --- something designers consider a terrible, terrible idea.

You almost certainly need a charger that supports setting the Amperage. I've been looking for one, myself, because if my mobile charger is my "last resort", then I want to be able to set it to a number of values.... Who knows if I'm at my friend's house and they say "wellll..... I know it's a 50A plug but my shady cousin put in low grade wiring...."

But I haven't found a charger that goes all the way from 16A to 42A and is portable enough to replace the Ford unit in the space under the floor in the car.

Looking for recommendations; I haven't searched the last 6 months.

[ I might even say 50A is not unreasonable.... But the cases where 50A are safe is super rare.... SUPER RARE.... 42A would be fine with me ]

 

[MellowJohnny]

Call someone like Qmerit. I would even avoid a general electrician - mine was great, but knew nothing about EVs. He installed a nice new $10 dryer receptacle in my garage, which I swapped out for a Hubbell when I knew better.

Don't chance it, it's your house.

 

[shelnian]

Check with your local electric utility company because there are quite a few that offer rebates on chargers especially ones that can be connected via WIFI that can control when you charge. This reduces demand on their system during high use periods and gives you a discounted price per KWH.

 

[Socalsp3]

As is said before, a 30A dryer outlet is insufficient for most EVs. If you want to change it, I highly recommend Qmerit - they will send a local electrician certified in EV installs. At a minimum, you can use their web site to send in some pictures and see if it’s even possible and how much it would likely cost.

I recommend the ChargePoint Home Flex. The electrician can set it to match your circuit’s capabilities, and if you choose to upgrade to a 60A circuit later it can be reprogrammed. It can also change cables between J1772 and Tesla if you need to in the future.

depends on how long your commute is. A 30A dryer socket can give you 5.5 kW. Over 10 hours that's almost 200 miles. 99% of people don't have 100 mile commutes.

been using 24A splitvolt EVSE on my dryer outlet for 2 years. No problem. No need for electrician to put in another 240V line.

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