Lightnings are powering homes after Helene -- "North Carolina's Coming Run on Electric Cars" (The Atlantic Article)

[ChasingCoral]

Ford F150 Lightnings are powering homes after Helene: https://www.theatlantic.com/technol...-helene-electric-vehicle-power-outage/680106/

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[jefftuck]

Paywall, so I didn’t read the whole story.

That said, our MMEs don’t have the fancy two-way charging. Nor do they have 110V outlets. But, an inverter and an extension cord may be better than nothing. Any recommendations for how large of an inverter can reasonably be run and out of which port?

I’m specifically thinking about something that is simple plug-and-play. I’ve read about the guys doing mods to tap directly into 12V and that’s cool, but more work than I want to do right now.

 

[TheVirtualTim]

I love the Pro-Power Onboard and wish more EV's offered something similar to power homes in emergencies.

I had an astronomy event a couple of weekends back. The venue had to be changed due to a construction project that temporarily closed our original site ... but the alternate site didn't have power.

I rented an F-150 Lightning on Turo that came equipped with the optional 9.6 kW Pro-Power Onboard (this was an XLT trim which comes standard with 2.4 kW Pro-Power ... but it can ordered with 9.6 kW).

It ran all the power for the event. At the end of each night it only used about 10% of the battery.

 

[HuntingPudel]

Paywall, so I didn’t read the whole story.

That said, our MMEs don’t have the fancy two-way charging. Nor do they have 110V outlets. But, an inverter and an extension cord may be better than nothing. Any recommendations for how large of an inverter can reasonably be run and out of which port?

I’m specifically thinking about something that is simple plug-and-play. I’ve read about the guys doing mods to tap directly into 12V and that’s cool, but more work than I want to do right now.

See @dtbaker61 ’s thread on his inverter setup: https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...hrough-power-outage-with-flying-colors.37965/ ??

 

[dtbaker61]

Paywall, so I didn’t read the whole story.

That said, our MMEs don’t have the fancy two-way charging. Nor do they have 110V outlets. But, an inverter and an extension cord may be better than nothing. Any recommendations for how large of an inverter can reasonably be run and out of which port?

I’m specifically thinking about something that is simple plug-and-play. I’ve read about the guys doing mods to tap directly into 12V and that’s cool, but more work than I want to do right now.

really not much work, or expense.

I have fabricated a couple sets of cables for people now... $195 plus $20 shipping. 20 minutes to install. The inverter you can order direct from amazon $257 last I checked.

https://www.amazon.com/WZRELB-3000W-110-120V-Inverter-System/dp/B07XRP1GTF/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?

 

[ChasingCoral]

really not much work, or expense.

I have fabricated a couple sets of cables for people now... $195 plus $20 shipping. 20 minutes to install. The inverter you can order direct from amazon $257 last I checked.

https://www.amazon.com/WZRELB-3000W-110-120V-Inverter-System/dp/B07XRP1GTF/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?

That's a cool solution. I used to have a setup like that for my Leaf. I gave it to the Leaf's new owner. If I need power, I'll use the Lightning.

 

[dtbaker61]

That's a cool solution. I used to have a setup like that for my Leaf. I gave it to the Leaf's new owner. If I need power, I'll use the Lightning.

yeah, I bought my MME before Lightning was available.... and it's my daily driver as well as 'work truck' which is why I have a hitch and a little utility trailer for occasional hauling of materials.

I install solar at some off-grid sites that are pretty remote, and energy export to charge cordless tools was important. Side benefit use has been the occasional car-camping with inductive cooktop to leave the propane grill at home, and emergency power to run the house which I actually had to use a couple weeks ago for a 12 hour outage.

 

[Jerrytball]

yeah, I bought my MME before Lightning was available.... and it's my daily driver as well as 'work truck' which is why I have a hitch and a little utility trailer for occasional hauling of materials.

I install solar at some off-grid sites that are pretty remote, and energy export to charge cordless tools was important. Side benefit use has been the occasional car-camping with inductive cooktop to leave the propane grill at home, and emergency power to run the house which I actually had to use a couple weeks ago for a 12 hour outage.

DT, I’m gonna drop this link in here. I just want to get someone opinion after you look at the description of this. Why a master electrician that can install a charging station on a home in a garage would tell me wow, I don’t know if this is something I wanna tackle am I missing something here does not look like I could do this, but I really wouldn’t want to, but I mean, I just like someone that would know how to Secure a power to the meter and put this on. It looks pretty straightforward to me cause I’ve got three solar generators that would work beautifully with this. Confused here are they just knowing me they just don’t wanna do it because it’ll only take him like five minutes and they’re not gonna make $1000. ?

https://a.co/d/dLErUSn

 

[dtbaker61]

I am not sure what your question is Jerry. Yes you could add a transfer switch, but if you were going to add an automatic transfer switch it would need to be a 200 amp transfer and be installed between your meter and your main service panel to accomplish what it is supposed to do. Easily several thousand dollars worth of electrical work if you wanted a completely dummy proof setup that would make your utility company happy.

To disconnect from the grid manually when there is a power outage is exactly what you have to do to use any emergency generator. Electrically , this is accomplished simply by following procedure . But that is certainly not dummy proof . I posted this thread just as an example of what you can do in an emergency situation for the lowest cost possible .

As soon as you add automatic or manual transfer switches the cost goes way up for the extra equipment

 

[Jerrytball]

I am not sure what your question is Jerry. Yes you could add a transfer switch, but if you were going to add an automatic transfer switch it would need to be a 200 amp transfer and be installed between your meter and your main service panel to accomplish what it is supposed to do. Easily several thousand dollars worth of electrical work if you wanted a completely dummy proof setup that would make your utility company happy.

To disconnect from the grid manually when there is a power outage is exactly what you have to do to use any emergency generator. Electrically , this is accomplished simply by following procedure . But that is certainly not dummy proof . I posted this thread just as an example of what you can do in an emergency situation for the lowest cost possible .

As soon as you add automatic or manual transfer switches the cost goes way up for the extra equipment

Sorry if it’s confusing if you click on the link and go to Amazon that thing does exactly what you’re saying. It automatically does not connect to the grid when the power comes back on. It’s 200 amp. It just fits right over according to description the meter it seems that simple did you look at the tool itself it cost $1200 and a guy that put it on his. I saw the video he said it took him maybe a half hour no electrician no rewiring no transfer panel required.

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