Setting preferred charge time causes Charge Station to cycle

[stoopid]

I recently got my Level 2 installed, has been working fine. Yesterday I setup my preferred charge time for off hours. When I got home after a drive today, I connected my car and it showed the solid blue lights at the car's charge port and did not charge, which is expected as it should wait until off hours. When I came back a few minutes later I heard the Charge Station Pro clicking off/on, and saw the blue light on the charge station flash and go off, to solid, flash, and go off making a clicking sound as it did this. The car's charge port lights were still solid blue. I disconnected the charger from the car and posted this, removing the off hours settings from the Ford app until I figure out what's wrong.

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[knemchak]

What you describe sounds like the issue I was having when I set up my preferred charge time.
My guess was the Level 2 charger was fighting with the Ford app...where I had the times set it both the charger and the app. So I deleted one. But then the car didn't charge that night.
My long commute does not allow me to go without charging everyday. So I've been manually plugging it in every night later in the evening.
I don't have a solution, but just wanted you to see you're not the only one.
Watching thread, hoping for a solution.

 

[stoopid]

What you describe sounds like the issue I was having when I set up my preferred charge time.
My guess was the Level 2 charger was fighting with the Ford app...where I had the times set it both the charger and the app. So I deleted one. But then the car didn't charge that night.
My long commute does not allow me to go without charging everyday. So I've been manually plugging it in every night later in the evening.
I don't have a solution, but just wanted you to see you're not the only one.
Watching thread, hoping for a solution.

That aligns with my AI search result on Google. Seems to defeat the entire purpose of having the 'preferred charge time', which would in most cases would be with a home Level 2 charger so charging can occur off hours/when it's cheaper [which is also preferable to the local power companies to reduce peak demand use on the grid]. I guess another of a growing list of reasons we can't have nice things.

When using the Ford Charge Station Pro and setting a preferred charging time, the truck might cycle on and off, even if it's not actively charging. This happens because the charger tries to deliver power, but the truck delays charging until its preferred time, causing a rapid on/off cycle. [1]
Here's a breakdown of why this happens: [2, 3]

• Preferred Charging Times: You set a specific window when you want your EV to start charging. [2, 3]
• Target Charge Setting: You also define the desired battery percentage to charge to. [2]
• Pro Charger Behavior: The Ford Charge Station Pro attempts to deliver power as soon as it's plugged in, but if it's outside the preferred time, the truck will delay charging until the designated start time. [1, 3]
• Cycling: The charger will repeatedly try to deliver power, and the truck will "kick it back" until the preferred time, causing this on/off cycling. [1]

Why this is happening and what you can do: [1]

• Target Charge Too High: If you've set a target charge percentage that's too high to reach within your preferred time frame, the charger might start immediately to try and get to that level. [1]
• Preferred Times Don't Align: Double-check that your preferred times align with your target charge goals and available charging power. If the preferred time is too short for the target charge, the truck might be trying to catch up. [1, 4]
• Incorrect GPS: The truck uses GPS to recognize your charger location. Make sure the GPS is accurate and try re-adding the charger and preferred times if necessary. [5]
• Departure Times: If you've set preferred departure times, the truck might also charge outside of your preferred times to ensure you have enough power for your scheduled departure. [6]
• Check FordPass: Verify your settings in the FordPass app to ensure they are configured correctly. [3, 7]

Troubleshooting: [1]

• Adjust Target Charge: Reduce the target charge percentage to see if the cycling stops. [1]
• Review Preferred Times: Ensure your preferred times are realistically achievable given your charging rate and target charge. [1]
• Check GPS: Verify the GPS location of your charger in the FordPass app and consider re-adding it. [5]
• Manage Departure Times: If you're using preferred departure times, review them to see if they are interfering with your charging schedule. [6]

Generative AI is experimental.
[1] https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/preferred-charging-time-with-charge-station-pro.17920/
[2] https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...ge-times-for-my-electric-vehicle-in-fordpass/
[3] https://www.ford.co.uk/support/how-...referred-charge-times-for-my-electric-vehicle
[4] https://www.ford.ie/support/how-tos...referred-charge-times-for-my-electric-vehicle
[5]
[6] https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...charges-outside-preferred-charge-times.18601/
[7] https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...lete-electric-vehicle-preferred-charge-times/

 

[MetalCord]

I'm also watching this thread for all the same reasons as everyone else. I seem to have more luck with the FCSP not clicking itself to fault state if I plug in without the key or my phone in proximity to the car. But, so far, that doesn't work 100% as far as I can tell. I've read on the lightning forums that departure time may contribute to the confused relationship between the mach-e and the FCSP.

**EDIT** I forgot to mention that I have disabled departure time (I park in a garage at home so it's probably not a big deal) and proximity welcome lights. It seemed that the charge would stop if I "woke the car up" in the middle of a charge session. Just disabled departure time this morning so I'll see how it goes when I plug back in after work.

 

[Homer007]

I wonder if it's a charge station pro thing? I have a level 2 ChargePoint charger, and haven't' experienced this.

 

[uberpat]

I should be getting my Ford Charger Pro installed in a week or two, so I’ll keep an eye on this issue also.

 

[GoNavy62]

I have a Ford Charge Station pro installed early June 2025. This issue has been around since the beginning. When I set up the preferred charge times and plug in my 2025 Mach E E, I get a fault intermittently on the charger. To clear up the issue I need to shut off power from the breaker and wait 5 mins. delete preferred charge time. Turn the charger power back on and wait 5 mins. Plug in car and start charge. After 1 minute, stop charging and I reset preferred charge time. Seems like the Pro charger has an issue with Preferred Start Times. I called support and they are looking into the issue. Does anyone else have this issue and have you called support?

 

[MetalCord]

I have a Ford Charge Station pro installed early June 2025. This issue has been around since the beginning. When I set up the preferred charge times and plug in my 2025 Mach E E, I get a fault intermittently on the charger. To clear up the issue I need to shut off power from the breaker and wait 5 mins. delete preferred charge time. Turn the charger power back on and wait 5 mins. Plug in car and start charge. After 1 minute, stop charging and I reset preferred charge time. Seems like the Pro charger has an issue with Preferred Start Times. I called support and they are looking into the issue. Does anyone else have this issue and have you called support?

Yes, and no. Yes, I have the problem, no I have not called support. I don't see them being able to fix an obvious software problem so I decided, in typical manly fashion, to just be annoyed by it and let it fester until it turns into a mental illness.

All "humor" aside... powering it off isn't technically necessary for it to work. Disconnecting from the charger and reconnecting can also result in the charger doing what it's supposed to do. Eventually. Doing that repeatedly is probably not good for either the car or the charger so I literally just stopped using preferred charge times and now I just plug the car in when I get up to let the dogs out at 2 am. I'm always fully charged within the preferred window so I've literally "solved" (or accepted) this problem by living my life around it. I do not understand how @Ford Motor Company is still slinging their power promise with an EVSE that relies on broken software.

 

[MetalCord]

I wonder if it's a charge station pro thing? I have a level 2 ChargePoint charger, and haven't' experienced this.

It's definitely a FCSP thing. I haven't heard anyone with a quality EVSE complain about this issue as consistently as FCSP users.

 

[stoopid]

Yes, and no. Yes, I have the problem, no I have not called support. I don't see them being able to fix an obvious software problem so I decided, in typical manly fashion, to just be annoyed by it and let it fester until it turns into a mental illness.

Same, plus some grunts and chest thumps. Because alpha.

 

[Fremont Kid]

I just have the Ford Mobile Charger but never had the issue you are describing. Hope Ford figures it out for you.

Out of interest, if your charger is pulling 48A, what is the size of the circuit breaker?

 

[cyeung]

I had this happen to me when on the first day I brought my Mach-E home. I have an Enphase HCS-40 EVSE that supported my Chevrolet Volt of 10 years with room to grow. I fixed it by:

1. Delete the preferred charge times from the app and in the center screen.
2. Turn off walk-up or welcome lighting. (Walking near the car with your keys or phone also causes the EVSE to cycle.)
3. Set your preferred charge time using the center screen.

In general, use only the center screen to change settings. Use the app only for lock, unlock, remote start, view status, and initiate charging.

 

[cyeung]

Out of interest, if your charger is pulling 48A, what is the size of the circuit breaker?

In the United States, the National Electric Code requires that the continuous load be no more than 80% of the breaker’s rating. For a continuous load of 48 Amps, you meed a minimum 60 Amp breaker.

 

[GoNavy62]

Yes, and no. Yes, I have the problem, no I have not called support. I don't see them being able to fix an obvious software problem so I decided, in typical manly fashion, to just be annoyed by it and let it fester until it turns into a mental illness.

All "humor" aside... powering it off isn't technically necessary for it to work. Disconnecting from the charger and reconnecting can also result in the charger doing what it's supposed to do. Eventually. Doing that repeatedly is probably not good for either the car or the charger so I literally just stopped using preferred charge times and now I just plug the car in when I get up to let the dogs out at 2 am. I'm always fully charged within the preferred window so I've literally "solved" (or accepted) this problem by living my life around it. I do not understand how @Ford Motor Company is still slinging their power promise with an EVSE that relies on broken software.

I gave up on the preferred charge time and just plug it in at 9 PM (start of the power charge cost). Tired of the work around. I chalk it up to the beginnings of the new technology.

 

[GoNavy62]

I just have the Ford Mobile Charger but never had the issue you are describing. Hope Ford figures it out for you.

Out of interest, if your charger is pulling 48A, what is the size of the circuit breaker?

I sent my car to charge at 40 Amps. Charger is set to 40 Amps with a 50 Amp breaker.

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