Are FDRS updates that easy

[MrLoganRoss]

At this point, I have given up with Ford dealer resistance to update the car. While I don’t plan on daily updates, I would like to check every three to six months and just update what needs to be updated.

I know there is an almost 300 page thread on FDRS. It’s not clear to me whether the first post is updated or whether I have to go through all 300 pages and piece it all together.

The plan is for the maintainer and interface linked below.

https://a.co/d/6BCvryv

https://a.co/d/08boBgM


Is it straightforward or is that wishful thinking. Your guidance is appreciated!

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[bshaw]

Mongoose+ cable is a solid choice, there isn't a reliable alternative to that option.

Your power supply looks super nice, but its definitely overkill for what the Mach E currently needs during updates. I've seen the car draw somewhere in the mid 30A range for power needs during updates. Some of the updates can take hours to finish, so you need sustained 40-50A tops.

I bought this one and it works really well
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L5QU616/

As for whether its "easy", that depends on the person doing the updates. If you are slightly technically inclined, detail oriented, willing to troubleshoot through a few hurdles, and have several hours to devote to the process -- then Yes it can be done by most anyone. If you're expecting an iPhone situation where you press the update button and walk away, then maybe don't get started. That forum thread you mentioned is a great support resource for if you run into trouble with updates. Everyone will tend to jump in to help each other out.

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

Yup it's that easy provided you are good with what bshaw said above. And the folks in the main FDRS thread are helpful and reply quickly to troubleshooting requests.

I was a little nervous at first. I thought Forscan was already pushing my comfort zone but I find FDRS is actually more idiot-proof than Forscan. Fwiw I use https://a.co/d/d6oWRmV. I actually had the one bshaw linked above and it's a great option, but I decided that I also wanted a unit that could be used as a charger, not just a power supply.

 

[Jerrytball]

I have a question on updating your version of sync, I’m at version 713, who can do that without any pushback or how does that get updated? Can the dealer update sync? that’s not the same as doing big updates is it?

 

[HuntingPudel]

A lot of us use the PL6100 power supply. It’s solid. I have seen a sustained maximum of 43A in the past, so you need at the very least a 40A supply and good antiperspirant. I cheaped out when I first put my rig together and bought a much less expensive 50A supply. That was bad news since it failed part way into a long update. Hence the need for antiperspirant. ??

One more thing that I keep in my FDRS case is an M.2 PCIe SSD in a USB 3.1 case. It is so much faster than the USB stick I used before it’s not funny. ??

 

[Mrtman]

Yup it's that easy provided you are good with what bshaw said above. And the folks in the main FDRS thread are helpful and reply quickly to troubleshooting requests.

I was a little nervous at first. I thought Forscan was already pushing my comfort zone but I find FDRS is actually more idiot-proof than Forscan. Fwiw I use https://a.co/d/d6oWRmV. I actually had the one bshaw linked above and it's a great option, but I decided that I also wanted a unit that could be used as a charger, not just a power supply.

I have this unit kicking around the garage. Do you think it would be a suitable power supply for the updates.
Thx

 

[Snakebitten]

I jumped into the FDRS water 1 or 2 days after the infamous FDRS thread was created on the Gen14 F150 forum by iceman.
It hasn't been without some minor annoyances and frustration at times, but for the most part it has been the single largest influence on positive ownership experience for 2 trucks and now a Mach-E.

I didn't keep official count, but it's between 75-100 updates combined and so I've never suffered the OTA blues. Or dealt with the apathy or incompetence of the factory authorized service department.

Zero regrets. Worth every cent. And you don't need to have as much tech savvy as you might think. The collective is there to assist if/when you need advice.

 

[rugedraw]

I have this unit kicking around the garage. Do you think it would be a suitable power supply for the updates.
Thx

Yes, that'll work just fine.

Edit: If it has a power supply mode.

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

I have this unit kicking around the garage. Do you think it would be a suitable power supply for the updates.
Thx

The one I linked? Yes, it’s great for updates. Just make sure it’s in power supply mode, not charging mode.

 

[Snakebitten]

The one I linked? Yes, it’s great for updates. Just make sure it’s in power supply mode, not charging mode.

I purchased the Midtek version of the same you linked to. It certainly seems to be up to the task/burden that the Mach-E updates can place on the 12V AGM.

Which is considerably more than the trucks (Powerboost) put on their equivalent. 20 Amp power supply was sufficient. And the AGM is H7 in size, so a bit more AH than whatever that is in the Mach-E.

 

[Homestead]

Does FDRS stage the updates so that they are done in the proper order or do you have to know which updates to do in sequence?

 

[Snakebitten]

It doesn't provide any direction for order. It just lists them.
But if there are updates with dependencies on another, it will roll from one to the other sequentially.

Still, it's pretty much agreed that GWM updates are priority since that module plays such a fundamental role in multiple aspects.

 

[AtomicInternet]

I'm feeling saucy today so I'll let everyone know how often my 10 amp charger fails updates. At 100% 12v SoC so feeling confident. Begin the roasting.

 

[KyzaFurya]

I had a 10 amp and I dropped low during the IPMA update, changed to a 40A and was successful.

I used a VCM 3.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I'm feeling saucy today so I'll let everyone know how often my 10 amp charger fails updates. At 100% 12v SoC so feeling confident. Begin the roasting.

That’s a battery charger not a power supply, and 10 amps isn’t nearly enough. You’re going to be risking bricking your modules a lot there. The longer updates will definitely fail since they can draw 45 amps.

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