charging in the rain, ok?

[burpethead]

Hi Internet world I had to come here to tell people this

I was just at a Ford dealership in NC picking up my Focus when the guy next to me was going through it. His new Mustang Mach-E that was under warranty had its charging damaged in the rain, and when I was there the service manager was in the middle of telling him it would not be covered under warranty, and that it states in the Mach-E manual that it should not be charged in the rain.

I am not sure if it was the charging cable, or charging connecter that needed to be replaced. I heard the service manager say that the manual states it shouldn't be charged in the rain, and that water can enter and damage the connectors.

I just couldn't believe something like that. What does Ford expect for people to do when it's raining on a road trip? Just park in the charging lot and wait for the rain to pass? So now trips have to be planned according to weather, and you can't charge up when it's raining? WTF?

I wasn't around to hear the resolution. But other Mach-E owners out there, can you confirm if the manual states this? And just posting as a friendly Focus owner to alert of this possible scam from Ford.

Sponsored

 

[DevSecOps]

Hi Internet world I had to come here to tell people this

I was just at a Ford dealership in NC picking up my Focus when the guy next to me was going through it. His new Mustang Mach-E that was under warranty had its charging damaged in the rain, and when I was there the service manager was in the middle of telling him it would not be covered under warranty, and that it states in the Mach-E manual that it should not be charged in the rain.

I am not sure if it was the charging cable, or charging connecter that needed to be replaced. I heard the service manager say that the manual states it shouldn't be charged in the rain, and that water can enter and damage the connectors.

I just couldn't believe something like that. What does Ford expect for people to do when it's raining on a road trip? Just park in the charging lot and wait for the rain to pass? So now trips have to be planned according to weather, and you can't charge up when it's raining? WTF?

I wasn't around to hear the resolution. But other Mach-E owners out there, can you confirm if the manual states this? And just posting as a friendly Focus owner to alert of this possible scam from Ford.

Here's the owners manual:
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...wners-Manual-version-1_om_EN-US_09_2020-1.pdf

You can look for yourself.

While the manual speaks to not submersing the charger in water and it does say that the "Ford Mobile Charger" shouldn't be used in extreme weather, this is for their charging product and not for the car. This would lead me to believe that it's Ford's way of invalidating a warranty on their EVSE if it was used in the rain. Actual charging either AC/DCFC doesn't say anything about weather at all.

So it is possible that for the "Ford Mobile Charger," the dealership warning was valid.

 

[RickMachE]

Hi Internet world I had to come here to tell people this

I was just at a Ford dealership in NC picking up my Focus when the guy next to me was going through it. His new Mustang Mach-E that was under warranty had its charging damaged in the rain, and when I was there the service manager was in the middle of telling him it would not be covered under warranty, and that it states in the Mach-E manual that it should not be charged in the rain.

I am not sure if it was the charging cable, or charging connecter that needed to be replaced. I heard the service manager say that the manual states it shouldn't be charged in the rain, and that water can enter and damage the connectors.

I just couldn't believe something like that. What does Ford expect for people to do when it's raining on a road trip? Just park in the charging lot and wait for the rain to pass? So now trips have to be planned according to weather, and you can't charge up when it's raining? WTF?

I wasn't around to hear the resolution. But other Mach-E owners out there, can you confirm if the manual states this? And just posting as a friendly Focus owner to alert of this possible scam from Ford.

I have a bridge to sell you.

 

[burpethead]

Here's the owners manual:
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...wners-Manual-version-1_om_EN-US_09_2020-1.pdf

You can look for yourself.

While the manual speaks to not submersing the charger in the rain and it does say that the "Ford Mobile Charger" shouldn't be used in extreme weather, this is for their charging product and not for the car.

Awesome thanks

Looks like page 152 is what the service manager was referencing (he mentioned snow too). The manual says "submerged" water - not rain - hopefully the customer was able to argue his case.
But since it's winter - definitely keep an eye on charging in the snow - because that is explicitly mentioned in the manual.

 

[phidauex]

I was just at a Ford dealership in NC picking up my Focus when the guy next to me was going through it. His new Mustang Mach-E that was under warranty had its charging damaged in the rain, and when I was there the service manager was in the middle of telling him it would not be covered under warranty, and that it states in the Mach-E manual that it should not be charged in the rain.

I am not sure if it was the charging cable, or charging connecter that needed to be replaced. I heard the service manager say that the manual states it shouldn't be charged in the rain, and that water can enter and damage the connectors.

I just couldn't believe something like that. What does Ford expect for people to do when it's raining on a road trip? Just park in the charging lot and wait for the rain to pass? So now trips have to be planned according to weather, and you can't charge up when it's raining? WTF?

They were probably talking about the mobile charger that comes with the car. It has a swappable plug on the back to switch between 240V and 120V plugs, and while that connection is water resistant, it isn't designed to be outdoors all the time. Water can pool inside that connector (I've inadvertently done this before while traveling). I can imagine that they wouldn't warranty the charger accessory if it failed due to being in the rain all the time.

If you have outdoor parking for the car, and most of your charging will happen outdoors, then you should get a weather resistant charger installed at your home, either hardwired or with a good weatherproof outlet cover, and use that. The included mobile charger is meant more for travel or in-garage charging.

The car side is just fine - the J1772 connector is totally weather resistant, and the car can be L2 or DC charged in basically any weather condition. If it were pouring rain I'd probably try to shield the connection with my jacket or an umbrella when making the initial connection to keep water from getting inside, but once the connector is in place it has gaskets that seal quite well.

 

[RickMachE]

Awesome thanks

Looks like page 152 is what the service manager was referencing (he mentioned snow too). The manual says "submerged" water - not rain - hopefully the customer was able to argue his case.
But since it's winter - definitely keep an eye on charging in the snow - because that is explicitly mentioned in the manual.

No, charging in the snow is not mentioned.

An outlet, COVERED IN SNOW, is mentioned.

Basically, the outlet one plugs into needs to be clear of snow and not underwater. Same is true of any outlet that you plug anything into...

 

[ARK]

Practically speaking, if it’s windy and rainy, when you take your EVSE off the wall and open the charge port door on your vehicle, some water would get into the EVSE’s handle and into the charge port on the car in those moments before you are able to plug in.

I’m guessing there must be some safeguard to not getting electrocuted, right?

This isn’t an issue specific to the Mach-E or a Ford branded charger.

 

[DevSecOps]

No, charging in the snow is not mentioned.

An outlet, COVERED IN SNOW, is mentioned.

Basically, the outlet one plugs into needs to be clear of snow and not underwater. Same is true of any outlet that you plug anything into...

If you would bother reading the manual that I linked it does say that... But again it's for the mobile charger not the car itself.

And because I know you're stubborn and will argue, no where does the below say "outlet" as that's covered in another warning in the manual.

 

[RickMachE]

If you would bother reading the manual that I linked it does say that... But again it's for the mobile charger not the car itself.

I have read the manual, thanks...

I was responding to the specific citation that was made that clearly says the outlet should not be submerged in water or covered in snow, which is what the posted.

And yes, the mobile charger has a warning about not being used in severe rain, snow or electrical storm. And it tells you to avoid moisture, water, snow, and foreign object at all times.

And it says that you shouldn't allow charging equipment to be immersed in water or liquids.

I think it also says that you shouldn't eat the mobile charger, but that's for the nutty California laws.

I think it's pretty clear that using a 2-piece product is much different than using a permanently mounted charger designed to be used outdoors. That said, I wouldn't be charging my car in a downpour.

 

[DevSecOps]

@burpethead ... Welcome to the forums and the nitpicking by certain members.

Basically, as I stated the car can be charged in a general sense in rain, snow, etc. The Ford mobile charger specifically has a warning against using it in heavy rain and snow.

I think the sales person was either confused or referring to the charger.

 

[CHeil402]

The car-side plug is designed to be operated in the rain, the house-side plug is a different story as well as the EVSE itself. If the house-side plug is properly protected from the elements and the EVSE is properly IP-rated, then it shouldn't be an issue.

The car doesn't start drawing current upon first plugging it in, so it won't arc that way, and once the connector is seated in the car, water would be blocked from bridging any pins... and even if it did, a proper GFCI should protect against that (built into the EVSE or the circuit breaker).

 

[TruWrecks]

I have DC charged my Bolt and Mach-E in monsoon like rains and snow with no issues. Just make sure you clear any standing water out of the plug and ports before connecting them.

I got 168 kWh peak for almost 12 minutes last time it was raining hard.

 

[RickMachE]

If you would bother reading the manual that I linked it does say that... But again it's for the mobile charger not the car itself.

And because I know you're stubborn and will argue, no where does the below say "outlet" as that's covered in another warning in the manual.

Wasn't talking to you. Responding to the person that posted the picture that said the words "electrical outlet"... Have a good day.

 

[CHeil402]

I got 168 kWh peak for almost 12 minutes last time it was raining hard.

It charged so fast since it was "thermally managed by hydraulic cooling".

 

[DevSecOps]

Wasn't talking to you. Responding to the person that posted the picture that said the words "electrical outlet"... Have a good day.

At least you consistently make me laugh ?

You don't see the irony in what you just said? Hint: he was talking to me, not you ?

Sponsored