Choosing between 32a plug-in and 48a hardwired

[dtbaker61]

I just wanted to put a few thoughts out there to help people choose....

32a plug-in Pros

+ 32a mobile charger is 'included' with your Mach-e. all you need is NEMA 14-50 outlet w 50amp breaker​

+ 32a adds about 20 miles of range per hour of charge... close to 200 miles recharge overnight​

+ 14-50 outlet can be used to run power tools, or for Generator backfeed when grid is down​

Cons

- requires adding 14-50 outlet and 50a breaker if you don't already have one​

​

48a hardwired Pros

+ faster charge, about 30 miles range per hour of charge... closer to 300 miles recharge overnight​

Cons

- requires a new 60amp dp breaker in your service panel​

- have to purchase a charger rather than use included mobile charger​

- likely a little bit more expensive to install​

..... what you really do NOT want to do is buy a 48amp charger intended to be hardwired, and add a plug to it. 14-50 plugs/receptacles are rated for 50amps max, but NOT for 50amps continuous (more than 3 hours). They will fail, and might cause a fire. Here are some pix:

 

[Maquis]

Good advice.
In my case, I have a 100A sub panel in my garage, so I hardwired my Ford Connected Charge Station and installed a separate 14-50 receptacle outlet in case in need to use the Mobile Charger. Maximum flexibility.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Good advice.
In my case, I have a 100A sub panel in my garage, so I hardwired my Ford Connected Charge Station and installed a separate 14-50 receptacle outlet in case in need to use the Mobile Charger. Maximum flexibility.

My 100A house panel envies your 100A garage sub panel

 

[brancky3]

You forgot the mobile charger con of 'going to overheat 2 months after using it daily and will no longer charge your car'

 

[ShadowCVL]

You forgot the mobile charger con of 'going to overheat 2 months after using it daily and will no longer charge your car'

Unless you are super lucky, you can expect ~6 months of dailies per mobile charger

 

[1969Camaro]

You forgot the mobile charger con of 'going to overheat 2 months after using it daily and will no longer charge your car'

Or in my case find out the mobile charger doesnt work on a road trip. Brand new out of the box charger.

 

[dtbaker61]

You forgot the mobile charger con of 'going to overheat 2 months after using it daily and will no longer charge your car'

I didn't forget, I haven't had a problem with mobile charger.
Ive used mine daily for 18 months with no problems for both my MME and wifes BMW 330e

 

[dtbaker61]

Unless you are super lucky, you can expect ~6 months of dailies per mobile charger

? you have any numbers to back that up?
are you sure the failures are charger, or maybe some have been poorly installed outlets, bad service grounding, etc?

 

[ripperAZ]

Spend the $$ now. EV’s aren’t going away. It adds home value and makes life easier. And safer. I consider it part of the investment.
Jes sayin

 

[dtbaker61]

Or in my case find out the mobile charger doesnt work on a road trip. Brand new out of the box charger.

oohhhh, I haven't heard that one yet.
did you:
- unplug and re-plug the pigtail to be sure it was fully seated?
- try it in another outlet at a different location to be sure it wasn't a bad outlet/circuit?

 

[dtbaker61]

My 100A house panel envies your 100A garage sub panel

oohhhhh, if your house service is 100a, you really should consider electrical upgrade to 200a.... and if you consider adding Solar to your house, the upgrade may be done as part of the required prep for Solar and eligible for combining with cost of Solar for Federal Tax Credit. (26% this year, but dropping to 22% next year).

nice way to get a double win for work you need to do any way.... save money, and generate clean electricity for your MME to boot.

 

[1969Camaro]

oohhhh, I haven't heard that one yet.
did you:
- unplug and re-plug the pigtail to be sure it was fully seated?
- try it in another outlet at a different location to be sure it wasn't a bad outlet/circuit?

Yep, tried all of the above several times.

 

[dtbaker61]

Yep, tried all of the above several times.

too bad you found that out on a trip!
good news is that your Dealership can get you a replacement under warranty.

 

[SuperRob]

Rather than harp on you using the mobile charger for your daily ...

You said a 32A EVSE requires a 50A breaker. That's not right. You need a 40A breaker. You basically need about 20% overhead. So a 50A service will support a 40A EVSE. A 60A hardwire solution will support up to a 48A EVSE.

In my opinion, put in a NEMA 14-50 socket. It will give you flexibility, and also allow you to take the EVSE with you should you ever move, or easily replace it should it fail. Even at less amperage, it only costs slightly more time to charge. If you're charging up overnight anyway, the amperage really doesn't matter much.

But please don't stick to using the mobile charger. You're just going to end up disappointed. Check with your power utility to see if they offer discounts on EVSEs. Mine offered a $500 INSTANT rebate, making the JuiceBox 40 about $150 out of pocket.

 

[ZuleMME]

You missed the option to do the 14-50 outlet with the 30A included EVSE (it's not 32) and eventually upgrade to a 40A EVSE if you want more range per hour but to keep the flexibility of the 240v outlet in your garage.

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