Departure Time -> Charging -> No actual preparation

[bdeweese]

If it needs external power to pre-heat the cabin when plugged in (regardless of off-plug being checked) - then that is definitely my problem.

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[bdeweese]

Well shame on me. Was perusing the Optiwatt app and discovered the “scheduling” section (didn't notice this before). And, even though there are several indicators that Ford connectivity is working, it doesn’t appear that the departure schedule in Ford Pass syncs with Optiwatt. None of my departure times were present.

Optiwatt does have separate options for scheduling pre-conditioning of the battery and for pre-heating the cabin. Looks like can have them both trigger, or individually.

Going to try setting a schedule from Optiwatt and see if that fixes things. TBD!

 

[VindictivePantz]

Well shame on me. Was perusing the Optiwatt app and discovered the “scheduling” section (didn't notice this before). And, even though there are several indicators that Ford connectivity is working, it doesn’t appear that the departure schedule in Ford Pass syncs with Optiwatt. None of my departure times were present.

Optiwatt does have separate options for scheduling pre-conditioning of the battery and for pre-heating the cabin. Looks like can have them both trigger, or individually.

Going to try setting a schedule from Optiwatt and see if that fixes things. TBD!

Their UI is a bit confusing. I was thinking the same thing and now believe it's yet another schedule option that gets pushed from Optiwatt to the car, and it's not clear that it's a "Departure Time" in how Ford defines it.

That's the overall option I turned off and will be testing it tomorrow morning before I leave.

 

[VindictivePantz]

I disabled the 'scheduling' and the departure time failed.

I am going to need to spend a little more time in their UI and testing to see if I can get it to work (assuming it's Optiwatt that's the issue.)

 

[bdeweese]

I disabled the 'scheduling' and the departure time failed.

I am going to need to spend a little more time in their UI and testing to see if I can get it to work (assuming it's Optiwatt that's the issue.)

Yea - I scheduled a charge in Optiwatt (on-plug) and it didn’t fire. Scheduled from Ford Pass (off-plug) and it worked fine. Need to mess with it more.

 

[superdave80]

This happens to me often. Ford didn't hire talented programmers for this app any of their software.

Fixed that for ya.

 

[bdeweese]

Did some more research into the utility/Optiwatt program. While the program works with my Mach-E, according to the info below, it does not work with my FCSP EVSE (says ChargePoint and Wallbox only). This could explain the issues I’m having. If so, I’ll probably drop it and see if that eliminates the cabin preparation issues. As far as I can tell the only real advantage is an additional $25 credit I get if I stay in the program through the end of 2025. Not enough of a carrot for the issues I’m having.


How it Works
To participate in the EV Managed Charging program customers can sign-up on the Optiwatt app by registering their electric vehicle. Please note the program works directly with your EV’s telematics. Only ChargePoint and WallBox Level 2 chargers are compatible with the program.

Participating EV owners will be included in scheduled charging events. These events typically last about four hours and will be scheduled several times each month through 2025. Customers will always have the ability to opt out of these events if participating would cause an inconvenience.

By participating in the program, customers agree to allow Optiwatt in partnership with Clark Public Utilities to manage your vehicle’s charging. Aside from the scheduled charging events, the Optiwatt app can help you conveniently optimize your charging while ensuring your car is charged when you need it.

 

[VindictivePantz]

Did some more research into the utility/Optiwatt program. While the program works with my Mach-E, according to the info below, it does not work with my FCSP EVSE (says ChargePoint and Wallbox only). This could explain the issues I’m having. If so, I’ll probably drop it and see if that eliminates the cabin preparation issues. As far as I can tell the only real advantage is an additional $25 credit I get if I stay in the program through the end of 2025. Not enough of a carrot for the issues I’m having.


How it Works
To participate in the EV Managed Charging program customers can sign-up on the Optiwatt app by registering their electric vehicle. Please note the program works directly with your EV’s telematics. Only ChargePoint and WallBox Level 2 chargers are compatible with the program.

Participating EV owners will be included in scheduled charging events. These events typically last about four hours and will be scheduled several times each month through 2025. Customers will always have the ability to opt out of these events if participating would cause an inconvenience.

By participating in the program, customers agree to allow Optiwatt in partnership with Clark Public Utilities to manage your vehicle’s charging. Aside from the scheduled charging events, the Optiwatt app can help you conveniently optimize your charging while ensuring your car is charged when you need it.

Good find! Darn fine print. ?‍

Since I'm using a "dumb" Grizzl-E, then I should not have been included (despite them telling me I did not make their pilot pool.)

Before I drop out of it, I'll try a couple of more settings to see if I can get it to work.

 

[bdeweese]

In further reading, you can register the car or the charger, or both. In our cases - the cars are registered - but not the chargers. I need to figure out if the Optiwatt scheduling is supposed to work with just the car - or if it needs a compatible charger. Once I know that I’ll know how to move forward.

 

[Track9979]

I have departure issues on and off the charger. I use a wallbox with a schedule so it only charges during off peak hours but the departure schedule sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Pretty inconsistent unfortunately, regardless if it's plugged in or not.

In terms of wallbox schedule I also have an issue with one time target charge. If the charge doesn't start immediately (or after some predetermined amount of time) because of wallbox schedule, the car just charges to the usual charge target of 90%.

I agree that whoever wrote these integrations is pretty bad.

 

[bdeweese]

I have departure issues on and off the charger. I use a wallbox with a schedule so it only charges during off peak hours but the departure schedule sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Pretty inconsistent unfortunately, regardless if it's plugged in or not.

In terms of wallbox schedule I also have an issue with one time target charge. If the charge doesn't start immediately (or after some predetermined amount of time) because of wallbox schedule, the car just charges to the usual charge target of 90%.

I agree that whoever wrote these integrations is pretty bad.

Yea - seems flakey at best. Departure worked fine yesterday afternoon, but failed for my 6:35 am departure this morning. No restrictions at the charger - and was on plug. No idea what the issue is.

 

[bdeweese]

Ok - I’ve been testing this and curious if others can confirm this behavior?

My departure times seem to work perfectly fine if the car is off-plug (box is checked), or if it’s plugged in and in “charge complete” mode. (I still need to confirm if works when actively charging). If it’s in “charging stopped” mode, however, it does not work for me. Sometimes it goes to charge complete and stays there for quite awhile, other times it goes to charging stopped within a few minutes of triggering charge complete.

I can reactivate the departure times by simply hitting the “start” button for charging in the ford pass app and departure times will reengage. Obviously a bit of a pain to have to monitor the app for this.

Can’t believe this would be that hard to fix, but hey, what do I know!!

 

[VindictivePantz]

Mine finally worked today - it was AFTER the BC1.3 update was installed, so I am wondering if I did have some transient system state condition that got reset after the BC1.3 update was applied.

I'll test again soon to see if it works consistently.

 

[bdeweese]

Mine finally worked today - it was AFTER the BC1.3 update was installed, so I am wondering if I did have some transient system state condition that got reset after the BC1.3 update was applied.

I'll test again soon to see if it works consistently.

Mine works consistently provided it’s not in “charging stopped” mode. Then it fails every time. Haven’t figured out what prompts it to go from “charge complete” to charging stopped. If I notice it, hitting start fixes everything again.

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