Ford Connected Charge Station: What are the unique features?

TheSeg

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What does the Ford Connected Charge Station add that other EVSEs don't?
So far, this is what I gathered as unique to this product (in relationship to using it with a Mach-E). If more are found and documented, I'll edit this OP accordingly.

Integrating UI with the FordPass app.
Instead of a dedicated EVSE app, it's rolled into the FordPass app.

Remote Lock & Unlock
The FordPass app will allow you to remotely lock (prevent charge) the EVSE and remotely turn it back on. I understand this as I go on vacation and lock the charger, but a friend texts me asking to use it. I turn it on for them while on vacation, turn it back off when they're done. I haven't found documentation that another EVSE has this feature.

ā€¦ Is that all?
That's the only features I've seen unique to the Ford EVSE that aren't replicated by other EVSEs. Obviously some EVSEs don't have the connected features, but some do. Is there anything else that's unique to this device that isn't replicated elsewhere or is otherwise impossible for other EVSEs to replicate? What's to stop me from getting, for example, the ChargePoint Home Flex?

To be clear: I'm not counting any financing options like including in your Ford Credit loan or service with a Ford dealer. Looking only at functionality of the EVSE itself.
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macchiaz-o

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I think you are understanding the situation correctly...

The EVSE offers some features that are available on some alternatives, but are less commonly found:
  • up to 240V, 48A charge rate, when paired with a 60A circuit
  • OCPP 1.6 compatible, for demand response programs and similar
    • as an open source protocol, maybe we can think of some clever applications to integrate with our chargers?
  • Bluetooth
    • I have no idea why it has this or how it will be of benefit.
My plan is to install wiring to support a 60A circuit, but initially put a 50A breaker and NEMA 14-50 receptacle. With that in place, I'll use the included mobile charger when I get the vehicle.

Then when my FordPass Rewards points accumulate from the new vehicle purchase, I'll redeem them (and other points I've accumulated during the last few years) to purchase the Connected Charge Station. Using my points, I think this should cut the cost by at least $400. That combined with how certain dealers are selling for under MSRP, I'm hoping it will be a good value.

So once I get the connected charge station, I'll swap out the breaker to 60A (remember, the wiring will already be suitable), and I'll hardwire the station right on top of the box that housed the old receptacle.
 

1pt21Gigawatts

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Itā€™s really just a nicer charger that integrates well into the Ford ecosystem with high build quality. Iā€˜m getting one because a lot of these other chargers out there can be of varying quality and arenā€™t tested/supported by the OEM, plus this oneā€™s design seems rather nice. It seems like the Ford equivalent of Tesla offering their wall charger.

some features from the ford parts site:
  • Future updates with over-the-air technology and Ford SmartGrid Rewards capability
  • Manage and control from the FordPass App:
    • Lock and unlock your charge station for friends and family, or set up auto-unlock so your EV starts charging as soon as itā€™s plugged inā€”
    • Get insight into your charging sessions and energy usage from a convenient dashboard right in the FordPass App
    • Control your charge speeds and energy usage remotely or with a smart home device
  • Ergonomically designed handle with rubber grip
  • Impact-resistant, replaceable faceplate

Ford Mustang Mach-E Ford Connected Charge Station: What are the unique features? 1603379460530
Ford Mustang Mach-E Ford Connected Charge Station: What are the unique features? 1603379588465
 
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TheLight75

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EVSEā€™s are pretty basic devices. Even among the fancier ones, thereā€™s not much different between them. Iā€™m sure most of you know this: the charger is actually in the car. The EVSE is just a service connector with safety intelligence in it to protect both people & vehicles.
 

1pt21Gigawatts

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EVSEā€™s are pretty basic devices. Even among the fancier ones, thereā€™s not much different between them. Iā€™m sure most of you know this: the charger is actually in the car. The EVSE is just a service connector with safety intelligence in it to protect both people & vehicles.
You say that, but thereā€™s 1000 ways of building them wrong and the build quality is very different, from cable weight to cold-weather and heat performance, safety, longevity, etc.

Even GE, some of the best engineers in the world, ended up having to pull out of the market because they built faulty stations that damage cars because they werenā€™t tested appropriately, and they have a lot more resources than a lot of these third-party chargers people are buying on the cheap. A lot of Nissan leaf customers had to go get their charge ports replaced because of GEā€™s product.

https://www.plugincars.com/nissan-d...tion-charger-can-damage-your-leaf-123121.html
 
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DBC

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What's to stop me from getting, for example, the ChargePoint Home Flex?
Nothing. The only potential issue might be compatibility but the bugs in implementing the standard have been worked out so that's not much of a risk.

I like the ability to see how much energy has been used on the app but that won't effect the charging. The ability to lock/unlock the charger is nice but hardly necessary if the charger is inside the garage. FWIW I have chargers which work fine so not getting the Ford charger, but it seems a reasonable alternative with the discounts off MSRP some dealers are reporting.

The one thing I don't like is the 20 ft. cord. That seems long enough until for some reason you need to park in a different place.
 

1pt21Gigawatts

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The one thing I don't like is the 20 ft. cord. That seems long enough until for some reason you need to park in a different place.
Teslaā€™s Wall connector only comes in 8.5ā€˜ or 18ā€™ options. Seems plenty long
 
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JamieGeek

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The one thing I don't like is the 20 ft. cord. That seems long enough until for some reason you need to park in a different place.
Here you go (Amazon).

I assure you, it works quite well (you can see in the picture why I got one).
Ford Mustang Mach-E Ford Connected Charge Station: What are the unique features? boltstreetcharge
 

JamieGeek

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?

I was more thinking when you couldn't use the garage -- and extra few feet is helpful when parked in the driveway or when the new vehicle has the charge port in a different place -- but that's a pretty neat gizmo.

Hope your new driveway is working out!
The EVSE the extension is plugged into in that pic has a 23ft cable. I've found that long enough to be able to park in 3 of 4 spots (either position in the garage and the driveway immediately behind the side the EVSE is on). It isn't long enough for the other spot immediately behind the spot opposite the EVSE. If that makes sense...
 

DBC

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Teslaā€™s Wall connector only comes in 8.5ā€˜ or 18ā€™ options. Seems plenty long
Until it isn't. ;) There have been a few times when 18' wouldn't have worked, including a several month period when the garage wasn't available because of a remodel.

A few extra feet can come in handy. An 8.5' cord seems crazy short.
 

DBC

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It isn't long enough for the other spot immediately behind the spot opposite the EVSE. If that makes sense...
Understand completely. I have one charger on one side wall. Very similar to your setup I'd think. My 25' cord would work for the driveway on that side but not the opposite side. Don't think a 20' would have worked. A 23' might have worked but I wouldn't have been thrilled with the tension.

But with your extension you have it covered. If it weren't so expensive I'd get one. Nice to know it's available though.
 

jrg

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I noticed in one of the media posts for the 2022 F150 EV that the Charge Station (a different one than offered now perhaps) can use the truck's battery pack to power your home when your power fails and can be set to stop doing so when you're close to the amount of power left to drive to the nearest charging point (if they can distinguish which stations have power that would be even better). I love this feature (though am not planing to purchase the truck, too big for my tastes). So does this feature exist on the current Ford Charging station? it's not well advertised if so.
 
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I noticed in one of the media posts for the 2022 F150 EV that the Charge Station (a different one than offered now perhaps) can use the truck's battery pack to power your home when your power fails and can be set to stop doing so when you're close to the amount of power left to drive to the nearest charging point (if they can distinguish which stations have power that would be even better). I love this feature (though am not planing to purchase the truck, too big for my tastes). So does this feature exist on the current Ford Charging station? it's not well advertised if so.
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macchiaz-o

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Anyone know how to access the Ford Connected Charge Station web controls from a regular PC? I'd love to be able to access the "Insights" and charge settings from my laptop.

I think FordPass brings up this web site for the charge station data:
https://prod.ocpp.ford.com/

In this JavaScript, I see some API URLs and endpoints of interest, though again, I don't really know how to use them (be authorized, etc.).

Some basic URLs:

JavaScript:
baseUrl = "https://api.mps.ford.com/api/wallbox/v1"

apiUrl = baseUrl

apiChargePointsUrl = "https://api.mps.ford.com/api/wallbox/v1/chargepoints/"

ocppUrl = "https://api.mps.ford.com/api/ocpp/dashboard/v1"

pcfBaseUrl = "https://wallbox-api-prod.apps.pd01.useast.cf.ford.com/api/v1/wallbox"

tokenAPIUrl = "https://api.mps.ford.com/api/oauth2/v1"
Some endpoints:

JavaScript:
getCatTokenByUser=http.get(apiUrl+"/users/getToken?userGuid="+t)

getUserProfile=http.get(apiUrl+"/users/profile")

validateAddress=http.put(apiUrl+"/timezone/address/validate",t)

getChargePointDetails=http.get(""+apiChargePointsUrl+t)

getChargeInsights=http.get(e
   ?""+apiChargePointsUrl+t+"/chargeInsights?reportType="+e
   +"&fromDate="+encodeURIComponent(n)
   :"apiChargePointsUrl"+t+"/chargeInsights")

getChargeEvents=http.get(
   ""+apiChargePointsUrl
   +t
   +"/chargeEvents?fromDate="+encodeURIComponent(n)
   +"&toDate="+encodeURIComponent(i)
   +"&fetchLimit="+o+"&page="+r)

getChargePointIdBySerialNumber=http.get(
   apiUrl+"/chargepoints?serialNumber="
   +t+"&vendorId=1&isManuallyAdded="+e+"&accessCode="+n)

addWallboxToAccount=http.post(
   apiUrl+"/users/chargepoints/"+t.chargePointId,t)

saveChargePointSettings=http.put(
   ""+apiChargePointsUrl+t.chargePointId+"?actionType="+e,t)

updateMaxChargeRate=http.put(
   ""+apiChargePointsUrl+t
   +"/maxChargeRate?maxChargeRate="+e
   +"&actionType=modifyMaxChargeRate","")

alterChargePointState=http.put(
   ""+apiChargePointsUrl+t
   +"/availability?actionType=modifyChangeAvailability",e)

removeChargePoint=http.delete(""+apiChargePointsUrl+t+"?actionType="+e)

getchargePointsList=http.get(apiUrl+"/users/chargepoints?type="+t)

inviteUser=http.post(
   apiUrl+"/sharedUsers/"+t.sharedUserEmail
   +"/chargepoints?actionType=addUser",t)

inviteSaveUser=http.put(
   apiUrl+"/sharedUsers/"
   +t.sharedUserEmail
   +"/chargepoints?resendInvite=false&actionType=newUser",
   t.chargePointIdList)

resendInviteUser=http.put(apiUrl+"/sharedUsers/"+t+"/resendInvite",[])

viewSharedUsers=http.get(apiUrl+"/users/sharedUsers")

getSharedUsersImage=http.get(apiUrl+"/users/image?emailId="+t)

viewSharedUsersDetails=http.get(
   apiUrl+"/sharedUsers/"+t+"/chargepoints?actionType=viewUser")

removeSharedUser=http.delete(apiUrl+"/sharedUsers/"+t+"/chargepoints")

getUsersChargePointLiveStatuses=http.get(
   apiUrl+"/users/status/chargepoints")

getChargePointPointLiveStatus=http.get(""+apiChargePointsUrl+t+"/status")
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