Home Charger Feedback

[zhottel12]

I have a dilemma involving home charging that I would like feedback on.

I have a 2023 GT/PE that I've had for just over a month. Based on my situation I do fine in terms of distance with the 110v charging using the mobile charger.

However, I'm not sure long term charging solution since I know the mobile chargers aren't meant to last doing that.

Any suggestions on whether I should keep doing what I'm doing, install a 240v plug with home charger, or something else?

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[zvez]

I have a dilemma involving home charging that I would like feedback on.

I have a 2023 GT/PE that I've had for just over a month. Based on my situation I do fine in terms of distance with the 110v charging using the mobile charger.

However, I'm not sure long term charging solution since I know the mobile chargers aren't meant to last doing that.

Any suggestions on whether I should keep doing what I'm doing, install a 240v plug with home charger, or something else?

I've had two mach e in 3 years, the first for eighteen months and second for a bit over seven months. I used the portable EVSE eighteen months without difficulty (but I did install a nema 14-50 outlet at the outset so never charged 110).

Personally, only having 110 limits you if you have to travel extra, that means you rely on public (expensive) charging. 110 is also the least efficient in terms of energy used to charge the car. Long term would not count on the ford portable lasting. I don't really know what's available in the 110v range.

First off, check with your local utility to see if they have chargers at a discount. I got my juicebox 40 at a $250 discount from GA power. Whether to go hardwire (up to 48 amp on a 60 amp breaker) or nema 14-50 (up to 40 amps on a 50 amp breaker) is a lot down to personal choice. If you opt for nema 14-50 make sure they use a high grade industrial outlet.

 

[AliRafiee]

My first EV was a 2013 Nissan LEAF. It only had an 80 mile range, my commute was 40 miles a day. I used the supplied 110 charger to charge it overnight for a year or two. I couldn’t really use the car during that time, and used the gas car.

Then I found out my electric company offered a $500 refund on L2 chargers. So, I bought one. It changed my life. I could charge in 1-2 hours and keep using it for the rest of the day.

Not that this applies directly to the MME. But having the faster charging at your fingertips is worth it. I don’t think any EV owner should go without a proper L2 charger. Keep the mobile in the car for the times you go to someone’s house and need a charge to get back.

I still charge my MME to 90% every night.

 

[kodiakng]

I've had two mach e in 3 years, the first for eighteen months and second for a bit over seven months. I used the portable EVSE eighteen months without difficulty (but I did install a nema 14-50 outlet at the outset so never charged 110).

Personally, only having 110 limits you if you have to travel extra, that means you rely on public (expensive) charging. 110 is also the least efficient in terms of energy used to charge the car. Long term would not count on the ford portable lasting. I don't really know what's available in the 110v range.

First off, check with your local utility to see if they have chargers at a discount. I got my juicebox 40 at a $250 discount from GA power. Whether to go hardwire (up to 48 amp on a 60 amp breaker) or nema 14-50 (up to 40 amps on a 50 amp breaker) is a lot down to personal choice. If you opt for nema 14-50 make sure they use a high grade industrial outlet.

want to echo all of this.

also, even low amperage 240v charging is a useful option, especially if 110v is mostly meeting your needs now. it can reduce your install issues if your panel or service is limited, you have a long run to your charging location, etc. 240v is much more efficient and will just keep paying for itself over time.

 

[Mach-it-E-Z]

240V is the way to go. Personally, I use my mobile charger as my home charger. My electrician who installed my 240V outlet drove a lightning and that is what he does. Wondering if anyone on the forum has found any cons to this?

 

[pikepilot]

There is a thread about $16/month rental through at utility currently being discussed that has a lot of the info you are looking for. I would say do the research about whether or not you qualify for a federal rebate (depends on your address) and also state or utility rebates, then get a quote or two.

Also depends on what your nearby DC charging situation is....do you have an inexpensive, fast, close option for Fast Charging if needed (i.e. long trip, waiting on Amazon to deliver a replacement mobile charger if yours breaks). Lots of people have Level 2, not everybody needs it, and it doesn't make sense for everybody. Lots of variables.
I tried Level 1 (no NEMA in garage) the first few months....I have a good cheap (EA) Fast charge option a few miles down the road if needed. My intent was to run the Ford Mobile til it died then replace if needed. I found myself using the car more often than I thought I would (my second car was my favorite til I got this one). I had to start using the Fast Charger down the street more than I thought I would and found it to be an inconvenience to use so often. That coupled with the fact I think when my lease is up on my other car in a few months at a minimum the next car will be a plug in hybrid if not full EV, it made sense to pull the trigger. It cost me 600 for a Tesla Universal Charger hardwired plus 1000 for install. I qualify for the Federal 30 percent rebate.

 

[MrLoganRoss]

Been running a 23.5 GTPE on the ford charger for 6 months and doing just fine at 110v. Last week, had a 240v outlet installed in my garage. I still dial the charge rate back in the app to 15 or 20 amps (wall box pulsar plus charger) since I charge it overnight. If it is not too much to have a 240volt outlet installed (such as the electrical panel being in your garage), go for it as the flexibility is great. There are times once in a while where I need to charge faster during the day (not often though). Also the wall box was $649, but the utility company covered $300 rebate. They also offer $2k for installation (limited to income-cap qualified customers).

 

[pikepilot]

That's a pretty sweet deal from the utility.

 

[Adventureboy]

A couple of things.
1) Use the Ford Mobile Charger until it breaks. Replacements are fairly inexpensive and more flexible provided you are ok with aftermarket brands. I used mine every day for 6 months, then occasionally once per month while travelling and it works fine after 2 years - others weren't so lucky.
2) L1 charging is a bit inefficient and you can't leverage TOU rates as well if your electricity provider supports TOU. Some charging will be done outside of your low TOU rates. Both items mean it will cost you more to charge your MME than with L2. A quick cost analysis will help you determine if L2 will be worth it (for me it was very worth it)

The Ford Mobile charger isn't very flexible and can only run at 30 amps on 240v (L2) using a Nema 14-50 receptacle. That means you need a 40 amp 240v circuit with the 14-50R installed to support it. I, and many others on the forum would recommend installing at least a 50 amp circuit if you choose to install the L2, provided your electric panel can support it. A 50 amp circuit will support all 40 amp (or less) EVSEs available that operate on the 14-50R. That said, I operate my MME daily on 16 amps L2 most days using an adjustable aftermarket EVSE, and only turn it up if I drive more than usual that day. That is about 3x the charge rate you get on L1. This keeps the MME charging in my low TOU 8-hour window from 11pm - 7am where electricity is 1/4 the price for me.

 

[Sikkun]

My L2 went right next to my breaker box so install was only $200, got the Tesla universal charger and it seems to work well.

Personally L1 is probably fine most the time, but the cost to have faster when needed wasn’t that high.

 

[Bruboy]

If you're going to have the car long term, then invest in a charger and 240v outlet or at least the outlet and use the Ford Charger until it dies. But I would think that you'll want that just in case when traveling.

 

[hprose]

I have a dilemma involving home charging that I would like feedback on.

I have a 2023 GT/PE that I've had for just over a month. Based on my situation I do fine in terms of distance with the 110v charging using the mobile charger.

However, I'm not sure long term charging solution since I know the mobile chargers aren't meant to last doing that.

Any suggestions on whether I should keep doing what I'm doing, install a 240v plug with home charger, or something else?

As well as a high quality outlet you need the right wire, normally #6. Grizzl e for around 390 less 30% tax credit is also a good choice. Get a few estimates, the electricians see your MME and double the price.

 

[Pedro Diaz]

I have a '22 CR-1 and when at home, I charge to 85% on the provided Ford Charger on a 110v outlet. Yes, its' slow but It gives me enough to do the by daily grocery trips. When I plan on a long trip I will switch to 100% charge and take the charger with me to my destination. When I go to Florida, I take it with me and plug in to a 50A RV Camp shore power outlet. No issues so far! ...and I have over 35K miles.

 

[LinkRS]

In order for you to reap the benefits of cheaper driving with an EV, you really should get a 240V 40/48A charger for your home. I probably could subsist off of my mobile charger (average no more than about 40 miles per day) too, but you lose out on features such as using wall power during updates, and pre-conditioning. I don't think you can precondition off of the mobile charger (anyone know for sure)? Plus, if you intend to rely on public charging, that often times work out to no cheaper than gas. Best scenario is to charge at home daily, using cheap residential power, and 240V (for efficiency and speed). Good luck!

 

[n2585722]

If you have a electric clothes dryer then you can get a SplitVolt switch with the same type of plug as what the Dryer outlet is. Mine was a 10-30 type outlet. Then get a SplitVolt charger to match and use it. Since on mine it is a 30 amp circuit the charging only draws a little over 23 amps but usually charges at a 5.2kwh rate. So for me I can charge once a week for about 10 hours. Just make sure that the SplitVolt switch and charger match the dryer outlet. I have had my Mach E GTPE since the first of December and this is the only way it has been charged since I got it.

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