Increasing charging capacity

[Mnath]

You can set a max charge in two different ways. In the car, you would think this would be under “settings,” but it isn’t. First, tap the clip art house button in the top left. This opens… the app tray. In the app tray, tap “charging.”

Under charging, you have to tap Charging Locations. You then have to add a new charging location if you don’t already have one made for your garage, etc. Once you have made a charging location, you can configure the max charge for that location.

Once you’ve set that up in your car, you can configure the same through FordPass by tapping Vehicle at the bottom, then charging, then preferred charging times, then tap the location to configure the max charge.

If this all seems like pretty stupid and non intuitive design, you would be correct.

I am not aware of any public charger apps that allow you to set a max charge.

Thank you. It will not allow me to add a new location...I'm so frustrated! And yes, completely counter-intuitive. I will try again.

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[mkhuffman]

Thanks for the info. I understand everything except how to actually set my charge capacity. Do I HAVE to use the Ford app? Is there something on the EVgo or chargepoint apps? Can I do this through SYNC, etc....

You have to create location and then you can set a charge limit. If you don't do that, it will always charge to 100% unless the station stops the charge.

You can do it in the car, or in Ford Pass. See below:

 

[mkhuffman]

Thank you. It will not allow me to add a new location...I'm so frustrated! And yes, completely counter-intuitive. I will try again.

You have to charge at a location before you can set it.

 

[mkhuffman]

Thank you. I'm going 210 each way, plus more driving at my destination.

If I were you, I would look for a hotel that provides EVSEs for guest use. And then you can plug in at night. Of course, if you need to drive around immediately after arriving at your destination you will need to find a DCFC station.

I use PlugShare to find charging locations: PlugShare - EV Charging Station Map - Find a place to charge your car!

Once I find the station(s) I want to use, I run the route in A Better Route Planner: ABRP - A Better Routeplanner to see what stations ABRP picks. You have to play around with the settings in ABRP but if you get the settings right, the necessary charging stops are pretty accurate. It will tell you where to stop and for how long.

And finally, I always use the Ford Navigation system when traveling with DCFC stops. I compare where the car says to stop with what ABRP said to do. Sometimes they are the same, but often they are different. In both tools you have to filter out the slow chargers so that only DCFC shows up. Otherwise it will sometimes pick really slow charging locations.

What city are you going from and going to?

 

[HuntingPudel]

BTW, if you are in the Bay Area on November 11, a few of us are getting together in Pleasanton for a Fall Meet-Up. https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/bay-area-fall-meet-up.30667/post-691554

 

[generaltso]

You have to charge at a location before you can set it.

Can you even set a location and charge limit for DCFC? I’ve never tried since I’ve never plugged into a DCFC station.

 

[Mirak]

You have to charge at a location before you can set it.

Yup. Again, this is not great design.

 

[mkhuffman]

Can you even set a location and charge limit for DCFC? I’ve never tried since I’ve never plugged into a DCFC station.

I don't think so. Only my non DCFC locations are available to add, and I have DCF charged multiple times before and since these locations:

 

[VaporTrails]

Thanks for the info. I understand everything except how to actually set my charge capacity. Do I HAVE to use the Ford app? Is there something on the EVgo or chargepoint apps? Can I do this through SYNC, etc....

Just so you know, these are all great questions. As an EV newbie last year I was so lost. Your post hits the knowledge gap when you try to navigate the charging headaches when you leave home.

Your Ford App is only useful on the Blue Oval charge network that Ford has partnerships with, and does not set up charging consistently in my experience. I think you have more control over what is going on with the stations’ apps. The new Charging Assist feature may change that equation. I only recently got Plug and Charge working to my satisfaction. I remember over the holidays when it got so cold the stations were not dealing well with any charges external to that vendor.

You need the vendors app to set up a payment that always works. Paying at the charger with a card is hit or miss.

 

[Mnath]

Just so you know, these are all great questions. As an EV newbie last year I was so lost. Your post hits the knowledge gap when you try to navigate the charging headaches when you leave home.

Your Ford App is only useful on the Blue Oval charge network that Ford has partnerships with, and does not set up charging consistently in my experience. I think you have more control over what is going on with the stations’ apps. The new Charging Assist feature may change that equation. I only recently got Plug and Charge working to my satisfaction. I remember over the holidays when it got so cold the stations were not dealing well with any charges external to that vendor.

You need the vendors app to set up a payment that always works. Paying at the charger with a card is hit or miss.

Thank you. I had an inkling that may have been the problem. I use EVgo because that is what is abundant in my area and aside from a few of the chargers not operating at each station, I have had zero issues. However, I tried an Electrified America station this morning and could not get it to work.
It was my understanding that the car would gather ALL data from charging stations so I could save them on the car in the charging preferences. I really don't need to do that, just was kind of following what I've read other on here do.
I have been using Plug & Charge with no issues from the beginning, and will get a station installed in my garage soon.
Thanks for the info!

 

[Mnath]

You have to create location and then you can set a charge limit. If you don't do that, it will always charge to 100% unless the station stops the charge.

You can do it in the car, or in Ford Pass. See below:

Thank you. I have been doing this and it does not work, but someone suggested it may be because I do not use the Blue Oval Network but I use EVgo Plug & Charge through the EVgo app.

 

[Mnath]

If I were you, I would look for a hotel that provides EVSEs for guest use. And then you can plug in at night. Of course, if you need to drive around immediately after arriving at your destination you will need to find a DCFC station.

I use PlugShare to find charging locations: PlugShare - EV Charging Station Map - Find a place to charge your car!

Once I find the station(s) I want to use, I run the route in A Better Route Planner: ABRP - A Better Routeplanner to see what stations ABRP picks. You have to play around with the settings in ABRP but if you get the settings right, the necessary charging stops are pretty accurate. It will tell you where to stop and for how long.

And finally, I always use the Ford Navigation system when traveling with DCFC stops. I compare where the car says to stop with what ABRP said to do. Sometimes they are the same, but often they are different. In both tools you have to filter out the slow chargers so that only DCFC shows up. Otherwise it will sometimes pick really slow charging locations.

What city are you going from and going to?

Thank you for all this information! I'm going to Nevada, near South Lake Tahoe. There is a Raley's supermarket 15 miles away from my Jobsite, but my client actually has a charger in the garage of their house (my jobsite) and said I can help myself. I'll be then driving to Reno, then back to the Bay Area. I think I'll be fine, just my first time leaving the Bay area with my 1.5 week old car so feeling a tiny bit anxious.

 

[Mnath]

BTW, if you are in the Bay Area on November 11, a few of us are getting together in Pleasanton for a Fall Meet-Up. https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/bay-area-fall-meet-up.30667/post-691554

Thanks for letting me know!

 

[Mnath]

Are you sure it’s stopping completely and not just slowing way down?

So I left the charger in after it hit 80% and you're right, it does keep charging, just slows waaay down. Glad you mentioned it. Thanks!

 

[Maquis]

So I left the charger in after it hit 80% and you're right, it does keep charging, just slows waaay down. Glad you mentioned it. Thanks!

On a DC fast charger, it should drop to somewhere in the 30 KW range when you hit 80%. By 90%, you’ll be into the lower teens.

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