Juice Box dead. What are my alternatives?

[woody]

Thanks, guys, but am not better informed. Specifically on a practical day to day basis what benefits do I achieve by having a "smart" charger versus a "dumb" charger. Specifically do I need a "smart" charger to set an advanced time to charge to benefit from my TOU rates? Is there any other benefit from a "smart" charger for a "dumb" owner?

It is bad enough that we cannot purchase a vehicle that does not have outside access, but best to avoid utility dictated controls, solar "leases", etc. It may be difficult, but possible and worth it.
There is no benefit from smart chargers. It could be argued that there are disadvantages to a smart charger. As posted in this forum for example.

TOU is simply a product of subsidized incompetent utility companies. The American way: take the money and run. The future be damned. Never put any money into infrastructure.

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[woody]

You can schedule charging times in the charge location settings of your MME. Set up your Home settings schedule so you benefit from the TOU rates. You can also use the Fordpass app like this.

FordPass becomes less functional and less usable over time/with updates. It no longer looks like "this".
If you can trick(open once, open twice, etc.) it into loading, you can jump through hoops and maybe get it to do what it once did easily.

 

[tbrumleve]

Now that my Juice Box has been abandoned what are my alternatives? Does the charging station do anything significant beyond setting advanced timing for charging? Please don’t get too technical on me. I’m just a simple fellow.
Should I get another station.?

State of Charge on YouTube for the latest reviews, FYI. I’m happy with my ChargePoint HomeFlex. I got it free from my power company, so I’m biased.

 

[Volleyballjohn]

Thanks! I got mine at Costco nearly 2 years ago. I wonder if they will take.it back.

Yes, I had mine for over two years because the company went out of business. You are allowed to return it at Costco's.

 

[Tim253253]

Thanks, guys, but am not better informed. Specifically on a practical day to day basis what benefits do I achieve by having a "smart" charger versus a "dumb" charger. Specifically do I need a "smart" charger to set an advanced time to charge to benefit from my TOU rates? Is there any other benefit from a "smart" charger for a "dumb" owner?

Time of day charging can be done the the car, i had mine setup like that for a few years. I have a chargepoint that charges whenever the car determines the need based on the schedule I put in the car touch screen.

 

[PA Bob]

My Enel X Way app still is connected to my Juicebox. However I have not tried to change any settings using it. It continues to function correctly as a 'dumb' EVSE.

According to juiceboxnorthamerica.com:
" Enel X Way USA continues to engage with a third-party firm to manage the closure of the business on October 11, 2024. After further technical evaluation, the firm has entered into an agreement with the current provider to continue to operate the EV charging software in the US and Canada for an extended period. This interim measure will enable the firm to seek a long-term solution for the EV charging platform, with the ultimate goal of maintaining operational continuity for Enel X Way USA customers. "

I have changed setting twice since the first email. It works fine.

 

[PA Bob]

Thanks! I got mine at Costco nearly 2 years ago. I wonder if they will take.it back.

Costo takes returns "at any time for any reason." Take it back.

 

[Fremont Kid]

The "50" in the 14-50 outlet means it's rated for 50 amps. I believe that having it on a 40 amp breaker is against code due to the likelihood of someone plugging in a 50-amp device into the 14-50 outlet (stove, EVSE, dryer, welder, etc...) and constantly tripping the breaker. If you do have 6 awg wire, and the outlet is not too far away to cause voltage drop, you should be able to swap out that breaker for a 50 amp breaker.

Derating your device to 32 amps (or anything below) is fine, but I believe having that outlet on too small of a breaker is against code.

**Consult an electrician, code book, or your local authority having jurisdiction. I'm just a random guy on the interwebs.**

I appreciate the advice. I did use a licensed electrical contractor and IBEW journeyman to install. Problem is that the service from the house to the garage, where the plug is installed, is only 50A. Pulling less than 50A is OK. Ford provides the 14-50 plug with the mobile charger, so even though the 50 represents amps, I need an outlet that accommodates the plug.

All the best.

 

[Andy OS WA]

I just got a Mach-E in April. I had a garage built, which I was going to do anyway, and our new code required an EV outlet. I have been using my Ford mobile charger but am buying a regular one. I am getting the Grizzl-E Classic. I simply cannot justify the additional two or three hundred bucks for a wifi setup. Sure the bells and whistles would be nice. But not that much nice.

If your charge works as a dumb charger, do nothing. Just keep using it and use the Ford Pass app to control things.

 

[jefftuck]

Thanks, guys, but am not better informed. Specifically on a practical day to day basis what benefits do I achieve by having a "smart" charger versus a "dumb" charger. Specifically do I need a "smart" charger to set an advanced time to charge to benefit from my TOU rates? Is there any other benefit from a "smart" charger for a "dumb" owner?

You can do the scheduling using the car and the FordPass app. I have a smart charger but never look at it. The car manages everything, including when to start, when to stop, etc.

 

[Madtroniks]

I did some research on the most popular and highly recommended charging stations currently available.

Emporia for $360 shipped out the door after “RIV” discount is a great value.

The Emporia EV Charging Station is a Level 2 electric vehicle charger that charges any EV up to 40 amps with 22” NEMA 14-50P or up to 48 amps with hardwired installation.

Feel free to use the forum below links to save 10% on charging stations on A2Z EV website or discount code “RIV”

EMPORIA EV CHARGER WHITE | ENERGY STAR | UL LISTED | 48 AMP | 24' CABLE

Grizzl-E | Classic

Grizzl-E | Smart

Autel MaxiCharger AC Elite Home 50A EV Charger

 

[jaybird1214]

I'd make sure it's charging at the level you want because I don't think you can set it when the app dies. Then, I'd continue to use it.

Personally, I've had a dumb charger for 9 years & that's still my preference due to the things that can go wrong. If it died, I'd probably get the grizzl-e dumb charger.

https://info.lynkwell.com/enelx-transition#form

I have been unable to access the app and it had the charging set to start at 11 pm and will not let my Mach-E or new Equinox on board charge settings override it. It still charges the cars but I cannot charge outside of those hours, which is frustrating now that we have a 2nd EV. Anyway I was on YouTube and found the video and link where Lynkwell is going to take over software support for the Juiceboxes. I sent an inquiry using the link so we'll see.

 

[zvez]

FordPass becomes less functional and less usable over time/with updates. It no longer looks like "this".
If you can trick(open once, open twice, etc.) it into loading, you can jump through hoops and maybe get it to do what it once did easily.

you don't need fordpass to schedule charging tho. The sync 4 does it very well.

 

[awp0]

Just another plug for the HomeAssistant users among us: Juicepassproxy has a branch "juicebox_commands" that can now control the Juicebox without the EnelX servers. You can start/stop and change amperage, which means you can create HomeAssistant automations around your electricity supply rate schedules. It's probably not a great solution if you're not technical or familiar with home automation (requires docker, MQTT, DNS, etc):

https://github.com/JuiceRescue/juicepassproxy/tree/juicebox_commands

 

[kindofblue]

If you purchased your Juicebox at Costco, return it. I brought mine back last week and purchased an Emporia 48 amp hardwired.

I'm planning on doing that tomorrow. What did you say when they asked why you're returning it?

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