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Senoralec

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Hello everyone. I’m new to the forum, and this is my first test to make sure I know how to post a comment, and an introduction.
I have a 2021 GT I bought just over a year ago. I live in the Phoenix area, and really haven’t driven a whole lot. Why? Range anxiety of course! Depending on the weather, I get anywhere between 200, and 275 miles. Looking at a map, there aren’t an abundance of chargers in Arizona. Near between Phoenix and Flagstaff, there are two spots to charge. One is right out of the Phoenix Metro area, (when you have a full charge, and don’t need to) and then at your destination Flagstaff. Make a side trip to any of the very interesting spots in between? Very scary.
My wife and I bought this car because after a long test drive, we absolutely fell in love with it, and bought it right then and there. Not a smart way to buy a car. It has a lot of software bugs, and quirks, but I still love this car. For local drives, it is awesome. Of course it’s fast, which helps in maneuvering in traffic, and it handles wonderfully. The common phrase”rides on rails” fits the car perfectly. I have some regrets, but then I go for a drive and fall in love again.
It’s our only car, so when the HVBC goes, we’re in trouble. From what I see, any repairs will be a long wait.
Oh well, enough complaining, I still love this car.
Now for my technical question. The charger that came with this car can’t handle Arizonas heat so I bought a different on. The Grizzl-e Avalanche. It works great, and has the ability to change amperage. I have it set on the lowest setting, so my solar panels can keep up with it. Back to my question. I hear, sometimes, a sound like running water. A assume it’s something to do with battery cooling, but is that normal on a 50 degree day, while charging at only 16 amps?

Lots of rambling here. I’m glad I signed up. Sorry, one more question. If I avoid wide open throttle, will my HVBC still melt?
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macchiaz-o

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Welcome!

I have a standard range Mach-E and in the Phoenix area, my only vehicle as well. Though, I live far enough away from Anthem that I'd definitely want to top up there before going further uphill on I-17...

Driving a 50/50 mix of streets and freeways, I see a realistic range of 215-245 miles. So I can empathize with your concerns about going to Flagstaff with site seeing along the way.

This will get better over time as more high speed stations are installed, but it'll be a long time before it's a comfortable trip, probably. (Assuming we're still in our current vehicles.)

I don't worry about the hvbjb but I don't have a GT. I don't have good advice for you there... But given your range anxiety, you'd probably want to rent a vehicle for most road trips and if your hvbjb begins to fail around town there are a ton of EV certified service centers to choose from. Most people get a Service Vehicle Soon warning ahead of complete failure so it's not usually an emergency situation.
 
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Maxwells4

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Welcome 👋
It's normal to hear a watery gurgling sound when charging, or turning the car on (or maybe other times too?). It doesn't seem limited to hot days.
 

macchiaz-o

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I forgot to mention that Arizona is using federal funding to install more high speed chargers along interstate routes. This is already deep into planning phases. I'm not sure when the chargers will be installed and available for use though. Some discussion here:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...federal-funds-on-ev-charging-corridors.18868/

Also, APS was supposed to have been working with Electrify America to install DCFC options in popular getaway/hike/etc destinations for locals. It's taking them a really long time (it was announced a few years ago) but it looks like they're starting to come online now. Here's Payson for instance:

https://www.plugshare.com/location/456196
 

Guss-E 2021

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Welcome to Crazy Town! Err, I mean welcome to the Ford Mach-E Forums where our 100%-serious-all-the-time members are full of funny stor.....useful tips and tricks to help you get the most enjoyment from your electric pony 😁.

Wow, too hot? Really? Do you charge outside or in a garage?
 


macchiaz-o

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Wow, too hot? Really? Do you charge outside or in a garage?
I first noticed the included mobile EVSE doing the amber light thing in May 2021, just two months after I got the vehicle. It probably started before then.

It wasn't failing to charge, but it was slowing down because the EVSE just gets heat soaked and throttles itself. It's not built for a central Arizona summer (this was early May and we don't reach out hottest temps until mid-June).

Out of an abundance of caution since I knew the overnight temps in my garage were just going to continue climbing upwards, I stopped using the mobile EVSE and replaced it with Ford's FCCS which has been completely fine.

But anyways, lots of people on the forum have posted similar experiences since then, even many people in cooler climates. The mobile charger can work, but if it gets too hot it slows down. It's inability to efficiently prevent or dissipate heat is frustrating.
 

Peaceowl

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Hello, and welcome to the forum. So many of us immediately fall in love with this car! We ended up getting the GTPE and my only regret is the range. But we leased it for four years, and may then have better mileage choices on the next round of Mache’s. I hear ya on the anxiety. Something new.

I stI’ll love the car and haven’t experienced such fun in many years. Have you considered buying a Tesla charging adaptor to give you more driving options? Search for that in the forum.

extreme heat and cold weather is something to make us realize e-cars aren’t for everyone. I’ve driven 500 miles in over 103* at 75 mph and never had a problem. I did read that trying to fast charge in a heated battery can be risky. So we let it cool some before and after charging. Pure luck to have 6,000 miles on it and no problems.mi don’t hard pedal it very often. But I also don’t worry as much since the recall update, and if it happens we will just rent a car along with contact Ford.

i agree though, breaking down in 110* heat could be deadly at my age! So have a plan, and just enjoy the car. No car is built flawlessly like they used to be. But I am a outdoor person, and charging is a problem for trips like the Tetons and many of the National Parks.🤔🤔
 

heisnuts

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Speaking as someone who just had their third HVBJB replaced, I will say with the new software in place takes a lot of the worry out of a HVBJB failure. i Had the software installed for my last two failures and both times the service vehicle soon light came on and that gave the advance warning needed to set up an appointment with the dealer to get it fixed (while still being able to drive the car to get it to the dealer).

I think dealers are becoming aware of this failure and are getting faster at repairing it. The new part came in the day after they ordered it and the actual repair took their EV tech two days to replace it. If this is your only car in the family, I would explain that when setting up the appointment with the dealer and ask for a loaner car. If that is not available, I would rent a car and then ask for reimbursement from the BEV team with Ford.

Like you, I absolutely love the car and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Range anxiety gets better over time. On a daily basis it is a non issue sine we can charge overnight at home and even on trips it is not too bad with planning tools like a better route planner and plug share apps. This will only get better over time as the public charging infrastructure improves.
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