Preparing for Mach-E charging at home - preparation and installing charger

engnrng

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How many chargers? Are you sure you want just one? If might ever get a second EV, it's a lot easier doing all the wiring at once. Even if you don't want to buy a second charger, you could always just install a 240v outlet in it's place. Then down the road it would be easy to install that second charger. This will make your life a lot easier if you ever do get a second EV, and it will add value to your house.
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POST: Unless you both commute 150 miles per day, you probably don't need 2 chargers for 2 EVs. I have one EV and only charge up every 3rd or 4th day, just keeping it between 20% and 80%.
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SnBGC

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I'm still not even 100% sure I'll put in 240v at all. We're pretty low-usage drivers (retired). 120v will add 40-50 miles/day, which is more than we usually drive in an average day. And at least 2 or 3 days/week we don't even leave the house, where it can charge 40+ hours straight.

I'll have the luxury of getting the car first and using 120v before deciding whether to install 240v. That is, if we buy the car at all (have to see how/when the economy and the stock market recovers).
Yes. That could work out perfect for you. However, there are a couple other things to consider.
Off hours charge can save quite a bit per kw so L2 would be necessary since L1 wont replenish in that window of time.
Vehicle pre-conditioning is far more effective on L2
L2 can cool the battery after you have driven and parked....even though the vehicle may not be charging. You need this feature in warmer climates.

Lastly
If you get L2 at home. Consider installing at the entrance to the garage that way the car can be plugged in even if parked in the driveway.

Just some thoughts
 

mamejunkie

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In terms of what is better for the battery (ie last longer), which is better or makes not difference?
1) 240v L2 Charge 20-80% every few days
2) 110v Charge 60-80% everyday
 

engnrng

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In terms of what is better for the battery (ie last longer), which is better or makes not difference?
1) 240v L2 Charge 20-80% every few days
2) 110v Charge 60-80% everyday
2) is a little better.

3) 240V L2 Charge 60% to 80% is great for longevity also, would take less than 2 hours. Start at midnight perhaps, for lowest cost.
 
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dchabot

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Here's another video that shows the breaker box in more detail...

I have used this Siemens charger for the past 5 years to charge BMWi3s and now a Tesla Model 3. It has never had an issue.
 


SnBGC

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In terms of what is better for the battery (ie last longer), which is better or makes not difference?
1) 240v L2 Charge 20-80% every few days
2) 110v Charge 60-80% everyday
#2 is slightly better but you are splitting hairs IMO.
I charge every day, off peak. No battery degradation that I have observed. If this is your first EV then you sure picked a good one to start your journey.
 

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In terms of what is better for the battery (ie last longer), which is better or makes not difference?
1) 240v L2 Charge 20-80% every few days
2) 110v Charge 60-80% everyday
On a Short-Range Mach-E the battery is 68 kWh useable, using the Level-1 charger to charge from 60-80% would take almost 16 hours...?

A long range one: 88 kWh from 60-80% using Level-1 would be over 20 hours.

You're better off with 1 for practicality's sake. The battery really won't care as both rates are slow enough that it won't make that much of a difference (especially since the Mach-E has active cooling for the battery).
 

ClaudeMach-E

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Is there a difference between 'hardware' versus 240v outlet? Was thinking of having a electrician install the outlet in the garage. Cost around $400-500 here.

I know the video says the hardware will support more amps and charge faster. But is it because of the charger model or the connection limitation?
Basically a Nema 14-50 outlet needs a 50 amp breaker and you are not aloud to pull more than 40 amp out of it, if you need more then you need a hardwire wall charger.
 

crownmountain

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I already have a 240/30 outlet in my garage on a 30 AMP breaker. Let's assume I get the Ford portable charger with the car. If I understand all this, I set the charge to a maximum of 24 amps and I am good to go since in my case I can let it charge overnight. The question is can I set the charger or the car to never exceed 24 amps or do I need to swap in a 40 amp breaker and all that may imply to avoid having the charger try to pull 32 amps? What are the options for an existing 240/30 amp circuit?
 

dbsb3233

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I already have a 240/30 outlet in my garage on a 30 AMP breaker. Let's assume I get the Ford portable charger with the car. If I understand all this, I set the charge to a maximum of 24 amps and I am good to go since in my case I can let it charge overnight. The question is can I set the charger or the car to never exceed 24 amps or do I need to swap in a 40 amp breaker and all that may imply to avoid having the charger try to pull 32 amps? What are the options for an existing 240/30 amp circuit?
Simply swapping out the breaker probably isn't an option, as the thickness of the wiring in the circuit to the outlet is usually sized to match that breaker size. That would typically require all new wiring too, which is basically a whole new install. So you're basically limited to a 30A outlet now.

I think we've heard that the Ford Mobile Charger that comes with the vehicle will auto-detect the current in the line and automatically downstep, but don't quote me on that. It would need to be confirmed. If it doesn't, you can always buy another charger that works at 24A or 16A. There's plenty on Amazon and elsewhere. 24A is the max you can draw from a 30A circuit (80%). Of course, the vehicle will charge slower, but it should still be fast enough to do a nightly charge just fine for most people. A 32A charger is supposed to add 21 miles per hour, so you can scale that accordingly (24A would add about 16 miles/hr, a 16A about 11/hr).

Many of the Amazon chargers are cheap Chinese makes though. Clipper Creek and Juicebox are more trusted names, but also more expensive. Some of us are getting the Grizzl-E, which can be set at 16A/24A/32A/40A ($412). There's a few other good brands too. There are 2 or 3 different outlet plug choices too, so make sure you get the right one for your existing outlet (or get an adpater).
 
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dbsb3233

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This article from last November says it's auto-detect, so you're probably good just plugging into the 30A outlet. But I still wouldn't entirely trust that until we actually get the charger, or see more up-to-date specs on it...

https://electrek.co/2019/11/18/ford-mustang-mach-e-home-charging-on-par-with-tesla/

"Supports everything from 120V-8A to 240V-32A and in between, just like Tesla’s UMC. It’s smart enough to detect whatever the outlet is offering."
 

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I already have a 240/30 outlet in my garage on a 30 AMP breaker. Let's assume I get the Ford portable charger with the car. If I understand all this, I set the charge to a maximum of 24 amps and I am good to go since in my case I can let it charge overnight. The question is can I set the charger or the car to never exceed 24 amps or do I need to swap in a 40 amp breaker and all that may imply to avoid having the charger try to pull 32 amps? What are the options for an existing 240/30 amp circuit?
I am not sure what features the Ford provided EVSE will have. I presume it's solid state. If so, then some of those units have some user control buttons where they can specify the amp draw. If so, then set to 24 amps and you should be okay. Again....can't really say until we see the actual unit.

To my knowledge, I don't think you can control the amp draw from the in car controls or the Ford app. When the owner's manual is released then we might see a feature like that. I am kinda hoping that something is in there for this use.

Originally, I had decided I was going to stick with my 32 amp Aerovironment RS L2 EVSE that I already own because it will work fine. However, I am now becoming interested in the Ford Connected Wall EVSE. If it has a feature where I can throttle the current flow then I will purchase and install that unit.

Right now when I turn off my FFE, it displays a graphic on the Sync 3 screen that says when charging will start and when it will be completed. On the dash screen, it displays which charge mode it is in (Value Charge or Charge Now). I have a few seconds to change the charge mode with the steering wheel controls. Love that feature and the start/end charge time info.....very helpful.

It would be very cool if the MME lets me adjust the charge rate with the Ford Connected EVSE so I can throttle it down from 48 amps to something less and the charge end time graphic would adjust as I play with the controls.

For instance.....let's say I am arriving home after work and the car is set to Value Charge. So, charging would be scheduled to start at 11:00 pm and finish around 12:30 or 1:00 am most nights. Let's say I don't need my car until 6:30 the next morning. In that scenario I would prefer to charge at a slower speed since I have plenty of time to play with. If there was a control in the Sync 4 menu where I lower the charge rate and the projected charge complete time adjusts then that would be super cool. Something I would use for sure during the summer because sometimes it stays in the triple digit temps overnight! In those cases, I would prefer not to charge at maximum speed just to keep the battery temp lower. Yes, I know these have a cooling system but still would prefer a slower speed when the opportunity is there.
 
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SnBGC

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This article from last November says it's auto-detect, so you're probably good just plugging into the 30A outlet. But I still wouldn't entirely trust that until we actually get the charger, or see more up-to-date specs on it...

https://electrek.co/2019/11/18/ford-mustang-mach-e-home-charging-on-par-with-tesla/

"Supports everything from 120V-8A to 240V-32A and in between, just like Tesla’s UMC. It’s smart enough to detect whatever the outlet is offering."
I remember reading that too. That's for the link because I was starting to think I was imaging that.

I wonder if they are trying to say the EVSE can detect what voltage is available 120-208-240? I just don't see how it could possibly know what size breaker is in the panel or what size wire is in the circuit. Only thing I can think of is maybe it has a lookup table for whatever plug is being used. 14-50 and it knows it's a 50 amp circuit etc....??

I wonder if that EVSE is going to have a variety of adapters for different sockets? if so, then maybe that is how it auto-detects?

Curious for sure...
 

dbsb3233

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I remember reading that too. That's for the link because I was starting to think I was imaging that.

I wonder if they are trying to say the EVSE can detect what voltage is available 120-208-240? I just don't see how it could possibly know what size breaker is in the panel or what size wire is in the circuit. Only thing I can think of is maybe it has a lookup table for whatever plug is being used. 14-50 and it knows it's a 50 amp circuit etc....??

I wonder if that EVSE is going to have a variety of adapters for different sockets? if so, then maybe that is how it auto-detects?

Curious for sure...
That's exactly why I hesitated too. As you said, detecting voltage is easy but maximum breaker draw?? Not sure if that's even possible, unless it does a test run to purposely trip the breaker.
 

DaveRuns

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I watched that yesterday on YouTube. (Actually, this one looks a bit different. Seems like he edited it.)

Those Amazon costs were ridiculous. I know I won;t be paying anything like that. Pretty sure I'll just install it myself. I've done enough 120v wiring - even installing a few breakers - to feel comfortable with that. I've never done 240v but I watched some videos and it looks just as easy (a bit simpler, actually).
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