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

[Sweetwater]

Mobile charger "should" have a 50 amp breaker (GFCI) with 14-50 outlet according to Ford' recommendation and from what my electrician told me about codes in my area. If you do a sustained charge with 40 amp you can run the risk of overheating (80% rule). I thought the same thing and had to have my 40 amp breaker taken out and a 50 amp GFCI breaker swapped in to meet code.

GFCI is not required.

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[generaltso]

Mobile charger "should" have a 50 amp breaker (GFCI) with 14-50 outlet according to Ford' recommendation and from what my electrician told me about codes in my area. If you do a sustained charge with 40 amp you can run the risk of overheating (80% rule). I thought the same thing and had to have my 40 amp breaker taken out and a 50 amp GFCI breaker swapped in to meet code.

Right. Any 14-50 outlet should be on a 50A breaker, since that's what the outlet is rated for. The extension cord on the J1772 end doesn't break the 80% rule because that side of the charger is only capable of providing 32 amps. It's the outlet itself that is capable of providing higher amperage. But the extension cord doesn't plug into the outlet. That's why the cabling built in to the mobile charger doesn't have to be rated for 50 amps.

 

[Illinibird]

Right. Any 14-50 outlet should be on a 50A breaker, since that's what the outlet is rated for. The extension cord on the J1772 end doesn't break the 80% rule because that side of the charger is only capable of providing 32 amps. It's the outlet itself that is capable of providing higher amperage. But the extension cord doesn't plug into the outlet. That's why the cabling built in to the mobile charger doesn't have to be rated for 50 amps.

Once again, slick!

 

[macchiaz-o]

You just plug the J1772 plug from the mobile charger (or any charger) into the female end of the extension cable. Then plug the other end into the car. Simple as that.

These products aren't UL Listed or Intertek registered. They can't be because they violate J1772 and code requirements. There are additional safety risks involved. I just want to make sure people are aware and making informed decisions.

There are also some risks in using extension cords between the receptacle and EVSE, which is why the owners manual suggests not to.

 

[Dangerfish]

Mobile charger "should" have a 50 amp breaker (GFCI) with 14-50 outlet according to Ford' recommendation and from what my electrician told me about codes in my area. If you do a sustained charge with 40 amp you can run the risk of overheating (80% rule). I thought the same thing and had to have my 40 amp breaker taken out and a 50 amp GFCI breaker swapped in to meet code.

I thought the outlets were NOT supposed to be GFCI?

 

[methorian]

Not supposed to have 60 amp on a 14-50 outlet.

Where did I mention anything that required a 60A breaker?

 

[Illinibird]

GFCI is not required.

It DEFINITELY IS in my area. They'll red tag you if the mobile charger doesn't have GFCI and Ford's Mobile Charger doesn't! The Ford Connect hard wired charger has GFCI built in so using a GFCI breaker could cause tripping of the breaker with a fault light on so no GFCI needed. Please don't tell me I don't need a GFCI breaker when I do!! Maybe things are different in your area.

 

[methorian]

I thought the outlets were NOT supposed to be GFCI?

This is a hotly debated topic, that's been discussed on other threads quite a few times.

Many/most stationary EVSE's that use a 14-50 plug recommend NOT having it on a GFCI circuit (because it has GFCI protections built-in and can cause false-positive trips of the breaker).

Ford's Mobile Charger installation instructions recommend it be on a GFCI circuit. I don't know why, and it's up to you and your electrician/inspector to decide which route to take.

 

[Illinibird]

I thought the outlets were NOT supposed to be GFCI?

Not in my area. Ask your electrician what the local codes are. They'll red flag the installation if the breaker is non GFCI in Frankfort Illinois.

 

[Illinibird]

These products aren't UL Listed or Intertek registered. They can't be because they violate J1772 and code requirements. There are additional safety risks involved. I just want to make sure people are aware and making informed decisions.

There are also some risks in using extension cords between the receptacle and EVSE, which is why the owners manual suggests not to.

Crap! Back to the drawing board.

 

[MailGuy]

I would never, never leave home without the 110V cable in our cars. You never know what kind of an emergency you are going to run into. Like the time I went to work and the building lost power due to a wind storm (they happen frequently up here). The employer provided 240V ChargePoint stations went dead, but the 110V that was on the emergency backup generator didn't. Having an extra 9 miles of range on the battery was piece of mind for the drive home against the unforeseeable. In three years, I've used it once, but I was sure glad I had it.

 

[shutterbug]

The 110 charger isn't "just about worthless". For people who don't drive much it may satisfy their needs. However, you probably want something faster for your primary. I have used the 100 charger at a destination, getting a full charge of our 30 kWh Leaf in less than a day. That will go up to 2-3 days for a full MME EX or E4X charge. I have also used it for emergency power on the road.

The 110V charger may not get you a full charge quickly, but it should get you enough charge to get to a DC charging station if you have no other option.

 

[Illinibird]

I would never, never leave home without the 110V cable in our cars. You never know what kind of an emergency you are going to run into. Like the time I went to work and the building lost power due to a wind storm (they happen frequently up here). The employer provided 240V ChargePoint stations went dead, but the 110V that was on the emergency backup generator didn't. Having an extra 9 miles of range on the battery was piece of mind for the drive home against the unforeseeable. In three years, I've used it once, but I was sure glad I had it.

I stand corrected. I will take it with me on trips away from home. ?

 

[Dmcerm]

Nice overview video of what it will take to install a car charger from scratch.

Feel free to redirect this post/reply if there is already a thread for it.
So the Ford branded Connect Level-2 Charger ($799) is to have a lot of connectivity features.
But my question is, how much/many more features is it to have?
Kind of hard to explain. The car itself has a host of info on it that you can see. And can't the Ford Pass App. show us all that the car shows?
So if I would just put in a 220 14-50 receptacle and use the mobile charger that comes with the Mach-E, can't I see everything anyway, on the app.?
What advantages do we get if we spend the money on the Ford branded home charger?

I of course would like to be totally integrated with Ford stuff... Not needing another aftermarket app., for their charger but many of the level-2 chargers, like Grizzl-e and such are cheaper.

Depending on some of the opinions on here, maybe a good alternative, with a 220, 14-50 receptacle already, would be to just to buy an second mobile charger once they begin selling them and keep the one in the car but keep the other one plugged in and ready to go for home use.
Thoughts?

 

[Illinibird]

Where did I mention anything that required a 60A breaker?

Sorry. I thought you were talking about adding a pigtail to the 48 amp Ford Connect charger which requires a 60 amp breaker and plugging it into the 14-50. I misunderstood and apologize. ?

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