Re: question on chargers

[Dougp]

Just replaced my wife’s CMax Energi with a Mache, California route. The CMax plugged into a Leviton 240 charger. That charger took about 8+ hours to get to 85% charge on the Mache. I set the charge to 85% rather then 80% because of a typical week of driving for this car. Thus 2 questions. a) is there any advantage to using the supplied Mache charger? b) is there a reason I should drop back the charging to 80% capacity.

I am new to this forum and appreciate your assistance.

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[RickMachE]

a) No. Of course the amount of time it takes to charge is dependent on two things - 1) the state of charge of the vehicle and 2) the charging speed (i.e. kW) of the charger. If you have a 20AMP charger, and it gets to enough charge level during the time you're not using the vehicle, that's great.

Also note that some utility companies either provide a discount or a rebate on chargers. In addition, some offer off-peak discounted electric rates, and that may require you to get a faster charger to get the charge you need in those hours.

As an example, I bought a JuiceBox 48 because my utility company gave me $500 for the right to access the data (which JuiceBox sends them). Net cost of the charger was therefore less than $150, less the 30% tax credit last year. And I can charge at 48amps if I want to.

b) No. In fact, Ford recommends 90% in the manual.

 

[Dougp]

a) No.
b) No. In fact, Ford recommends 90% in the manual.

Thank you, the dealer and everything I read to date said 80%. That is good news.

 

[RickMachE]

The manual was changed to 90% in the 2nd half of last year, and that's in the 2022 manual. You can get PDFs of the manual at owner.ford.com. Of course you can charge to any level you want below that, and you should charge to 100% the evening before any trip where you'll need the charge.

Additionally, setting the maximum charge level to 90% for everyday usage reduces strain on the battery.

 

[Glen Boise]

80% is for DC fast charging. Level 2 charging, that you plug into a 240 v. line, is recommended to go up to 90%. You would go up 100% for long trips.

 

[RickMachE]

80% is for DC fast charging.

Actually, for DC charging that also changed. Initially, at 80%, the DC fast charging slowed to a paltry 14kW rate. Ford updated the charging curve to slow to 44kW instead, and at 90% slow to 34kW. The only reference in the manual related to DC charging % refers to cost, not impact on battery. The manual has not been revised to say 90% instead of 80% for DC charging due to costs (2nd reference below).

In the majority of states, Electrify America charges by the kWh. Therefore, the fact that charging slows at 80% and again at 90% has zero impact on cost. In the few states where they charge by the minute, it would have an impact.

We did a trip in early March and needed 95% on our way home from the last high speed charger. Got home with 12% (ER battery).

What the manual says for 2022 is:

Frequent use of DC charging could result in reducing your battery's efficiency and lifespan. This is more pronounced on the standard range battery pack versus the extended range battery pack.

It also says:

We recommend limiting the amount of DC charges, and ending DC charges at 80% state of charge as charging between 80 and 100% can incur high charging costs due to the time to completion. Frequent use of DC charging could result in reducing your battery’s efficiency and lifespan. This
is more pronounced on the standard range battery pack versus the extended range battery pack.

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