Renting a Mobile Charger

[Ochroma]

Does anyone know of a way to rent a mobile charger or at least not permanently buy one? I'm visiting family in a rural area for a few weeks soon but they only have a 240V 30A circuit (24A charge amperage) for charging. The Ford Mobile Charger will trip the breaker so I can't use that but I don't have an alternate charger. I would prefer not to commit to buying something because I use the mobile charger regularly at home. I appreciate any suggestions!

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[Blue highway]

Does anyone know of a way to rent a mobile charger or at least not permanently buy one? I'm visiting family in a rural area for a few weeks soon but they only have a 240V 30A circuit (24A charge amperage) for charging. The Ford Mobile Charger will trip the breaker so I can't use that but I don't have an alternate charger. I would prefer not to commit to buying something because I use the mobile charger regularly at home. I appreciate any suggestions!

It’s worth thinking through how much charge you will arrive with and how much driving you will do while there. It took me a bout a month to put in my level 2 charger so we used 110 during that time. What I was surprised to find out was that although my wife drives 35 miles a day, 110 would keep up as it adds about 3mph of charge. It would be plugged in 12-16 hours a day. This along with the cushion of starting out with 50% charge meant that although some days we’d drive more, some days we’d drive less and it kept charge between 40% and 90%. Depending on your departure charge needs it may be enough.

 

[bshaw]

Are you staying for a couple days and able to not use the MME much during that time?
If yes, then just connect up to 120V with the Ford mobile charger.
It can put about 1% per hour back into an ER battery.
Not ideal, but it works.
I got from 40% back to 100% on a weekend trip last month doing it that way.

 

[Ochroma]

It’s worth thinking through how much charge you will arrive with and how much driving you will do while there. It took me a bout a month to put in my level 2 charger so we used 110 during that time. What I was surprised to find out was that although my wife drives 35 miles a day, 110 would keep up as it adds about 3mph of charge. It would be plugged in 12-16 hours a day. This along with the cushion of starting out with 50% charge meant that although some days we’d drive more, some days we’d drive less and it kept charge between 40% and 90%. Depending on your departure charge needs it may be enough.

Are you staying for a couple days and able to not use the MME much during that time?
If yes, then just connect up to 120V with the Ford mobile charger.
It can put about 1% per hour back into an ER battery.
Not ideal, but it works.
I got from 40% back to 100% on a weekend trip last month doing it that way.

These are valid points about just using 110-120V on the mobile charger. I will be staying for a little over a week and probably doing about 40mi per day on average. It looks like at 3mph on an ER battery I could get away with 120V. I would still like to take advantage of their 240V offer if possible but the 120V should work as a back up plan.

 

[Nklem]

The Ford mobil charger does not trip a 30 amp breaker. I use it at my moms house all the time, at least once a month. It draws 28 amps And she has number 10 wire which is rated for 30 amps and a 30 amp breaker. It is NOT code compliant, but # 10 wire is rated to fully carry 30 amps. I made one with a 10-30P dryer/oven cord and a NEMA 50 R in a box on the other end To adapt my charger. You are welcome to borrow it if you like. Just pay Usps flat rate. It was only like $30 to build it Which is cheaper than freight. She has a NEMA 30 Amp outlet for a dryer/oven in her garage. I also have an adapter to plug the 110V side of the mobile charger into the same receptacle and you get 2.88 kW (2 poles, 12 amps). from it. It’s slow but works. Finally I also have an EV doubler, I made which needs two receptacles (110v) that come from Opposite poles on your panel. That gives 2.88 kW too.

 

[GoGoGadgetMachE]

a quick Big River search suggests that for $200 you could buy a decent charger that will work at 240V/16A on a 30A outlet, which will be substantially faster than 120V:

AmazonSmile: Lectron Level 2 EV Charger (240V,16 Amp) with 21ft Extension Cord J1772 Cable & NEMA 10-30 Plug : Automotive

in fact I may well buy this myself for the girlfriend's house as a full time leave behind at that price ?

if you think there's any chance of seeing the family again at the location, you could consider the same thing. I'd be surprised if the rental could be reasonably done for a lot less than the $199.99 considering the value of your time dealing with it.

there's one hairy review on it, but if that is a concern for you, for not much more you can get this 24A:

AmazonSmile: Splitvolt 24A NEMA 10-30 EV Charger, Portable Level 2 240V, 16.4 Ft Cord, Fastest NEC-Safe 30 Amp Circuit Charging, EVSE Compatible with EVs via J1772 Plug Including Tesla, Ford, Chevy, VW, Nissan : Automotive

which is the most you can do following the 80% rule.

 

[Nklem]

I am considering buying a 24 amp level 2 if I can find one To leave at moms or install permanently. It would be the safest alternative, I just have not found a reasonable priced one Yet as prices are crazy.

 

[KZ6e1e]

https://www.costco.com/axfast-level-2-portable-electric-vehicle-charger.product.100489580.html

I've seen a $50 coupon on this regularly.

Not UL listed, but Costco Return Policy

 

[macchiaz-o]

https://www.costco.com/axfast-level-2-portable-electric-vehicle-charger.product.100489580.html

I've seen a $50 coupon on this regularly.

Not UL listed, but Costco Return Policy

Costco doesn't accept returns on homes, vehicles, or spouses, unfortunately.

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