Using Level 2 Chargers

[oleosmirf]

At the onset, I have watched the Ford Mustang Mach-E Ultimate Charging Guide video to no avail.

I very rarely need to use a charger other than my own, however, I have had issues every single time I try to use a public charger whether its EVGO, Electrify America, Chargepoint, etc. Usually I get numerous fault messages on the touch screen saying "Charge Station Fault - Please See Manual" and then after unplugging, plugging it back in, trying the app, trying fordpass, using my credit card manually, eventually it randomly works 15-30 minutes in, with an annoyed girlfriend huffing and puffing in the passenger seat complaining that my car is a toy and not practical.

Either I am a complete moron or my vehicle has issues.

Is there a step-by-step guide on how exactly to use these chargers specific to a Mach-E? Are they different for each charger?

For example, if I pull into a rest stop off the highway with an EVGO charger. What is the proper way to work it? Do I use the EVGO App? Do I go use the touch screen on the charging unit? Do I plug it in first and go to the machine? What is the order of operations. All of that information. Where do I find it?

Thanks.

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[Cm12]

There isn’t a manual, per se, as every charging company has a different protocol. But generally speaking, you should utilize the company’s app and plug in first. Using the card readers and following on-screen prompts usually doesn’t seem to work. I’ve seen plenty of frustrated drivers trying to pay with their credit card instead of using the app, to no avail. It’s annoying to have like 7 different charging apps, all with different accounts and your credit card info, but it’s most reliable method in my experience.

Step 1: plug in.
Step 2: follow what the particular app says.

 

[AZBill]

I set up Plug & Charge for EA in the Ford Pass app and it works almost every time on the first try. I had one station fail on me, moved to a different one and it worked.

For ChargePoint, I have an account on my phone and that account is set up in my Apple Wallet. Open it up in the wallet, then tap the charger with the phone, it works every time. ChargePoint is supposed to work with EVGO as well, but I have not tried it. I do have an RFID card for EVGO and it works fine, but I really have never charged my MME at EVGO, only my Bolt, and even that is a rare occasion.

 

[Maquis]

I set up Plug & Charge for EA in the Ford Pass app and it works almost every time on the first try. I had one station fail on me, moved to a different one and it worked.

For ChargePoint, I have an account on my phone and that account is set up in my Apple Wallet. Open it up in the wallet, then tap the charger with the phone, it works every time. ChargePoint is supposed to work with EVGO as well, but I have not tried it. I do have an RFID card for EVGO and it works fine, but I really have never charged my MME at EVGO, only my Bolt, and even that is a rare occasion.

He’s talking about level 2. It sounds like you’re talking DCFC? It may or may not make much difference.

 

[AZBill]

He’s talking about level 2. It sounds like you’re talking DCFC? It may or may not make much difference.

For ChargePoint I use the Apple wallet for L2 and DCFC. In Arizona there are actually zero EVGO and EA L2 chargers, they are all DCFC. I also have EA in my Apple wallet, and if I ever did find and use an EA L2, I would use that. Even for EVGO, the RFID card would work on any charger, L2 or DCFC.

 

[Maquis]

For ChargePoint I use the Apple wallet for L2 and DCFC. In Arizona there are actually zero EVGO and EA L2 chargers, they are all DCFC. I also have EA in my Apple wallet, and if I ever did find and use an EA L2, I would use that. Even for EVGO, the RFID card would work on any charger, L2 or DCFC.

Right…I’ve yet to use a L2 that I’ve had to pay for. Not that I wouldn’t, it’s just worked out that way.

 

[fokkerlit]

I had a similar (but opposite) issue with my vehicle when I first got it. Anytime I tried a level 1/2 charger (120 - 240v) I would receive a charge fault error, didn't matter what charger I used. I could however use a level 3 charger (DC Fast Charger) like the ones from EA or CP, so this was the only way I could charge for a few weeks. Took Ford 2 trips and about 5 days to figure out that the issue was a control module in my car that needed to be replaced.

 

[gpgrim]

I have a Chargepoint Home Flex with NEMA 14-50 that has never faulted once.

I've used the Ford charger a few times when Air BnB'ing it and haven't had any faults with this.

In the ten so DCFC charges I've done, I've prolly had 4-5 faults on initial attempts, but ultimately have always been able to get the car to charge, though the first couple I moved chargers.

Anecdotally, I recently observed that faults appear to occur when I connect while the car is off. When I turn the car on, and reconnect to the same charger, the charge seems to initiate. The statistics on this are low enough that it may just be coincidence.

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