What's the highest power one could get from a Lightning over DC?

[JerkyChew]

What's the highest power one could get from a Lightning over DC? Trying to charge a solar generator but GFCI trips in AC mode


I have a 32kWh Zendure "solar generator" system in an off grid shipping container. I also have a 2022 Lightning Lariat ER with the tow package and pro power onboard.

The Zendure battery powers the container over AC via a subpanel. When I attempt to charge it via the Lightning's AC, the GFCI trips, presumably because of funky grounding things that I still don't quite understand. But if I disable the AC output of the Zendure, I can then charge it from the Lightning without issue. Additionally, I can charge the Zendure via 12v/10ish amp DC from another battery using a cigarette lighter to XT90 cable. I haven't tested charging direct DC from the Lightning yet because the truck is outside of the container and I don't have a long enough wire (and the Zendure system weighs north of 500 pounds).

I want to test charging the Zendure via DC from the lightning to see if it would circumvent the GFCI issue, and was wondering what output on the Lightning has the highest power option. I assume it would be either over the 12v cigarette lighter-style plug, or the USB-C output in the console but I always assume I'm missing something obvious so figured I'd check with you smart people. I do know that if one were talented enough, one could wire up the Ford EV charger to run in dark start mode, but I'm saving that charger to wire into my house some day.

Obviously this is kind of an edge case for emergency charges when solar isn't an option. I wouldn't wire up anything semi-permanent that is obviously a workaround. But it's also a cool "does this work" scenario, too.

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[shelnian]

I would NOT use the Lightnings 12V battery to charge anything because it's too small and the Lightning won't work if you drain that battery.

 

[Peddyr]

What is the longest thread title someone could type in without looking like a silly goose?

 

[potato]

I wonder if one can "hack" the Home Integration System for a purpose like this.

That's the real answer to all the various "how do I get high power out of the truck" questions that pop up. It sure would be nice if Ford would open up the interface to allow third party devices to pull high voltage DC power direct from the battery like the HIS.

But I suppose the possible liability, and/or potential damage to the battery if you do something dumb, means that'll never happen.

In the meantime at least we have the 7.2 kW bed outlet. It is annoying when you have to use extra equipment or bypass the safety features (e.g. disconnect ground) to make it work though.

 

[Adventureboy]

Would be nice if the scheduled departure times work consistently too.

It sure would be nice if Ford would open up the interface to allow third party devices to pull high voltage DC power direct from the battery like the HIS

@Ford Motor Company I second this. This would open MANY options for V2H and V2G. Allowing 3rd parties to pull DC power from the massive Lightning battery would allow it to integrate to existing systems and make the Lightning much more appealing for folks with infrastructures already in place. I guess they would work better than the troubled Ford HIS system and cost a fair bit less.

 

[Ricks Lightning]

Typical 12 volt lighter outlets are limited to 15-20 amps. 180-240 watts. But unless you leave the truck running, the 12v battery is only 35 amp hour’s. Very small.
You have plenty of Ac wattage in the bed. You have 32kw of storage battery. What voltage is it set up to charge at?

Rick

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

If I needed DC power at 10 A, I would get a cheap AC-DC power supply and plug it into the bed outlet. The conversion losses aren't great, but it's straight-forward.

 

[queuewho]

In model 3, which has no AC outlets, people used to get around the 150w limit on the cig lighter by tapping into the heated seats wiring. I wonder if that's a possible route on the lightning for a direct DC source of power?

 

[JerkyChew]

What is the longest thread title someone could type in without looking like a silly goose?

?

 

[tearitupsports]

You can only access the HIS system via an AC coupled component. The HIS can then charge the truck via HVDC but you cannot have direct access
I can charge the truck over DC by using my solar system which is AC coupled via the backup panel board.

 

[HOTAS]

Everyone that says it sure would be nice to have access to DC direct “power” from the truck,
exactly what voltage would you like that to be at? Lol

 

[TaxmanHog]

Everyone that says it sure would be nice to have access to DC direct “power” from the truck,
exactly what voltage would you like that to be at? Lol

We would see the nominal pack voltage, as an experienced EV owner wouldn't know that?!?

 

[HOTAS]

https://us.ecoflow.com/products/800w-alternator-charger

For DC direct, Guys have had good results with alternator chargers. They leverage the high amp load capability of an automobile alternator (AC) to quick charge a “solar generator” battery pack DC direct.
(Thereby making them gas generators! lol)
EV owners have been successful adapting them to there EV’s high power inverter that runs the AC motors. Giving themselves 800w of DC direct 12V to charge the pack with.

Yeah you’re still going Dc to Ac to Dc, but so is every other solution, just changes where it happens.

 

[HOTAS]

We would see the nominal pack voltage, as an experienced EV owner wouldn't know that?!?

So you want access to 450V DC. Ok. Gonna get interesting.
What would ya do with it ?

Considering every EV maker has gone to extreme measure to protect us “experienced Ev owners” from nominal pack voltage,
my gut tells me that might not be wise.

 

[Adventureboy]

Actually there is a very real viable use case - V2G. Currently, Ford closes the high voltage access to only its HIS system which only supports emergency V2H.

Incidentally, my Solar inverter has storage capability management at the same voltage as our Lightnings. That means technically, they are electrically compatible and the HVB on the Lightning could be used to augment my solar system on cloudy days or into the evening without disconnecting from the grid. It could even be set to help balance the grid by providing power in times of need. HIS is likely the main reason Ford uses the 400v architecture.

It's doable - however, V2G is still in its infancy in NA and standards are only just now being developed. Stay tuned for V2G in the next couple of years.

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