Why was Charger capacity reduced ?

[Baja Lightning]

I know I’m running the risk of being run out of town and shot at dawn for not find the answer to my in a previous discussion. Sorry!

Can someone tell me why the older Lightning had a 80a AC charger onboard and why it was reduced to 48a?

Simple question, simple answer please.

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[Wattsgas]

Ford saving money.
Realization that most people do fine with a smaller charge rate.

 

[RickLightning]

Ford doesn't explain reasons for decontenting.

In addition to the 2 listed by @Wattsgas, I'd add:

- Many homes can't handle adding a 100amp circuit.
- The cost of a 100amp circuit vs. a 60amp circuit is not insignificant.

 

[Shmoe]

Ford doesn't explain reasons for decontenting.

In addition to the 2 listed by @Wattsgas, I'd add:

- Many homes can handle adding a 100amp circuit.
- The cost of a 100amp circuit vs. a 60amp circuit is not insignificant.

It's an important typo, so I'll add "can't handle adding a 100 amp circuit"

 

[Baja Lightning]

Thank you gentlemen for those responses, curious if the capacity can be increased back up?
I am in a unique situation, I am 100% off grid. My house batteries are full by 10am to 11am every day. The Lightning charges only between 11am and 4:30pm…. At 10kw (at best) I am very disappointed. I was banking on 19kw ish….

 

[RLXXI]

I thought they derated the FCSP only to prevent overheating/catching fire?

 

[K6CCC]

I thought they derated the FCSP only to prevent overheating/catching fire?

Has nothing to do with the FCSP - it will still handle 80 amps. The 2024 and later Lightnings only have one 48 amp charger built in. And yes, as already speculated for most customers, the 10KW or so rate is plenty at home. For me, it certainly is.

As for adding the second charger, I'm sure the official answer is no, but it may or may not be doable with some hacking.

 

[RickLightning]

Thank you gentlemen for those responses, curious if the capacity can be increased back up?
I am in a unique situation, I am 100% off grid. My house batteries are full by 10am to 11am every day. The Lightning charges only between 11am and 4:30pm…. At 10kw (at best) I am very disappointed. I was banking on 19kw ish….

I believe the answer is sure - after a huge expense in hardware, and then getting software updated. No way is a Ford dealer going to do this, but someone like @Martin Rebuilds might be able to give some ideas.

 

[hturnerfamily]

are you trying to 'refill' the whole battery EVERY DAY??

it's not the 'norm' to need the full battery capacity every day, some of us don't use a fraction of it in a whole week... at least on a normal basis.

or, are you trying to use the battery for your 'off grid' living?

I've never, in almost 60,000 miles, needed a day where I just 'had to have' a higher charging rate than the supplied 30amp 240v Mobile EVSE... although I'm sure some folks will just bristle at the thought of not being able to get 'all they can' each and every moment of charging... but, that's not really realistic. Whether 80amps or 40amps or 30amps or even only 20amps, most of us can survive easily on basic home charging options.
You may very well be that 'unnormal' test case, where trying to reach the maximum input for only a very few select hours is just not as practical as you'd like.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Thank you gentlemen for those responses, curious if the capacity can be increased back up?
I am in a unique situation, I am 100% off grid. My house batteries are full by 10am to 11am every day. The Lightning charges only between 11am and 4:30pm…. At 10kw (at best) I am very disappointed. I was banking on 19kw ish….

Not easily, needs more hardware, I'm not sure if retrofitting replacement AC/DC from the parts supply for repairing older 80 amp trucks or the related parts found of 2024/2025+ trucks with the 80 amp option is possible.

 

[jredondox]

are you trying to 'refill' the whole battery EVERY DAY??

it's not the 'norm' to need the full battery capacity every day, some of us don't use a fraction of it in a whole week... at least on a normal basis.

or, are you trying to use the battery for your 'off grid' living?

I've never, in almost 60,000 miles, needed a day where I just 'had to have' a higher charging rate than the supplied 30amp 240v Mobile EVSE... although I'm sure some folks will just bristle at the thought of not being able to get 'all they can' each and every moment of charging... but, that's not really realistic. Whether 80amps or 40amps or 30amps or even only 20amps, most of us can survive easily on basic home charging options.
You may very well be that 'unnormal' test case, where trying to reach the maximum input for only a very few select hours is just not as practical as you'd like.

Well thats you... I had a 2022 which i had to lemon law and used to be fulll every morning after driving 250 miles some days back to back. I just got a 2025 and cant use my 80 amp charger. its BS on ford side... This 48amp crap sucks!

 

[bmwhitetx]

Ah - forgot about this one. Added as #7 in Dead Horse list.

 

[Baja Lightning]

Ah - forgot about this one. Added as #7 in Dead Horse list.

WOW you’re amazing….!

 

[Zprime29]

Thank you gentlemen for those responses, curious if the capacity can be increased back up?
I am in a unique situation, I am 100% off grid. My house batteries are full by 10am to 11am every day. The Lightning charges only between 11am and 4:30pm…. At 10kw (at best) I am very disappointed. I was banking on 19kw ish….

Why do you limit charging to between those hours?

 

[Zaptor]

100% cost cutting when Ford realized they didn't have the hotcakes they thought they had.

I don't think a retrofit would be even remotely cost-effective; IMO the cheapest way to accomplish this would be to sell and buy a 2022/2023.

We *do* charge our trucks at 80A on a 100A circuit (200A service) and have never had any issues....

Cheers
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