The Home Integration System Departs With A Whimper

[v2h8484]

Hello… hi. We’ve been asking for help with HIS for 3.5 years now. Hasn’t worked but a handful of times for the 1 day that someone from sunrun trouble shooted it. Your phone support people just push us off with the line “a software update is coming next month.”

Just curious, when did the last HIS software update actually come out?

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[Aminorjourney]

Hello… hi. We’ve been asking for help with HIS for 3.5 years now. Hasn’t worked but a handful of times for the 1 day that someone from sunrun trouble shooted it. Your phone support people just push us off with the line “a software update is coming next month.”

This whole thing has been a nightmare - and while my system does now work (not automatically, I might add, because Ford hasn't pushed that update for my model year truck yet) - the whole setup is frankly a joke.

I personally feel Ford should offer everyone who purchased one a chance to have it replaced with a system that works...

 

[Pitbull2o08]

Just curious, when did the last HIS software update actually come out?

Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[RickLightning]

That being said, if Ford gave a choice between a free GenerLink option, or a heavily discounted 3rd party system like Sigenergy or Enphase, it would go a long way. The way Sigenergy is wired, it could almost be a drop in replacement with the existing wiring.

Remember, that some utilities will NOT let the customer install a GenerLink. DTE in SE Michigan will install it for you, and you pay them monthly rental.

 

[Jim Lewis]

Just curious, when did the last HIS software update actually come out?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Someone at Sunrun told me today that the problem with automatic BPT is in the truck's software (and y'all will say, "Of course Sunrun will say that.") and ECG2-25.2.8.5, which I received on 3/16/26, is supposed to help fix the truck's problems. Automatic BPT worked 3x in a row for me after I received that update, but it failed in manual tests at least once before and once after the successful automatic BPTs (2x during storm outages, 1x in a manual test). In the successful automatic transfers, my frunk was open, a NOCO Genius2 trickle charger was hooked up to the jump points in float mode, the truck's doors were unlocked, and the truck, in a garage abutting the kitchen, probably had an active BT PAAK connection to my iPhone as it moved around the house. So maybe these conditions kept the truck's GWM awake enough to respond to HIS signaling. In one of the failed tests after the update, none of the cited conditions were in effect. So maybe if ECG2-25.2.8.5 is a step in the right direction, another step or two will make things even "more better." Maybe Brian can comment, from Ford's point of view, whether ECG2-25.2.8.5 is designed, at least in part, to improve HIS automatic BPT, @Ford Motor Company.

 

[chl]

Speaking of "swaps" and patents:

https://ev.com/news/ford-files-patent-with-innovative-drive-up-battery-swapping-system-for-evs

Someone at Sunrun told me today that the problem with automatic BPT is in the truck's software (and y'all will say, "Of course Sunrun will say that.") and ECG2-25.2.8.5, which I received on 3/16/26, is supposed to help fix the truck's problems. Automatic BPT worked 3x in a row for me after I received that update, but it failed in manual tests at least once before and once after the successful automatic BPTs (2x during storm outages, 1x in a manual test). In the successful automatic transfers, my frunk was open, a NOCO Genius2 trickle charger was hooked up to the jump points in float mode, the truck's doors were unlocked, and the truck, in a garage abutting the kitchen, probably had an active BT PAAK connection to my iPhone as it moved around the house. So maybe these conditions kept the truck's GWM awake enough to respond to HIS signaling. In one of the failed tests after the update, none of the cited conditions were in effect. So maybe if ECG2-25.2.8.5 is a step in the right direction, another step or two will make things even "more better." Maybe Brian can comment, from Ford's point of view, whether ECG2-25.2.8.5 is designed, at least in part, to improve HIS automatic BPT, @Ford Motor Company.

It looked to me from the diagram that the HIS is essentially a solar microgrid inverter system with an EVSE/EV input capability, so I think SunRun is correct when they say the problem is the Ford software.

The weak link in the HIS is the FCSP and truck communication (which apparently is being done using bluetooth).

If the FCSP does not get the "I'm ready to transfer energy" messages from the truck (over BlueTooth I suppose), nothing will happen, i.e., the FCSP will not signal the Delta BDI over the RS 485(?) to start drawing energy from the truck via the EV DC connection.

ECG2-25.2.8.5 is supposed to improve the Ford app communications with the server and truck module to module communication, so maybe it also improves the BlueTooth communications with the FCSP and helped with the problem?

They never really reveal everything the OTA updates fix, which is a pet peeve of mine (and others) Brian @Ford Motor Company ! So we may never know.

 

[Jim Lewis]

The weak link in the HIS is the FCSP and truck communication (which apparently is being done using bluetooth).

If the FCSP does not get the "I'm ready to transfer energy" messages from the truck (over BlueTooth I suppose), nothing will happen, i.e., the FCSP will not signal the Delta BDI over the RS 485(?) to start drawing energy from the truck via the EV DC connection.

Manual BPT, which requires BT, works for me. Thus, I think the problem is adequately waking up the truck from deep sleep or the timing of the truck/HIS handshake through the FCSP. I know that manual BPT requires BT, as an OTA or firmware update once broke the existing BT pairing, and I couldn't get manual BPT to work until I deleted the old pairing and created a new one. IMHO, BT is just a wakeup and security feature, and PLC does the heavy lifting in negotiating BPT.

As discussed in the ECG2-25.2.8.5 thread, a TCU and an APIM OTA update are likely to follow (some have already gotten those), so here's hoping they come along for me, too, and make things even "more better" : https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/ecg2-25-2-8-5-update.32519/post-607926

 

[Jenovalente]

I’m so glad I came across this thread. I have a 23 XLT and bought a FCSP new in box from eBay from someone who had bought a Lariat and already had a charger at home. I was hesitant to plop down $500 for the V2H software to make everyone work but have not had any problems charging since I got the truck new in 2023.
Tried to figure out an alternative to the Sunrun system and had just recently ordered a solar inverter and a huge lithium better on wheels.

it seems that things have taken care of themselves. Last Saturday night, right as I was charging for a road trip on Sunday, the FCSP scrapped out. Message in Ford app that there was a problem charging, no lights on at all on charger, no charge port lights on on truck. Checked leads had power.

I ended up with an Emporia Pro, which is fine for the standard range battery my truck has, charging at a max of 48amp.

 

[Pitbull2o08]

@Ford Motor Company can you answer the questions above?

 

[Pitbull2o08]

@Ford Motor Company are you still with us?

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Manual BPT, which requires BT, works for me. Thus, I think the problem is adequately waking up the truck from deep sleep or the timing of the truck/HIS handshake through the FCSP. I know that manual BPT requires BT, as an OTA or firmware update once broke the existing BT pairing, and I couldn't get manual BPT to work until I deleted the old pairing and created a new one. IMHO, BT is just a wakeup and security feature, and PLC does the heavy lifting in negotiating BPT.

As discussed in the ECG2-25.2.8.5 thread, a TCU and an APIM OTA update are likely to follow (some have already gotten those), so here's hoping they come along for me, too, and make things even "more better" : https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/ecg2-25-2-8-5-update.32519/post-607926

Apologies that this took a moment to bring back to y'all.

You are correct on the intent. That change was specifically designed to improve automatic home backup in scenarios where the vehicle has been charged to its target while plugged in for some time and drifts into sleep mode. It sounds like you are still experiencing some issues; the team is continuing to evaluate further improvements to the system.

On a completely separate note, I also wanted to mention that we currently have a stock of Ford Charge Station Pro units for warranty replacements. I know parts availability comes up often in the community, so I just wanted to pass that along as a general heads-up.

 

[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

I agree. At this point I have a working system, but I am so burned by it all…

There’s a heavily laden sarcasm video coming soon.

It's a very good video with an appropriate amount of sarcasm.

 

[Aminorjourney]

Apologies that this took a moment to bring back to y'all.

You are correct on the intent. That change was specifically designed to improve automatic home backup in scenarios where the vehicle has been charged to its target while plugged in for some time and drifts into sleep mode. It sounds like you are still experiencing some issues; the team is continuing to evaluate further improvements to the system.

On a completely separate note, I also wanted to mention that we currently have a stock of Ford Charge Station Pro units for warranty replacements. I know parts availability comes up often in the community, so I just wanted to pass that along as a general heads-up.

That's great but...

There are still people here - myself included, and hey, I did get red-carpet treatment that I never asked for - who have had nothing but issues, and who would really like to get a refund on their gear. Or at least, some acknowledgment from Ford that it really screwed up what was a very VERY expensive add-on for an already expensive truck.

The HIS did promise me something I couldn't get with Pro Power: the ability to automatically back my home up in a power cut (including powering my heat pumps and my well system).

It has NEVER done that. EVER. It has powered my home a dozen or so times in an emergency, and another ten or so during "peak power events". But it has never done it automatically.

It's a very good video with an appropriate amount of sarcasm.

Thank you. I had to turn it down a *lot*

 

[Pitbull2o08]

I would also like to be in the line for a refund. “Continuing to work” on something that’s been out for nearly 4 years now is not excusable.

 

[RickLightning]

[QUOTE="Aminorjourney, postI did get red-carpet treatment that I never asked for
[/QUOTE]

Which you got in the hopes of softening your ability to amplify the fact that HIS is a cluster. The fact that even that effort failed just shows how much of a cluster HIS is. Everyone that bought into it should get a refund. Some got their trucks bought back.

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