Best EVSE for Travel

[V8BoatBuilder]

Looking to purchase a travel EVSE - What have you found for the EVSE and adapters?

My first thought it is to standardize my extensions and adapters on the L14-30 standard. It might limit top current pull, but the connectors are small and pretty universal. Other obvious option is 14-50, which seems to be standard for EVSEs and RVs. Open to options from the hive-mind.

Here are my requirements of where I'd like to be able to plug in based on what I encounter in the wild:

- 15a/1250v regular outlet (NEMA 5-15)

- 30a/125v similar to what you find at a marina (NMEA L5-30) or RV park (NEMA TT-30)

- 30a/250v - electric dryer 3-pin (NEMA 10-30), 4-pin (NEMA 14-30), Generator (NMEA L14-30)

- 50a/250v - RV park (NEMA 14-50), big-boat marina (NEMA L14-50)

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[hturnerfamily]

the standard is starting to become the NEMA 14-50 50amp 240v outlet, for Level 2 charging, and for many situations where finding an outlet is needed. This outlet is common at campgrounds and rv parks. Lately, I have found that, of all places, LITTLE CEASARS PIZZA stores are providing access to a 50amp 240v outlet at the back of their locations - great!

When traveling and using charge stations, though, you won't need any charge cord - they are on the Charge pedestal. You'll only need one when you have to access an OUTLET to charge.

The Ford Mobile charger is great, giving you both the 240v 50amp Adapter, and also the much slower 'emergency' 120v adapter...

I just invested in a new Mobile Charger that is similar, but allows you to change the MAXIMUM amperage draw down from 30amps, to 24amps, or 20amps, 0r 16 amps, or 12amps, etc. This just gives you the ability to lower the draw if you are in a situation where the breaker trips if you are trying to pull too much at 30-32amps.

These are easy to find online, and mine ran about $250.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

@hturnerfamily What did you purchase? I am looking at the:

PRIMECOM.TECH Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Amperage Adjustable (10Amp - 16Amp - 20Amp - 24Amp - 32Amp) 30Ft Cable EVSE Plug-in Hybrid (30 FT, 14-50P)

https://www.amazon.com/PRIMECOM-TECH-Electric-Vehicle-Amperage-Adjustable/dp/B08KDP8W2L/ref=sr_1_56?crid=LOLNK1U4U46X&keywords=evse&qid=1660487624&sprefix=evse,aps,65&sr=8-56&th=1

From Amazon - but very worried about durability of non-branded Amazon charger.

Ford Mobile charger won't let you set amps, it can't handle 30a receptacles of any voltage.

 

[hturnerfamily]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JB9FLBK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I've already used it and it works just fine - comes with several 'fobs' to swipe and change the AMPERAGE...

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JB9FLBK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I've already used it and it works just fine - comes with several 'fobs' to swipe and change the AMPERAGE...

That's a great price, much cheaper than the one I found. Interesting choice by the designers to use fobs. More of a PITA, but would keep people from messing with it. Amazon reviewers say it is NOT UL listed. That seems like playing with fire, literally!

Have you charged on 125v/30a input yet?

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

So according to Wikipedia on J1772, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J1772

Level 1 charging (120v, Line-Neutral) above 16a is not part of the standard. We'd need to know if BOTH the EVSE and the truck can do it...

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

This place has some great adapters - including this one:

https://www.evseadapters.com/products/tt-30p-to-nema-14-50r-ev-adapter/

 

[vandy1981]

You want an EVSE that can use the full 40 amps from a NEMA 14-50p and adjust to lower amperages. We have this one and so far it works fine. Keep in mind that most of the EVSEs you see on Amazon (including this one) are not UL listed and are off-brand, so I would probably wouldn't trust them as a permanent installation in your home.

Most 30 amp RV plugs use 120v, so you should also get an adapter that converts to NEMA 14-50p from TT-30p.

I'd also get a J1772 extension cord or a NEMA 14-50p extension cord. I think the J1772 extensions are more handy because you can also use them at public EVSEs. I have this one. Be careful using it at EVSEs that exceed 40 amps because the Lightning will draw up to 80 amps.

An 80-amp TeslaTap is also useful so you can use Tesla destination chargers.

It's also a good idea to keep the Ford 120v charger with you in case you need it in a pinch.

 

[Kev12345]

What’s the issue with the one included with the truck?

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

What’s the issue with the one included with the truck?

It can't be set to 24a (80% of 30a).

30a receptacles are pretty common (electric dryer, RV park). NEC (and good practice) limits you to 80% of max rated amps on constant load.

 

[Maquis]

What’s the issue with the one included with the truck?

The charge rate is not adjustable, so it can’t be used on common 30A (or lower) circuits.

 

[Kev12345]

The charge rate is not adjustable, so it can’t be used on common 30A (or lower) circuits.

I haven’t actually seen it but is it like teslas mobile connector where you can add different dongles to the unit to match the outlet?

 

[Maquis]

I haven’t actually seen it but is it like teslas mobile connector where you can add different dongles to the unit to match the outlet?

It comes with 2. NEMA 14-50 for 32A, 240V, and NEMA 5-15 for 120V, 12A.
Nothing else available.

Edit: See page 201 of the owners manual.

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

I haven’t actually seen it but is it like teslas mobile connector where you can add different dongles to the unit to match the outlet?

Tesla also let’s you select vehicle intake current, something our truck is missing.

 

[Kev12345]

Ahh I see. Strange it isn’t capable of charging at 40 amps continuous (80% of 14-50 plug). Does ford have plans to sell other connector types for the mobile charger that would automatically limit current to 80% of the specific outlet? You’d think they’d have a 14-30 dongle that could charge at 24 amps and also the weirdo RV park (30 amp 120v) outlet for campgrounds…

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