Charging Lightning from a generator

[mr.Magoo]

This is kinda misleading, but you were speaking generally. 120v outlets (in the US) are capped at 20 amps, but most are 15 amps. 240v outlets can be 50 amps. So yes, a 4kw 240v split phase generator would most definitely get you more kw output to the truck than any 4kw 120v only generator, even if it had a 30 amp twist lock outlet.

True !
But A) I was trying to keep it simple and I general terms and considering the question was about a small generator I pictured something along the lines of 2000w. (Hence the question of "depends on what you consider small")
B) The dilemma is that a 4kW generator probably has a lower continuous load, say 3500W, so now you'll need a charger that you can de-rate as much, which most people don't have, especially those on the Ford Mobile charger.

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[mr.Magoo]

You can derate for the mobile charger on 2025 models on screen and in app . Before I got my FCSP installed I had to charge using my dryer outlet and had to drop it from 48A to 27A so it wouldn't trip the breaker.

That's interesting, would you mind sharing a screenshot/picture when you get a chance.

 

[K6CCC]

There is third option. Using the 120v dongle and a 240v source (would need a plug adapter) the Ford mobile charger will charge 240v at 12a (2.8kw).

Good bet that would work.

 

[RocketGhost]

Shouldn't the evse tell it's got the 120v dongle and only accept a suitable source? I'm sure there are plug adapters out there just as there are suicide cords for generator inlets, but I wouldn't think it would work.

You plug a 120v anything into a 240v source and you'll let the smoke out, electronics works on smoke dontcha know.

The Ford mobile charger is configured to accept 240v. If it was only a 120v charger you'd get smoke.

The dongle just tells it what amps to set. It doesn't configure the voltage of the charger. The +- prongs of the 120v dongle are routed to the same pins as the ++ prongs of the 240v dongle.

Whatever adapter you use for the 120V to 240V receptacle is in the same category as suicide cords. Such adapters can be found on Amazon where any dum-dum can buy them.

This works on the Ford mobile charger.

 

[PJnc284]

An interesting exercise is to determine your gas mileage on the generator. Haven't done it on the Lightning yet but with my Niro PHEV my little 1500W Harbor Freight generator got 30 MPG.

I wouldn't expect the efficiency to be very good. OP in the cwd thread below had a Duromax XP16000 (16kW peak, 13kW running) and 3 gallons added 18.92kWh in 2 hours. His 2.1mpg would give you about 13mpg.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...ge-extender-for-f-150-lightning-testing.30916

EverDrive - Charge While Driving a Ford Lightning

 

[GarrettBlake]

OP, you can use a propane generator and spare yourself the gasoline troubles. Propane does not go bad like gasoline will. Also the expensive ethanol free gas claims to be pretty long lasting. I have found a generator with an inverter to be more reliable in powering the Ford mobile charger.

 

[K6CCC]

OP, you can use a propane generator and spare yourself the gasoline troubles. Propane does not go bad like gasoline will.

That was largely not an option when I bought my Honda.

I have found a generator with an inverter to be more reliable in powering the Ford mobile charger.

The inverter generators are far better in pretty much all respects.

 

[jwrezz]

The Ford mobile charger is configured to accept 240v. If it was only a 120v charger you'd get smoke.

The dongle just tells it what amps to set. It doesn't configure the voltage of the charger. The +- prongs of the 120v dongle are routed to the same pins as the ++ prongs of the 240v dongle.

Whatever adapter you use for the 120V to 240V receptacle is in the same category as suicide cords. Such adapters can be found on Amazon where any dum-dum can buy them.

This works on the Ford mobile charger.

Ok so you've tried it? That seems to make sense, id think the dongle would tell the charger both amperage and voltage, but if it's dumb, I guess that'd be a cool way to double your watts if you had a small 240 volt outlet for a compressor or air-conditioner.

 

[jwrezz]

I’ve been meaning to test my inverter generator with the Ford Mobile Connector. It has a NEMA 14-50 connection, but the running wattage is only 7200. I believe the connector only operates at 32 amps, but my gen can only manage 30.

I have a nema 1450 to L1430 adapter and my inverter generator only outputs 8750 peak 7200 constant. The ford adapter can take 32, but if the generator can't give it, the evse will take what it can get. I ran my generator for about an hour giving the truck 7kwh to the battery.

 

[richguy82]

I have a nema 1450 to L1430 adapter and my inverter generator only outputs 8750 peak 7200 constant. The ford adapter can take 32, but if the generator can't give it, the evse will take what it can get. I ran my generator for about an hour giving the truck 7kwh to the battery.

Great to know. Thanks!

 

[Mikerson]

That was largely not an option when I bought my Honda.

What about a conversion kit? You will get less power. Not sure of your specific needs.

 

[Mike G]

The Ford mobile charger is configured to accept 240v. If it was only a 120v charger you'd get smoke.

The dongle just tells it what amps to set. It doesn't configure the voltage of the charger. The +- prongs of the 120v dongle are routed to the same pins as the ++ prongs of the 240v dongle.

Whatever adapter you use for the 120V to 240V receptacle is in the same category as suicide cords. Such adapters can be found on Amazon where any dum-dum can buy them.

This works on the Ford mobile charger.

Now that my friends is 'out of the box' thinking....well done.

 

[WXman]

Amazon sells generators (some are Westinghouse brand) that have 50 amp NEMA 14-50 240 volt outlets and are less than $1,500. In theory these would charge the truck to full overnight using the Ford charger cable. Question I have is: does the truck care if it's an invertor generator vs. traditional wave generator? Both are available but of course the inverter style is more expensive.

 

[RocketGhost]

I’ve been meaning to test my inverter generator with the Ford Mobile Connector. It has a NEMA 14-50 connection, but the running wattage is only 7200. I believe the connector only operates at 32 amps, but my gen can only manage 30.

I have a nema 1450 to L1430 adapter and my inverter generator only outputs 8750 peak 7200 constant. The ford adapter can take 32, but if the generator can't give it, the evse will take what it can get. I ran my generator for about an hour giving the truck 7kwh to the battery.

The Ford mobile charger supplied with Lightnings is limited to 30a at 240v. This is so that it can be used with Pro Power, which is limited to 30a output, to charge another EV. The 240v dongle will have a yellow sticker around the cord for 30a versions. The mobile charger supplied with the Mach-E is set to 32a.

And it's not correct that "the evse will take what it can get." It will not throttle. It will try to pull what it's set for (e.g. 30a). If the source (e.g. generator) cannot supply that much it will trip the breaker at the source.

The EVSE will throttle it's output to the EV based on the current the EV requests. If the EV only asks for, say, 20a, that's what the charger will output.

Ok so you've tried it? That seems to make sense, id think the dongle would tell the charger both amperage and voltage, but if it's dumb, I guess that'd be a cool way to double your watts if you had a small 240 volt outlet for a compressor or air-conditioner.

I personally have not tried it but I have seen enough reports of it from many different people and sources that I'm confident it will work. And from an electrical perspective it makes sense. The charger is 240v capable and can accept either opposite phase voltage (-120v) or neutral (0v) from one input while receiving +120v from the other. The dongles are just different shape plugs and have a chip that the charger senses to set amperage.

I was looking for a way to boost charging speed when staying at an Airbnb with a dryer without having to get a mobile charger with selectable amps since 240v 30a is too much for a dryer circuit.

One thing to keep in mind if you do the 240v with 120v dongle is to make sure any extension cord you use is beefy enough. 2.8kw will generate more heat in the cord and plugs than 1.4kw.

 

[jwrezz]

You can derate for the mobile charger on 2025 models on screen and in app . Before I got my FCSP installed I had to charge using my dryer outlet and had to drop it from 48A to 27A so it wouldn't trip the breaker.

I can't believe I said that. That's what breakers are for! Same line of thinking tho, that's why I'd think the mobile charger would not allow 240 thru the 120 dongle. Infact, it will allow 240, but limit it to the 12amp 120v max. Why is it that it can limit the amperage, but not the voltage?

My Predator generator is "8750 peak", but even tho it has a L14-30 outlet, it says "7000 continuous". It ran my mobile charger fine for over an hour. I guess FMC isn't 32 amps, but even 30 amps is more than 7000 watts. I'm proud of that little generator!

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