Charging Timer - Works Sometimes?

[Bespectacled Ape]

I want my Lightning to charge at night. I have set up the app properly (hours and location) but often it starts charging when I plug it in. Is there a trick to make the timer work right?

(PLEASE don't go over how to set it up - it's set up properly.)

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[Heliian]

Double check the settings on both the app and the truck.

Sometimes, resetting your home location helps.

 

[RickLightning]

I want my Lightning to charge at night. I have set up the app properly (hours and location) but often it starts charging when I plug it in. Is there a trick to make the timer work right?

(PLEASE don't go over how to set it up - it's set up properly.)

The trick is to not use 120v charging.... Posted often. It cannot hit target, so it starts immediately. Buy this - https://amzn.to/3RTVJBJ

 

[TaxmanHog]

Departure time events can also cause an immediate charge start, try disabling it to weed out the issue.

 

[jamelski]

I’m currently on level 2, with a 48-amp charger. The truck’s charging schedule is set from 12 am to 6 am because it’s quite affordable. However, if the truck fails to reach its charge target within that timeframe, for instance, if it’s at 10%, it will charge immediately and automatically shut off when it believes it can achieve the target charge from 12 am to 6 am. Consequently, I have to manually stop the truck or adjust the charge target every time. I don’t require a 90% charge every day; it’s simply my target. If it can charge to 90% from 12 am to 6 am it work every time

 

[Truaz]

I’ve run into the same and it’s thinking it can’t charge to the target with the time allowed. I try and only charge when the sun is up (solar) and not during peak times. (SRP is weird with solar and EV charging) It’s a small window I know but the truck doesn’t want to accept the no charge during peak. It’s just something you need to experiment with and make some adjustments.

 

[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

I want my Lightning to charge at night. I have set up the app properly (hours and location) but often it starts charging when I plug it in. Is there a trick to make the timer work right?

(PLEASE don't go over how to set it up - it's set up properly.)

Glad you think it's set up properly. However, if you don't tell us more about your setup (L1 or L2, how much charge you need, etc.) it will be hard for us to answer your question.

 

[hermits-stunt]

I want my Lightning to charge at night. I have set up the app properly (hours and location) but often it starts charging when I plug it in. Is there a trick to make the timer work right?

(PLEASE don't go over how to set it up - it's set up properly.)

Not sure if this is completely applicable, my charger is a (dumb) 2013 m/y holdover from previously owned Fusion Hybrids and the Lightning starts charging immediately on plugin but soon shuts off and awaits its’ scheduled charge time as long as it figures it can meet scheduled departure times.

 

[Bespectacled Ape]

Update - it seems there is a coding error. I still haven't gotten the timer to work every time.

(FYI I appreciate getting the OnX free for a year, but they do expect you to cancel if you don't want to pay $99/yr, and that app crashed on me, so another coding error)

Some times I can plug it in, it will start charging, and when I lower the target charge on the app then it goes to wait mode.

After it starts charging I can raise the charge level back up and it will charge to the 90% I previously had it set for.

I will probably just buy a simple 120v mechanical timer and hope the electronics are OK with how it gets switched on and off.

Thanks for the help.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I will probably just buy a simple 120v mechanical timer and hope the electronics are OK with how it gets switched on and off.

So, you're using the FMC Ford Mobile Charger in 120 volt mode, I hope the mechanical timer/switch will tolerate 12/13 amps continuously.

 

[RickLightning]

Update - it seems there is a coding error. I still haven't gotten the timer to work every time.

(FYI I appreciate getting the OnX free for a year, but they do expect you to cancel if you don't want to pay $99/yr, and that app crashed on me, so another coding error)

Some times I can plug it in, it will start charging, and when I lower the target charge on the app then it goes to wait mode.

After it starts charging I can raise the charge level back up and it will charge to the 90% I previously had it set for.

I will probably just buy a simple 120v mechanical timer and hope the electronics are OK with how it gets switched on and off.

Thanks for the help.

See post #3.

 

[Firn]

Update - it seems there is a coding error. I still haven't gotten the timer to work every time.

(FYI I appreciate getting the OnX free for a year, but they do expect you to cancel if you don't want to pay $99/yr, and that app crashed on me, so another coding error)

Some times I can plug it in, it will start charging, and when I lower the target charge on the app then it goes to wait mode.

After it starts charging I can raise the charge level back up and it will charge to the 90% I previously had it set for.

I will probably just buy a simple 120v mechanical timer and hope the electronics are OK with how it gets switched on and off.

Thanks for the help.

As said, see post 3. Its acting as intended.

 

[Bespectacled Ape]

PS I just noticed that the app only lets you set charge level as low as 50%, so that adds more complication when you come back from a long trip. Maybe in a few years Ford will fix the software.

 

[RickLightning]

PS I just noticed that the app only lets you set charge level as low as 50%, so that adds more complication when you come back from a long trip. Maybe in a few years Ford will fix the software.

They won't.

This issue has existed as far back as 2018 with our Fusion Energi. Ford took the issue to a group, and they came back with "acting as intended".

If you are using 120v charging, the only way to restrict charging is to buy a WiFi outlet.

If you are using 240v charging, then you need to set the charging limit to meet your hours at times. If your charging hours are very tight, you may need to plug the truck in after they start, and unplug it when they end if you can't even go from say 10 to 50%.

You can also look into faster charging, up to 80amps for your vehicle.

 

[Pioneer74]

PS I just noticed that the app only lets you set charge level as low as 50%, so that adds more complication when you come back from a long trip. Maybe in a few years Ford will fix the software.

They won't.

If you want it to charge like you want, get an aftermarket EVSE and control your charging using it. The truck can't charge if the equipment won't let it.

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