Ford Charging Station Pro or Emporia Charger

[026TB4U]

Hi all,

I just bought a 2024 used lightning and need some advise on which charger to choose. I found a used Ford Charging Station Pro for $500. I'm trying to decide between that or a new Emporia at $429.

Please share your thoughts on either charger and which I should buy.

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[SpaceEVDriver]

I have both the FCSP and the Emporia Pro. I prefer the Emporia Pro despite the frustrations I’ve had getting it to properly talk to my solar system to only charge when we have excess solar. Still working on that.

 

[B177y]

If you have the capacity in your electrical service and NEED 80 amp charging, go with the Ford.

Otherwise, I'd go with the Emporia.

EDIT:
Since you have a 2024, you can't even use the 80 amp unless you have the Pro trim with the 80 amp option. Just get the Emporia.

 

[026TB4U]

If you have the capacity in your electrical service and NEED 80 amp charging, go with the Ford.

Otherwise, I'd go with the Emporia.

EDIT:
Since you have a 2024, you can't even use the 80 amp unless you have the Pro trim with the 80 amp option. Just get the Emporia.

Didn't know that. Why did Ford remove from the 2024?

 

[astrand1]

I’ve 2 emporia chargers. Check their direct site. They sell “refurbished” models there. Same warranty as new. And quite a bit cheaper. Both of mine are supposed refurbished but they looked new when I opened the boxes and have been working great. So easy to change settings on the app.

 

[B177y]

Didn't know that. Why did Ford remove from the 2024?

Money.

 

[Heliian]

Money.

I think also that the need for the average user to go over 48a wasn't there.
It was good in theory, especially if the v2h system had worked. However, it didn't. Also it's lighter.

 

[Phineas Magliozzi]

If you have solar, it's a no-brainer. Emporia's "Excess Solar" feature is crucial. You do need some variant of their Vue system as well to determine if there is excess solar available. No direct connection to anything solar, just monitors the mains and determines if there is sufficient power going back to the utility to warrant turning on the Emporia. The threshold is 6a, so about 1.4kW at 240VAC. Once on in will ramp up and down (or off) to keep the power going back to the Utility to a minimum. You can, of course, just charge at any (6 to 48) amperage you would like as well. As you can probably tell, I like mine.

 

[RLXXI]

If you have the capacity in your electrical service and NEED 80 amp charging, go with the Ford.

Otherwise, I'd go with the Emporia.

EDIT:
Since you have a 2024, you can't even use the 80 amp unless you have the Pro trim with the 80 amp option. Just get the Emporia.

Can use it, just won't get the full 80a charge, my FCSP charges at 48a

 

[RLXXI]

Didn't know that. Why did Ford remove from the 2024?

24 and 25 dropped the extra charger/inverter, cost cutting measure.. I also have the FCSP and it can still charge 80a, the truck will only pull 48a from it.

 

[RLXXI]

I have both the FCSP and the Emporia Pro. I prefer the Emporia Pro despite the frustrations I’ve had getting it to properly talk to my solar system to only charge when we have excess solar. Still working on that.

Have you looked into Home Assistant? Might be an MQTT or other way to allow coms between the units. Good chance you'll need Ford's API if you can get it.

 

[TomAHawk]

I have the Emporia Pro and the Vue system. I was able to link it to my solar system and it used to charge with excess solar but Emporia changed the way their app works and it hasn't charged with excess solar for about 6 months now. But it's still a nice system. I'm sure if I want to spend a bunch of time on the phone with Emporia tech support they can get it set up again but I'm not that worried about it since my electricity rates are around 10 cents per kilowatt hour. Emporia tech support reps are pretty helpful if you want to go that route.

 

[bmwhitetx]

I have owned and used both for at least a year each. Although I have 80-amp capable truck, I only installed a 60A breaker - so 48A charging.

Switching from the overly-bulky, Wifi-dropping FCSP to the Emporia was one of the best things I did. With a 2024 that can only do 48A, Emporia is a no-brainer. The cable and charge head are so much smaller, lighter and maneuverable. Since the FCSP has the CCS1 head instead of the J1772, I felt like I was DC fast-charging every time I plugged in.

 

[flyct]

Hi all,

I just bought a 2024 used lightning and need some advise on which charger to choose. I found a used Ford Charging Station Pro for $500. I'm trying to decide between that or a new Emporia at $429.

Please share your thoughts on either charger and which I should buy.

To choose between the 2 I'd absolutely choose the Emporia. It has a standard J1772 plug that can charge most any other brand than Tesla. The Ford Charge Station Pro plug to car will not be able to charger a J1772 or Tesla car. Tesla's come with a J1772 to Tesla NACS adaptor that will work with the Emporia of ANY other EVSE with a J1772 plug except the Ford Charge Station pro.

Eventually all new EVs will come with a Tesla NACS.

But the gold standard in my opinion is a Tesla Universal Wall Connector EVSE. I have one at our house and another at our cabin.

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