Installing a transformer in my truck

[bmwhitetx]

You might look at the other threads on this. Search for inrush. For example one person found having a small load on before starting a 15 amp saw helped. Also discusses a “programmable“ soft start. https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...able-to-handle-a-circular-saw.3240/post-49499

Note this is not unique to Lightning. The ICE has a 7.2 kW and the article above is actually about that. So search ICE forum as well for ideas. Lots more people using ICE trucks for real work than us (I also have a garage princess).

I think your solution is good since a) it works and b) you are running other equipment like compressors so putting soft-starts on everything may not be worth it. Just hate you have to lug around a 150 lb. transformer.

Sponsored

 

[harry wilson]

Looks nice ! well done

Tutuapp 9Apps​

 

[Dylanch]

I hope you don’t have a 40-80 amp surge on a 20amp 120v plug. Sounds like you need to fix your equipment. I was running a 50 amp plug fifth wheel with 2 A/C units and an electric water heater. Pulling 38 amps on one leg and 18-28 on the other. Both A/c units would cycle fine. Even ran the Air fryer with the water heater off. While the A/C units were running.

Our mixer Will melt cheap electrical cords it basically pulls 20 amps I assure you it's my 3 mixer and there all the same your comparing something that's supposed to be efficient to something that mixes concrete. It pulls steady 1500 watts and if your mixing heavy it's 2000. There's so much voltage drop it's hard to even use on a long extension cord.

 

[Mustang11s]

Have you tried the cord I recommended? Very heavy gauge. Rated for 30 amps per leg. If you were local I’d be happy to let you give it a try. I wasn’t trying to stir stuff. I was just wondering if you tried the proper cord. I think the 4 prong twist cord in heavy gauge just might work for you. I could be wrong. And they are not very expensive.

 

[Dylanch]

Have you tried the cord I recommended? Very heavy gauge. Rated for 30 amps per leg. If you were local I’d be happy to let you give it a try. I wasn’t trying to stir stuff. I was just wondering if you tried the proper cord. I think the 4 prong twist cord in heavy gauge just might work for you. I could be wrong. And they are not very expensive.

Have you tried the cord I recommended? Very heavy gauge. Rated for 30 amps per leg. If you were local I’d be happy to let you give it a try. I wasn’t trying to stir stuff. I was just wondering if you tried the proper cord. I think the 4 prong twist cord in heavy gauge just might work for you. I could be wrong. And they are not very expensive.

Your not understanding the problem imagine if it was water you have two taps that put out very little flow to get more flow u combine them into 1 hose
That's what the transformer is doing is combining both legs into 1 to get more flow aka current sharing. Your idea still only uses 1 leg.

I don't blow the breaker when trying to use the truckS 120v outlet
It goes into over current protection, and it turns the truck off not the breaker.

 

[Mustang11s]

This is happening when you are on a 20amp outlet. The plug in the back is a lin networked module. If it sees over current it shuts down. That is why I am recommending to try the 30 amp circuit. If you don’t want to try. Your setup is neat and works for sure. I was just offering an easy possible solution. I am a Ford Senior Master Tech at a dealer. I work on these and I own one. Just saying I think it will work on the 30amp plug. I’m out.

 

[Ricks Lightning]

I know this is an old thread that I just stumbled across.

3 things. 1 of my larger wheelbarrow emglo compressors , can't remember if it's a 1.5 or 2 hp motor has a flip switch that allows it to use 240 or 120. Uses a twist lock cord. All you would need is a cord adapter for 240.

Also on jobsites we would run hundreds of feet of 12 gauge extension cords. By the time we used our large drills for drilling , the voltage dropped too much. We had a Buckbooster style transformer. Still plugged into the 120 outlet. Was that just an expansive capacitor or some sort of 120/120 transformer? This is going back to the 80's when we drill 4 5/8" holes with self feeding auger bits. Now using 1 tooth carbide holesaws that cut the load way down and less torque.

Figured the fully loaded / 90# air compressor would be a bigger startup load then the mixer.

Have you used a 240v decent welder yet? 1 of the pipe fitters here was having issues with the 240 outlet not working.

Rick

 

[Hank42]

Probably cheaper to fix/upgrade/replace the mixer.

If it's a 120v unit it should run on the outlet but it's obviously drawing too high a load, maybe start cap is gone?

I was thinking the exact same thing. Glad someone posted this.
Also just saw someone pointing out that most commercial AC motors can be jumpered for 220 VAC - possible option.

 

[CD4TNF]

I know this is an old thread that I just stumbled across.

3 things. 1 of my larger wheelbarrow emglo compressors , can't remember if it's a 1.5 or 2 hp motor has a flip switch that allows it to use 240 or 120. Uses a twist lock cord. All you would need is a cord adapter for 240.

Also on jobsites we would run hundreds of feet of 12 gauge extension cords. By the time we used our large drills for drilling , the voltage dropped too much. We had a Buckbooster style transformer. Still plugged into the 120 outlet. Was that just an expansive capacitor or some sort of 120/120 transformer? This is going back to the 80's when we drill 4 5/8" holes with self feeding auger bits. Now using 1 tooth carbide holesaws that cut the load way down and less torque.

Figured the fully loaded / 90# air compressor would be a bigger startup load then the mixer.

Have you used a 240v decent welder yet? 1 of the pipe fitters here was having issues with the 240 outlet not working.

Rick

Here's a Motortrend article on a welding test. PPO with welding is a little slow going.

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-ford-f-150-lightning-xlt-yearlong-review-update-10-welding

When I googled "F150 lightning welding", this and several other posts from this forum came up.


Glad to hear you're using the Lightning as a worksite truck.

Sponsored