Installing Pro Power Onboard 9.6kW Inverter - OEM

[ZSC100]

I believe the 240V output comes from a pair of 120V inverters, at least that is the way it is displayed on my dash when running backup to my house - like a split bus system.

Since a Ford dealership won't add the 7.2kW system after manufacture, it must fairly involved and/or prohibitively expensive - probably a lot of labor involved with HV wiring and cooling system plumbing changes. (Electrical wiring the inverter pair to the HV battery, interconnecting the cooling system has to the new inverter pair, and reprogramming the computer are involved.)

If there are preexisting electrical sockets and capped plumbing connections, it would be much simpler, but so far no one seems to have confirmed there are, or done the upgrade. That tends to indicate it may not be that straightforward.

It was worth it to me to pay the $1200 option price on my 2023 Pro, that's about what a 240V 30A gas generator would cost.

And a DIY upgrade would void the battery warranty if something goes wrong:

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Damage Caused By: ...
• modifications to the high voltage battery assembly, high voltage system, or associated wiring

The fact the Ford won't do trim/option upgrades has NOTHING to do with how involved or expensive anything is. Once a good DIY is made for this mod I think it will be a <1hr job excluding bed removal/reinstall. None of this would void the warranty as long as you don't do something stupid and take it into the dealer and say, "I broke my truck trying to do X now fix it under warranty". None of the mods anyone is talking about on any of the public forums deals with modifications that don't conform to the original module programming or mode of operation designed by Ford. Modifying module configurations does not change anything about the actual functions as they are programmed/intended by Ford.

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[chl]

The fact the Ford won't do trim/option upgrades has NOTHING to do with how involved or expensive anything is. Once a good DIY is made for this mod I think it will be a <1hr job excluding bed removal/reinstall. None of this would void the warranty as long as you don't do something stupid and take it into the dealer and say, "I broke my truck trying to do X now fix it under warranty". None of the mods anyone is talking about on any of the public forums deals with modifications that don't conform to the original module programming or mode of operation designed by Ford. Modifying module configurations does not change anything about the actual functions as they are programmed/intended by Ford.

Sure, I get that point of view, that's one way to look at it.

Factory installed options are generally more complicated and hard to do after assembly is completed, so I think that is the biggest reason dealerships won't do them, that's all I meant. But what is your theory about why dealerships won't do the PPOB upgrade? They can get all the parts.

You think it would take an hour, but what are you basing that on? Do you know for a fact the connections are there just waiting for the second pair of inverters? Maybe the whole wiring harness would have to be replaced. Maybe the battery packs would have to be removed to get to the wiring and plumbing.

So you think if you have an HV battery problem Ford is not going to figure out you made a modification to the wiring? Have your experts ready to prove what you did didn't cause the problem, and good luck.

Let me know when someone actually does the modification/upgrade, then we'll talk.

 

[ZSC100]

Sure, I get that point of view, that's one way to look at it.

Factory installed options are generally more complicated and hard to do after assembly is completed, so I think that is the biggest reason dealerships won't do them, that's all I meant. But what is your theory about why dealerships won't do the PPOB upgrade? They can get all the parts.

You think it would take an hour, but what are you basing that on? Do you know for a fact the connections are there just waiting for the second pair of inverters? Maybe the whole wiring harness would have to be replaced. Maybe the battery packs would have to be removed to get to the wiring and plumbing.

So you think if you have an HV battery problem Ford is not going to figure out you made a modification to the wiring? Have your experts ready to prove what you did didn't cause the problem, and good luck.

Let me know when someone actually does the modification/upgrade, then we'll talk.

I've had 2 battery modules replaced under warranty, both after I made extreme modifications to my truck, even middle manning the HV charger for experimentation with adding a generator to charge while driving, adding blue cruise, adding passive entry, etc. They didn't blink an eye. Yes, if you actually cause a problem and you ethically are trying to get something fixed under warranty that you caused or contributed to, then sure, there are going to be issues and pushback.

The reason dealers won't do ANY option upgrades OEM is b/c Ford doesn't support that and even tells them not to. Service tech's who ARE savvy like us here on the forum DO do it, but they can't offer it to customers openly. This is well known by service techs if you ask them "why". FDRS doesn't even provide a documented way to change module configurations bit by bit, byte by byte like FORScan, on purpose, they don't want dealers to even be able to add factory options, it would open a huge can of worms for Ford and is beyond the competency of a lot of old school service techs quite honestly.

 

[kayak1]

Messing with 400volts DC is like Russian roulette. You can die the first time or the last time, your choice. Plus you now own the truck without any warranty. For most, that is a $80k giveaway.

Let's stop telling people, that Ford can just nuke the warranty because of unrelated changes, that would be against the law.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act

 

[ZSC100]

Let's stop telling people, that Ford can just nuke the warranty because of unrelated changes, that would be against the law.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson–Moss_Warranty_Act

This has been said a million times and there will always be risk adverse people out there preaching safety and warranty as if they are the same thing. The makers/tinkerers of the world know the two things don't have to correlate and will continue to upgrade and mod our trucks like we always have. Basically, if you're smart enough to understand and make modifications to your truck you're smart enough to understand non-relation to a warranty issue.

 

[v2h8484]

This has been said a million times and there will always be risk adverse people out there preaching safety and warranty as if they are the same thing.

True but most (especially the young players) are simply unaware. They get deterred by official looking "warranty void if removed" stickers that are plainly invalid per Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act but manufacturers continue to put them in products.

 

[ZSC100]

True but most (especially the young players) are simply unaware. They get deterred by official looking "warranty void if removed" stickers that are plainly invalid per Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act but manufacturers continue to put them in products.

This reminds me of a shirt I saw in the Make email flyer yesterday:

I want to make a play on this with infotainment @Jesse-Infotainment that goes:
"If you can't OEM upgrade it, you don't truly own it" ~ https://infotainment.com

 

[chl]

I guess a lot of people don't understand the purpose of Warranties - you think they are there to protect the owner?

No, they are legal documents promulgated/drafted by company lawyers to LIMIT the liability of the company. I didn't really understand this until I went to law school and took contract law among other related courses. The companies have the big bucks so of course they have lawyers protecting their bottom line. Like it or not, most written laws and law school courses are generally aimed at serving the client with the deep pockets.

If you had no written express warranty with limitations, contract laws,e.g., the UCC and state specifics, would cover pretty much everything under the implied warranties. That's why companies give written warranties and make them a part of your purchase disclosures.

"...The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) provides a framework for warranties in the sale of goods, encompassing both express and implied warranties. Express warranties are explicit promises about the goods' quality, while implied warranties, like the implied warranty of merchantability, ensure goods are reasonably fit for their ordinary purpose. These warranties are designed to protect buyers and define the seller's responsibilities..."

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is limited to a few situations.

Like when there is use of aftermarket parts - the manufacturer has to prove the after market part caused the damage, but if they do, no warranty coverage.

Or when you have the vehicle serviced at a place other than the company shop - but only as long as the work was done properly - if the manufacturer can prove the service work was done improperly, no warranty coverage.

It allows lemon law and private law suits.

But that is about it.

The battery warranty is a limited warranty with several conditions under which it can be voided.

One of them is if the damage was caused by "modifications to the high voltage battery assembly, high voltage system, or associated wiring..."

Others include: "... abuse and/or misuse of the vehicle and/or high voltage battery pack, such as driving over curbs, overloading, racing or using the vehicle as a permanent stationary power source...failure to observe and resolve vehicle warnings and indications of battery concerns within a reasonable amount of time, typically 30 days...failure to complete Ford Power-Up software updates within a reasonable amount of time, typically 30 days...the use of incompatible charging devices or methods...allowing the high voltage battery assembly to remain in a fully discharged, or near zero state of charge, for more than 14 days...repairs performed by facilities and personnel not authorized by Ford, including repairs which would have otherwise been covered under the manufacturer’s warranty...improper vehicle storage resulting in high voltage battery damage (See Owner’s Manual for vehicle storage recommendations)...In order to maintain your warranty coverage, be sure to follow the recommendations in the Owner’s Manual under Preserving Your High Voltage Battery..."

So tinker wisely.

 

[ZSC100]

Tinker wisely is great advice. Also tinker safely. But most certainly tinker.

Modification of the high voltage system voids warranty verbage is total BS. Especially when it comes to adding OEM options.

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