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Is the Mobile Power cord worth the $500 they are now charging?

BennyTheBeaver

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Is the Mobile Power cord worth the $500 they are now charging for MY23 orders?

For $500-$750 is there a better 3rd party charger that you'd recommend?
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BennyTheBeaver

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No, it’s not worth it. I’ll let those with first-hand experience make brand recommendations.

Thank you. So, instead of that $500, I'd like to install something on the outdoor NEMA 14-50 50amp outlet I have at the house (that can charge at 40amps). Then have a second mobile power cord to slow charge at 120v outlets and 14-50 outlets on the road that I'll keep in the frunk.
 
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BennyTheBeaver

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One thing you should check is with your utility. Some have deals or rebates on certain EVSEs.
Thank you, I have checked with my utility. All the rebates are for hardwired units...$500 rebate. I'd rather not pay for labor and installation since I already have a 14-50 outlet right outside of my garage (I had it installed last year when I had to upgrade my archaic Electrical Panel).

I will say, that is great advice for most people!
 

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Artificial Intelligence

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No, it’s not worth it. I’ll let those with first-hand experience make brand recommendations.
+1

not worth it if you're going to use mostly for at home charging. If you plan to travel... then its a toss up. Keep in mind its 30 amp charger.

for at home charging you're better off with home integration system or in case of SR 50 amp at home charger.
 
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BennyTheBeaver

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for at home charging you're better off with home integration system or in case of SR 50 amp at home charger.
I already have an outdoor 14-50 outlet waiting for a charger. I do have a MY23 Pro coming, so SR and I'm only able to take advantage of up to 48amps of regular charging (vs 80 amps on the ER).
 

KurtsRPMGarage

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Since ford wants to charge 500 for the mobile charger on my 2023 order I already picked up a new tesla mobile charger and a used telsa to j1772 adapter (total about 300$). This unit will stay in the truck. The tesla unit is a great price and has lots of adapters available. At home I have a nema 14-50 outlet with an emporia wall mounted unit set to 40amps.
 

Blainestang

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I didn't order it with mine bc it's only 30A (40A breaker). If I'm on the road and want to charge, I'm going to want every amp I can get, so I'm going to get one that's closer to the 48A max for the SR.
 

BzzzzztZapPow

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Nope. I tried it a couple of times before my charger was installed. It was some crazy amount of time that would be needed to get to a reasonable range. Ended up driving to high-speed chargers until the FCSP was ready. Now it just takes up space in my frunk.
 

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p52Ranch

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The TFL Trucks team brought one of these ZenCar mobile chargers in the Lightning trip to Alaska. It gave them an extra 8 amps over the Ford mobile charger which will improve charging time by 25%.

I've tested my Ford Mobile charger at home plugged into a NEMA 1450 outlet. It is very slow compared to my 48 amp ChargePoint wall charger. (48 amps is 50% faster than 32 amps).

Ford F-150 Lightning Is the Mobile Power cord worth the $500 they are now charging? 1661474210963
 

V8BoatBuilder

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As others have said, no.

You want a travel EVSE that has a selectable amperage rating.
 
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BennyTheBeaver

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This shows in Ford's material that the charger was included, wonder who yo contact regarding that. Don't get me wrong...I'm extremely grateful for the price match for us extenders, but curious if the consider that part of this?

Ford F-150 Lightning Is the Mobile Power cord worth the $500 they are now charging? 1641352115935
 

hturnerfamily

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the ZenCar or MaxGreen or other identical chargers branded by different companies are all you need, and $250 is all it takes - Ford's charger gives you NO feedback on the current charge/amperage, and the light(s) are very faint and not well designed if you are not standing right in front of it... it's even hard to know that charging is happening. These other chargers are more practical, easily seen when charging is happening, and are ADJUSTABLE for almost every scenario. They also have the digital readout of amperage, kwh provided, etc.
 

beatle

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If you already have a 14-50 in your garage, I would buy two mobile connectors: one 40A that plugs into your 14-50 (such as the one @p52Ranch linked), and a Tesla UMC with a J1772 adapter.

You don't really want to be plugging and unplugging your connector from the 14-50 if you can help it. It's not the end of the world, but it can wear out the receptacle. Plus, it's nice to just leave your mobile connector in the frunk.
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