Lightning Powers Home During Storm - 25 kWh/day

[Tony Burgh]

We had some severe storms roll through western PA Tuesday night leaving a quarter million without electricity. I didn’t anticipate losing electricity and the SOC was under 70%.

We plugged in Tuesday night and ran easily through Friday night. 2 refrigerators, a freezer, lights and furnace were all powered as usual.

I unplugged late Friday and made a run to a Tesla DCFC of the local interstate. It took about an hour to charge to 90% then back home to reconnect. We’re now good for few days until projected repairs May 6.

I won’t act like this was a life saver especially since some local people have lost their lives from trees and downed high tension wires. But it sure made life a little easier.

Thanks, Ford.

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[davehu]

Have used Sparky for power a couple of times but only for 3-5 hours. Sure was nice. and compared to my old portable generator..... quiet as a church mouse!

 

[flyct]

We've use the Lightning at least 6 times a year at our remote Florida cabin because of power outages. Storms are constantly taking out overhead power lines due to downed trees.

We bought a window AC unit to cool the bedroom so we could sleep in cool comfort during outages since the truck was not able to run the 3-1/2 ton central AC. The central AC compressor would spike at 107 amps at start up.

Last week I installed a Micro Air EZ Start on the AC unit and now the truck can power the Central AC unit. The compressor start up amps was reduced from 107 amps to only 21 amps with the MicroAir.

 

[ctuan13]

We had some severe storms roll through western PA Tuesday night leaving a quarter million without electricity. I didn’t anticipate losing electricity and the SOC was under 70%.

We plugged in Tuesday night and ran easily through Friday night. 2 refrigerators, a freezer, lights and furnace were all powered as usual.

I unplugged late Friday and made a run to a Tesla DCFC of the local interstate. It took about an hour to charge to 90% then back home to reconnect. We’re now good for few days until projected repairs May 6.

I won’t act like this was a life saver especially since some local people have lost their lives from trees and downed high tension wires. But it sure made life a little easier.

Thanks, Ford.

Same! Was gonna post about it, but the storm took out both our ISPs and one of our two cell providers as well! So were effectively left in the dark at least connection wise.

Power-wise our house has a full home EcoFlow backup system, but with no solar installed yet the runtime was limited. After a day and a half I felt it prudent to recharge the battery banks so using the generator inlet, I plugged into my truck and charged up the batteries. It was nice not having to haul out the gas generator.

 

[astrand1]

We've use the Lightning at least 6 times a year at our remote Florida cabin because of power outages. Storms are constantly taking out overhead power lines due to downed trees.

We bought a window AC unit to cool the bedroom so we could sleep in cool comfort during outages since the truck was not able to run the 3-1/2 ton central AC. The central AC compressor would spike at 107 amps at start up.

Last week I installed a Micro Air EZ Start on the AC unit and now the truck can power the Central AC unit. The compressor start up amps was reduced from 107 amps to only 21 amps with the MicroAir.

What app are you using?

 

[GDN]

I recognize it - that is the EasyStart app that comes with the Micro Air. If the AC is running you can connect to it via Bluetooth and it will give you those stats about your AC.

 

[flyct]

I recognize it - that is the EasyStart app that comes with the Micro Air. If the AC is running you can connect to it via Bluetooth and it will give you those stats about your AC.

Greg, Yes, you are correct. The Microair App displays those stats

 

[GDN]

I can run everything in my house from the truck, except my AC. Older house with a single AC unit - 5-ton. It's 10 years old, 17 seer unit, but needs to be just a little more efficient and easier on the start up.

I added the Micro Air last year, trying to get the starting amps down to run from the truck. I got ever so close, but no cigar. If I had two smaller units or maybe a brand new unit I might be able to. If I could get over the start, I would be OK.

This is my screen shot from last year:

 

[AirVeg]

I can run everything in my house from the truck, except my AC. Older house with a single AC unit - 5-ton. It's 10 years old, 17 seer unit, but needs to be just a little more efficient and easier on the start up.

I added the Micro Air last year, trying to get the starting amps down to run from the truck. I got ever so close, but no cigar. If I had two smaller units or maybe a brand new unit I might be able to. If I could get over the start, I would be OK.

This is my screen shot from last year:

I’m probably going to get this installed on my 4 ton HP before summer ramps up. I assume you are trying to get it below 30amps using the 30amp pro power plug and not the home backup?

 

[Tony Burgh]

I’m probably going to get this installed on my 4 ton HP before summer ramps up. I assume you are trying to get it below 30amps using the 30amp pro power plug and not the home backup?

I’m planning the same thing. My 4T A/C pulls 23Å with 109Å inrush. If I take fridge and freezer in garage to frunk outlets and kill that inrush, I should be able to cool house during summer outage. If not, fridge (beer and food) and freezer go off line for short periods.
The modification and test will be this month to be prepared for hot weather.

 

[GDN]

I’m probably going to get this installed on my 4 ton HP before summer ramps up. I assume you are trying to get it below 30amps using the 30amp pro power plug and not the home backup?

Correct You can probably make it work on a 4 ton. The home integration/backup would work, but that was a $10K joke that I'm not going to touch.

I have a 14-50 plug that I use on occasion for a portable charger. I use that as my feed into the panel. I know the risks, I've got it well documented for how I engage it and I don't think anyone else in the house even understands it.

 

[l!ghtning]

We've use the Lightning at least 6 times a year at our remote Florida cabin because of power outages. Storms are constantly taking out overhead power lines due to downed trees.

We bought a window AC unit to cool the bedroom so we could sleep in cool comfort during outages since the truck was not able to run the 3-1/2 ton central AC. The central AC compressor would spike at 107 amps at start up.

Last week I installed a Micro Air EZ Start on the AC unit and now the truck can power the Central AC unit. The compressor start up amps was reduced from 107 amps to only 21 amps with the MicroAir.

Was just about to post about the Micro Air E-Z start, you beat me to the punch The latest model reduces initial start loads by 75% making it possible to run Central Air from the truck.

 

[AirVeg]

Correct You can probably make it work on a 4 ton. The home integration/backup would work, but that was a $10K joke that I'm not going to touch.

I have a 14-50 plug that I use on occasion for a portable charger. I use that as my feed into the panel. I know the risks, I've got it well documented for how I engage it and I don't think anyone else in the house even understands it.

Ok Sounds like we are running the exact same setup. Guess I’m now sold on this Micro Air E-Z

 

[GDN]

Ok Sounds like we are running the exact same setup. Guess I’m now sold on this Micro Air E-Z

You might go look today. They've been running a sale that ends soon. I didn't keep the email, but if they aren't still, they were just on sale.

They have also re-worked the product in the last year. Previously your purchased based on the size of your AC. Now they have one product for all, up to 6 tons.

 

[Cobalt Blue]

We had some severe storms roll through western PA Tuesday night leaving a quarter million without electricity. I didn’t anticipate losing electricity and the SOC was under 70%.

We plugged in Tuesday night and ran easily through Friday night. 2 refrigerators, a freezer, lights and furnace were all powered as usual.

I unplugged late Friday and made a run to a Tesla DCFC of the local interstate. It took about an hour to charge to 90% then back home to reconnect. We’re now good for few days until projected repairs May 6.

I won’t act like this was a life saver especially since some local people have lost their lives from trees and downed high tension wires. But it sure made life a little easier.

Thanks, Ford.

Other than the Ford Charge Station Pro, what other equipment is required to enable the use of my 24 ER Lariat to power my home?

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