Looking for a charger I can contol my charging rate with

[Phineas Magliozzi]

Add me to the Emporia fan list.

The ability to change its rate (from 6 A to 48 A) is great. My only complaint is that the app cannot schedule the rate, only schedule when the unit is on or off (offering or not offering a charge).

On most weekdays, the truck will be back up to 90% within a half an hour pulling an 11.2 kW load, so turning it down to take 4-6 hours at a lower rate makes sense. On weekends, the charge needed is greater with a shorter window for the cheap rate, so cranking up to full is needed.

This is the way. If I'm home and the sun is out, then the truck is being charged via the Excess Solar feature on the Emporia, squeezing every usable Watt from my solar panels. This frequently results in low to very-low charge rates, but anything going into the truck is preferable to giving the power back to PG&E for nearly nothing.

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[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

So you didn’t get a Ford Pro Charge Station with your Lightning? I thought you could change the Amperage in the FordPass app (although I have never tried it) if you had either of the Ford chargers.

Lots of Lightning buyers did not get a free Ford Charge Station Pro.

 

[flyct]

Lots of Lightning buyers did not get a free Ford Charge Station Pro.

^^ Correct. Free FCSP was included on only certain years and models. In 2023 it was included in Extended range trucks. My 2023 Lariat Extended range included a Free FCSP without installation. I sold the charger on eBay for $600 since I already had a Tesla Wall Connector.

My 2024 Platinum offered a Free FCSP plus free "standard installation" or a $1000 credit. I took the credit which was applied as an additional down payment.

The current offer for model year 2025 as I understand it is a Free FCSP w/free standard installation. or a $500 credit on certain models. You have to pay the permitting fee.

 

[zaclaus]

Just today I connected the FCSP to the fordpass so I can adjust charge rate. For the last year and half I've had it charging at 80A every time with the TOU set to only charge off peak.

I do have AC coupled solar rated at 26kw, and the Emporia Vue (just set that up too). Have not found a way to connect the two apps, but that would be nice.

I do notice approximately a 10% difference between power delivered and power consumed, making it less economical to drive than I thought. It's approaching ecoboost f150 price per mile territory with that loss, and almost exclusive highway driving.

Has anyone else done the cost per mile analysis?

 

[TaxmanHog]

I do notice approximately a 10% difference between power delivered and power consumed, making it less economical to drive than I thought. It's approaching ecoboost f150 price per mile territory with that loss, and almost exclusive highway driving.

Yup, us folks in the northeast see the same cost effectiveness with respect the the AC/DC conversion losses 90 to 91% is normal and rate of ICE based fuel in our region, I'm still faring slightly better than the diesel for my old Powerstroke F250 in the summer.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Has anyone else done the cost per mile analysis?

I'm upside down in the winter compare to diesel, note the "saved column includes a $78.13 credit for the apportioned value of the Massachusetts MOR-EV-TRUCKS credit $7500 over expected 8 year operation life.

It's my way of 'justifying' that the state subsidy is helping ease the cost of electric energy here, I'm not on solar of any sort.

 

[zaclaus]

Yup, us folks in the northeast see the same cost effectiveness with respect the the AC/DC conversion losses 90 to 91% is normal and rate of ICE based fuel in our region, I'm still faring slightly better than the diesel for my old Powerstroke F250 though.

I am in Western NY, so same same.

And thats a crazy statement to compare it to a f250 powerstroke. Capabilities aren't the same and neither is weight.

Im not saying I regret the purchase, but it certainly isn't how it's advertised.

I only have a lifetime average of 1.8mi/kwh over 55,000 miles.

My utility rates have gone up, and gas has remained roughly the same. Plus modern gas engines are great, the 3.5L ecoboost is a beast and gets 24mpg in full size pickup.

Im breaking even at best and have terrible resale value and have to add an additional 30% time for any road trip.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Also my tracking of AC/DC energy conversion efficiency to the HVB.

 

[K6CCC]

Using my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 that was replaced by my Lightning. I was spending 36 - 38 cents per mile for gas. In full disclosure, it was running mostly on 7 cylinders (very low compression on #5) so only getting about 10.8 mpg - and high California gas prices. I have a spreadsheet of recharging cost. I am currently averaging just under 20 cents per KWH which comes out to about 9 cents per mile for power.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Using my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 that was replaced by my Lightning. I was spending 36 - 38 cents per mile for gas. In full disclosure, it was running mostly on 7 cylinders (very low compression on #5) so only getting about 10.8 mpg - and high California gas prices. I have a spreadsheet of recharging cost. I am currently averaging just under 20 cents per KWH which comes out to about 9 cents per mile for power.

I don't hesitate to keep my truck warm in winter, that's where I lose a lot of efficiency

edited to show a region of Mass closer to home:

 

[zaclaus]

Also my tracking of AC/DC energy conversion efficiency to the HVB.

According to your chart, it appears the more kwh added, the lower the losses, all the way down to 4%. Do you think there is a "ramp up" for conversion or maybe battery heating/cooling that happens initially?

 

[TaxmanHog]

According to your chart, it appears the more kwh added, the lower the losses, all the way down to 4%. Do you think there is a "ramp up" for conversion or maybe battery heating/cooling that happens initially?

Sometimes the efficiency variations occur when I use remote start while plugged in or variations in cooler part of the season, to warm the battery does impact values, then there could be anomalies with the data collection of the Fordpass, FCSP or Emporia Vue2.

 

[MidAtlanticLightningClub]

Just today I connected the FCSP to the fordpass so I can adjust charge rate. For the last year and half I've had it charging at 80A every time with the TOU set to only charge off peak.

I do have AC coupled solar rated at 26kw, and the Emporia Vue (just set that up too). Have not found a way to connect the two apps, but that would be nice.

I do notice approximately a 10% difference between power delivered and power consumed, making it less economical to drive than I thought. It's approaching ecoboost f150 price per mile territory with that loss, and almost exclusive highway driving.

Has anyone else done the cost per mile analysis?

When we drove our cross-country and back pulling our travel trailer we found cost was about 2/3 what it would have been driving an Ecoboost Hybrid.

 

[K6CCC]

I don't hesitate to keep my truck warm in winter, that's where I lose a lot of efficiency

I don't blame you - I don't like to be cold...

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