Pre-Purchase Guidance and Thinking Points

[RLXXI]

Thanks so much to all thus far for taking the time to reply and providing helpful information. Sounds like providing power out of the truck not as simple and plugging it into the truck and into a power inlet in the house and hitting go. Very naive on my part.


Thanks much

If you had a home solar system it's the easiest and cheapest route to go. Just get an RV shore power cable, wire one end to the inverter then you can just plug it into the 240v outlet in the bed.

Don't actually need a complete system with panels just an inverter wired to your home, get panels later if you like..

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[97WhiteCobra]

If you had a home solar system it's the easiest and cheapest route to go. Just get an RV shore power cable, wire one end to the inverter then you can just plug it into the 240v outlet in the bed.

Don't actually need a complete system with panels just an inverter wired to your home, get panels later if you like..

Great idea. Thanks for the insight.

 

[RLXXI]

Great idea. Thanks for the insight.

It's how I power my home and charge my truck. Win win when the sun shines. Used mainly as a backup system, don't have enough panels to go off grid yet.

 

[Firn]

Some great discussion here.

To add my two cents

Go to www abetterroutplanner.com and get familiar with it, or get the app. From that plan your trips and see how the charging lays out.

The default efficiency configuration in ABRP is pretty good for the regular truck (SR or ER) but you will want to adjust your baseline consumption for towing. There is a towing efficiency thread here that can help estimate when you pull your boat.

I do not believe ABRP has the "mid" range trucks yet, which is another point.

There are now three battery sizes, 98kwh, 121kwh, and 131kwh (the 98kwh will be discontinued soon). The 121kwh is also called the extended range battery so expect some confusion.

In 2026 Ford will release the STX trim, replacing the XLT and it is the lowest trim (aside from Pro, which is "fleet only"). My opinion this is a great trim for features vs price. It only has the 121kwh battery however.

Back to apps. Plugshare is a great app/website to research chargers.

As far as navigation goes only some here use the onboard navigation, many use ABRP, Android auto/Google Maps, or Apple Maps. Fairly recently AA and Apple Maps integrated with the onboard software and can do route planning with included charging stops.

As far as range goes know to throw out the onboard dash display for range. Its called the guess-o-meter for a reason. Typically mental math is easier. Expect 2 miles per kwh at 70mph (or close). Also expect to only use about 70% of the battery between stops. The truck charges fairly quickly to 80% and then charge speeds plummet so its faster to get back on the road and stop a little earlier rather than trying to charge to 100%. Bottom line, expect about 170 miles between charges when traveling (at ~70mph).

Oh, and know the new trucks only charge at 48a on 240v (~10kw), not 80a like the older trucks. This makes the ford charge station pro less useful and you can get cheaper options.
For a mobile charger the Ford one is just OK, but not great. It also doesnt last forever if used as the main charger. If you might stop at a variety of locations the Tesla mobile charger is pretty nice and you can buy an assortment of adapters for a wide variety of outlet types.
You will also need an adapter if you want to use tesla Superchargers. You can get the ford one which seems to work well. A lot of folks use the A2Z which is well liked, as is the lectron. You will need a separate adapter for tesla destination chargers (hotel types) as the Supercharger adapter will not work. Bottom line expect a few bucks extra for different chargers and adapters.

 

[97WhiteCobra]

Some great discussion here.

To add my two cents

Go to www abetterroutplanner.com and get familiar with it, or get the app. From that plan your trips and see how the charging lays out.

The default efficiency configuration in ABRP is pretty good for the regular truck (SR or ER) but you will want to adjust your baseline consumption for towing. There is a towing efficiency thread here that can help estimate when you pull your boat.

I do not believe ABRP has the "mid" range trucks yet, which is another point.

There are now three battery sizes, 98kwh, 121kwh, and 131kwh (the 98kwh will be discontinued soon). The 121kwh is also called the extended range battery so expect some confusion.

In 2026 Ford will release the STX trim, replacing the XLT and it is the lowest trim (aside from Pro, which is "fleet only"). My opinion this is a great trim for features vs price. It only has the 121kwh battery however.

Back to apps. Plugshare is a great app/website to research chargers.

As far as navigation goes only some here use the onboard navigation, many use ABRP, Android auto/Google Maps, or Apple Maps. Fairly recently AA and Apple Maps integrated with the onboard software and can do route planning with included charging stops.

As far as range goes know to throw out the onboard dash display for range. Its called the guess-o-meter for a reason. Typically mental math is easier. Expect 2 miles per kwh at 70mph (or close). Also expect to only use about 70% of the battery between stops. The truck charges fairly quickly to 80% and then charge speeds plummet so its faster to get back on the road and stop a little earlier rather than trying to charge to 100%. Bottom line, expect about 170 miles between charges when traveling (at ~70mph).

Oh, and know the new trucks only charge at 48a on 240v (~10kw), not 80a like the older trucks. This makes the ford charge station pro less useful and you can get cheaper options.
For a mobile charger the Ford one is just OK, but not great. It also doesnt last forever if used as the main charger. If you might stop at a variety of locations the Tesla mobile charger is pretty nice and you can buy an assortment of adapters for a wide variety of outlet types.
You will also need an adapter if you want to use tesla Superchargers. You can get the ford one which seems to work well. A lot of folks use the A2Z which is well liked, as is the lectron. You will need a separate adapter for tesla destination chargers (hotel types) as the Supercharger adapter will not work. Bottom line expect a few bucks extra for different chargers and adapters.

This is great info. Thanks so much. I’m trying to lock in the battery and trim. This was very helpful. Also, the hidden charges on the adapters and chargers is the “watch point” info I’m looking for as well.

 

[pullinggs]

Sounds like providing power out of the truck not as simple and plugging it into the truck and into a power inlet in the house and hitting go.

Well, it's almost that simple. Add a transfer switch to your system (search/read up on the "bonded neutral" thing first) with an inlet plug. When you need power, just plug in, turn on the truck, and hit the switch. Bob's your uncle.

 

[flyct]

Well, it's almost that simple. Add a transfer switch to your system (search/read up on the "bonded neutral" thing first) with an inlet plug. When you need power, just plug in, turn on the truck, and hit the switch. Bob's your uncle.

not complicated at all.

here is my truck plugged into my cabin during one of the many power outages due to downed trees taking out overhead power lines

 

[97WhiteCobra]

not complicated at all.

here is my truck plugged into my cabin during one of the many power outages due to downed trees taking out overhead power lines

Thanks much. I’ll ask my electrician about it. The pics will help.

 

[Firn]

This is great info. Thanks so much. I’m trying to lock in the battery and trim. This was very helpful. Also, the hidden charges on the adapters and chargers is the “watch point” info I’m looking for as well.

I need to correct one thing. I thought the Tesla mobile charger was available with a J1772 connector but it looks like that is not the case.

There are a variety of options out there for portable chargers. Just know that different outlets have different current capacities so you cant just use plug adapters.

 

[97WhiteCobra]

not complicated at all.

here is my truck plugged into my cabin during one of the many power outages due to downed trees taking out overhead power lines

I’m curious, can you run your entire house, HVAC off the Lightning? I understand it will consume power faster, I was just wondering if you have and how long the truck maintained it?

 

[Henry Ford]

Thanks much. I’ll ask my electrician about it. The pics will help.

What the pics aren't showing is that the ground has been removed from the power inlet box or the extension cord in order to make it work. This removes the ground fault protection the truck provides.

If you want to keep the truck's ground fault protection you'll need a neutral switching sub-panel like the Generac 6852. This is a more involved install and limits back-up power to 10 circuits maximum.

There is a lot written about both options. I wouldn't worry about it until after you buy the truck.

 

[Henry Ford]

I’m curious, can you run your entire house, HVAC off the Lightning? I understand it will consume power faster, I was just wondering if you have and how long the truck maintained it?

I can provide a data point.

I don't have my A/C on my backup panel. I don't recall if it was even possible or just not possible with everything else I wanted powered. At any rate, I deemed refrigerators, freezers, furnace, Internet, and TVs to be more important for my situation. My truck can power my house for days. The longest the power has been out is two day and that was before I installed the backup panel.

It should be noted that a Lightning can't power your house if it's not there. My truck is frequently parked at an airport parking lot. This doesn't do my wife much good if the power goes out.

...we have alternative plans in the unlikely instance the power is out while my truck is unavailable.

 

[Firn]

I’m curious, can you run your entire house, HVAC off the Lightning? I understand it will consume power faster, I was just wondering if you have and how long the truck maintained it?

It can potentially run your entire house but there are two things to consider.

Total power draw is one. Specifically peak draw. If suddenly your electric heater and your electric water heater fire up at the same time it will likely trip the breaker. Its important to note here that the 240v off the truck can only supply 7200w of electricity, not the 9.6kw of the full system.

The second is motor startup inrush current. Most motors have a huge spike when they start. For big motors, like HVAC, this can trip the breaker on the truck. You likely will need a soft start for your HVAC system to run.

 

[97WhiteCobra]

I can provide a data point.

I don't have my A/C on my backup panel. I don't recall if it was even possible or just not possible with everything else I wanted powered. At any rate, I deemed refrigerators, freezers, furnace, Internet, and TVs to be more important for my situation. My truck can power my house for days. The longest the power has been out is two day and that was before I installed the backup panel.

It should be noted that a Lightning can't power your house if it's not there. My truck is frequently parked at an airport parking lot. This doesn't do my wife much good if the power goes out.

...we have alternative plans in the unlikely instance the power is out while my truck is unavailable.

Thanks much. Good points all around. My house is currently ready for a power generator to be plugged into the panel where I can control the powered areas. I just need my electrician to confirm the truck can use the input.

 

[97WhiteCobra]

It can potentially run your entire house but there are two things to consider.

Total power draw is one. Specifically peak draw. If suddenly your electric heater and your electric water heater fire up at the same time it will likely trip the breaker. Its important to note here that the 240v off the truck can only supply 7200w of electricity, not the 9.6kw of the full system.

The second is motor startup inrush current. Most motors have a huge spike when they start. For big motors, like HVAC, this can trip the breaker on the truck. You likely will need a soft start for your HVAC system to run.

Thanks much. 7200w is a great watchpoint. Kind of does rule out running a full house at the same time.

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