v2h8484
Well-known member
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- #1
Since Ford is known to monitor this forum, I would like to follow up on my post (https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...e-back-up-a-simple-approach.18301/post-367980) with some suggestions for future Pro Power enhancements:
* Make the neutral/ground bond configurable. I believe my post referenced above has further highlighted how the current Pro Power is difficult/costly to make code compliant. Many generators and inverters already have this suggested feature. It could easily be done with an internal relay controlled via the dash so the relay can be set to open on a per session basis. This would allow a much simpler/cheaper connection to house wiring via a interlock or transfer switch. BTW, the Tesla Cybertruck generator doesn't appear to have neutral/ground bond.
* Improve the GFCI and make it configurable. The existing GFCI (class A, <6mA leakage allowed) on the L14-30 outlet is impractical for many single devices let alone all the loads in a typical house. In fact, the class A GFCI has created so many nuisance trip problems that industries are pushing back. See example at (https://www.aham.org/AHAM/Innovatio...spx?hkey=154ea193-af5d-4ff7-8609-39c57eef4cb1). One key issue is that many code compliant class A GFCI are poorly/cheaply implemented and trips much faster than allowed by the relevant standards. Ford's GFCI implementation appears to fall in to this category based on the forum posts about nuisance trips even with neutral transfer switch. GFCI should only trip on overly high 60Hz leakage current but instead it's often tripping on high frequency (>10KHz) transients common in modern electronics (e.g. inverter based appliances). So, Ford should provide a per session configurable option to disable the GFCI on the 240V or improve the GFCI to only trip for 60Hz leakage current with max allowed trip time based on the current level and also allow higher trip limit option (e.g. 20mA would be reasonable). It's no accident that most generators that have GFCI on the 120V outlets don't have it on the 240V outlets.
* Make the neutral/ground bond configurable. I believe my post referenced above has further highlighted how the current Pro Power is difficult/costly to make code compliant. Many generators and inverters already have this suggested feature. It could easily be done with an internal relay controlled via the dash so the relay can be set to open on a per session basis. This would allow a much simpler/cheaper connection to house wiring via a interlock or transfer switch. BTW, the Tesla Cybertruck generator doesn't appear to have neutral/ground bond.
* Improve the GFCI and make it configurable. The existing GFCI (class A, <6mA leakage allowed) on the L14-30 outlet is impractical for many single devices let alone all the loads in a typical house. In fact, the class A GFCI has created so many nuisance trip problems that industries are pushing back. See example at (https://www.aham.org/AHAM/Innovatio...spx?hkey=154ea193-af5d-4ff7-8609-39c57eef4cb1). One key issue is that many code compliant class A GFCI are poorly/cheaply implemented and trips much faster than allowed by the relevant standards. Ford's GFCI implementation appears to fall in to this category based on the forum posts about nuisance trips even with neutral transfer switch. GFCI should only trip on overly high 60Hz leakage current but instead it's often tripping on high frequency (>10KHz) transients common in modern electronics (e.g. inverter based appliances). So, Ford should provide a per session configurable option to disable the GFCI on the 240V or improve the GFCI to only trip for 60Hz leakage current with max allowed trip time based on the current level and also allow higher trip limit option (e.g. 20mA would be reasonable). It's no accident that most generators that have GFCI on the 120V outlets don't have it on the 240V outlets.
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