Real-World Home Power Backup Options Using F-150 Lightning

[EvilUser007]

I've been investigating options now for a while. I have a Sol-Ark Inverter that has a "GEN" input and would be perfect for this application. These are the options that the Sol-Ark support gave me: I'm particularly interested in trying option #3 but would love to hear if anyone else has tried it and NOT done any damage to their vehicle.

(From Sol-Ark Support)

Using Ford F-150 Lightning as a Generator input to Sol-Ark 15
1. Understand the "Floating Neutral"

• A floating neutral means the neutral conductor is not bonded to the ground inside the generator (the truck in this case). This configuration avoids potential grounding conflicts when connected to an existing electrical system.
• The Sol-Ark inverter expects a bonded neutral-ground connection when operating in generator mode.

2. Use a Transfer Switch

• A manual or automatic transfer switch is crucial for isolating your home from the utility grid when running off the truck generator. This prevents backfeeding into the grid, which is both illegal and dangerous.
• The transfer switch will manage the connection between the generator (truck) and your home's electrical system.

3. Neutral-Ground Bonding Plug (if required)

• If the Sol-Ark detects a "floating neutral," it may trigger a warning or fail to detect the generator. You can address this by using a neutral-ground bonding plug:
  
  • What it is: A simple plug that connects the neutral and ground at the generator’s outlet.
  • How to make one: Use a male plug (NEMA 5-15P or similar) and connect the neutral (silver terminal) to the ground (green terminal) inside the plug with a short wire.
  • Insert the bonding plug into one of the 120V outlets on the truck.

4. Wiring the NEMA 14-30L Plug

• The truck’s 14-30L receptacle outputs:
  
  • Two hot legs (L1 and L2) providing 240V.
  • Neutral.
  • Ground.
• For the Sol-Ark input, you need to wire the plug as follows:
  
  • L1 and L2: Connect the two hot legs from the truck to the corresponding input terminals on the Sol-Ark.
  • Neutral: Connect the neutral to the neutral terminal on the Sol-Ark.
  • Ground: Connect the ground to the ground terminal on the Sol-Ark.

5. Verify Grounding

• The Sol-Ark should have a proper ground connection to your home’s grounding system.
• Ensure the generator ground from the truck is either connected directly to the home grounding electrode system (via the Sol-Ark) or properly isolated if required by local codes.

6. Testing the Setup

• Before energizing, verify all connections with a multimeter to ensure there are no shorts or miswiring.
• Test the generator mode on the Sol-Ark with a light load to confirm proper operation.

7. Safety and Compliance

• Cutting off grounding pins or bypassing safety mechanisms is unsafe and against electrical codes. Always use properly rated and listed equipment.
• Consult a licensed electrician to ensure your setup complies with local codes and standards.

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[jetfixr1]

Does anyone know if the 14-30 outlet will temporarily provide any surges above 30 amps? I installed the soft start on my HVAC and I got the inrush current from 80 down to 28/29. My concern is that with normal house loads during backup situations, plus the inrush of the HVAC, will top out at around 32/33 amps.

 

[Maquis]

Does anyone know if the 14-30 outlet will temporarily provide any surges above 30 amps? I installed the soft start on my HVAC and I got the inrush current from 80 down to 28/29. My concern is that with normal house loads during backup situations, plus the inrush of the HVAC, will top out at around 32/33 amps.

That’s such a borderline case that I think you’re just going to have to try it and see if it works.

 

[tearitupsports]

Does anyone know if the 14-30 outlet will temporarily provide any surges above 30 amps? I installed the soft start on my HVAC and I got the inrush current from 80 down to 28/29. My concern is that with normal house loads during backup situations, plus the inrush of the HVAC, will top out at around 32/33 amps.

I think it has an electronic trip and will not allow for surges. We couldn't even get a power washer going due to inrush.

 

[jetfixr1]

Got my house up and running! Was able to run all 120 appliances together and one 240 appliance. The soft start that I installed on my HVAC really helped, even though I had to make it learn a second time. The inrush current for the compressor is down to 18 amps! When the HVAC isnt running the truck can do either the dryer, water heater or range/oven with some room to spare. Shout out to interlockkit for providing a custom interlock needed for my main breaker

 

[Lightning Rod]

Got my house up and running! Was able to run all 120 appliances together and one 240 appliance. The soft start that I installed on my HVAC really helped, even though I had to make it learn a second time. The inrush current for the compressor is down to 18 amps! When the HVAC isnt running the truck can do either the dryer, water heater or range/oven with some room to spare. Shout out to interlockkit for providing a custom interlock needed for my main breaker

This post is very inspiring! I have a backup system at my home that when the power goes out, I can throw the Generator Power switch on my Generac Transfer switch, then plug my truck up and run most of the whole house. My whole house air compressor is still hooked up to the transfer switch but the amp draw upon AC startup trips the breaker in the truck.

Are you saying that I may be able to operate the 240V AC unit if I hook up one of these interlockkit products? That would really be nice.

Thanks.

 

[jetfixr1]

Are you saying that I may be able to operate the 240V AC unit if I hook up one of these interlockkit products? That would really be nice.

Thanks.

The interlock is just a piece of sheetmetal that creates a physical barrier. Ive attached pics for your reference. It basically does not allow you to backfeed your panel with the main breaker on. You can either have the breaker for your generator inlet on or the main breaker, but not both. This prevents the Lightning backfeeding the grid as well which can injure a linemen.

What I have installed on my AC is referred to as a soft start. The breaker trips because the initial current required to start the compressor is higher than the truck is willing to provide. The soft start lowers that inrush current by 75%. On my particular compressor, the inrush current was 77 amps (more than double what the truck can put out). The soft start reduced it down to 19, which the Lightning is perfectly capable of.

The biggest hurdle is getting the compressor running. After that, it only draws 8 amps which gives me another 20 or so to play with. All my home lighting is LED which, when added up, makes a BIG difference over incandescent bulbs. Overwall, this is a project I have been wanting to complete for a very long time and I finally got the time to do it. Well worth the time and energy spent!

 

[Lightning Rod]

What I have installed on my AC is referred to as a soft start. The breaker trips because the initial current required to start the compressor is higher than the truck is willing to provide. The soft start lowers that inrush current by 75%. On my particular compressor, the inrush current was 77 amps (more than double what the truck can put out). The soft start reduced it down to 19, which the Lightning is perfectly capable of.

The biggest hurdle is getting the compressor running. After that, it only draws 8 amps which gives me another 20 or so to play with. All my home lighting is LED which, when added up, makes a BIG difference over incandescent bulbs. Overwall, this is a project I have been wanting to complete for a very long time and I finally got the time to do it. Well worth the time and energy spent!

I just installed the Micro-Air Flex SoftStart unit onto my AC compressor and it works like a charm! It took about 30 minutes, and 25 minutes was finding a place to put the unit and securing it.

Thanks. $400 well spent.

 

[jetfixr1]

I just installed the Micro-Air Flex SoftStart unit onto my AC compressor and it works like a charm! It took about 30 minutes, and 25 minutes was finding a place to put the unit and securing it.

Thanks. $400 well spent.

Very easy install! Even if it wasnt for whole home backup, the soft start extends the life of the compressor.

 

[Lightning Rod]

Very easy install! Even if it wasnt for whole home backup, the soft start extends the life of the compressor.

The startup is soo smooth. First, the fan turns on, and about 1 second later, the compressor motor turns on... ever so gently and quietly!

You are correct. I read somewhere that AC manufacturers and AC repair companies don't want people to know that installing one of these on every unit would considerably hurt their business as replacing and repairing units would be a much less often occurrence.

 

[jetfixr1]

The startup is soo smooth. First, the fan turns on, and about 1 second later, the compressor motor turns on... ever so gently and quietly!

You are correct. I read somewhere that AC manufacturers and AC repair companies don't want people to know that installing one of these on every unit would considerably hurt their business as replacing and repairing units would be a much less often occurrence.

Yeah im genuinely amazed at how smooth and quiet my AC starts up now. Its how the system should have been designed in the first place.

 

[flyct]

Yeah im genuinely amazed at how smooth and quiet my AC starts up now. It's how the system should have been designed in the first place.

I installed a interlock bypass kit last year from https://interlockkit.com/ I was able to run all 120 volt devices and my well and house pump initially but not the central AC. I installed a window AC unit in the bedroom to keep cool during the frequent outages at our remote cabin.

A few weeks ago I also installed a MicroAir EZ Start that I got on Amazon with next day delivery. Easy installation if you look at YouTube videos. It dropped my inrush current from 107 amps to an amazing 21 amps on my 8 year old Rheem Straight cool 16 SEER central AC systems compressor. I agree that start up and run sounds are much smoother and I believe quieter.

I haven't tried to run it with my truck yet but it would not run with the truck before the installation.

Here is the link to my posting. https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...me-during-storm-25-kwh-day.27321/#post-512787

And here is what MicroAir reports as the amperage after installation.

 

[jetfixr1]

I installed a interlock bypass kit last year from https://interlockkit.com/ I was able to run all 120 volt devices and my well and house pump initially but not the central AC. I installed a window AC unit in the bedroom to keep cool during the frequent outages at our remote cabin.

A few weeks ago I also installed a MicroAir EZ Start that I got on Amazon with next day delivery. Easy installation if you look at YouTube videos. It dropped my inrush current from 107 amps to an amazing 21 amps on my 8 year old Rheem Straight cool 16 SEER central AC systems compressor. I agree that start up and run sounds are much smoother and I believe quieter.

I haven't tried to run it with my truck yet but it would not run with the truck before the installation.

Here is the link to my posting. https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...me-during-storm-25-kwh-day.27321/#post-512787

And here is what MicroAir reports as the amperage after installation.

Wow thats amazing given the prior inrush and age of your compressor!

 

[tearitupsports]

I have a 5 ton unit with a LRA of 185A. It has now dropped to 30A and I can run it with my PointGuard system as part of the whole home backup.

 

[flyct]

Wow thats amazing given the prior inrush and age of your compressor!

I'm very impressed.

I bought the MicroAir EasyStart Flex with the installation kit from Amazon for $399. The installation kit included preinstalled spade connectors on 2 wires and a few WAGOs for splicing the wire from the compressor that goes to the contactor.

While I was doing the installation I measured the capacitor and it was readimg 10% low, out of range, so I replaced it at the same time. I also ordered a spare contractor. I figured if I had a spare it would never fail.

I mounted my MicroAir Flex outside and under the covered wire box. I used a 3/4” waterproof cable Gland to run the wire into the wire box. I had to drill a hole for the 3/4" Gland wire entrance with a step drill.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKQN4XRJ MicroAir with installation kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094ZFP22C ¾” waterproof Gland

This picture was taken prior to mounting the Microair unit to the condenser, but it shows WAGOs splicing the Brown and White MicroAir wire to the Compressor run wire at the contactor BEFORE I cleaned the wire mess up with Tie Wraps .

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