Hey - I got a new 2024 Lightning ER Lariat and love the thing.
I'm getting a charger installed and my detached garage has a 100A sub-panel from my 200A main.
I'm told the charger can go up to 80A but to be to code the circuit would reach over the 100A sub-panel rating.

Anyone install a Load Management Unit or something? Looking for videos or reference info about them.

TIY.

 

Unlike prior year ERs the 2024 Lariat Lightning ER can only accept up to 48 amps. . So a 80 amp output “charger” will max output of 48 amps to the truck.

Wire the device to a max 60 amp circuit and configure it at such. (48 amp output)

 

First, without getting into some lengthy National Electrical Code (NEC) discussion where even licensed, experienced electricians and building inspectors seem to have all sorts of different interpretrations, I'd say you'd better first ascertain what sort of voltage drop you're dealing with at that sub-panel (5% or less is desired)-- voltage drop can and does come about for any number of reasons: distance to main panel, gauge of wire used, connections, more than "mild" bends in the wiring, etc, then also check if the sub-panel is installed with proper ground, neutral separation.........I'm also a big fan of using GFCI devices -- load center breakers or outlet-based any time I'm working with lethal amperages --- surprisingly, it only takes approx 7 milliamps to get the "job done" on humans . Generally I size feeders to subs at 125% of expected usage - that's how I did the barns here on the farm.

https://ushpg.com/knowledge_center/b...etal%20cabinet.

 

I'd like to hear more about this. Can I just have an electrician wire up a 60 amp 240 volt outlet in my garage right off my fuse panel (200 amp service) and charge a Lightning off that?? Or do I need additional equipment?

Also, I would like to know what your experience has been. At 240 volts, how long does it realistically take to charge a Lightning truck from 20% to 80%? And are you getting a realistic 240 miles of range on a full charge with the ER battery pack?

 

If you buy/lease before the end of September, Ford will give you the charger for free including basic install. Just had mine installed Friday.



https://www.ford.com/powerpromise/

Range is stated at 240 SR, 300 ER or 320 ER miles depending which model you get, I have the 25 Flash which is one trim level below the Lariat and it has a 123kw ER battery with a claimed 300 mile range and dual motors for all wheel drive. With the charge station pro you plug it in at night and have a full tank in the morning. You will want the 9.6k pro power onboard.

Also if you buy/lease before September 25 2025, you can get the $7,500 tax credit if you stay below an MSRP of $80,000 for a truck. After September 25 2025, the tax credit is gone forever.

 

I dont know of any 60 amp EVSE "charger" available to use a 60 amp outlet. . The norm for plug in is a 50 amp EVSE using a 14-50R outlet.

If you want 60 amps there are plenty of hard wired 60 amp EVSE devices to choose from.

A 60 amp EVSE will output 48 amps to the vehicle. That 48 amps will provide 11.5 kWs to the vehicle. 48x240=11,520 watts aka 11.5 kWs. There is approximately 7% efficiency loss so the battery will charge the vehicle battery at 10-3-10.7 kWs

A 50 amp EVSE will output 40 amps to the vehicle. That 40 amps will provide 9.6 kWs to the vehicle. 40x240= 9.600 watts aka 9.6 kWs. There is approximately 7% efficiency loss so the battery will charge the vehicle battery at 9.0 kWs

From 20% - 80% on a ER Lightning is 78.6 kwhs of energy.
To replenish 78.6 kWhs on a 60/48 amp EVSE it would take about 7-1/2 hours
To replenish 78.6 kWhs on a 50/40 amp EVSE it would take about 8-3/4 hours
-------------------
Yes I can do 240 miles of range when fully charged. BUT if I were on a road trip I would plan to start at 80% and stop every 180 miles when at about 15%.

240 mile of range at 2.0 mi/kwh uses 120 kws of teh 131 kw battery.

 

Thanks but I'm 100% not buying or leasing new. IF, and that's a big if, I decide to give an EV truck a try it will be used. Looks like these things are losing $30k to $40k in value in less than 36 months. I'm not going to eat that kind of loss. Would ideally like to buy a 2 to 3 year old one with low miles so that if it doesn't work out for me I can get rid of it fairly easily.

 

All vehicles depreciate. Keep that in mind what ever you decide to get.

 

If you want to "try an EV" then look at buying a 2023 used Tesla Long Range Model Y for about $30k. You won't risk loosing $30k to $40k. You will have what remains of 4 year 50,000 mile basic warranty and what remains of the 8 yr 120,000 mile battery warranty. BEWARE, you can get hooked on EVs quicker that getting hooked on any drug. Tesla is the entry drug,. Before you know it you will be buying a Lightning. I know from first hand experience.

 

True, but not 50% in 3 years. That's a disaster.

Right, but Tesla Model Y doesn't tow a 26' camper.

 

Agreed. Early adaptors who paid MSRP or some even over MSRP are the ones who are experiencing the huge depreciation. That has changed and Ford at times has offered some killer deals in the past 12 months.
My leased 2024 Platinum Lightning has a 56% residual of MSRP after 39 months and Zero % interest. When you count the Incentives, rebates and dealer discount the actual depreciation is 25% after 39 months plus they offered no interest on the payments.

Fair point! A Super Duty truck would be my choice to tow a 26' camper. That is what I owned when I was towing a 5th wheel RV. Now that I am no longer towing a camper, the Lightning meets and exceeds all of my current truck needs. The only rare towing I would do now is to tow a U-Haul trailer or utility trailer less that 125 miles.

Full disclosure, you can now buy a new Tesla Model Y for $20k less than I paid for mine in December of 2022. So I will get hit with the huge depreciation on that car if I sell it.

To get around locally, a Tesla model Y is a joy to drive, park, cheap to run and lots of fun to drive.

Tesla offers free test drives in most areas. Just book them online. The sales reps aren't like typical Ford sales reps. They just answer questions and they don't pushar all to sell the car. Great way to experience an EV.

 

That only affects those that buy a vehicle thinking they're going to make money reselling it down the line. I plan to keep mine till there's nothing left but a AAA battery.

Fwiw, MSRP on my truck was $71,000, after incentives, deductions for military and such final price was $61,000, subtract the $7,500 from that for the tax credit and total cost is $53,500, depreciation (25%) is on par with any other vehicle in this class.

 

Same here, MSRP on my truck was $71,000, after incentives ,deductions for military and such final price was $61,000, subtract the $7,500 from that for the tax credit and total cost is $53,500, depreciation (25%). I don't see myself selling at all, it's too damned fun to drive.

 

No, it affects everyone who would like to have the OPTION of reselling it down the line.