[Fishstyx]

Is it really the case that the vehicle must be ‘running’ in order to turn on the external electrical outlets? So far it seems that way.

I’d prefer to enable the AC outlets without have to leave the vehicle otherwise fully powered on with all the cockpit screens lit up like an 80s video arcade. Enabling Pro Power onboard prompts me that the vehicle must be running, as in fully started so someone can jump in, throw it in drive and take off. If I’m powering a camper with a relatively light electrical load, I don’t want to go to sleep knowing the truck is in full ‘running’ mode.

I’ve done some quick googling on the topic but I can’t find a thorough review of the feature and the digital owners manual is dry and mostly useless for gaining any insight into the nuances of feature use.

 

[Leaf to Lightning : )]

I doubt the truck needs to be 'ON' in order for the outlets to be powered, since at Job Sites contractors would have the same concern. Now, does it need to be in 'ACCESSORY' mode? Maybe. But, chances are, even if the screens are lit for that, the system may turn those screens off after some time, but continuing to allow the output from the inverters.
So, pressing the 'ON' button, WITHOUT pressing the brake pedal, allows it to go into 'Accessory' mode, powering up the screens for Radio, operating the windows, and for ProPower output, etc.

 

[FM_Jack]

Is it really the case that the vehicle must be ‘running’ in order to turn on the external electrical outlets? So far it seems that way.

I’d prefer to enable the AC outlets without have to leave the vehicle otherwise fully powered on with all the cockpit screens lit up like an 80s video arcade. Enabling Pro Power onboard prompts me that the vehicle must be running, as in fully started so someone can jump in, throw it in drive and take off. If I’m powering a camper with a relatively light electrical load, I don’t want to go to sleep knowing the truck is in full ‘running’ mode.

I’ve done some quick googling on the topic but I can’t find a thorough review of the feature and the digital owners manual is dry and mostly useless for gaining any insight into the nuances of feature use.

Timestamped. Yes, but you need the key to drive away with it - it is 'ON' but in accessory mode.

 

[Fishstyx]

Timestamped. Yes, but you need the key to drive away with it - it is 'ON' but in accessory mode.

I tried turning it on to accessory mode, no joy. I had to ‘start’ ie push the brake and then the start button for the outlets to power up.

 

[RDale]

Is it really the case that the vehicle must be ‘running’ in order to turn on the external electrical outlets? So far it seems that way.

I’d prefer to enable the AC outlets without have to leave the vehicle otherwise fully powered on with all the cockpit screens lit up like an 80s video arcade. Enabling Pro Power onboard prompts me that the vehicle must be running, as in fully started so someone can jump in, throw it in drive and take off. If I’m powering a camper with a relatively light electrical load, I don’t want to go to sleep knowing the truck is in full ‘running’ mode.

I’ve done some quick googling on the topic but I can’t find a thorough review of the feature and the digital owners manual is dry and mostly useless for gaining any insight into the nuances of feature use.

What are you trying to power with your Lightning @Fishstyx?

 

[Fishstyx]

What are you trying to power with your Lightning @Fishstyx?

Small camper. On 12v battery alone I get lights, but plugged into the Lightning I get all the AC outlets, tv, microwave, event the AC.

 

[Leaf to Lightning : )]

I guess we'll have to throw a towel over the screen and lock her up for the night...

 

[ChasingCoral]

I guess we'll have to throw a towel over the screen and lock her up for the night...

You can activate the calm screen by pressing in the volume button and rotating slightly. While not off, the display is very dim.

 

[renelopez50]

Small camper. On 12v battery alone I get lights, but plugged into the Lightning I get all the AC outlets, tv, microwave, event the AC.

How did you plug the Lightning into the small camper? any pictures?

 

[Fishstyx]

How did you plug the Lightning into the small camper? any pictures?

Just an extension cord off the 120v 20a outlet in the bed to adapter for the 120 30a locking receptacle on the RV.

 

[amine]

See here
https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...what-is-the-f-150-lightning-pro-power-onboard

Ford states
Pro Power Onboard is functional while the vehicle is in motion.

 

[Obi66]

I've been a little frustrated with the Pro Power as well. I can confirm that you do need to have the truck 'running' for it to work. I was using it to power an induction stove and water kettle while camping. At dusk or dark, you start the truck, the headlights come on, and the display lights up like a movie theater. I shut off the lights, put the display on 'Calm mode' and did my cooking. But the truck would power off after 10 minutes of non use (or whatever it was set at) and everything would shut down. So i would have to start the truck again, shut off the headlights and dim the screen. The headlights default to automatic so i had to manually shut them off everytime. I'm sure I can tweak the settings to make the power off timer longer, but it would be really nice to be able to have the vehicle in accessory mode and use Pro Power without having to worry about everything else.

 

[ChasingCoral]

But the truck would power off after 10 minutes of non use (or whatever it was set at) and everything would shut down. So i would have to start the truck again, shut off the headlights and dim the screen.

The time the truck remains operating when left turned on is a user-controlled setting in the Sync 4A screen. Did you adjust this from the default? It may just be defaulting at 10 minutes.

 

[Fishstyx]

I've been a little frustrated with the Pro Power as well. I can confirm that you do need to have the truck 'running' for it to work. I was using it to power an induction stove and water kettle while camping. At dusk or dark, you start the truck, the headlights come on, and the display lights up like a movie theater. I shut off the lights, put the display on 'Calm mode' and did my cooking. But the truck would power off after 10 minutes of non use (or whatever it was set at) and everything would shut down. So i would have to start the truck again, shut off the headlights and dim the screen. The headlights default to automatic so i had to manually shut them off everytime. I'm sure I can tweak the settings to make the power off timer longer, but it would be really nice to be able to have the vehicle in accessory mode and use Pro Power without having to worry about everything else.

You can disable the idle shutoff timer from the ProPower settings screen. I always have mine set to kill the power if the battery gets below 50 miles of range. With this enabled you’ll see a pop up dialog reminding you the idle shutdown is disabled.

 

[Obi66]

yep, thanks @Fishstyx and @ChasingCoral. I turned off the idle shut off timer (interesting that's it's not adjustable - 30 minutes or nothing), so that should help. I found it weird that the lights defaulted to 'automatic' and I had to turn them off manually every time. The knob looks like the old one with hard stops, but it's 100% variable and defaults to 'auto' when you turn the truck on. Unless there's something in Sync4 to turn it off - I haven't looked.

I would still love to be able to use ProPower in accessory mode. Maybe a future software upgrade......

 

[TomM]

You can activate the call screen by pressing in the volume button and rotating slightly. While not off, the display is very dim.

I wanted to use this truck as a backup for my kids when the power fails in their homes. It was an unexpected find to realize the truck MUST be on and I can’t simply drop off in their drive to help them with backup power. Now it requires changing settings to extend timeout, making sure things are locked correctly and limiting the time for backup. Bottom line….it’s a debacle and poor design which overshadows a great truck.

 

[ChasingCoral]

I wanted to use this truck as a backup for my kids when the power fails in their homes. It was an unexpected find to realize the truck MUST be on and I can’t simply drop off in their drive to help them with backup power. Now it requires changing settings to extend timeout, making sure things are locked correctly and limiting the time for backup. Bottom line….it’s a debacle and poor design which overshadows a great truck.

Your threshold for debacle is amazingly low.

BTW, an upcoming PowerUp will allow you to set and adjust ProPower Onboard settings from your phone.

 

[KElkhorn]

I am part of the EAP program, and just got a survey regarding this. It appears that Ford is very aware of the issue of needing the truck to be "On" to use pro power onboard, and is currently investigating the possibility of allowing you to set power to turn on automatically when something is plugged in, even if truck is off.

 

[jimfigler]

I am part of the EAP program, and just got a survey regarding this. It appears that Ford is very aware of the issue of needing the truck to be "On" to use pro power onboard, and is currently investigating the possibility of allowing you to set power to turn on automatically when something is plugged in, even if truck is off.

Then people won't happy because they will say anyone can walk up and plug something in. Just wait and see.

 

[KElkhorn]

Then people won't happy because they will say anyone can walk up and plug something in. Just wait and see.

They had several questions related to it being a configurable option, so hopefully that's the way it goes.