[Ranger]

this will be my first EV and my garage is not big enough for a full size truck. I can park in the driveway no problem. Question is…. Where should I mount the charger? Inside the garage and run the cable out? Outside the garage? A 4x4 wooden post or metal post in the ground? On the siding of the garage? Does anyone have some pics they can share of how you have a charger installed?

cheers!

 

[rtw819]

this will be my first EV and my garage is not big enough for a full size truck. I can park in the driveway no problem. Question is…. Where should I mount the charger? Inside the garage and run the cable out? Outside the garage? A 4x4 wooden post or metal post in the ground? On the siding of the garage? Does anyone have some pics they can share of how you have a charger installed?

cheers!

I suspect the 48A and 80A Ford-branded chargers are/will be IP-65 (or similarly) rated and suitable for exterior mounting, but if mounting outdoors would suggest you try to keep the unit out of all-day direct sunlight if possible. The devices need something fairly solid to mount to (e.g. 2x4 studs behind siding, etc.) since they're heavy, especially if you have cabling hanging off of it.

Our first EVSE is mounted on the drywall (with lag bolts into a stud) at the front of the garage so we can pull in and plug in. However, like you, the full size truck won't fit inside our garage. We're considering mounting the Charge Station Pro (second) 80A EVSE just inside the garage on the side of the house closest to the would-be parked truck, and use a "cable hatch" trapdoor with a flap through the siding to allow the EVSE head/handle and cable to pop out to the exterior of the garage. We've been looking at something like these: Amazon.com : cable hatch jr products Though, we will need to figure out how big the head on the 80-amp Charge Station Pro is going to be (assuming it will be a CCS1 Combo plug, it may not fit the smaller round hatches).

We've done the park-the-car-outside thing and run the J1772 with cord under the slightly-open garage door a number of times, but I never like the idea of possibly pinching the charging cable with the garage door opener, so we drop a small section of 2x4 on one or both sides of the cable when we do charge outside so that the opener doesn't smash the power and smaller signaling conductors inside the cable.

Distance of the EVSE from the panel/breaker box is also a consideration, because that heavy-duty copper cabling isn't cheap. That said, there are lots of ways to mount these things. Work with your electrician and figure out what works best for you and your situation. Hopefully Ford will have some installation and users manuals out for these new Intelligent Backup Power components someday soon-ish!

 

[3rdgenfan]

I have a 32A ChargePoint Home unit that's just mounted to the brick on the house in the middle of my driveway.

 

[Ranger]

rtw819,
I like the idea of installing inside the garage, protected from the elements, and running the cable through the garage wall to an outside for a cable wrap or something like what you said. I was thinking of mounting it to the side of the garage where there is less direct sunlight but still plenty, but that is not convenient for the parking being on the left side of the truck since my wife probably won’t give up the left stall

 

[Ranger]

my garage has a 2 stall with the middle divider.

 

[ChasingCoral]

We don't have a garage, only a carport. Our Clipper Creek has been mounted on the outer wall of the house in the middle of the carport for the last four years. We've charged in all weather and temperatures.

 

[3rdgenfan]

I have a 32A ChargePoint Home unit that's just mounted to the brick on the house in the middle of my driveway.

Took a picture when I got home. Not perfect, but it gets the job done.

 

[Ranger]

Thanks all! Keep the pictures coming. I love seeing everyone’s setup!

 

[jojo]

this will be my first EV and my garage is not big enough for a full size truck. I can park in the driveway no problem. Question is…. Where should I mount the charger? Inside the garage and run the cable out? Outside the garage? A 4x4 wooden post or metal post in the ground? On the siding of the garage? Does anyone have some pics they can share of how you have a charger installed?

Remember that the 32amp charger that comes with the non extended range battery pack is just a extension cord that you keep with the truck. I thought for a while there that I would need to mount the "charger" station, but it just plugs into a dryer like plug for 110v or 220v. Years ago during a remodel, I mounted a Nema plug outside by the driveway for a future EV purchase...I checked the specs on the 32amp cord that comes with the truck, and all I need is the adapter dongle (Nema 10-30P to 14-50R). So I imagine that I just need the adapter and a hook to stow the cord on. The expense to mount the 48amp or 80amp inverter chargers would be significant, so unless you really need the charging time difference...most folks don't have a 100amp panel spare just sitting ready.

 

[ChasingCoral]

We don't have a garage, only a carport. Our Clipper Creek has been mounted on the outer wall of the house in the middle of the carport for the last four years. We've charged in all weather and temperatures.

Here the charger in the carport next to Marlin, my Mustang Mach E:

and charging In freezing rain - joy!

 

[rtw819]

Remember that the 32amp charger that comes with the non extended range battery pack is just a extension cord that you keep with the truck. I thought for a while there that I would need to mount the "charger" station, but it just plugs into a dryer like plug for 110v or 220v. Years ago during a remodel, I mounted a Nema plug outside by the driveway for a future EV purchase...I checked the specs on the 32amp cord that comes with the truck, and all I need is the adapter dongle (Nema 10-30P to 14-50R). So I imagine that I just need the adapter and a hook to stow the cord on. The expense to mount the 48amp or 80amp inverter chargers would be significant, so unless you really need the charging time difference...most folks don't have a 100amp panel spare just sitting ready.

Good for you for thinking ahead!! A word of caution for you -- if you've only got a 30-amp rated circuit and wiring run, for safety's sake and assuming the portable unit supports it, remember to drop down the EVSE charging max current to 80% of the circuit to 24-amps when you're using that 10-30R receptacle for hours on end.

I'm hoping Ford comes up with a way to set up in-vehicle location-based charging settings/current limits based on GPS location like in my Niro EV. That setting comes in handy when visiting my mom while using our portable EVSE on her 6-20R air conditioner receptacle and charging overnight.

If someone ends up wanting/buying the 48-amp Ford Connected Charge Station separately, I found a copy of the Installation Manual over here: Ford Connected Charge Station Installation manual (macheforum.com)
Per the doc, the 48-amp model is only 17.53 pounds, so there's not a ton of weight there (not counting cord weight). Assuming your electrical panel has capacity and room, expenses aside from the EVSE itself are the copper/conduit, new breaker and labor for adding the 60-amp circuit. A good local licensed electrician will know which or if permits need to be filed and those are typically very minimal cost.

The 80-amp EVSE model details have yet to be released, but considering it also includes some of the Intelligent Home Backup capability, I have to think it would be significantly heavier. Not to mention the requirement for the 100-amp service run. I think this will be one of the bigger challenges for adoption of the heavy-duty charging since the majority of residential electrical panels likely don't have spare 100A capacity readily available.

 

[Okchamali]

Sunrun is going to be Ford’s preferred installer for the 80 amp charger. So they’ll run through what the best options are for your home whether you decide to accept or decline their solar and battery configurations.

 

[rtw819]

Sunrun is going to be Ford’s preferred installer for the 80 amp charger. So they’ll run through what the best options are for your home whether you decide to accept or decline their solar and battery configurations.

You seem to have some potential additional insight here... perhaps I'm mistaken? Anything more you can share?

 

[Okchamali]

I’m just patiently waiting for my solar to be commissioned. In planning I discussed making sure I would produce enough electricity to charge a cybertruck and eventually another ev. I also had a battery backup system installed since where I live there is no net metering by the utility company. Now I’m in line for a Lightning and saw Sunrun is Ford’s preferred installer. So seeing that Sunrun will offer their solar and battery backup services, I feel confident in having heard the many options and now actual installation steps for that part of it. Luckily where I want the 80 amp Ford Pro charger to be installed it will be a foot or so next to my panels in my garage. My solar panels will already disconnect from the grid automatically and run indefinitely if I lose power from the grid.
I didn’t use Sunrun for my system but I’m sure they’ll offer similar, if not the same, solar/battery technology.

https://investors.sunrun.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/236/sunrun-partners-with-ford-to-provide-seamless-installation

If you’re going to utilize the intelligent backup power with the Lightning, they’ll install the smart switch to disconnect your charger and main panel from the grid. So between your main panel and the meter there will be a smart switch. All my of solar and battery goes through the smart switch and then to my main panel. I’m assuming the same will be for the Ford Pro Charging Station. If you aren’t going to use the Lightning as a backup then there won’t be a switch to install, just the charger. If you do use the back the backup then you’ll have a smart switch installed and the Pro Charger will be run from that and not necessarily your main panel. But again, I’m basing that on how my current solar and battery system was just installed.

 

[Ranger]

Okchamali, I think your assumption are warranted this seems pretty logical. It’s cool to hear from someone with an automated switch over system for power outages. I am curios about this stuff but not willing to make the investment at this time. Maybe a few years from now I’ll revisit it.
Still looking into options my setup specific to physically placing the charger. I’m thinking about between the doors inside the garage (green), or on the right side (red). Then on the outside putting a cable pass through in the siding, and mounting both a clippercreek cable wraps and a clipper creek J1772 holster

the truck will be parked outside the garage on the right side stall. Thoughts on any other ideas?

 

[Okchamali]

I received a free clipper creek charger with my install. I’ll have it installed at the in-laws since there are no public chargers within 100+ miles of their home. It’ll go on either side of their garage doors like in your photo. Probably the best option to put it where you’ll have vehicle parked most often.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Okchamali, I think your assumption are warranted this seems pretty logical. It’s cool to hear from someone with an automated switch over system for power outages. I am curios about this stuff but not willing to make the investment at this time. Maybe a few years from now I’ll revisit it.
Still looking into options my setup specific to physically placing the charger. I’m thinking about between the doors inside the garage (green), or on the right side (red). Then on the outside putting a cable pass through in the siding, and mounting both a clippercreek cable wraps and a clipper creek J1772 holster

View attachment 579

View attachment 580

the truck will be parked outside the garage on the right side stall. Thoughts on any other ideas?

Middle sounds good. You’ll be close to the power port on the truck’s driver side if you pull in forward and will still reach easily if you park on the other side.

 

[rtw819]

I’m just patiently waiting for my solar to be commissioned. In planning I discussed making sure I would produce enough electricity to charge a cybertruck and eventually another ev. I also had a battery backup system installed since where I live there is no net metering by the utility company. Now I’m in line for a Lightning and saw Sunrun is Ford’s preferred installer. So seeing that Sunrun will offer their solar and battery backup services, I feel confident in having heard the many options and now actual installation steps for that part of it. Luckily where I want the 80 amp Ford Pro charger to be installed it will be a foot or so next to my panels in my garage. My solar panels will already disconnect from the grid automatically and run indefinitely if I lose power from the grid.
I didn’t use Sunrun for my system but I’m sure they’ll offer similar, if not the same, solar/battery technology.

https://investors.sunrun.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/236/sunrun-partners-with-ford-to-provide-seamless-installation

If you’re going to utilize the intelligent backup power with the Lightning, they’ll install the smart switch to disconnect your charger and main panel from the grid. So between your main panel and the meter there will be a smart switch. All my of solar and battery goes through the smart switch and then to my main panel. I’m assuming the same will be for the Ford Pro Charging Station. If you aren’t going to use the Lightning as a backup then there won’t be a switch to install, just the charger. If you do use the back the backup then you’ll have a smart switch installed and the Pro Charger will be run from that and not necessarily your main panel. But again, I’m basing that on how my current solar and battery system was just installed.

Ah, I thought maybe you'd heard something more about the Sun Run "system". We are just about to cross the 1-year mark on our grid tied system that employs a SolarEdge Backup Interface (with built-in transfer switch) for whole-house backup. Depending on the interconnections between the truck, Charging Station Pro, and if/how they handle the DC or 9.6kW inverter output, there are a couple possible ways it might interface with the Lightning. Either via the Backup Interface Generator Connection (firmware updates pending "Winter 2021") which would allow for up to 15kW "generator" input, or perhaps (less likely) tied in somehow to the 400VDC side of things via EVSE and CCS pins with the battery. Really looking forward to getting the technical specs on the Pro charging station and the rest of the back-end gear.

The shorter 80A cabling run from the EVSE to the panel should keep whatever installation expenses you might have to a minimum. Hope your system's commissioning goes well and happens soon. We are fortunate to have Net Metering here -- without it we would definitely be more likely to use the Lightning for storing and sharing excess solar power with the house.

 

[Administrator]

Okchamali, I think your assumption are warranted this seems pretty logical. It’s cool to hear from someone with an automated switch over system for power outages. I am curios about this stuff but not willing to make the investment at this time. Maybe a few years from now I’ll revisit it.
Still looking into options my setup specific to physically placing the charger. I’m thinking about between the doors inside the garage (green), or on the right side (red). Then on the outside putting a cable pass through in the siding, and mounting both a clippercreek cable wraps and a clipper creek J1772 holster

View attachment 579

View attachment 580

the truck will be parked outside the garage on the right side stall. Thoughts on any other ideas?

Curious to know if you've made any progress!

 

[Ranger]

I don’t have a charger yet, I was going to get the 80A installed that came with the vehicle. Not much else I can do while I wait.