Powerboost and Mach E

[Tosh]

I mean "inefficient" compared to charging from the grid.

Worth noting that you won't be able to pull 30 amps from the ProPower continuously, and the portable charger you get with the Mach-E is designed to draw 32 amps @ 240 volts.

Here's a video - about 5 minutes in they demonstrate what happens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePW1uLsnh7s


I typically charge from 30% to 70% in 3.25 hrs @ 48amps/240volts. Assuming I had an ev charger set to draw 24 amps, I would expect to wait 6.5 hrs for the same charge from my Powerboost. I would also expect to use about 6 gallons of gas, for the cost of about $25. The cost for that same charge from my grid would be about $6. The cost for that charge from my solar array is $0.

Nevertheless, I say do it. I'm going to be looking for a portable EV charger that will draw 24 amps @ 240, and the proper adapter to connect to the ProPower L14-30 outlet for myself.

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[Lefty665]

I mean "inefficient" compared to charging from the grid.

Worth noting that you won't be able to pull 30 amps from the ProPower continuously, and the portable charger you get with the Mach-E is designed to draw 32 amps @ 240 volts.

Here's a video - about 5 minutes in they demonstrate what happens



I typically charge from 30% to 70% in 3.25 hrs @ 48amps/240volts. Assuming I had an ev charger set to draw 24 amps, I would expect to wait 6.5 hrs for the same charge from my Powerboost. I would also expect to use about 6 gallons of gas, for the cost of about $25. The cost for that same charge from my grid would be about $6. The cost for that charge from my solar array is $0.

Nevertheless, I say do it. I'm going to be looking for a portable EV charger that will draw 24 amps @ 240, and the proper adapter to connect to the ProPower L14-30 outlet for myself.

The 11kw 48 amp charging rate is decently quick. There are trade offs on battery life associated with high charging rates that make it better used occasionally rather than as a usual practice.

My OP started with bitching about Ford not coordinating across models. In addition to the PB I also wonder about Ford settling on a charging rate that is marginally above the continuous current capacity of a common 30 amp circuit.

I have no way to test your guess of gas consumption, but it seems high. While the cost is low, your solar ain't "$0". You have to amortize the cost of acquisition, setup and maintenance over the life of the system. I've looked (longingly) at solar for a long time. While the breakeven on cost per kwh has improved from never to a decade or longer, it has not been competitive with what my coop provides. That said, I applaud your adoption of solar.

 

[dochawk]

While the cost is low, your solar ain't "$0". You have to amortize the cost of acquisition, setup and maintenance over the life of the system. I've looked (longingly) at solar for a long time.

however, if you're already putting it in for your house, the marginal cost for charging your car that way is relatively small (the difference between the system for the house, and any extras [including wear' for charging the car while you're at it)

[OT: I looked at a Tesla roof for the kind of house we're about to buy. Uhh, more than a quarter million! {over 3,000 soft in the desert!}]

 

[Lefty665]

however, if you're already putting it in for your house, the marginal cost for charging your car that way is relatively small (the difference between the system for the house, and any extras [including wear' for charging the car while you're at it)

[OT: I looked at a Tesla roof for the kind of house we're about to buy. Uhh, more than a quarter million! {over 3,000 soft in the desert!}]

Several variables in that proposition. The marginal cost includes the cost of kws diverted from powering the house to charge the vehicle.

Kilowatts are kilowatts. Where do they come from and what is their cost? Do they require additional solar capacity, grid supplied power, restrictions on household use or larger house battery backup capacity to enable non daylight charging? Like I said to start with, the cost ain't $0.

I've looked longingly at solar for a long time. Although it is getting cheaper, I could never make the numbers work out, or make me comfortable with the premium it would cost me to do all I could do to contribute to reducing the impact of power generation. That said, I think it's great you have made the choice to embrace solar. I encourage you not to look at it through rose colored glasses. The costs, marginal and otherwise, of EV battery charging are real and not trivial.

48amp charging is 11,520 watts (48x240). 32amp charging is 7,680 watts. Those are not trivial amounts. It will take a substantial solar installation to provide either of those currents, not to mention powering the house they are attached to at the same time. It is hard to see how either of those current draws are possible without severely impacting primary solar for the house or requiring a large house battery to charge the EV battery. The power requirements are anything but marginal, and as you noted, not cheap.

Solar power and EVs are great. But they are not free. It takes a substantial amount of power to run an automobile, EV, hybrid or ICE. We would do well not to discount the physics of mass, motion and the energy required to put mass in motion.

 

[dochawk]

I could never make the numbers work out,

I'm in the same position.

But it is fun to have actual numbers off the cuff when those half-trained qualifiers come to the door!


I'd have to be able to go off-grid for $15,000-$20,000 for solar to make any sense.

I'll miss my swamp cooler when I move out; I just paid a $108 electric bill--for late summer in Las Vegas! But you can't put them in newer construction.

We'll be moving from a 1,550 sqft ranch to 3-4,000 sq ft with 2-3 air conditioners. And I'll be surprised if paying for solar will make sense then, either.

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