Mobile generator

[ffoc01]

One of the things I like, and don't like about the Maverick is the DC/AC power inverter. It's great to have, but at 400 watts, it's severely limited in its usefulness. Granted, it's better than the 150 watts in my CMax, but still not enough to offer any real emergency power.

Aftermarket 12v inverters are an option, but for a 2000 watt inverter, you can expect a 170a draw on the 12v system. Which is a lot to ask of a DC/DC inverter rated for 200a total and a 390a battery, and underutilizes the hybrid components.

I've seen this kit for Prii and other Toyota hybrids for some time.

https://www.plugoutpower.com/

It connects directly to the traction battery, enabling it to supply either 3kw or 5kw without any added stress to the DC/DC inverter.

Being a CMax owner, there wasn't exactly a rich pool of tinkerer's to develop a system for, but given how creative many of us here are, and willing to modify our trucks, often before we even get them, I was hoping enough of us can contact this company and convince them to make a Maverick/Escape/MKC kit for us. Or if anyone knows of a plug and play kit otherwise, please post and let me know.

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[Decayed]

We did this thread at least once before. The plug in power units are insanely expensive IMO. I can see the utility, but it requires your vehicle to work. What if you have to go someplace overnight?

The ones built into the vehicle are great if you consistently need the power at jobsites but you are also tied to the vehicle. I personally prefer stand alone generators or at least portable inverters for emergencies.

 

[ffoc01]

We did this thread at least once before. The plug in power units are insanely expensive IMO. I can see the utility, but it requires your vehicle to work. What if you have to go someplace overnight?

The ones built into the vehicle are great if you consistently need the power at jobsites but you are also tied to the vehicle. I personally prefer stand alone generators or at least portable inverters for emergencies.

Figures, I probably should have drilled down the threads a little deeper before posting, but thanks for the reply.

Especially now that Ford has made it an OEM option on the F150, I'd love to be able to utilize our vehicles the same way. I'd actually be mostly interested in a standby power option that I wouldn't have to worry about starting or maintenance, since I'd be driving it every day.

 

[Decayed]

Figures, I probably should have drilled down the threads a little deeper before posting, but thanks for the reply.

Especially now that Ford has made it an OEM option on the F150, I'd love to be able to utilize our vehicles the same way. I'd actually be mostly interested in a standby power option that I wouldn't have to worry about starting or maintenance, since I'd be driving it every day.

There are real advantages, which is why it really comes down to cost. All they are really doing is beefing up the electrical system a bit and adding a big inverter. It shouldn't cost ford that much more to improve the existing electrical components and inverters aren't all that expensive either. IMO generators are massively overpriced anyway.

If ford could build in a 7 kw generator system for half the price of a free standing one I'd take a look. Right now the 7.2kw pro power costs $750 as an option on the f150. A free standing generator costs slightly more but you could probably land one for about the same amount. So you are basically paying about the same for a big inverter because you are already buying the motor.

Then again, I'm a huge cheapass so there is that.

 

[Automate]

One of the things I like, and don't like about the Maverick is the DC/AC power inverter. It's great to have, but at 400 watts, it's severely limited in its usefulness. Granted, it's better than the 150 watts in my CMax, but still not enough to offer any real emergency power.

Aftermarket 12v inverters are an option, but for a 2000 watt inverter, you can expect a 170a draw on the 12v system. Which is a lot to ask of a DC/DC inverter rated for 200a total and a 390a battery, and underutilizes the hybrid components.

I've seen this kit for Prii and other Toyota hybrids for some time.

https://www.plugoutpower.com/

It connects directly to the traction battery, enabling it to supply either 3kw or 5kw without any added stress to the DC/DC inverter.

Being a CMax owner, there wasn't exactly a rich pool of tinkerer's to develop a system for, but given how creative many of us here are, and willing to modify our trucks, often before we even get them, I was hoping enough of us can contact this company and convince them to make a Maverick/Escape/MKC kit for us. Or if anyone knows of a plug and play kit otherwise, please post and let me know.

As I posted in another topic, there are a lot advantages to an Onboard Power Generator especially with hybrids:

• Don't need to take up space storing an unused generator
• Don't need to load and unload generator into truck
• Doesn't take up the limited 4.5' of bed space
• Don't need to worry if it will start after sitting for months without use and fuel stabilizers
• Less maintenance than 2nd small gas engine that require frequent oil changes.
• Quieter operation than standalone generator
• Less emissions than standalone generator
• Days of runtime on tank of gas verses hours for a standalone generator
• No need to refill with gas cans in most situations.
• Higher efficiency, less gas per kWh

Ford has done most of the work for the F150 Hybrid. It would still take a good bit of work but I think the best option would be to get the inverter out of a totaled F150 Hybrid. The F150 Hybrid battery is 400V just like the Mav HV battery.

Or you could just wait until Ford does it. They are working on it for the Mav.
https://www.motor1.com/news/557403/ford-maverick-hybrid-mobile-power-generator/

 

[Delbert]

I looked at the plug-out power unit and it uses a huge air cooled inverter as big as some stand alone generators. Not practical. It is also not offered for the Maverick at this time.

The Ford Pro Power Onboard option is part of the DC-DC converter and inverter. These are integral parts of the drivetrain and are water cooled. Not something an aftermarket manufacturer can mess with.

When Ford offers this as an option for the Maverick it will give me incentive to trade up to a new model.

 

[Maverickman74]

Yeah 1000 watts would have been alot better or even 750. Depending on what we get for a bed cap, I may end up putting a secondary system in the bed. With a 50-100 watt panel on the roof and a battery and 2000watt inverter in the bed we shouldnt ever have any problem keeping our fridge freezer ice cold. I have ran our fridge off of the main battery in our bronco for a couple years but it does decrease the battery life. I would prefer it be separate and available without fear of being able to start the truck.

 

[GTBuzz]

Aftermarket 12v inverters are an option, but for a 2000 watt inverter, you can expect a 170a draw on the 12v system. Which is a lot to ask of a DC/DC inverter rated for 200a total and a 390a battery, and underutilizes the hybrid components.

Is the DC/DC max 200amps or 150amps? I can't find any official specs besides dealer truck listings that show 150 amp alternator equivelent for hybrids, are they accurate. Trying to size aftermarket inverter to hook up directly to battery. I will stay well under the max amps of system, but need to know max amps it can handle.

 

[ffoc01]

So the 200a I quoted was what I knew from the last gen (Fusion/CMax) Hybrid DC/DC step down converter. I honestly didn't know the rating of the new liquid cooled system. The service manual doesn't list an official "rating", just that the converter is capable of delivering "Up to" 265a. To me, I'd say that means the converter should be good for well over 200a, probably more like 250a consistently. A little more digging and I found the standard alternator for the 2.0l EcoBoost is 150a while the upgraded alternator, available when equipped with the 400 watt AC outlet, is rated at 190a.

I'd imagine the literature the dealer quoted was generic info, considering the hybrid Maverick doen't even have what you could consider an "Alternator."

 

[Phil0110]

I usually take with me a generator on some trips. I have WEN https://houseandbeyond.org/best-generators/ the first one. I carry the WEN56200 in the coach for when solar isn't enough and I'm not driving enough to charge the battery bank from the vehicle generator. I fire up the WIN and run it at 90% load (I've added a tachometer) for a couple of hours. I never carry extra gas for it as I've never come back from a camping trip where I had used half of it's tank. After a year, the WHEN still works great and starts right up every time.

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