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Good summary of Pro Power Onboard

ekaddo

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https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/10...-2021-ford-f-150-pro-power-onboard-explained/
--EKA
"Q: A lot of people called this an inverter instead of a generator. How do you answer that, and what is the difference between the two?
Both are partially correct as our system is technically an inverter generator. Conventional (non-inverter) generators take the output directly from the engine-coupled electric machine (aka generator) to produce a modified sine wave at the outlet. Inverter generators add an additional DC-to-AC converter (aka inverter) after the generator. The inverter uses dedicated power electronics to smooth out the voltage ripples and produce a pure sine wave at the outlet. Another benefit of the inverter is that it allows the engine to run at a lower and variable RPM as opposed to full throttle to provide the same capability, which results in lower emissions and noise and increased efficiency."



Q: How exactly does Pro Power Onboard work? (Power flow from engine to battery to generator)

Gas: Engine > Alternator > Battery > Inverter


HEV: Engine > Electric Machine (Motor/Generator) > Power Converter > HEV Battery > Inverter
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Vulnox

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Yeah, that inverter part is the key thing people miss when they wave away the F-150 saying they can get a generator from Home Depot for $500. The electric noise from those is awful, and more and more devices including power tools don't like the "dirty" power they generate. It becomes even more critical when connecting it to your home (issues with common neutral aside). A comparable good quality inverter generator to the F-150 7.2KW runs in the $3-5k range, and then you have to lug it around. The ProPower really is a big deal.
 
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ekaddo

ekaddo

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Yeah, that inverter part is the key thing people miss when they wave away the F-150 saying they can get a generator from Home Depot for $500. The electric noise from those is awful, and more and more devices including power tools don't like the "dirty" power they generate. It becomes even more critical when connecting it to your home (issues with common neutral aside). A comparable good quality inverter generator to the F-150 7.2KW runs in the $3-5k range, and then you have to lug it around. The ProPower really is a big deal.
Right, if Ford follows through with Lightning and next gen Powerboost Vehicle to Grid improvements, they will really change the perceived utility of the good old pick up truck.
 

UGADawg96

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Yeah, that inverter part is the key thing people miss when they wave away the F-150 saying they can get a generator from Home Depot for $500. The electric noise from those is awful, and more and more devices including power tools don't like the "dirty" power they generate. It becomes even more critical when connecting it to your home (issues with common neutral aside). A comparable good quality inverter generator to the F-150 7.2KW runs in the $3-5k range, and then you have to lug it around. The ProPower really is a big deal.
For construction use cases (edit: and Sentinel1201's use case below), I would agree. But not for Trailer or Home use. One could argue that this $600 unit could be comparable since you're really only getting one side at 3600 out of propower on the 30amp plug. It isn't like you're getting a dual 30amp or single 50amp plug from propower. ymmv.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-4...Digital-Inverter-Generator-RYi4022X/308737029
 
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Sentinel1201

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The 7.2KW generator is indeed a game changer and the single feature that swung me to this truck and made me trade in my 17 Raptor which I LOVED.

So far, it's living up to the promise - see below. I used to power my trailer (overhead AC, microwave, Keurig, TV, battery chargers etc.) and tire warmers with a Honda EU7000 and now do all of it with just the truck. Incidentally, the truck uses about the same gas or slightly lower than the Honda did to do the same work which is great (about a quarter tank of gas for full 24 hours duty cycle). I will be selling my EU7000 soon and more importantly, not having to lug around a 285 lb generator, store gas for it, change its plugs, change its oil, keep its battery tendered is in itself a big win.

Ford F-150 Good summary of Pro Power Onboard PXL_20210619_113425196
 

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Vulnox

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For construction use cases (edit: and Sentinel1201's use case below), I would agree. But not for Trailer or Home use. One could argue that this $600 unit could be comparable since you're really only getting one side at 3600 out of propower on the 30amp plug. It isn't like you're getting a dual 30amp or single 50amp plug from propower. ymmv.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-4...Digital-Inverter-Generator-RYi4022X/308737029
Home use is as important if not more so. I don't get why you would say otherwise. Computers and TVs and electric motors (refrigerator) are at a high risk of damage from high noise. Inverter generator is a must. You also do get both legs on the 30 AMP as far as I have seen, I also don't know where that is coming from. Properly connected the 30 Amp can supply up to 7200 Watts (30x240).

The only area you only get 3600 is when using the 20 amp outlets since each outlet is only using one leg.

Unless I have missed something completely, I think you may be misinformed on the ProPower. On the TFL video where they charged the Tesla, they used all 7200 Watts off the 30 Amp.

So no, that Ryobi is nowhere near ProPower, and a comparable, quality unit is still a good deal more.
 

UGADawg96

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Home use is as important if not more so. I don't get why you would say otherwise. Computers and TVs and electric motors (refrigerator) are at a high risk of damage from high noise. Inverter generator is a must. You also do get both legs on the 30 AMP as far as I have seen, I also don't know where that is coming from. Properly connected the 30 Amp can supply up to 7200 Watts (30x240).

The only area you only get 3600 is when using the 20 amp outlets since each outlet is only using one leg.

Unless I have missed something completely, I think you may be misinformed on the ProPower. On the TFL video where they charged the Tesla, they used all 7200 Watts off the 30 Amp.

So no, that Ryobi is nowhere near ProPower, and a comparable, quality unit is still a good deal more.
EDIT for clarification: For RV use, the 30amp plug is really only 120v not 240v. Only getting 3600w from the 30amp plug since using one leg.
 
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Snakebitten

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I'm sorry but you are mistaken. The 30 amp receptacle IS 240V and you get both 3600 watt banks.

I'm going to mount a small RV electrical panel with 2 RV 30Amp receptacles to a hitch receiver so my brother and I can hook our RV's up simultaneously. I've already powered the tiny house a couple of times during power outages. The truck is just amazing. A rolling power grid for when you are off-grid. :)

Ford F-150 Good summary of Pro Power Onboard 20210620_150640


Ford F-150 Good summary of Pro Power Onboard Screenshot_20210620-145453_FordPass


Ford F-150 Good summary of Pro Power Onboard 20210620_144856
 
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BLoflin

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The 30amp plug is 120v not 240v. Only 3600 from the 30amp plug.
Incorrect.

The 30Amp plug is a regular 4 pin 240V capable plug at 30Amps for a total of 7.2KW.

The 4 pins are GND, Neutral, HotA and HotB.

If you use HotA to Neutral you get 30amp at 120V for 3.6KW and the same at the same time from HotB to Neutral.

If you use 240V then you are going HotA to HotB at 30amps (which again is 7.2KW).

So for your HomeDepot Ryobi example you would need to purchase 2 (and you still wouldn't be able to support 240V devices).

So for Home use (which you say is not useful) you would use the 240V plug as 240 plugged into your circuit breaker box to feed both 240V and 120V loads in your house (limited to a total of 7.2KW).

For RV, most all RVs are 30Amp 120V, so you would use one side of the 240 plug. This leaves the other side to hook up either another trailer, or just run an extension cord to run other devices you don't want to load on your RV circuits.... like outside stuff like a fan, additional camp lights, coffee pot sitting on a table under the awning, etc. But note there are RVs (primarily ones wired for 2nd AirConditioning unit) that use a 50Amp dual 120V plug. This is actually 50amp 120v x 2 (two circuits). The ProPower would plug directly into that with the appropriate cord (though only supplying 30Amp 120v x 2).
 

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UGADawg96

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Exactly, for RV, most all RVs are 30Amp 120V, so you would use one side of the 240 plug.
 

petemill

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Exactly, for RV, most all RVs are 30Amp 120V, so you would use one side of the 240 plug.
I'm not sure how relevant it is that you don't enough things to plug in to use the full 7.2KW (either 120V at 60A or 240v at 30A).
 

Vulnox

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Exactly, for RV, most all RVs are 30Amp 120V, so you would use one side of the 240 plug.
I don't know the stats on all the TTs out there to know if most are 30/120, but even if they are, then using ProPower or plugging in to a pedestal, you will always cap out at 3600 Watts, so it's not a knock against the F-150. With a home though you can use the full 240/30. I still wouldn't buy a separate generator if I had the F-150 because now I need to lug around a 200lb generator and extra fuel, or have the generator consume propane from the TT supply and still take up room. Any way you slice it the ProPower is no worse off, and still offers benefits.

You can also get one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/LeisureCords...1&keywords=30+amp+split&qid=1625255732&sr=8-5

And use both legs @120v and still get the full 7200watts. Not a ton of use cases there I imagine aside from running a buddies electrical, as long as you don't surpass 30Amp combined then you're all good.

The versatility!
 

UGADawg96

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I don't know the stats on all the TTs out there to know if most are 30/120, but even if they are, then using ProPower or plugging in to a pedestal, you will always cap out at 3600 Watts, so it's not a knock against the F-150. With a home though you can use the full 240/30. I still wouldn't buy a separate generator if I had the F-150 because now I need to lug around a 200lb generator and extra fuel, or have the generator consume propane from the TT supply and still take up room. Any way you slice it the ProPower is no worse off, and still offers benefits.

You can also get one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/LeisureCords...1&keywords=30+amp+split&qid=1625255732&sr=8-5

And use both legs @120v and still get the full 7200watts. Not a ton of use cases there I imagine aside from running a buddies electrical, as long as you don't surpass 30Amp combined then you're all good.

The versatility!
yeah, I agree.

That splitter looks like what TFL used when they powered two trailers.

In regards to the benefits of propower over a separate generator, that is why I am ordering the PB with 7.2kw so we don't have to own a separate generator for home or TT usage. :)
 

Vulnox

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yeah, I agree.

That splitter looks like what TFL used when they powered two trailers.

In regards to the benefits of propower over a separate generator, that is why I am ordering the PB with 7.2kw so we don't have to own a separate generator for home or TT usage. :)
Yeah, they were what got me thinking about it. I don't think I have seen one of those before that.

I will say, it surprises me quite a bit that TTs don't generally support 240, especially with AC units. I wonder if that comes out of how most camp sites with power have been set up or what. Maybe it just isn't needed when everything should run on 30 or even 50 amp.
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