Ford Lightning: Offgrid Solar Battery on Wheels? Lets find out!

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more!

*Join our DIY solar community*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:

*Check out my Book*
Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar!

*My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*

*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:

*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:

*Epoch Batteries*
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*

*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,

[WillProwse]

When I said "this truck can't tow", I'm referring to the slow charge speed and god awful range the moment you connect a trailer. Just search on YouTube "Ford lightning cannot tow" and you will see what I mean instantly. But yes, it can tow a short distance no problem.

Correction: this model actually has a 131kWh battery. Not 110kWh, sorry about that.
Table of contents:
0:00 Intro
5:06 Charging My Solar System Battery
7:37 Charging for "Free"
10:54 Needs Service..

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*

*Join our DIY solar community!*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:

Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link):



*My Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*








*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components:

*Ecoflow Delta*
My favorite plug-n-play solar generator:

*AmpereTime*
Cheapest 12V batteries around:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*


*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)

[bertschb]

Will, you don't EVER need to apologize for buying anything. Ignore the naysayers. I love your honest opinions on everything you mess around with.

[camro]

Man, I love these kinds of videos from you, because that's exactly the attitude everyone needs to have towards ANY product. Companies will continue to suck at getting basic, everyday parts and functions completely wrong as long as consumers continue to allow them to! Duh, people.... Why would anyone want to defend companies that pull this crap? 🤦‍♂

[LasseMalmgren]

What i really love about your videos, Will, is that you are NOT a fan-boy. When you see a problem with ANY product you say it out lout and plain honest. Keep doing that, no matter how much people whine or try to politicize EVs or anything else. The manufacturers need to get their balls kicked until they make products that actually work. Thanks, keep it up :)

[williamparker]

Will, this video was not a waste of time. You gave us great info and the examples of real world issues of owning an EV were priceless. Good video. Cheers.

[shawnmurphy]

“These EV’s are going nowhere if they can’t figure out how to charge them. This is why Tesla dominates.” Truer words have never been spoken. Awesome content. Keep doing what you do! Many of us don’t comment regularly. Don’t let the negativity get to you.

[ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

Nice job Will! Never apologize for your hard work and success. You have worked hard, gained viewers, sponsors, and loyal followers. You earned you income and keep up the GREAT work helping others.

[evahsia]

Thanks for the video. I have had basically zero problems with my F-150 Lightning XLT (small battery pack), so obviously Ford has a consistency issue. I powered the house for 6 hours while the main panel was upgraded last week. Also, folks should be aware L14-30 to 14-50 adapters are readily available.

One point worth noting is that the free chargers you demonstrated are all Level 2 (~7 kW), not DC fast chargers (~100 kW). So, even if they were working, it would take 3-4 hours to charge a significant amount. Of course, the casinos would be happy for you to spend 3-4 hours inside the casino while you wait. A full battery charge would take 10+ hours, which is a lot of time to invest to get free electricity (and save ~$20).

But, as you noted, there are problems with the DC fast chargers too, or so it seems. I personally have driven 2000 miles round trip with no issues.

[zachgunderman]

You've been awesome to watch for years and helped me out a bunch with my solar. So, who gives a crap what others say. Your channel just needs to continue to evolve as you continue to, too.

[ParagonTheComposer]

So happy you decided to post this. I've been very interested in the tech for the F-150 L. Didn't know the battery was that big. Ignore the haters. Keep doing what you love and being generous enough to share your passion with us. ✊

[LoganSov]

I’ve got a 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV and so far I’ve been loving it. Main downside I would say is it doesn’t have very good charging capability.. it’s done quite well in the snow also! Would recommend for someone who wants a small ev at a pretty good price

[Dingocreek]

Your honesty and the application of your knowledge is what keeps this channel at the top of my list. Keep going and don't take videos off your channel because of negative ratings.

[McRootbeer]

Good video showing the real world results of something. Too many people hear the best case scenario of EVs, fall in love with the idea of them, and hate anybody who lives to have a bad experience with one in real life and tell people about it. Don't let them get you down Will.👍

[christurbeville]

Never thought I'd catch Will's "you don't know my life people" rant totally awesome

[suntz]

I'm totally not brown nosing, but you seriously make me laugh.
Sometimes I watch your videos because your honest enthusiasm cheers me up when im feeling depressed!
I've learned a lot from you for my future project next year.
Thank you.

[somedayblue]

I know a guy that has a Rivian truck and is happy with it. However, your point on price is spot on - the price of these trucks is more than the median household income in the US. They are toys for the rich, not transportation for your typical person.

[paalkaperdal]

The EV growing pains you are highlighting are significant and probably a good reason for why Tesla is doing so well. I follow you channel from Norway where 80% of new cars is an EV. I have driven a Mercedes EQC for 3 years without any issues that you have experienced. It's a normal car without an ICE. The charging network is very good with plenty of DC chargers. At home I have two Type 2 chargers in the garage for use by 3 EVs for overnight charging On the road I only stop at DC chargers capable of providing minimum 100kw. There are plenty to choose from. I am sharing this to say that once one get through the growing pains the EV future can become quite bright.👍

[hitmanhite]

Do your thing Will, the naysayers are 2% of that audience. The other 98% will not comment, only learn from a great teacher. Thanks for your content. I have been around since the beginning. Glad to see you have done well, and completely understand and see the work you have done. You are the solar leader.

[Speed]

I just made it through the Austin, TX ice storm with zero issues. The neighborhood had no power for 3 days. I say the neighborhood because I have a 40 Kilowatt battery bank powered by solar panels. My "political" neighbors were impressed that I had power to most of my house (I have a transfer switch). I let them charge their phones, make coffee and take a hot shower in my house. They realize now that having OPTIONS when it comes to energy is SMART. Looks like they are no longer "political" about solar power systems. When SHTF no "political" party is going to come save you.

[therobb]

I installed an 800 watt inverter into my old 2000 Chevy Blazer. It gets my by when things go bad, and runs a small space heater and air compressor. Gas guzzler gets me by a backup power generator, I have no complaints. But, what you do here, is just awesome and mind blowing. Thanks for doing what you do!