The Ford F-150’s generator is called “Pro Power Onboard.”
You’ve probably heard stories about how Texans used this feature in their 2021 Ford vehicle to supply power into their houses during a power outage or how it became a lifesaver while camping.
In this article, you will learn everything you need about Ford’s F150 Generator Mode, its capabilities, and how to use it.
I will also provide expert answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this game-changing concept of America’s famous pickup truck.
For starters, the Pro Power Onboard is offered in three configurations ranging from 2.0 kW to 7.2 kW.
But what’s more interesting is that it runs on an independent battery system and can also power up to four 120-volt devices and other industrial equipment, depending on the engine type.
How the F 150 Generator Works
The outlet hub is connected to the battery in the inverter that connects to the engine. The engine charges the battery and then reverts it to the plugs.
You can check how the generator is performing from the truck’s main console touchscreen display or even use Ford’s dedicated mobile app to track the generator’s performance from your phone.
The bottom line is that when your F-150 has gas in the tank, you can keep the generator running to power multiple electrical appliances, devices, and tools for up to 85 hours. And the truck doesn’t necessarily have to be on for this to happen.
What Can You Power with the Generator Mode on the Ford F150?
You can power space heaters, a fridge, and computer equipment on the Ford F150 for 24 hours when your power is out.
The generator is also designed for tradesmen who may work on sites without electrical power to supply power to tools, compressors, ranchers, and off-grid compressors.
You can also run gas heaters off the power boost truck. The 7.2 kw generator in the F150 hybrid truck allows you to run for a total of 30 hours at up to 7.2 kw per hour.
Can You Power an Entire House with the F150 Generator?
Most houses run 100-200 amps, and the maximum the truck puts out is 30 amps if you can find a way to run an extension cord from that outlet at the back of the truck.
But if you have a gas heater and gas water heater, you can power a house of 1600*2 square feet using the 7.2-kw hybrid generator.
According to Ford, the F-150 with the extended-range battery can power a house for about 72 hours when there’s a power outage if you use 30 kilowatts of electricity per day.
Pros & Cons of the F150 Generator Mode
Pros
Compared to the regular generator, the biggest advantage of this setup is the ability only to provide as much power as is needed on demand. Then, when the engine starts, it begins to charge at the maximum rate.
So, it’s getting the energy out of the gasoline into the battery as fast as possible and then turning it off.
This is a step up from the traditional generator that is either running or not, with no ability to use fuel if the load is light.
Cons
One of the tradeoffs that many people talk about with this F150 is the cost. The 2022 Ford F-150 hybrid would set you back more than $60,000; on the other hand, you could consider buying a generator inverter for less than a hundred dollars to power your house and equipment.
But a large amount of money you shell out for the truck gives you luxurious comfort, high torque, and a top-of-the-line driving experience. So this point is arguable, depending on individual intent.
But a more practical issue with this design is that the truck generator has a bonded neutral. If you are feeding individual loads, this isn’t a problem.
But if back-fed from the 220-volt outlet to the main house panel, the truck will show a ground fault since the neutral is bonded to the truck and the house.
Can I run my HVAC with the F-150 generator?
The F-150 with 2.4 kW is not enough to run your HVAC, but it’s enough to run your fridge and freezer and even provide power for your TV and internet.
If you are focused on powering these, I recommend you stick with the 2.4kw option because 7.2kw doesn’t last long on a tank of gas, but the 2.4kw will last over 80 hours at full load.
How do I turn on an F-150 generator?
To turn on and use the 2.0-kilowatt system of your F-150, follow these steps:
Step 1: Start the engine
Step 2: Press the “Pro Power Onboard” button. It is close to the headlight control.
Step 3: Alternatively, you can press “Features” on the giant touchscreen and navigate to the “Pro Power Onboard” section, click on “Power,” then select “Generator Mode.”
Step 4: When you do this, the truck will send 2,000 watts to the cabin outlets, from which you can plug in your appliances, devices, or equipment.
Can I use my F-150 as a Generator?
Yes, you can use the 2021 Ford F-150 as a mobile generator because it is equipped with the Pro Power Onboard Generator, which good amount of usable power.
The generator is offered in three levels of electrical output: 2.0 kilowatts, 2.4 kilowatts, and 7.2 kilowatts depending on your engine choice.
Unfortunately, the 7.2 kW generator only comes with the hybrid version of the F-150 truck. The V8 has a power output of 2.0 kW.
What makes the F150’s Generator Mode Different from Other Trucks’?
You may ask, “What’s the hype around the F150?” After all, GMC and a few other bad guys also provide the generator feature to power appliances. Here’s the catch:
What makes the F150 generator mode different from other trucks is that those other trucks must keep running.
They work like the inverter power source of a running generator at all times, so that engine has to be running to charge that plug.
Also, as with GMC trucks (like Fords) with a 120-volt watt plug and 20 amps around the dashboard area, you will be running fuel the whole time using those other vehicles.
But in the F150, you are using just the battery, which makes it more of a generator and not just an inverter.
Can I run equipment off the back outlets of the F150 while driving?
Yes, you can run equipment off the back outlets of the F150 truck even while driving. This is ideal when you want to take a mini fridge or freezer along on a road trip, and you can do that with rechargeable batteries.
Does the exhaust bring out carbon while using the F150 generator mode?
No carbon monoxide will come out of the exhaust if the engine is not running. But to be clear, the engine will turn on in generator mode, meaning you will have carbon monoxide coming out of the tailpipe.
Do I need to run the Ford truck to use the generator?
No. You can use the generator mode of your 2021 Ford F-150 even while the truck is off.
The hybrid generator does not require the engine to run, making it stand out from other trucks.
The design of the new Ford F-150 is not new. We have seen it in EV cars like Tesla, but this generator feature is a step up.
The generator is offered in three levels of electrical output: 2.0 kilowatts, 2.4 kilowatts, and 7.2 kilowatts. If you are still determining whether the piece of equipment you have can be powered by the generator on your truck, consult this Ford brochure.
It explains the different power outputs for your F150 generator mode at the side of the truck and what it can do for you.