Nissan Leaf

[Cobb]

When I was charging my Enginer phev kit I tried 220 vs 110. Same time for charging as the amp output to the battery pack was unchanged. Im assuming it the charge time was unchanged its feature was more so for international use vs any energy savings.

[NeilBlanchard]

Doubling the voltage (at the same amperage) cuts the time in half, and 2 1/2 times the amperage cuts the time by even more. The L1 unit does 0-100% in ~21 hours, and the L2 should be about 4 1/2 hours.

My brother is going to install his JuiceBox tomorrow. He's got a bit more work than me - some burial in PVC, and 100' of #6 / 3 (plus a ground wire). That will take 50A. So if when he gets an EV with faster than 7.2kW charger, only the J1772 cable needs to be upgraded.

[Cobb]

So you are wiring this and your brother into the homes power panel or are you getting a second line from the power company.

I have a 25 year old home and was advised to get a new panel or a whole new service and meter if I wanted level 2 or 3 charging for an ev.

[NeilBlanchard]

We each have 200A breaker panels, and will be adding a 50A (double wide) 240V breaker (~$14), wired with 6/3 cable, which is ~$2.91/foot.

Level 3 charging would require it's own grid connection - in a house anyway. But Level 2 is no different than an electric stove or clothes dryer.

[sendler]

Installing a level 2 charger should never be a problem with an existing 100 amp home service. You can set the charging station to 30 amps max.
And you don't need level 3 at home unless you have a Tesla and deliver pizzas out of your garage.

[NeilBlanchard]

Our JuiceBox arrived yesterday! And we are getting Nokian Hakka R2's put on Forest this morning. From Fun Hondas, of course.

I used one of the two public chargers in the downtown municipal lot last evening (3rd and likely last time) and the first 2 hours are charging a bit over 3/4ths of the capacity. It went from 1 bar left and 12 miles RR indicated, to all but 2 bars and 91 miles RR indicated in about 2 hours and 5 minutes.

[undeRGRound]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

Cool...

Oddly enough I got a new volt Saturday, couldn't pass up half off and also getting a tax rebate.

For that kind of deal, I would trade in the low-mile 04 Tahoe!

Where, pray tell, did you get that kind of a deal? I'd check into that for a Volt!!! Perfect car for a "Hyper-Dimensional Electrician"

I'm also working on a cordless on-board charger for EVs

[undeRGRound]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

We each have 200A breaker panels, and will be adding a 50A (double wide) 240V breaker (~$14), wired with 6/3 cable, which is ~$2.91/foot.

Level 3 charging would require it's own grid connection - in a house anyway. But Level 2 is no different than an electric stove or clothes dryer.

Neil, that Level 3 charge requirement sounds like BS.
What are the AC input requirements for that charger???
I am a professional Electrician, btw...

[Cobb]

Should we be worried you are running your battery that low? Is it on purpose for better life span, is the battery lacking capacity or are you over extending yourself when it comes to range?

[undeRGRound]

Originally Posted by Cobb

So you are wiring this and your brother into the homes power panel or are you getting a second line from the power company.

I have a 25 year old home and was advised to get a new panel or a whole new service and meter if I wanted level 2 or 3 charging for an ev.

Also Prolly BS

Unless you live in SoCal and the local building codes are capitalizing on the anticipated influx of EVs, then there is likely nothing you can do but comply. Unless you get a good "rogue electrician" who can hook it up safely and covertly.