(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best electric vehicle chargine equipment

If I'm being honest, the DCFC doesn't bother me as much as having the 3.3kWh charger. I just got a 2017 Volt a few days ago myself (LOVE IT), and it would be really nice to be able to charge at 6.6kWh like most EV cars out there. Juice up that battery a bit faster (< 3 hours by my estimate) and free up more chargers more often. That being said, I see clipper creeks everywhere (live in Nor Cal) and they never seem to be broken. You might consider just having a 240V 20+Amp circuit added if you have a garage and getting the cable. Then if you move you can take that with you super easy.

https://www.amazon.com/ClipperCreek-LCS-20P-Charging-Station-CERTIFIED/dp/B00LKF69O0

While it's not recommended, there are measures one can take to do it safely. There is the easiest and safest method and that is buying a J1772 female to make extension cord, such as this guy: https://www.amazon.com/EV-Everything-Extension-Electric-Charging/dp/B079LPHKCQ .
It's $200 and you might not need it once you put in your home charger.

The next best thing is to get a thick gauge cord. 12 gauge can work at 15 feet, and if you find a 10 gauge then you could go longer. The shorter-- the safer. I bought the 15 feet 12 gauge extension cord at Lowe's. It's rated to work in all weather.

If you get a TeslaTap there's a midpoint stop in Seven Points; adds 16 miles to the route but if you can get 3hrs @ 6kW that's good for another 12hrs of L1 charging.

Best bet is just more time in Tyler tho, and maybe a L2/L3 helper stop in the outskirts of Dallas coming and going.

With BEV, it's never the destination but the journey!

what outlet is your landlord installing? A 14-30/50?

The cheapest and easiest way to get a L2 charge and track your energy usage I think is this guy, of couse you'll have to log manually how much power you use per charging session

If you have more flex in your budget consider getting an openevse with the wifi kit, the advantage being that there'll be a web portal for your landlord to actually see the power usage

If you want a warranty on your openevse buy a Juicebox


And of course if you want something that looks nice and has the backing of a large company you can go for the Chargepoint


HOWEVER

The openevese nor the juicebox is not UL certified,the EVI and the Chargepoints are.

Now I've never heard of anyone having their house catch on fire from an openevse and caltech has 30 in a parking lot but UL certification might matter to your landlord

oh yeah HURRY UP WITH BUYING THE STATION the tax credit only applies once you have physical possession of the EVSE

Nice thing about Teslatap is if you buy 2-4 wall connectors to share a 100A line you get up to 19kW power splitting for much cheaper than other options like clipper creek and even better deal if you get 4.

As cheap as I am, and since my J1772 car is short range only, I would cut the end off one and add a J1772 plug.

With Teslatap is you get to carry it around though so if you go on trips with the J1772 car it adds flexibility. NOTE: I heard there is a internal switch in the wall connector that can lock it to Tesla only. Home owners get it switched off but free chargers given by Tesla have it switched on (like hotels).

Short answer: You can, but only in optimal conditions. I don't recommend it.

Long answer: I use a kill-a-watt to charge my Clarity PHEV, but this is a special case. As a PHEV, it charges for a maximum of ≈8hrs at a time, at 1250W. The outlet is metal-housed (good for heat dissipation) and ≈15ft from the breaker (good for fire prevention). Most importantly, the charging cable is 10AWG. For a brief time, I charged with a 16AWG cable, and the kill-a-watt contacts got suspiciously hot.

If you're using a proper BEV, charging for long cycles over 1300W, and your outlet is buried in the wall, there's a lot that could go wrong. If you want and off-the-shelf way to measure power consumption, I'd recommend getting a Level 1 or 2 smart charger like this one: https://www.amazon.com/MUSTART-TRAVELMASTER-Intelligent-Identification-Auto-Adjusts/dp/B07RLQXMN5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=7KJOKT3M8CX4

If you're on a penny budget, and not afraid of a bit of DIY, I'd use a CT-based watt meter like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Current-Amperage-Voltmeter-Multimeter-Transformer/dp/B07JB9B2QL/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=ct+watt+meter

After looking further the ChargePoint on Amazon is just a 32A charger, so yeah, ZERO point not just using the Mobile charger that comes with the car. It does 32A (7.7 kW) as well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07228K6PX

I guess the only reason to go with that is 1. It's free and 2. It maybe increases the resale value of the house?

The Juicebox is a great value, and it is built like a tank.

The RMA unit is sealed in the box. They took a couple weeks to decide if the lightening/surge damage was going to be covered under warranty, and I drive the full range of my car every day without enough charge time for my L1 to completely charge me, so I ordered the Juicebox to get back up and running. They ultimately came through with the replacement, but I havent been that interested in tearing the Juicebox off of the wall since it gets the job done. My Chargepoint is the hardwire model, and you would have to add the 18 or 25ft cable, depending on what you need (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YJFHF8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_z6FyCb51HV3E5), so I would do like $250 for it. If you bought the 25ft cable on Amazon for $280 that would be $530 vs the $700 that combination retails for.

Thank you for your input. Winter in Iowa is pretty bad at times and going to work i tend to drive 65 half way and 80 the other half, so ill def have to slow down and prob leave sooner, but i can alter my driving habits.

Google suggested this, would you suggest it also? https://www.amazon.com/ClipperCreek-HCS-40-Charging-Station-CERTIFIED/dp/B00TJD0ZW2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1536344420&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=ClipperCreek+HCS-40&psc=1

I also emailed a local ele to get a quote to upgrade my wiring.

Traffic isnt bad most days since i work have to deal with rush hour, i think the biggest thing will be making sure i dont have a lead foot.

What happens if you run out of power on the way to or from work?

Like others have said, you need a 40 amp circuit, minimum.

I had the Active E, which was the precursor to the i3. BMW gave me an Aerovironment charger (the same one as the Leaf) and it worked fine.

I find Clipper Creek chargers to be very reliable. They can also be quasi-portable if you want to charge at an RV park or something.

I helped a friend that did not want his wall connector outside. We put a small doggie door in the wall next to his wall connector. His dryer is gas so we used the dryer electrical line to hook up the wall connector. He pushes the cable through the small doggie door when he wants to use it and stores the cable inside the rest of the time. He got lucky the laundry is not far from where he parks.

https://www.amazon.com/Depets-Interior-Exterior-Weatherproof-Circumference/dp/B01J2UH0S8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1MQ8PW14FEJJQ&keywords=small+doggie+door&qid=1570205636&sprefix=small+doggie+%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-4

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https://www.amazon.com/Tesla-Motors-Cable-Wall-Connector/dp/B01HYBZG0Q

Here are 4 options, and the electrical is pretty basic and can be very cheap if your power box is near your driveway. It is like putting in another stove plug or less. I'm building my own house and I've set up for when I buy an EV. My guess is if things are right you can get it in for $1,500 and then get the rebate back for 75%.

https://www.amazon.ca/EVoCharge-Certified-Connector-Hardwire-Warranty/dp/B00FVE9Z6U

https://www.amazon.ca/AeroVironment-Charger-240V-Amp-Cable/dp/B00AAKQWKM

https://www.amazon.ca/ChargePoint-Connected-Electric-Vehicle-Hardwired/dp/B071YDGJYZ/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_263_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=97V0HEZGHG41RQ4A7YW6 and a wifi one.

https://www.amazon.ca/Leviton-EVR30-B18-Evr-Green-208-240Vac-Hardwired/dp/B01MY70I8N/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_263_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NMF82DPMY2RXV7WPCJG1

Definitely don't buy from the dealer. You could buy it new online for less

Also, plenty of 3rd parties make them far cheaper.

I keep my gm charger at home. I got an aftermarket one that works great. I keep it in the car. It has adapters for Level 1 and Level 2 charging:

MAX GREEN Outdoor-Use EV Charger, Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Station Included Four Adapters Compatible Level 1, Portable EVSE to Chevy Volt, BMW, Nissan Leaf, Fiat, Ford Fusion(25Ft+3Ft)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J4VCYKL

I would highly recommend the Clipper Creek/AmazingE holster. Inserting the plug is so much easier in the dark than with the smaller and cheaper ones that I tried, and it protects the button from icing up:

https://store.clippercreek.com/accessories/sae-j1772-connector-holster

Or

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B072MP3N1Y/

I agree. Just put a new plug on. Ask a friend if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. If you do buy a new one here's a level 2 (220V) model for under $250

https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Electric-Vehicle-Charger-Charging/dp/B071ZT5JZY/

Oh for the couple hundred extra I meant the smart ones.

$550 for the Juicebox https://www.amazon.com/JuiceBox-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Station/dp/B00UB9R4KO

Chargepoint $520-$560 https://www.amazon.com/ChargePoint-Enabled-Electric-Vehicle-Charger/dp/B071YDJ1F6?th=1

OpenEVSE $550 https://www.openevse.com/stations.html

Those all get you web interfaces with reporting, ability to set charge times and rates, etc.

If a Tesla is all you're going to charge, then I think you are all set. Tesla sends a unit that plugs right into a NEMA 14-50.
Note: I believe the NEMA 14-50 outlet is only rated for 1000 connect/disconnect so if you're carrying your cord with your vehicle, you might want to pick up a spare to keep plugged in at home, or just be prepared to change it after a few years if the connection gets sloppy.

Note: If you need to charge cars from other manufacturers, then you'd likely need a station like (https://www.amazon.com/ClipperCreek-HCS-40P-Charging-Station-14-50/dp/B013VNIAEU) which has a J1772 cord on it.

Depends on how much you use your vehicle, if only commuting a short distance to work, then Lv1 will likely suffice.
However if like me your vehicle is used multiple times a day, Lv2 will have greater potential.

For what it's worth Gen2's have 3.6kw charger, my 2016 can pull almost 4kw at home on Lv2 even without 7.2 charger.


I work nights and drive kids to school during the day.
With 22k+ miles we've put on it since February, my average miles driven per day of ownership is 150mi/day
So for me the decision was definitely to install the Lv2. (Of course I own my house and live in the country, so I installed the station myself)

Also, if you're only concerned about increasing the charge time on the VOLT, a 20a 240v circuit/outlet is the minimum needed/sufficient for your VOLT'S needs, (although most reccomend putting a 40a-50a line)
And a portable charger that will support the max KW of the VOLT onboard charger can be had for less than $200
https://www.amazon.com/LECTRON-Level-Charger-Extension-J1772/dp/B079NTXNK7

P.S. (the EVSE the Gen2 came with when supplied with 240v "unofficially" supports Lv2 but as it's a smaller cable (intended for lower current) I only use it in a pinch)

I'd suggest something like this instead.
https://www.amazon.com/AmazingE-1001-0015-B-Charging-Wall-Mount-Connector/dp/B072MP3N1Y/

I bought this a year ago; it was the cheapest option outside of a used leaf charger (which I couldn't find). It's worked so far:

Electric Vehicle Charger Portable EVSE - USA Level 1 J1772 110V 24' Station for EV Charging https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ERTBKY4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V8VLzbF58J4XZ

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B072MP3N1Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They make J1772 extension cords, I believe you can plug one in between your EVSE and your car.

https://www.amazon.com/EV-Everything-Extension-Electric-Charging/dp/B079LPHKCQ/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1520273056&sr=1-5&keywords=J1772+extension

I have this 25' cable.

ChargePoint 25' Charging Cord for 32 Amp Station https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YJFHF8M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fpDLAb1K0AXSB

I got one of these off amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAKQWKM

Needs a 40amp/240v breaker, but all that is in the manual. Mine's hard wired so no outlet needed

This is the one we use. It's installed outdoors and there are no issues.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazingE-1001-0015-B-Charging-Wall-Mount-Connector/dp/B072MP3N1Y