new LEAF for OLD

[themotorman]

Here's the "conversation " with Nissan's rep. I do not see why the 2011 Leaf cannot be upgraded to the 2013 level 2 6.6 kW charger so i asked :
Renee: In answer to your questions, yes you can use the same cord and you would get the quicker charging on the 2013 leaf if it has the 6.6 charger.
ronald doctors: Thanks, can I get my 2011 updated and how much does it cost to do this ?
Renee: Unfortunate you can not update your 2011 Leaf, you would have to purchase the 2013 leaf in order to have the 6.6 charger. They are offering a incentive of $1000. if you turn in your 2011 leaf and purchase a 2013 leaf.
ronald doctors: Can you tell my why this update is not available ? If you cannot please find out the technical reasons and email me the answer. The incentive to buy a new model is not high enough to warrant the large $$$ loss that i would incurr. Thank you
Renee: Sorry but they are factory installed when built.
ronald doctors: This is not a reasonable answer. I need a technical answer to my question. Can you direct me to a technical department where I can get a real answer?
Renee: I am sorry but that is the only answer I have, you should try contacting the dealer.
Renee: Do you have any other questions I can help you with today Ronald?
ronald doctors: The dealer sells cars and I am asking the manufacturer for the answer. It is exaclty this attitude that makes it difficult for me to recommend or buuy and anothe Leaf. Perhaps yo should send this conversation to your supervisor.
Renee: I am very sorry but the 6.6 is only available on the 2013 models.
Renee: Like any other vehicle, new model years come with upgraded equipment that is not retro fit to previous models. The only way to get the new upgrades is to purchase the new model year.
Renee: This applies to all vehicle manufactures and is not special to the Leaf.

What do you think about this? My guess is that it might be an easy upgrade and if Nissan won't do it then we need an aftermarket source... I can help with this if we decided to go this route. I am an EE with much experience.

 

[adric22]

What do you think about this? My guess is that it might be an easy upgrade and if Nissan won't do it then we need an aftermarket source... I can help with this if we decided to go this route. I am an EE with much experience.

From what I've seen of the differences under the hood of the 2011/2012 vs the 2013 model, it would NOT be an easy upgrade. The charger on the old Leaf is located in the rear of the car. The new one is up front. So it isn't' just a bolt on replacement.

 

[richard]

Here's the "conversation " with Nissan's rep. I do not see why the 2011 Leaf cannot be upgraded to the 2013 level 2 6.6 kW charger so i asked :
Renee: In answer to your questions, yes you can use the same cord and you would get the quicker charging on the 2013 leaf if it has the 6.6 charger.
ronald doctors: Thanks, can I get my 2011 updated and how much does it cost to do this ?
Renee: Unfortunate you can not update your 2011 Leaf, you would have to purchase the 2013 leaf in order to have the 6.6 charger. They are offering a incentive of $1000. if you turn in your 2011 leaf and purchase a 2013 leaf.
ronald doctors: Can you tell my why this update is not available ? If you cannot please find out the technical reasons and email me the answer. The incentive to buy a new model is not high enough to warrant the large $$$ loss that i would incurr. Thank you
Renee: Sorry but they are factory installed when built.
ronald doctors: This is not a reasonable answer. I need a technical answer to my question. Can you direct me to a technical department where I can get a real answer?
Renee: I am sorry but that is the only answer I have, you should try contacting the dealer.
Renee: Do you have any other questions I can help you with today Ronald?
ronald doctors: The dealer sells cars and I am asking the manufacturer for the answer. It is exaclty this attitude that makes it difficult for me to recommend or buuy and anothe Leaf. Perhaps yo should send this conversation to your supervisor.
Renee: I am very sorry but the 6.6 is only available on the 2013 models.
Renee: Like any other vehicle, new model years come with upgraded equipment that is not retro fit to previous models. The only way to get the new upgrades is to purchase the new model year.
Renee: This applies to all vehicle manufactures and is not special to the Leaf.

What do you think about this? My guess is that it might be an easy upgrade and if Nissan won't do it then we need an aftermarket source... I can help with this if we decided to go this route. I am an EE with much experience.

There's an old thread on this topic: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11235" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[GeekEV]

Short answer, themotorman, is you're wrong in thinking it would be easy. There were substantial design changes to the motor/inverter assemblies. It's not a simple drop-in.

 

[themotorman]

I thought that the Level 3 would be available so i bought my Leaf with this installed. Now i realise that this was a mistake. BUT I could make a 240 volt charger that converted to a 400 volt DC system and then use the expensive connector on the 2011 LEAF. Does anyone have the tech specs for the Level 3 interconnect system? I'm sure Nissan do but how do i access this info?
I have 240 volt available at 50 Amps in my workshop so that would give me a 12 kW charger or charging in about 2 hours.
If anyone else is interested please let me know as I'd like to share the cost of doing this in a professional manner.

 

[LakeLeaf]

Nissan has decide, for reasons they are not obligated to discuss - technical, marketing, or otherwise, not to offer upgrades of '11 and '12 charging to the 6.6 kW option on the '13. They don't own you any explanation.

 

[cwerdna]

^^^
Yep.

OP should look at http://sfbayleafs.org/news/2013/01/2013-nissan-leaf-product-highlights/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10934" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

From what I've seen of the differences under the hood of the 2011/2012 vs the 2013 model, it would NOT be an easy upgrade. The charger on the old Leaf is located in the rear of the car. The new one is up front. So it isn't' just a bolt on replacement.

Yep. The OBC on the '11-'12 Leaf is under the hump in the back. It's not there anymore on the '13.

 

[GeekEV]

I thought that the Level 3 would be available so i bought my Leaf with this installed. Now i realise that this was a mistake. BUT I could make a 240 volt charger that converted to a 400 volt DC system and then use the expensive connector on the 2011 LEAF. Does anyone have the tech specs for the Level 3 interconnect system? I'm sure Nissan do but how do i access this info?
I have 240 volt available at 50 Amps in my workshop so that would give me a 12 kW charger or charging in about 2 hours.
If anyone else is interested please let me know as I'd like to share the cost of doing this in a professional manner.

This has been discussed here may times. It's not practical from a cost standpoint. The proper name is CHAdeMO, try searching for that.

 

[ocLeaf]

I believe that it can be done, the question is "at what cost". It would surly need to be a custom build. The processor has been relocated from the hump behind the rear seat, which is now gone, to the back of the engine. The engine is also redesigned using 40% less of the rare earth metal, dysprosium. It no longer has the dummy valve cover, and is re-positioned to make room for the Heat Pump apparatus. The car is 276 pounds lighter than the 2012, and has over 3 additional cubic feet of interior room. There are many other improvements as well. I would look at the numbers on the 2013. The base price has dropped, and your 2011 is worth good money.

Frank C
Certified Leaf Specialist
Tustin Nissan
Tustin, Ca.

 

[ocLeaf]

Sometimes it is cheaper to move than to remodel.

Frank C
Tustin Nissan

 

[adric22]

I believe that it can be done, the question is "at what cost". It would surly need to be a custom build.

I've been known to say the same things. For example, somebody will ask me if it is possible to upgrade the CPU on a laptop that is 10 years old. Well, of course it is possible. It would probably take an engineering team and few hundred thousand dollars of equipment, and a few months work. But it could be done. Is it in any way practical or economical? Heck no. Much better off just getting a new laptop. Same issue exists with the Leaf. Of course it would be possible to upgrade the charger, but definitely not worth the time and cost to make it happen, as compared to just trading the old Leaf in on a new one.

 

[LEAFfan]

Frank, the LEAF has an electric motor, not an engine.

 

[garygid]

If you replace everything under the hood of the 2011 with the
integrated motor, inverter, heater, and charger from the 2013,
then, yes, it can probably be done.

However, it is not clear (to me) whether
the 2013 charger is separable from the 2013 inverter.

The Chademo charger is being looked at by several people,
but a working 240v 10 to 20 kW unit is still not available.

What would you like to contribute to help the effort, money?

 

[planet4ever]

If you replace everything under the hood of the 2011 with the integrated motor, inverter, heater, and charger from the 2013, then, yes, it can probably be done.

You forgot the DC/DC converter which is also part of that integrated stack. I think the cheaper solution would be:

1. Buy a 2013
2. Take the side marker lights off your 2011 or 2012
3. Punch holes in the 2013 and install the marker lights there.

Ray