DarkStar
Well-known member
Actually you just need to have a Volt VIN. Hmm... You know that eBay auctions list VIN numbers... I wonder where you could get one from!amtoro said:
Voltec 240V EVSE for GM Volt
- Thread starter GregH
- Start date
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garygid
Well-known member
Volt VIN, like 1G1RD6E44BU100990 (Dealer Demo for sale)?
amtoro
Well-known member
I called again and they confirmed that they will verify name, address, etc with the buyers database from GM. I thought about the VIN from a dealer demo, but if they verify the personal information I'd feel highly embarrassed.
I just ordered the Power Xpress (240V 30A NEMA 6-30 plug-in). As it qualifies for 30% tax credit for 2011, that is $250 back and the ability to keep it should Nissan offer on-board charger upgrades later in time. :mrgreen:
I just ordered the Power Xpress (240V 30A NEMA 6-30 plug-in). As it qualifies for 30% tax credit for 2011, that is $250 back and the ability to keep it should Nissan offer on-board charger upgrades later in time. :mrgreen:
planet4ever
Well-known member
Are you sure it qualifies? I thought that credit was only for "refueling property" where property is defined as land and anything permanently attached to the land. i.e. that the credit would apply to hard-wired EVSEs but not to pluggable ones.amtoro said:
Ray
davewill
Well-known member
Just because it has a plug doesn't mean it isn't "installed". Besides, the unit is designed to be hard wired if you desire. Many a Blink (like mine) is installed with a plug, but I wouldn't call it anything but "permanent". I wouldn't hesitate to claim the SPX and any electrical/mounting hardware or work I had to do to accommodate it.planet4ever said:
amtoro
Well-known member
I bought the plug-in version because it comes with the pigtail and I can keep it for future portability; I will likely hard-wire it for now.
However, if we read the qualification carefully, it does not exclude plug-ins, it only specifies it has to be installed in your home.
1. It is not a building or its structural components
2. It is used to store or dispense the alternative fuel (electricity)
3. You placed it in service during the tax year
4. The original use of the property started with you (YOU bought it from a manufacturer, store or distributor, not an individual)
5. The property is not used predominantly outside of the US
6. Must be installed in your home
"Installed" can mean many things, that is why I'm thinking about hard-wiring it.
However, if we read the qualification carefully, it does not exclude plug-ins, it only specifies it has to be installed in your home.
1. It is not a building or its structural components
2. It is used to store or dispense the alternative fuel (electricity)
3. You placed it in service during the tax year
4. The original use of the property started with you (YOU bought it from a manufacturer, store or distributor, not an individual)
5. The property is not used predominantly outside of the US
6. Must be installed in your home
"Installed" can mean many things, that is why I'm thinking about hard-wiring it.
amtoro
Well-known member
If the IRS wants a picture, I will send them one where it looks like this:
tps
Well-known member
I would think an electric range is "installed" in a home, even though it's connected to power by a 14-50 plug and is just sitting on the floor in the kitchen.amtoro said:
amtoro
Well-known member
tps said:
That is a good point... When you buy an appliance from a big-box store, they deliver it and "install" it...
GregH
Well-known member
This must have been addressed elsewhere but after wading through the EVSE subgroup for a while I gave up.. so just posting here.
I've been using the GM Voltec 240V EVSE on my Leafs for 2 years without much trouble. With Joulee3 the Voltec was powered up 24/7 and I used the Leaf charge timers. On the new car I've decided I don't like the timers and just want to use the old school mechanical hot water heater timer installed in my garage originally for the GM EV1's magnecharger. Setting the mechanical timer to power up the Voltec unit at 4 or 5am works fine 99.9% of the time. This morning I had my 2nd failure in 6 months. Voltec unit had one green LED and one flashing red LED (can't find the manual at home or online) I unplug and replug the J1772 and it starts up fine with two green LEDs as normal. wtf? I'm not sure if I should blame the EVSE or the Leaf. I haven't had the software upgrade yet so maybe this is one of the problems addressed with the update to the OBC?
I've been using the GM Voltec 240V EVSE on my Leafs for 2 years without much trouble. With Joulee3 the Voltec was powered up 24/7 and I used the Leaf charge timers. On the new car I've decided I don't like the timers and just want to use the old school mechanical hot water heater timer installed in my garage originally for the GM EV1's magnecharger. Setting the mechanical timer to power up the Voltec unit at 4 or 5am works fine 99.9% of the time. This morning I had my 2nd failure in 6 months. Voltec unit had one green LED and one flashing red LED (can't find the manual at home or online) I unplug and replug the J1772 and it starts up fine with two green LEDs as normal. wtf? I'm not sure if I should blame the EVSE or the Leaf. I haven't had the software upgrade yet so maybe this is one of the problems addressed with the update to the OBC?
GregH
Well-known member
Hmmm.. the timer is just a mechanical switch for a hot water heater.. but I guess it could be the Voltec doesn't power up correctly 0.1% of the time.. ? It was the right led flashing red.. the left was solid green. I can't recall if it was a single or double flash.SanDust said:
GregH
Well-known member
Woke up in the middle of the night and decided to switch on the mechanical timer about an hour earlier than it had been set. This is a 2013 rental, not my 2012 (so it has the newest OBC software.. which is a different OBC anyway..?!?!) From the switch I could see the LeafDD light up in the car but none of the 3 blue lights on the dash turned on. Hmm.. Walked over to the Voltec EVSE and the left LED was green, right LED was blinking RED. A good minute later the car's charging system was still on (as evidence by the CAN messages waking up LeafDD) yet no charging, no blue lights. I went back to the timer and switched it off.. waited for everything the settle.. then switched it back on again (J1772 connected throughout). This time everything came on ok and it started charging. sigh. I really don't want to use the Leaf's timers.. I want it to start charging immediately everywhere I plug in whenever I plug in EXCEPT at home... where I want it to come on around 3 to 5am. grr.
I am considering buying one of these for my non charger upgraded 2013 S. Bosch said he had them in stock and the 16A power max is backordered till mid August. Anyone have a reason I shouldn't get the voltec? Other than it is $40 more. I am kind of mixed on the coiled cord.
LEAFer
Well-known member
@GregH: I am guessing ... but I think the Voltec burps during power up sequence with the car being connected (requesting a charge); this EVSE simply can't deal with your "simulated power outage". A Clipper Creek unit would handle it more gracefully.
GregH
Well-known member
Yeah, it's pretty clearly the Voltec's fault.. bummer. What's strange is I've been using the mechanical timer since February but only the last month or two has it been acting up (and even then, about 5% of the time)LEAFer said:
Yes, all Leafs (I believe) have the override.. it's just sometimes I forget. And since I haven't used the onboard timer (or timer override) in the last 6 months if I switch now there will surely be times I forget..
Have you checked the contacts on your old timer? I'd be inclined to think that one of the two lines is not coming on completely. Those times are pretty cheap, why not try a new one. I don't know for sure, but I seem to remember that Magnechargers had quite a surge on power up...
