DaveinOlyWA
Well-known member
ermackey said:I have looked everywhere (including this site) and do not see an answer to this problem.
I live in Juneau, AK. I am on a Peak rate. However, the peak rate is not a time-of-day rate. The peak rate is a useage peak rate where I am charges $10 per KW used in my highest 15 minute "peak" in a single billing cycle. In addition, I still have to pay for total KW in a billing cycle. Therefore, If I am charged $120 for my total KW in a single billing cycle, but my highest 15-minute peak is 15KW, my total bill would be (15KW x $10) = $150; plus the $120 total KW charge for a total bill of $270. Reduce the peak useage and I can greatly reduce my bill.
Clear as mud?
Anyway...
If I can cut my useage in half at night when charging my Nissan Leaf, I can cut my bill by about $80/month by reducing my peak useage during charging. My question is is it safe for a battery to have a frequent on/off cycle of 5-7 minute intervals? If so, I can charge a cycle timer. If not, I need to search for a lower amp L2 Charger.
I would prefer the cycle timer so I could override the charge in an emergency and during winter when peak use is not as much of an issue. Nov - Feb will always be high useage for me.
I drive a 2014 Leaf SV
it is perfectly safe to use a cycle timer or rather let me clarify.
Its "just as safe" as driving the car. If you have noticed, you constantly go from discharging to charging depending on driving conditions and at MUCH greater power than any home L2 will do so cycling every 5 mins or whatever is fine. You can also get a modified EVSE (or get your modified) that will allow an adjustable rate of charge. It is rare that one needs the full 6.6 KW rate for an overnight charge any way but the money spent (even $300 to modify) would be tough to justify.
I personally think you could easily charge at night without any increase to your bill at all. What is your current peak charge average per month now? you mention 15 KW which is a "bit" high. I would venture to think that you have something huge going on or that your usage overnight would normally drop significantly enough that your car could charge under your daytime peak.