jclemens
Well-known member
Happy New Year!
The Leaf self-limits the current to 13amps when running at 120V, even if the EVSE is allowing a higher current, so you don't need to worry about that.
Initially I simply purchased a SPX power express which is the most flexible unit, you can adjust the current it uses and despite what the instructions say, it DOES work on 120V or 240V. The unit is also semi-portable as it comes with a Nema 6-30 connector. I was the first Canadian to order one of these, they charge USD, but they also include HST so you don't need to worry about duties/brokerage. I tried setting the unit to a higher current to see if I could charge at 16 or 20 amps at 120V, but it didn't work. (further research pointed out that it is the Leaf limiting the current, not the EVSE)
A while ago I had politely asked whoever at evseupgrade.com how exactly they perform the upgrade as I am capable of doing it myself, plus I'm in Canada and I didn't think it is fair to pay extra for shipping, tax and now apparently wire upgrades. They refused to tell me any information, so I had to go through it the hard way and reverse engineer my own unit.
I successfully upgraded my own unit to run on either 120V or 240 (all safety features are intact), but I am not going to attempt to try and change the current limiting, 12 amps at either 120 or 240 is fine. The main reason is the wire thicknesses. The nema side AND the J1772 side both have VERY thin wires and can barely do 12amps as it is, that said, my unmodified L1 EVSE has been my primary since getting my Leaf at the beginning of November 2011, and I haven't noticed any issues with wires getting hot.
For the upgrade, I also didn't need to remove any of the protective rubber coating inside the EVSE to do the upgrade. In order to upgrade it to 16amps, I'd need to remove all of the coating to figure out how to do that. (a lot of work)
I posted what I did here: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5784&start=120" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I recently completed this (with time off work for xmas vacation) about 3 days ago, I charged once over night with 120V and once overnight with 240V, no problems. I want to test some more before offering to do this for someone else, but if there is anyone interested in either me doing this for you, or helping out with the hack, let me know. (if you know how to get 16 amps easily, please post here).
brent said:One downside to this 16 amp unit is that there is no possibility to have anything else running off the breaker or it will overload. The actual amp reading is about 15.6 So if you travel and plug in anywhere that there is a marginal circuit breaker 120 or 240, ( or in hot weather ) you my trip it. I am now thinking seriously of sending the Cdn unit to them for 12 amp 220 V upgrade. This will still plug in to 120 V so it gives lots of flexibility.
The Leaf self-limits the current to 13amps when running at 120V, even if the EVSE is allowing a higher current, so you don't need to worry about that.
Initially I simply purchased a SPX power express which is the most flexible unit, you can adjust the current it uses and despite what the instructions say, it DOES work on 120V or 240V. The unit is also semi-portable as it comes with a Nema 6-30 connector. I was the first Canadian to order one of these, they charge USD, but they also include HST so you don't need to worry about duties/brokerage. I tried setting the unit to a higher current to see if I could charge at 16 or 20 amps at 120V, but it didn't work. (further research pointed out that it is the Leaf limiting the current, not the EVSE)
A while ago I had politely asked whoever at evseupgrade.com how exactly they perform the upgrade as I am capable of doing it myself, plus I'm in Canada and I didn't think it is fair to pay extra for shipping, tax and now apparently wire upgrades. They refused to tell me any information, so I had to go through it the hard way and reverse engineer my own unit.
I successfully upgraded my own unit to run on either 120V or 240 (all safety features are intact), but I am not going to attempt to try and change the current limiting, 12 amps at either 120 or 240 is fine. The main reason is the wire thicknesses. The nema side AND the J1772 side both have VERY thin wires and can barely do 12amps as it is, that said, my unmodified L1 EVSE has been my primary since getting my Leaf at the beginning of November 2011, and I haven't noticed any issues with wires getting hot.
For the upgrade, I also didn't need to remove any of the protective rubber coating inside the EVSE to do the upgrade. In order to upgrade it to 16amps, I'd need to remove all of the coating to figure out how to do that. (a lot of work)
I posted what I did here: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5784&start=120" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I recently completed this (with time off work for xmas vacation) about 3 days ago, I charged once over night with 120V and once overnight with 240V, no problems. I want to test some more before offering to do this for someone else, but if there is anyone interested in either me doing this for you, or helping out with the hack, let me know. (if you know how to get 16 amps easily, please post here).