Speaking of
non UL EVSEs :mrgreen: Just wanted to give a 2 month update on my 30a portable EVSE, ordered by me directly from China. I'm really liking it, use it every day with my '13S w/6.6kw charger and no issues. I mainly use it set to 30a which gives me 27.5a or about 30% gain per hour on my 24kwh battery. I also use it set to 20a which outputs ~18a and gives me about 20%/hr gain, I've also used the 13a setting which gains me about 15%/hr and is good for unknown or 15a outlets. Changing the current a bit odd(shake EVSE within 30? seconds of plugging in wall but not plugged into car and it will increment to the next setting) but isn't too hard and I've never had it change inadvertently.
Ordering directly from China probably isn't for everyone and I'd just have not done it but doing it that way got me the exact EVSE I wanted and saved me ~$100 or more from US resellers.
The j1772 cable being rated for >30a is kind of thick but I'm happy to report remained quite flexible even in sub zero MN temps, something I can't say about all EVSEs. Unfortunately like
most EVSEs the short input cable did get quite stiff, still OK though because it's short. The EVSE's display is kind of cool, displaying not only set amps but actual output amps, actual input voltage, outside temp, current Kwh output and accumulated KWhs which unfortunately resets when you unplug it.
I really like the longer than normal 25' cable, along with the slightly longer input cable(I wanted and got a 2'+ input cable) I'm able to reach outlets ~28' away and has come in handy a couple of times.
I don't believe I posted my original post in this EVSE thread so I'll do it now:
Well I took the plunge, ordered one of those adjustable 30a EVSEs direct from the Chinese seller, Zencar. My salesperson was "Dream" who was pretty decent to work with and here are the specs I specifically wanted and got, in quotes are from seller:
"The EVSE box has display ,it measures voltage, current and accumulated charging power kWh.
J1772 ev plug + 13A/20A/32A EVSE + 8m cables + 6 - 30 plug FOB price is 300usd/pc. It has CE, TUV certification, 12 months warranty."
Express shipping from China was $64 and they said I should have it no later than 8 days. I was nicked a $16.40 "PayPal fee" but I just wasn't sure if giving my CC # directly to a Chinese merchant(even though they seemed legitimate in every respect) was a good idea....
So a total of $380.40 shipped to my door for a 30a EVSE with a 8m(~25') cable and ability to limit current to 13a(for a 15 circuit) 20a(slightly overloading a 20a circuit but OK for shorter duration(an hour or so) 20a use) and finally 30a(they said max output with the L6-30 that I wanted could only be 30a) which should give me 27.5a on my '13 Leaf, plugged into a proper circuit.
I'll fill you in on how it works once I've gotten it and played with it for a while, no other portable 30a EVSE in this price range, the closest would probably be the $399 wall mount GE(only 18' cord) which IMO is way too bulky to carry around or maybe the $500 JuiceBox basic that you cannot limit the charging current or $600 JuiceBox you can limit charging current but your need to use your cell phone or lastly for ~$600 you could get a ClipperCreek that you couldn't limit charge current and only works on L2(240v). No for <$400 this seems a real versatile nicely priced EVSE, hope it works well
Base unit I ordered, note you don't get all the charging currents listed, I picked the (3) I most wanted and I believe I got a longer cord than is normal, I think 5m(~15') is standard unless you specify.
http://www.e-zencar.net/product/evse-32a/