NEMA 14-50 ( 32 Amp Vs. 40 Amp) Charger Q

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jflowers

Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2017
Messages
5
Hi there. Had an electrician install a NEMA 14-50 receptacle (50 Amp) and looking at portable chargers.

If I get a 32 Amp Charger (Vs. a 40 Amp one), is the only downside waiting a bit longer? I don't have to worry about the portable charging unit getting mucked up? Also, what about the Leaf, would this mess up it's expectations?

Thanks so much in advance.
 
jflowers said:
Hi there. Had an electrician install a NEMA 14-50 receptacle (50 Amp) and looking at portable chargers.

If I get a 32 Amp Charger (Vs. a 40 Amp one), is the only downside waiting a bit longer? I don't have to worry about the portable charging unit getting mucked up? Also, what about the Leaf, would this mess up it's expectations?

Thanks so much in advance.

To a Leaf, no difference.
 
jflowers said:
Hi there. Had an electrician install a NEMA 14-50 receptacle (50 Amp)
The receptacle is 50 amps, but is it on a 50 amp circuit? Maybe that's what your parenthetical comment means, but it is good to be certain.

Cheers, Wayne
 
wwhitney said:
jflowers said:
Hi there. Had an electrician install a NEMA 14-50 receptacle (50 Amp)
The receptacle is 50 amps, but is it on a 50 amp circuit? Maybe that's what your parenthetical comment means, but it is good to be certain.

Cheers, Wayne


Hey there - you are correct, the receptacle is on a 50 Amp breaker.
 
jflowers said:
Hey there - you are correct, the receptacle is on a 50 Amp breaker.
In that case, you can get a 32 amp EVSE or a 40 amp EVSE, whichever you like. As others have commented, the Leaf will charge at the same rate either way, as it is limited by its internal charger to I think 27 amps. But if someone visits you with a car with a more powerful internal charger (say a Tesla Model S), that car could charge faster if you choose a 40 amp EVSE.

Cheers, Wayne
 
I would shy away from buying a portable EVSE marketed as 40 Amp unless it was a local company with a very good reputation and warranty. Actually, I would shy away from a 32 Amp portable EVSE also.

EVSEs meant to be installed on the wall and from reputable companies like Clipper Creek can run at 40 Amp safely and for a long time.

Don't be penny wise and fire foolish.
 
SageBrush said:
I would shy away from buying a portable EVSE marketed as 40 Amp unless it was a local company with a very good reputation and warranty. Actually, I would shy away from a 32 Amp portable EVSE also.

EVSEs meant to be installed on the wall and from reputable companies like Clipper Creek can run at 40 Amp safely and for a long time.

Don't be penny wise and fire foolish.

But if the car only draws X Amps, wouldn't a portable charger that is rated for a higher Amperage actually be a safer option?

I have a power supple unit in my computer that's good to a kilowatt, but my computer doesn't take that much current so I never hit full load. The PSU is never being stressed.
 
OP, you're looking for an EVSE, not a charger. Please see http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=262630#p262630.

These may also help:
https://www.clippercreek.com/ev-charging-station-will-provide-fastest-charge-electric-vehicle/
https://www.clippercreek.com/three-things-determine-ev-charge-time/

Max Leaf vehicle acceptance rate on AC charging is 6.6 kW for a Leaf w/6.6 kW on-board charger. 6600 watts / 240 volts = 27.5 amps
 
jflowers said:
But if the car only draws X Amps, wouldn't a portable charger that is rated for a higher Amperage actually be a safer option?
If all else was equal, I think so.

But you do not know that, thus my recommendation to buy from a reputable company.
Let me put it this way: I would buy a lesser rated product from a reputable company over a higher rated product from a reseller of unknown manufacturing quality.
 
cwerdna said:
OP, you're looking for an EVSE, not a charger. Please see http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=262630#p262630.

These may also help:
https://www.clippercreek.com/ev-charging-station-will-provide-fastest-charge-electric-vehicle/
https://www.clippercreek.com/three-things-determine-ev-charge-time/

Max Leaf vehicle acceptance rate on AC charging is 6.6 kW for a Leaf w/6.6 kW on-board charger. 6600 watts / 240 volts = 27.5 amps


I'm looking at:

https://store.clippercreek.com/level2/level2-12-to-15?product_id=72&gclid=CjwKCAiAk4XUBRB5EiwAHBLUMTSkMjMY3RUHcHHJgJEMTVRTrVNXSUQeaKA4_zOVAuLtQ_3OgX3cKhoC0w0QAvD_BwE

and there was one that was 32 AMP

As for an actual station, I would if I could - but cannot for other reasons.
 
Clipper Creek makes several units with 14-50 plugs (ranging from 16 amperes to 40 amperes). The HCS-50P is rated at 40 amperes output (maximum allowable on 50-ampere circuit) so it will allow cars that can draw more current to charge as fast as possible on the circuit.
 
jflowers said:
I'm looking at:

https://store.clippercreek.com/level2/level2-12-to-15?product_id=72&gclid=CjwKCAiAk4XUBRB5EiwAHBLUMTSkMjMY3RUHcHHJgJEMTVRTrVNXSUQeaKA4_zOVAuLtQ_3OgX3cKhoC0w0QAvD_BwE

and there was one that was 32 AMP
The LCS-20P would be a bottleneck if you had the "6,6 kW" OBC. That EVSE maxes out at 16 amps or 3.8 kW.
jflowers said:
As for an actual station, I would if I could - but cannot for other reasons.
Not sure what that's supposed to mean.
 
Consider looking at one of the WIFI controlable units. You may think it won’t be handy but there are times it is. Current limiting in certain circuits, diagnosing or monitoring current. . I don’t know if Clipper Creek makes one but Juicebox does. Also by going to a 40 amp unit you are future proofing a bit. I have heard rumours that future leafs and others may have higher capacity chargers. The BMW already does.
 
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