Hi there
New to the forum. I am getting my 2018 leaf at the end of august, just in time (hopefully) to sneak in the Ontario EV rebate. I have some questions about level 2 charging that I have not been able to find answers to. I am currently in a rented house, so I am reluctant to fork out for any funds to install any dedicated level 2 charging equipment. My plan is to use level 1 charging almost exclusively, and on the odd time when I would not be able to charge to 100% the night before some serious driving, simply use a level 2 with a beefy RV extension cord from either the stove or dryer plug. I’m confident that with a reasonable amount of planning this will fully meet my family’s driving needs.
Because the on-board charger is limited to 6.6 KW (27.5 Amps at 240 Volts), I had decided that a 24 Amp Nema 14-50 EVSE would be best. Coupled with a 14-50 to 14-30 adapter, I would be able to safely plug into any dryer or stove outlet (for example if staying at a friend’s place out of town) without drawing too much power. Yes, I would not be getting the most I could from a 50 or 40 amp circuit (by 3.5 amps), but I would also have the flexibility to safely use 30 amp circuits as well. Makes sense to me.
I was surprised to learn then, that the Leaf comes with a 30 amp 14-50 EVSE. Completely goes against what I thought was a completely logical compromise, given the limits of the on-board charger.
So now my questions:
When almost all 240 volt plugs in north America are either 30, 40, or 50 amps (for a draw of 24, 32, or 40 amps), why would they put in a charger that tops out at 27.5 amps? Why not match one of those standards? Is there a non-north American context I don’t know about?
Why supply an EVSE that does not match the on-board charger? And, does this thing try to draw 30 amps, but tops out at 27.5 amps, or is it rated at 30 amps and will only safely draw 24 amps (80%)?
Following up on the last question – With a 14-50 to 14-30 adapter, would I be able to use the included EVSE with a 30 amp dryer outlet? If it draws 24 amps (80% of 30), then yes, but if it draws 27.5 amps then maybe, but probably not safely, and definitely not within the specifications of a nema 14-30 circiut.
Anyway, that’s it. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
New to the forum. I am getting my 2018 leaf at the end of august, just in time (hopefully) to sneak in the Ontario EV rebate. I have some questions about level 2 charging that I have not been able to find answers to. I am currently in a rented house, so I am reluctant to fork out for any funds to install any dedicated level 2 charging equipment. My plan is to use level 1 charging almost exclusively, and on the odd time when I would not be able to charge to 100% the night before some serious driving, simply use a level 2 with a beefy RV extension cord from either the stove or dryer plug. I’m confident that with a reasonable amount of planning this will fully meet my family’s driving needs.
Because the on-board charger is limited to 6.6 KW (27.5 Amps at 240 Volts), I had decided that a 24 Amp Nema 14-50 EVSE would be best. Coupled with a 14-50 to 14-30 adapter, I would be able to safely plug into any dryer or stove outlet (for example if staying at a friend’s place out of town) without drawing too much power. Yes, I would not be getting the most I could from a 50 or 40 amp circuit (by 3.5 amps), but I would also have the flexibility to safely use 30 amp circuits as well. Makes sense to me.
I was surprised to learn then, that the Leaf comes with a 30 amp 14-50 EVSE. Completely goes against what I thought was a completely logical compromise, given the limits of the on-board charger.
So now my questions:
When almost all 240 volt plugs in north America are either 30, 40, or 50 amps (for a draw of 24, 32, or 40 amps), why would they put in a charger that tops out at 27.5 amps? Why not match one of those standards? Is there a non-north American context I don’t know about?
Why supply an EVSE that does not match the on-board charger? And, does this thing try to draw 30 amps, but tops out at 27.5 amps, or is it rated at 30 amps and will only safely draw 24 amps (80%)?
Following up on the last question – With a 14-50 to 14-30 adapter, would I be able to use the included EVSE with a 30 amp dryer outlet? If it draws 24 amps (80% of 30), then yes, but if it draws 27.5 amps then maybe, but probably not safely, and definitely not within the specifications of a nema 14-30 circiut.
Anyway, that’s it. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.