Any alternative to MUSTART Level 1& 2 12/16A NEMA 6-20 & NEMA 5-15?

[jc2024Leaf]

To date, I've been Level 2 charging my new SV Plus on my Nissan provided EVSE. After much research, for battery health I want the option to charge my 50 mile daily usage at either 120V/16A or 240V/12A and would also like to have a lighter weight unit I can take to one of a number of cabins our hiking club owns (that has power.) As a result of someone posting in this forum that Mustart "chargers" are ETL approved, I'm looking at this model. It is limited to 16A so the cable doesn't have to be as thick so it takes up less space and could be used with a heavy gauge extension cord for cabin trips. While this is an expensive (AKA cheap) unit which I would normally avoid, being ETL approved has me considering it. There is no information about the water/weather resistance of this unit so I suspect it is only spit proof, I haven't discovered an alternative that is UL or ETL approved, variable rate, & limited to 16A.

 

[cwerdna]

I wouldn't buy Mustart. See https://mynissanleaf.com/threads/2013-nissan-leaf-9-miles-left.36958/#post-654618.

Unfortunately, I'm out of the country on vacation and sightseeing takes priority over posting on MNL.

 

[Chad E. Mo]

I've been using one of these for a year or so with no issues:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BWRXBDY3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[jc2024Leaf]

I've been using one of these for a year or so with no issues:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BWRXBDY3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I was hoping for something limited to 16A to keep the weight, bulk and cost of the cable down. It seems I can find portable 32A EVSEs that are UL or otherwise certified, but not 16A'ers. I'm starting to think I should just get a real wall EVSE and use my Nissan EVSE when I truly need a portable.

 

[henrydehoja]

I was hoping for something limited to 16A to keep the weight, bulk and cost of the cable down. It seems I can find portable 32A EVSEs that are UL or otherwise certified, but not 16A'ers.

The closest EVSEs I can think of that may fit your needs are the following:

Lectron Portable 110V, 15A, ETL certified, IP65 weather-resistant
https://ev-lectron.com/products/lec...a-5-15-plug-15-amp-j1772-electric-car-charger

ShockFlo G Mini, 120/240V, 16A, UL certified, IP65 weather-resistant
https://shockflo.com/shop/shockflo-g-mini-level-1-level-2-portable-ev-charger-16a/

 

[compuguy]

I was hoping for something limited to 16A to keep the weight, bulk and cost of the cable down. It seems I can find portable 32A EVSEs that are UL or otherwise certified, but not 16A'ers. I'm starting to think I should just get a real wall EVSE and use my Nissan EVSE when I truly need a portable.

Zencar makes a charger that can be limited to 16A. It used to be sold on Amazon. I've had no issues with it (knock on wood). Though it's not UL certified.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091YQNMP9

Though I've also heard good things about this WEBASTO TurboCord charger:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/276654160367

 

[cornbinder89]

Zencar makes a charger that can be limited to 16A. It used to be sold on Amazon. I've had no issues with it (knock on wood). Though it's not UL certified.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091YQNMP9

Though I've also heard good things about this WEBASTO TurboCord charger:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/276654160367

Webasto unit show UL in their spec's so it looks like it would fit all your requirements.

 

[compuguy]

Webasto unit show UL in their spec's so it looks like it would fit all your requirements.

I know. They've also been used as OEM chargers by BMW. Hence why I'm thinking of getting one in case the Zencar fails...

 

[cwerdna]

Webasto unit show UL in their spec's so it looks like it would fit all your requirements.

Webasto bought Aerovironment's EV charging group (https://investor.avinc.com/news-rel...ovironment-electric-vehicle-charging-and-test) ages ago. AV made the round L2 units that are now ancient and were official Nissan + for many other automakers: https://mynissanleaf.com/threads/we...round-aerovironment-30-32-amp-l2-evses.32092/. https://smartchargeamerica.com/electric-car-chargers/home/aerovironment-evse-rs-pi-25/ was the Nissan version.

Now a private equity company has taken over Webasto's charging biz: https://www.webasto.com/en-int/newsroom/press-releases/takeover-charging-solutions-transom.html.

 

[compuguy]

Webasto bought Aerovironment's EV charging group (https://investor.avinc.com/news-rel...ovironment-electric-vehicle-charging-and-test) ages ago. AV made the round L2 units that are now ancient and were official Nissan + for many other automakers: https://mynissanleaf.com/threads/we...round-aerovironment-30-32-amp-l2-evses.32092/. https://smartchargeamerica.com/electric-car-chargers/home/aerovironment-evse-rs-pi-25/ was the Nissan version.

Now a private equity company has taken over Webasto's charging biz: https://www.webasto.com/en-int/newsroom/press-releases/takeover-charging-solutions-transom.html.

Yeah I saw that. Another PE takeover destroying a division of a company that made a decent EVSE charger...

 

[cornbinder89]

Wabasto made good combustion heaters, sun roofs and lots of quality automotive aftermarket stuff. Hope they don't go "down the tubes" and become sold on just the name.

 

[Jbechtold]

To date, I've been Level 2 charging my new SV Plus on my Nissan provided EVSE. After much research, for battery health I want the option to charge my 50 mile daily usage at either 120V/16A or 240V/12A and would also like to have a lighter weight unit I can take to one of a number of cabins our hiking club owns (that has power.) As a result of someone posting in this forum that Mustart "chargers" are ETL approved, I'm looking at this model. It is limited to 16A so the cable doesn't have to be as thick so it takes up less space and could be used with a heavy gauge extension cord for cabin trips. While this is an expensive (AKA cheap) unit which I would normally avoid, being ETL approved has me considering it. There is no information about the water/weather resistance of this unit so I suspect it is only spit proof, I haven't discovered an alternative that is UL or ETL approved, variable rate, & limited to 16A.

There are lots of good chargers out there. One thing to be aware of is that 240v charging is much more efficient than 120v charging.
My 120v charger consumes 1400 watts to deliver 1000 to the battery.
My 240v charger (@10 amp setting) consumes 2,300 watts to deliver 2000 to the battery.
120v charging is extremely wasteful!

 

[jc2024Leaf]

There are lots of good chargers out there. One thing to be aware of is that 240v charging is much more efficient than 120v charging.
My 120v charger consumes 1400 watts to deliver 1000 to the battery.
My 240v charger (@10 amp setting) consumes 2,300 watts to deliver 2000 to the battery.
120v charging is extremely wasteful!

Thanks for the numbers. I had heard 240 was more efficient, but didn't see how efficient discussed anywhere. I've pretty much given up on my original hope of buying another lighter weight portable that would do 120 @ 12/16 A or 240 @ 12/16 or 8-16A. The expense for the better/certified ones approached the cost of wall EVSEs. So, I have ordered an EVIQO wall mounted EVSE and will just use the OEM for portability and as a backup for the EVIQO.