Question about Leaf 240V EVSE Charger

[gbrance]

Recently upgraded from a 2015 to 2019 Nissan Leaf SV Plus.

The new car comes with a charger has a 14-50 plug and a adapter so it can also use a 5-15. My normal charger I use at home is a Juice Box Pro 40 which goes up to 10Kw. Normally the Leaf when charging maxes out at around 28 A. I have for my juice box several adapters that allow the 14-50 plug on the Juice box to use different receptacles (NEMA) 5-15 , (NEMA) 10-30 and a (NEMA) 14-30 (https://emotorwerks.com/store/accessories/juicebox-adapters-input-cables) . Is it safe to use these adapters on the Nissan Supplied EVSE? The Nissan Supplied EVSE is using a 14-50 plug when in reality it would max out at amperage far below the maximum for the receptacle.
In theory a dryer receptacle like a 10-30 should be able to supply the continuous draw that the Nissan EVSE would pull. When travelling it seems to be easier to find a dryer outlet than a 14-50 outlet. Most people have a washer/dryer either in or near their garage. Which gives ready access to a 30-amp 220V circuit.

 

[jjeff]

While the adapters would work, the 240v Nissan EVSE draws too much for continuous use on a 30a dryer type outlet. For a 30a outlet/breaker the maximum continuous draw by code is 24a, at 27.5a(max current the Leaf can charge at) you'd be over that. I'm guessing your Juicebox allows you to limit the charging current, like mine? Unfortunately, Nissan didn't allow some sort of 24a setting, otherwise, it would be a whole lot more versatile
Note I frequently charge 27.5a on a 30a outlet/breaker but I limit my charging time and the outlet and breaker do get pretty warm, it's not really suggested

 

[SageBrush]

Is it safe to use these adapters on the Nissan Supplied EVSE?

They appear to have custom connectors into the JB EVSE

 

[jjeff]

Is it safe to use these adapters on the Nissan Supplied EVSE?

They appear to have custom connectors into the JB EVSE

Your link just takes me to a generic Amazon web page but unless they've changed something, Juicebox has always standardized on the NEMA 14-50 plug standard and as the OEM dual voltage Leaf EVSE uses the 14-50 plug, the adapters should work just fine
Now if Juicebox has now switched to some non-standard plug, no the adapter plugs won't work but that would be a huge step backwards for JB and something I doubt they'd do.

 

[SageBrush]

Is it safe to use these adapters on the Nissan Supplied EVSE?

They appear to have custom connectors into the JB EVSE

Your link just takes me to a generic Amazon web page but unless they've changed something, Juicebox has always standardized on the NEMA 14-50 plug standard and as the OEM dual voltage Leaf EVSE uses the 14-50 plug, the adapters should work just fine
Now if Juicebox has now switched to some non-standard plug, no the adapter plugs won't work but that would be a huge step backwards for JB and something I doubt they'd do.

The other end of the adapter.

 

[Flyct]

I use one of these at home to plug my 50 amp RV 14-50 into my 4-wire dryer outlet. https://acworks.com/products/ev-adapter-ev1430ms-018?_pos=10&_sid=254469e36&_ss=r

But I monitor line current and keep it below 24 amps.

Using the 240v Nissan EVSE Connected to this would be outside of 30 amp circuit design for continuous load. By code the Max continuous load on a 30 amp circuit is 24 amps. It may work but you’re pushing it.

 

[gbrance]

While the adapters would work, the 240v Nissan EVSE draws too much for continuous use on a 30a dryer type outlet. For a 30a outlet/breaker the maximum continuous draw by code is 24a, at 27.5a(max current the Leaf can charge at) you'd be over that. I'm guessing your Juicebox allows you to limit the charging current, like mine? Unfortunately, Nissan didn't allow some sort of 24a setting, otherwise, it would be a whole lot more versatile
Note I frequently charge 27.5a on a 30a outlet/breaker but I limit my charging time and the outlet and breaker do get pretty warm, it's not really suggested

Yes my juice box allows me to limit the charging current.

It is unfortunate that the Nissan EVSE doesn't allow some type of Amperage limiting. Of course it would have been more useful if you could just change the amperage like you can on a Tesla by using a screen on the car.

 

[Dave EVDoctor]

While the adapters would work, the 240v Nissan EVSE draws too much for continuous use on a 30a dryer type outlet. For a 30a outlet/breaker the maximum continuous draw by code is 24a, at 27.5a(max current the Leaf can charge at) you'd be over that. I'm guessing your Juicebox allows you to limit the charging current, like mine? Unfortunately, Nissan didn't allow some sort of 24a setting, otherwise, it would be a whole lot more versatile
Note I frequently charge 27.5a on a 30a outlet/breaker but I limit my charging time and the outlet and breaker do get pretty warm, it's not really suggested

Hi Jeff, I'm trying to solve that problem too. I have an EVDoubler that uses 2 120V outlets to give 240V on a regular 120 outlet. Unfortunately the 296900 EVcharger recognizes the 240V and sets the charging to 30A instead of 12A. Is there any way to set the LEAF to limit the charging to 12A?

 

[Dave EVDoctor]

I would like to convert my 30A Nissan EVcharger to work in Europe. Unfortunately The Nissan EVcharger goes to 30A when is sees the 220V, There must be an internal adjustment to set the charging to 12A. Anyone know how to solve this problem?

 

[jjeff]

Dave,
Unfortunately the OEM dual voltage EVSE isn't very flexible, it will draw 12a @ 120v and roughly 30a @ 240v and has no adjustments to make it lower. The only it will draw less is if the car had a lower setting(which unfortunately the Leaf does not) or you had an older Leaf that would max out at a lower draw as the 3.6Kwh Leafs did and then it would draw a maximum of 16a @ 240v and 12a @ 120v.
It's possible an engineer could somehow modify the Leaf OEM EVSE to limit the maximum charging current but it would be much easier to just get an adjustable EVSE and save the Leaf EVSE for what it was designed to do, I've never read of anyone modifying the dual voltage OEM Leaf charger to be adjustable.

 

[Steve52]

I would like to convert my 30A Nissan EVcharger to work in Europe. Unfortunately The Nissan EVcharger goes to 30A when is sees the 220V, There must be an internal adjustment to set the charging to 12A. Anyone know how to solve this problem?

EVSEs uses a rather complex communications protocol between the EVSE and EV to establish the charging current. It's not just an adjustment of the Nissan Leaf EVSE but rather a redesign the communications control circuitry. As others have pointed out, sell your current Nissan EVSE and find an adjustable EVSE intended for this purpose.

 

[Bombastinator2]

Recently upgraded from a 2015 to 2019 Nissan Leaf SV Plus.

The new car comes with a charger has a 14-50 plug and a adapter so it can also use a 5-15. My normal charger I use at home is a Juice Box Pro 40 which goes up to 10Kw. Normally the Leaf when charging maxes out at around 28 A. I have for my juice box several adapters that allow the 14-50 plug on the Juice box to use different receptacles (NEMA) 5-15 , (NEMA) 10-30 and a (NEMA) 14-30 (https://emotorwerks.com/store/accessories/juicebox-adapters-input-cables) . Is it safe to use these adapters on the Nissan Supplied EVSE? The Nissan Supplied EVSE is using a 14-50 plug when in reality it would max out at amperage far below the maximum for the receptacle.
In theory a dryer receptacle like a 10-30 should be able to supply the continuous draw that the Nissan EVSE would pull. When travelling it seems to be easier to find a dryer outlet than a 14-50 outlet. Most people have a washer/dryer either in or near their garage. Which gives ready access to a 30-amp 220V circuit.

Depends. I always assumed the 10-15 had some special magic in it to tell the charger not to over draw. That special magic might be that using only one phase it only draws 15 amp in the first place. If this is true, you may pop a few garbage disposal breakers

 

[cornbinder89]

Depends. I always assumed the 10-15 had some special magic in it to tell the charger not to over draw. That special magic might be that using only one phase it only draws 15 amp in the first place. If this is true, you may pop a few garbage disposal breakers

Not sure what you mean by 10-15? The smallest in the "10" series of NEMA outlets is 10-20R The Leaf supplied EVSE is either a 5-15 or 14-50 depending on which EVSE and what year. The 14-50 comes with an adaptor to 5-15 for 120 volt useage.
The duel voltage EVSE supplied by Nissan is limited when connected to 120 volts and will allow upto the max 6kw on 240 volts.
The EVSE send a "duty cycle" signal to the OBC in the car, depending on that signal, the OBC limits its draw to the signaled current.
Adjustable rate EVSE's just have circuity that can manually be set by the user for the circuit it is going to be used on.
The NEMA outlet has no part in signaling.
When the Nissan EVSE sense it is connected to a source voltage below about 180 volts it automatically sends a single to the OBC to limit to about 12 amps. I have read some places that this a SAE J1772 requirement, and others seam to suggest that 120 volt current can be adjusted also. I don't know for a fact which is correct, but do know that the Nissan supplied EVSE's in this country limit 120 volt charge current to around 12 amps, without execption.

 

[Steve52]

When the Nissan EVSE sense it is connected to a source voltage below about 180 volts it automatically sends a single to the OBC to limit to about 12 amps. I have read some places that this a SAE J1772 requirement, and others seam to suggest that 120 volt current can be adjusted also. I don't know for a fact which is correct, but do know that the Nissan supplied EVSE's in this country limit 120 volt charge current to around 12 amps, without execption.

This paper states that the Level 1, 120 v signaling standard is adjustable to either 12 amps, (15 amp circuit) or 16 amps, (20 amp circuit). It would be interesting to know if a Leaf with signaling set to 16 amps would actually adjust and accept the 120 v 16 amps input current.

 

[Bombastinator2]

Not sure what you mean by 10-15? The smallest in the "10" series of NEMA outlets is 10-20R The Leaf supplied EVSE is either a 5-15 or 14-50 depending on which EVSE and what year. The 14-50 comes with an adaptor to 5-15 for 120 volt useage.
The duel voltage EVSE supplied by Nissan is limited when connected to 120 volts and will allow upto the max 6kw on 240 volts.
The EVSE send a "duty cycle" signal to the OBC in the car, depending on that signal, the OBC limits its draw to the signaled current.
Adjustable rate EVSE's just have circuity that can manually be set by the user for the circuit it is going to be used on.
The NEMA outlet has no part in signaling.
When the Nissan EVSE sense it is connected to a source voltage below about 180 volts it automatically sends a single to the OBC to limit to about 12 amps. I have read some places that this a SAE J1772 requirement, and others seam to suggest that 120 volt current can be adjusted also. I don't know for a fact which is correct, but do know that the Nissan supplied EVSE's in this country limit 120 volt charge current to around 12 amps, without execption.

I was just using the terminology the terminology the OP did. If it’s 5 it’s 5

 

[Bombastinator2]

I use one of these at home to plug my 50 amp RV 14-50 into my 4-wire dryer outlet. https://acworks.com/products/ev-adapter-ev1430ms-018?_pos=10&_sid=254469e36&_ss=r

But I monitor line current and keep it below 24 amps.

Using the 240v Nissan EVSE Connected to this would be outside of 30 amp circuit design for continuous load. By code the Max continuous load on a 30 amp circuit is 24 amps. It may work but you’re pushing it.

I had an issue because my parking space is next to a concrete wall, so to park so my neighbor can get in and out easily I have to park backwards (which I normally hate doing). This puts the charge port too far away hby about a foot) so I still have to park normally to charge. My choices of extension cord were 1.5 or 10 feet, so I am going with changing the cord on the box. I bought a 4’ cord designed for appliances that was 14-50 and 6g with an 8ga ground for $33 which will allow me to move the box to about the rear corner of the ca so it won’t matter which way I park. Got to change out the cord though. A bit more work.

 

[cornbinder89]

This paper states that the Level 1, 120 v signaling standard is adjustable to either 12 amps, (15 amp circuit) or 16 amps, (20 amp circuit). It would be interesting to know if a Leaf with signaling set to 16 amps would actually adjust and accept the 120 v 16 amps input current.

Yeah, that might be where I read about more than one current on level 1. I also don't know how well some of the aftermarket unit adhere to the J1772, if their current selection choices are available on any input voltage or just 200+. Some seam to imply that they can be adjustable on any input between 100-250 volts. I am not about to test it out, however.
Duty cycle is what determines charger current setting, but I thought it was locked on level 1. I think it was assumed that level one would have a dedicated EVSE and plug, so either 12 or 16 amp assembly (for 15 or 20 amp plug)
Then we got the adjustable rate and duel voltage EVSE's.

 

[cornbinder89]

On Wiki I found this, and it was what I remembered reading:
Some EVs have extended J1772 to allow AC Level 1 (120 V) charging at greater than 16 amps. This is useful, for example, at RV parks where TT-30 ("Travel Trailer" - 120 V, 30 A) receptacles are common. These allow charging at up to 24 amps. However, this level of 120 V charging has not been codified into J1772.

 

[ACDCPhilip]

If you go to speakev.com & search “ variable rate charger “ there is a diagram for changing the PP to PE resistor in the charging cable plug. He shows a 3 way switch that changes the resistor value, falsely telling the car a different charge cable current capacity, that obviously always needs to be less than its actual capacity. I think you can go as low as 6A. I have added this circuit to my Leaf EVSE charging cable, works a treat. I can switch between 13A, 20A & the full 27.5A. I imagine the lower current you choose the less efficient the charging becomes.

 

[cornbinder89]

If you go to speakev.com & search “ variable rate charger “ there is a diagram for changing the PP to PE resistor in the charging cable plug. He shows a 3 way switch that changes the resistor value, falsely telling the car a different charge cable current capacity, that obviously always needs to be less than its actual capacity. I think you can go as low as 6A. I have added this circuit to my Leaf EVSE charging cable, works a treat. I can switch between 13A, 20A & the full 27.5A. I imagine the lower current you choose the less efficient the charging becomes.

Post #32 in this thread (the one I think you are referencing) implies it may not work on our North American J1772 system and may only work on Mennekes (European) systems. IDK?
https://www.speakev.com/threads/var...49448&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-349448
edit:
It was stated that the PP is used for disconnect signaling in J1772, but I wonder if it just cuts the fixed resistance, to signal a shut down, and if you varied the resistance you might be able to make it adjust the rate like it does on Mennekes? IDK above my pay grade/ comfort level.