EVSE options for 2013+ Leafs

[jjeff]

Got it, thank you! I already contacted them.
I like your idea of getting it with a less bulky plug since there's no need for a 50A plug to charge the Leaf with L2
And if I run into someone with a Tesla that needs to charge ... they'll just have to deal with the 30A limit

My first EV outlet was the RV 14-50 Tesla standard type, it was to match my first L2 EVSE, a Juicebox Premium. After that I had my OEM Leaf EVSE upgraded to a 20a max L2 by EVSEupgrade. It was that EVSE that used the L6-30 standard and how I got to like the L6-30 plugs. My next 2 outlets were using the L standard. Instead of the L6-30 I put in L14-30 outlets which besides 240v also has a neutral so you can get 120v out of them, for running various 120v devices. I then made several L14-30 to L6-30 outlet adapters as well as L14-30 to 14-50(the RV or Tesla standard) to run my Juicebox. Of course I also had to make a 14-50 to L6-30 outlet adapter to use my EVSEupgrade'd EVSE as well as a couple other <30a portable EVSEs I've purchased, including my Zencar.
Again I could have just used L6-30 for my outlets to best match my EVSEs but I just wanted to have the option of having a high current 120v source. Adapter Y cables, oftentimes used for generators to convert from a L14-30 outlet to 2 120v females are easily and cheaply found.
Oh I can also use my L14-30 to L6-30 adapter cable to run my EVSE off many 240v portable generators which is a very common outlet for such generators. Very large generators will have a 14-50 outlet but less expensive ~5000W models will have the L14-30 standard.

[alozzy]

In case it's of interest, I ordered my Zencar EVSE with a NEMA 14-50 plug, then I removed the unused neutral blade from the plug. I did that because I installed a NEMA 14-30 receptacle in my garage and ordered the Zencar with a 24A amperage setting (along with several others - see my signature), which gives me a 5.8 kW charging rate on a budget. A 14-30 receptacle is a standard outlet for electric dryers, it's much cheaper to install than a 50 amp circuit.

I can still use the Zencar on NEMA 14-50 receptacles, common at RV sites, and I also made an adapter cable (thanks to jjeff for helping with that) that lets me use the Zencar with TT30 and standard 120v outlets too. Really handy when we go camping...

I use the Zencar almost every night, I haven't had a single issue with it after almost 3 years of use.

[wmcbrine]

Your second link just goes to a selection page, not a specific EVSE.

That's the forum software breaking the link. It always does that with that site. You can get the intended URL by quoting the post (and then copy-and-pasting).

[jjeff]

Your second link just goes to a selection page, not a specific EVSE.

That's the forum software breaking the link. It always does that with that site. You can get the intended URL by quoting the post (and then copy-and-pasting).

Thanks for the tip, worked like a charm
Not sure if it's similar but occasionally on my work iPhone I get sent an email(mostly happens on longer emails with lots of recipients) if I open it right away after getting the notification, I get the first several pages of who the email was also sent to, but not the actual email If I get out of the email and then later come back to it, often times I see the actual message, but I've discovered if just pretend to forward the message and then answer yes to include the original message, I can see then actual original message right away. When done reading the message I just cancel the forward.

[valem]

I have a question ...

In this ESVE adapter, is the Ground on the 14-50r wired to the Neutral (W) on the 10-30p ?

https://imgur.com/a/Ip0YlhC

Thanks!

[jjeff]

I have a question ...

In this ESVE adapter, is the Ground on the 14-50r wired to the Neutral (W) on the 10-30p ?

https://imgur.com/a/Ip0YlhC

Thanks!

Without a description saying it was or without using an ohm meter I couldn't say for positive, but yes that would make the most sense. The single neutral/ground prong on the 10-30p would be tied to both the neutral and ground of the 14-50r, thats what I did when I made such an adapter for my EVSE

[valem]

Without a description saying it was or without using an ohm meter I couldn't say for positive, but yes that would make the most sense. The single neutral/ground prong on the 10-30p would be tied to both the neutral and ground of the 14-50r, thats what I did when I made such an adapter for my EVSE

That was actually my question I finally received my Zencar (got it with the 14-50p) and I'm making a lot of adapters. Since ESVEs don't use neutral I figured that neutral on a 3 prong would be connected to ground on a 4 prong; but since you already made it and connected to both I'll do the same.

Perfect! Thank you!

[jjeff]

Without a description saying it was or without using an ohm meter I couldn't say for positive, but yes that would make the most sense. The single neutral/ground prong on the 10-30p would be tied to both the neutral and ground of the 14-50r, thats what I did when I made such an adapter for my EVSE

That was actually my question I finally received my Zencar (got it with the 14-50p) and I'm making a lot of adapters. Since ESVEs don't use neutral I figured that neutral on a 3 prong would be connected to ground on a 4 prong; but since you already made it and connected to both I'll do the same.

Perfect! Thank you!

The problem with the 10-30 standard(and the reason it's considered obsolete and AFAIK not code for new installations) is it lacks a dedicated ground. In the case of our EVSEs they don't need a neutral but do need a ground. For EVSE use only you could just hook the neutral 10-30p to the 14-50r's ground and leave the 14-50r's neutral unconnected but personally, I figured if I'd ever want to use the adapter for say an RV, doing that wouldn't allow the RV to work and could even be dangerous as things in the RV would have a hot but no neutral or rather all the neutrals would be tied together possibly causing a series condition which would not be good at all. I'm not suggesting you use your adapter for RV use but if it ever fell into the wrong hands I'd rather have a neutral than not

[valem]

The problem with the 10-30 standard(and the reason it's considered obsolete and AFAIK not code for new installations) is it lacks a dedicated ground. In the case of our EVSEs they don't need a neutral but do need a ground. For EVSE use only you could just hook the neutral 10-30p to the 14-50r's ground and leave the 14-50r's neutral unconnected but personally, I figured if I'd ever want to use the adapter for say an RV, doing that wouldn't allow the RV to work and could even be dangerous as things in the RV would have a hot but no neutral or rather all the neutrals would be tied together possibly causing a series condition which would not be good at all. I'm not suggesting you use your adapter for RV use but if it ever fell into the wrong hands I'd rather have a neutral than not

Good point. But I'm just planning on adapters for various possible situations and just in case situations. The 10-30 may never get used, but I'd rather have the option than not. I'm actually not making them... to save space I have one 14-50r and I bought all kinds of possible plugs. Since none are for daily use I have a box with all the plugs, the 14-50r and some 10/3 cable with ground.

I always carry basic tools and a Fluke with me, so if/when I go on a road-trip and I'm somewhere that I need to plug in, I can make an adapter in a few minutes, but I wanted to make sure about wiring a plug with no ground to an ESVE with no neutral.

I figured to tie them together, but I have no way to test it... and the day I would need it, would not be a good time to figure it out.

So no worries about it ending in the wrong hands, or using it for an RV; I will only make it if I need it!