Nissan L1 EVSE third-party upgrade to both 120V and 240V

[garygid]

Nissan's L1 EVSE is deigned for USA 120v only, and does not have components inside that will tolerate 240v. DO NOT try to connect the "stock" L1 EVSE to 240 volts!

See the L1 EVSE modification to L1 AND L2 posts (in this thread) for more info on dual-voltage conversion and usage.

Edit: I was responding to a post that suggested that the stock unit might work worldwide, and thus the USA L1 unit might be suitable for 240v use. Maybe I accidently read an early post in this thread. Sorry.

[GeekEV]

The 125% buffer is a US thing that they don't have in EU.

I was wondering about that. It may not be required over there, but the laws of physics don't change just because you're in the EU. If a continuous load is likely to cause a breaker to trip prematurely due to heat (which is what that 125% NEC is for), wouldn't that be just as likely in the EU? Or are their breakers made differently than ours?

[GeekEV]

Also went ahead and tested it on a 20 amp, 120 volt circuit (not GFCI protected) and worked as well. I'll be testing it on a GFCI protected circuit in a couple of weeks (for sure, but might end up find one earlier than that) and will post if I experience any issues.

I tested mine on a 15A GFCI in my garage and it worked fine.

[GeekEV]

Nissan's L1 EVSE is deigned for USA 120v only, and does not have components inside that will tolerate 240v. DO NOT try to connect the L1 EVSE to 240 volts!

See the L1 EVSE modification (to L1 AND L2) thread for dual-voltage usage.

I'm confused. This is the mod thread. And who was suggesting plugging a stock unit into 240v (except at the very beginning of the thread where we were speculating)?

[garygid]

The EU & UK breakers are designed/constructed/rated differently, to pass their rated current "continuously".

[nater]

breakers don't trip easily on resistive loads, which is what charging is. I've charged an Ebox at my house on a 50amp breaker at 50amps; no issues. The ACP tech told me they do it all the time. I've also seen this done on a manzanita 50amp charger hooked to a RAV4; the owner stated that he charges this way every day and the breaker never blows. I've also heard that the margin is only required for permanently wired circuits; that temporarily connected devices may use the entire amp rating according to NEC (national electric code).

Nate

[mwalsh]

Here's an obviously novice question. Is Nissan's L1 EVSE designed for the entire planet, but simply "enabled" for 120V (U.S.) or 240V (Europe) when shipped? In other words, does this upgrade simply tap into the European components already inside? Or are they entirely different animals, depending upon the side of the ocean to which the LEAF is destined to be delivered?

I ask because, if it is a "generic" cordset, I suppose that someone visiting Europe could conceivably buy one from a Nissan dealer, bring it home, and swap the plug to accommodate an array of U.S. 240V adaptors. I am probably missing a crucial detail, however.

No, the units are definitely not universal. At an absolute bare minimum one would have to replace the 120v transformer in the US model to work @ 240v. So, as Gary advises (and I think it does bear repeating for the newbies), do not try to plug a stock US unit into 240v.

[Yanquetino]

Here's an obviously novice question. Is Nissan's L1 EVSE designed for the entire planet, but simply "enabled" for 120V (U.S.) or 240V (Europe) when shipped? In other words, does this upgrade simply tap into the European components already inside? Or are they entirely different animals, depending upon the side of the ocean to which the LEAF is destined to be delivered?

I ask because, if it is a "generic" cordset, I suppose that someone visiting Europe could conceivably buy one from a Nissan dealer, bring it home, and swap the plug to accommodate an array of U.S. 240V adaptors. I am probably missing a crucial detail, however.

No, the units are definitely not universal. At an absolute bare minimum one would have to replace the 120v transformer in the US model to work @ 240v. So, as Gary advises (and I think it does bear repeating for the newbies), do not try to plug a stock US unit into 240v.

Huh...? I must not have been clear in my question: I wasn't even thinking of plugging an unmodified U.S. version L1 EVSE into a 240V receptacle --nor would I!

I was simply wondering whether Ingineer's upgrade merely "enabled" the same 240V internal components found in the EU version. He clarified above that this isn't the case because the cordsets destined for the U.S., E.U., and even Japan markets are entirely different animals. He also clarified that, with a proper plug adaptor, one could conceivable use the 240V E.U. version in this country, but with lower amps than with his upgrade, and not with 120V.

[mwalsh]

Huh...? I must not have been clear in my question: I wasn't even thinking of plugging an unmodified U.S. version L1 EVSE into a 240V receptacle --nor would I!

I was simply wondering whether Ingineer's upgrade merely "enabled" the same 240V internal components found in the EU version. He clarified above that this isn't the case because the cordsets destined for the U.S., E.U., and even Japan markets are entirely different animals. He also clarified that, with a proper plug adaptor, one could conceivable use the 240V E.U. version in this country, but with lower amps than with his upgrade, and not with 120V.

OK, I think I see now. It was the "enabled" statement in your comment that threw me, because there is that 120v internal transformer that differs in the US version even if everything else were to be the same.

So the second part of your question - buying a European set and removing the plug in favor of a US 240v plug of some description - I can't imagine why that's not possible. One wonders though just how many amps it will deliver. Do we know that yet? I mean, it's possible to find standard sockets in Europe offering anywhere from 10a to 16a, depending on the country. The one thing I can't imagine is Nissan offering a 10a unit for Italian and Swiss deliveries and 16a units for deliveries to Benelux countries (though I suppose anything is possible).

[AmarilloLeaf]

So the second part of your question - buying a European set and removing the plug in favor of a US 240v plug of some description - I can't imagine why that's not possible.

It is also 50Hz instead of 60Hz. Perhaps someone can bring home a Nissan charger from the UK and see?

I'm heading to London in July; how would I get a Nissan dealer there to sell me one ?