110v, 208v, and 240v adjustable, Portable EVSE?

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LilSparky

Member
Joined
May 26, 2021
Messages
17
Hello fellow Leafies! I don't know what we call Leaf owners?? I am the proud new owner of a 2021 Leaf SL Plus! It has been super fun so far and this is such a resource... So, Thanks!

I am in a bit of a pickle because I bought my car before fully realizing the charging situation. I have limited access to 110v 20a service at my apartment/marina/home (I live on a boat). I may be able to convince some people to see that a metered 240v 14-50 outlet would be beneficial for when people bring RVs and when those with electric vehicles need to charge up, but that's for a future conversation. At my work I have access to 110v and 208v 30a service. The 110v doesn't quite keep up with my mileage for the commute, even with it plugged in all day. Any recommendations on an EVSE that would do it all for me? I know the Nissan supplied charger will work for 110v and 240v, but I need something for work. I like the idea of being able to use the same EVSE and not have to haul around two different ones.

I've searched through the forum pretty thoroughly and found reference to a Duosida model that did everything, but I can't find the one they were talking about. Most are just a level 2 charger and only list the ability to handle 220-240v.


I found this one that says it has the voltage range to cover what I need, but I want to be sure it will work for my needs, as well as hear your recommendations.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263294240655?hash=item3d4d8f478f:g:iEsAAOSwqu5guJD4

Thanks!
 
LilSparky said:
At my work I have access to 110v and 208v 30a service. The 110v doesn't quite keep up with my mileage for the commute, even with it plugged in all day. Any recommendations on an EVSE that would do it all for me? I know the Nissan supplied charger will work for 110v and 240v, but I need something for work. I like the idea of being able to use the same EVSE and not have to haul around two different ones.
You mentioned access to a 20A 120V outlet? If you used a 16A 120V EVSE, that would decrease your charge time by 33%. It's an easy solution without having to wire up anything new? Would you consider going that route?
 
[/quote]
You mentioned access to a 20A 120V outlet? If you used a 16A 120V EVSE, that would decrease your charge time by 33%. It's an easy solution without having to wire up anything new? Would you consider going that route?
[/quote]


Yes, and I think that is one of the modes this EVSE can do. If I'm going to get a new EVSE, wouldn't it make sense to get one that will give me a large range of charging options?
 
I don't have the time this weekend to do searching but you really need an adjustable 120v-240v(including 208v) portable EVSE. I have one that has settings for 12a(common for a regular 120v outlet) 16a for a 20a outlet, 19a for short term quick charging on a 20a outlet(not to really exceed an hour of charging due to heat build-up) 24a for a 30a circuit and finally 30a for maximum Leaf charging.
Not sure if Juicebox still makes such an EVSE but others are sure to. I personally don't care for ones that needs to be taken apart and dip switches flipped to change the current, I'm also not a big fan of WiFi selection unless you have WiFi everywhere you go or would need to adjust the current. Some like mine have a limited number of preset current settings, others may allow settings down to the amp. Along with a good adjustable EVSE you should purchase or make a variety of adapter cables so you can plug into all the various types of outlets you may run into, Note when using outlet adapters, you'll need to know the rating of the outlet your plugging into as the EVSE and car won't know and will just dra\w the maximum of what the car wants or what you've set the EVSE to, actually the lowest of the two. IOW don't have your EVSE set to 24a on a 20a outlet.
This one looks to fit the bill?
https://www.amazon.com/PRIMECOM-TECH-Electric-Vehicle-Amperage-Adjustable/dp/B08KDP8W2L/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=adjustable+level+2+ev+charger&qid=1622902914&s=automotive&sr=1-4

This one looks similar to mine except mine goes up to 30a and I have to "shake" the EVSE to change the current, kind of hokey but does work.
https://www.amazon.com/Zencar-100-240V-Portable-Compatible-Fusion%EF%BC%88Update/dp/B07W8ZPZ24/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=adjustable+level+2+ev+charger&qid=1622902991&s=automotive&sr=1-8

Actually looking back at the first one I linked, it looks like a really nice moderately priced EVSE. You can pay extra for up to a 50! foot cable, the standard is a generous 30' I also like how you can specify what plug you want, nice!. Note while the 14-50 plug is the most common for high current EVSEs and RVs, I personally much prefer the L14-30 plug because it's much smaller and compact than the monster 14-50 range type plug. It's also probably cheaper. I kind of standardized on the L14-30 plug for my EVSE and then made various L14-30 female plug to other male plugs for my adapter cable. IOW my EVSE has a male L14-30p, then I have a 6" or to piece of 10g flexible wire going to various male plugs, one adapter for each plug type. The most common one I use is to a 14-50 male but I have adapter plugs to a standard 120v plug, various higher current 120v plugs as well as various 240v and 120/240v plugs, I like to be prepared to whatever I might run into in the wild. You now purchase quite a few adapter plugs but probably not from a L14-30 male, purchasing off the shelf and you'd probably be better sticking to the more common 14-50 plug that RVs and Teslas use.
 
The user manual typically has full specs

E.g., this Amazing-E (the generic Clipper Creek) on page #31
https://amazing-e.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/AmazingE-User-Mv3_FINAL_20200122_LRes.pdf

One thing I am not sure about (I deleted what I wrote earlier): When a 120v 3 phase AC distribution is converted to single phase, a 208v L-L results. An EVSE expects two hots and a ground. Is the 3rd wire in the 208v config ground ?
 
To make adapter plugs you could also purchase these and cut off the male plug side and wire on the plug of your choice, that would give you a nice molded female side and the #10 wire, simple to just cut off the plug side and wire on a new male plug.
https://www.amazon.com/GearIT-RV-Dogbone-Adapter-Generator/dp/B07ZL3Z2ZB/ref=sr_1_38?dchild=1&keywords=L14-30r&qid=1622912354&sr=8-38
To purchase just a female L14-30 would cost you around $10, off Amazon, DON'T purchase such things from a local hardware or big box store, expect to pay $30+ in those places, Amazon or maybe Ebay is the best place to get them.
https://www.amazon.com/Enerlites-66470-BK/dp/B01E4BLIGK/ref=sr_1_37?dchild=1&keywords=L14-30r&qid=1622913930&sr=8-37

Don't be tempted by cheaper adapter cables that go to a TT-30 plug. They lack the second 120v wire to give you 240v, TT-30 adapters are extremely easy to find and cheap but for the most part do NOT work for EVSEs, at least 240v EVSEs.

If you do go with a 14-50 plug on your EVSEs to make adapter plugs I'd suggest this nice 14-50 female plug:
https://www.amazon.com/Miady-Replacement-Female-Unplug-Design/dp/B07LD78ZYG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=QWBNK3XT1KFC&dchild=1&keywords=14-50r&qid=1622915078&sprefix=14-50r%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A2NKEN9O69YXYL&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFIOVowNTlVUE9QMTYmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1MTM3MzlQWUs0SzFPQ1hSTzUmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDMzMDE1NDJMT1o3UkhRUlFBUCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

This one would allow you to use the EVSE on 120v:
https://www.amazon.com/RVGUARD-Adapter-Electrical-Converter-Indicator/dp/B085HLXZ2C/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=QWBNK3XT1KFC&dchild=1&keywords=14-50r&qid=1622915102&sprefix=14-50r%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFXMzRMOFNXNjMwVVcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NDk2OTUzOExWVU1IMEpRS0Y4JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyNjQ1NDUzSU04S05QQUo1QTREJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Some various premade adapters to go from 14-50 male plug to other plugs:
https://www.amazon.com/NA-Additional-External-Welding-Connector/dp/B086SSNKJP/ref=sr_1_13?crid=QWBNK3XT1KFC&dchild=1&keywords=14-50r&qid=1622915102&sprefix=14-50r%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-13

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Prong-Generator-Adapter/dp/B076ZTZMHM/ref=sr_1_16?crid=QWBNK3XT1KFC&dchild=1&keywords=14-50r&qid=1622915102&sprefix=14-50r%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-16

https://www.amazon.com/ONETAK-Charger-Compatible-Connector-Connecter/dp/B07XJM5LNC/ref=sr_1_24?crid=QWBNK3XT1KFC&dchild=1&keywords=14-50r&qid=1622915102&sprefix=14-50r%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-24

https://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-501138A-Generator-Adapter-14-50R/dp/B08R7W8DN2/ref=sr_1_29?crid=QWBNK3XT1KFC&dchild=1&keywords=14-50r&qid=1622915102&sprefix=14-50r%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-29

https://www.amazon.com/ONETAK-Compact-Receptacle-Generator-Connector/dp/B08GC8KNJQ/ref=sr_1_38?crid=QWBNK3XT1KFC&dchild=1&keywords=14-50r&qid=1622915102&sprefix=14-50r%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-38

Lots more, they didn't make this many 7 years ago when I got my Leaf, I had to make most of mine :lol:
 
SageBrush said:
The user manual typically has full specs

E.g., this Amazing-E (the generic Clipper Creek) on page #31
https://amazing-e.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/AmazingE-User-Mv3_FINAL_20200122_LRes.pdf

One thing I am not sure about (I deleted what I wrote earlier): When a 120v 3 phase AC distribution is converted to single phase, a 208v L-L results. An EVSE expects two hots and a ground. Is the 3rd wire in the 208v config ground ?

120/208 is a 3-phase, 4-wire circuit consisting of A-phase, B-phase, C-phase, Neutral, and Ground. For a single-phase receptacle such as 14-50 or 14-30, the configuration is 2 out of 3 phases (does not matter which 2) along with Neutral and Ground. For a 6-50 or 6-30, the configuration is 2 out of 3 phases and Ground (no Neutral terminal).
 
GerryAZ said:
SageBrush said:
The user manual typically has full specs

E.g., this Amazing-E (the generic Clipper Creek) on page #31
https://amazing-e.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/AmazingE-User-Mv3_FINAL_20200122_LRes.pdf

One thing I am not sure about (I deleted what I wrote earlier): When a 120v 3 phase AC distribution is converted to single phase, a 208v L-L results. An EVSE expects two hots and a ground. Is the 3rd wire in the 208v config ground ?

120/208 is a 3-phase, 4-wire circuit consisting of A-phase, B-phase, C-phase, Neutral, and Ground. For a single-phase receptacle such as 14-50 or 14-30, the configuration is 2 out of 3 phases (does not matter which 2) along with Neutral and Ground. For a 6-50 or 6-30, the configuration is 2 out of 3 phases and Ground (no Neutral terminal).
Thanks

Why is ABCGN not 5 wires ?
 
If I am thinking about this correctly, the '30 Amp' receptacle at work has to follow the 80% rule for prolonged use so the EVSE has to limit the pull to 24 Amps. At 208 volts the car will pull 0.208*24 = 4.9 kW Max. About 10% of the power will be lost in conversions so your workplace charging will add ~ 4.5 kW. Just an FYI

Beware of how EVSE vendors label: Some like Clipper Creek label maximum Amps by the breaker required; others label maximum Amps as the current into the EVSE. E.g., a '30 Amp' Clipper Creek pulls 24 Amps.
 
SageBrush said:
If I am thinking about this correctly, the '30 Amp' receptacle at work has to follow the 80% rule for prolonged use so the EVSE has to limit the pull to 24 Amps. At 208 volts the car will pull 0.204*24 = 4.9 kW Max. About 10% of the power will be lost in conversions so your workplace charging will add ~ 4.5 kW. Just an FYI

Beware of how EVSE vendors label: Some like Clipper Creek label maximum Amps by the breaker required; others label maximum Amps as the current into the EVSE. E.g., a '30 Amp' Clipper Creek pulls 24 Amps.
That's true but I think only Clipper Creek follows that standard, I believe all other EVSEs give the maximum output of the EVSE, and the end-user(or more than likely electrician) is supposed to know about the 80% rule.
 
SageBrush said:
When a 120v 3 phase AC distribution is converted to single phase, a 208v L-L results. An EVSE expects two hots and a ground. Is the 3rd wire in the 208v config ground ?

I think you meant 240V 3 phase AC that is converted to 208V. For WYE connections, the 3 phases are 240V peak-peak and 120V peak-neutral, like a standard residential service. Using 2 of 3 phases yields 208V peak-peak instead of 240V peak-peak since the peaks of any 2 phases never align, unlike a residential service where there is only 1 (split) phase so L1 and L2 reach their (opposite) peaks at the same time. Any single phase of a 240V 3 phase WYE will yield 120V with respect to neutral but I've never heard it called a 120V 3 phase distribution just as any residential service is called 240V service instead of 120V.

Of course, all of these are RMS values so the actual voltages are larger than the nominal ones.
 
goldbrick said:
SageBrush said:
When a 120v 3 phase AC distribution is converted to single phase, a 208v L-L results. An EVSE expects two hots and a ground. Is the 3rd wire in the 208v config ground ?

I think you meant 240V 3 phase AC that is converted to 208V. For WYE connections, the 3 phases are 240V peak-peak and 120V peak-neutral, like a standard residential service. Using 2 of 3 phases yields 208V peak-peak instead of 240V peak-peak since the peaks of any 2 phases never align, unlike a residential service where there is only 1 (split) phase so L1 and L2 reach their (opposite) peaks at the same time. Any single phase of a 240V 3 phase WYE will yield 120V with respect to neutral but I've never heard it called a 120V 3 phase distribution just as any residential service is called 240V service instead of 120V.

Of course, all of these are RMS values so the actual voltages are larger than the nominal ones.

Yes, I'm still struggling with the lingo and understanding.
I'm under the impression that standard '3 phase' in the USA have 120 volts L-N on each of three conductors and each conductor is 120 degrees out of phase with the other two. When two of any three conductors are connected an RMS delta of 208 Volts results between them. I called it '120v 3 phase' to mean each conductor is 120 volts L-N
 
SageBrush said:
GerryAZ said:
SageBrush said:
The user manual typically has full specs

E.g., this Amazing-E (the generic Clipper Creek) on page #31
https://amazing-e.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/AmazingE-User-Mv3_FINAL_20200122_LRes.pdf

One thing I am not sure about (I deleted what I wrote earlier): When a 120v 3 phase AC distribution is converted to single phase, a 208v L-L results. An EVSE expects two hots and a ground. Is the 3rd wire in the 208v config ground ?

120/208 is a 3-phase, 4-wire circuit consisting of A-phase, B-phase, C-phase, Neutral, and Ground. For a single-phase receptacle such as 14-50 or 14-30, the configuration is 2 out of 3 phases (does not matter which 2) along with Neutral and Ground. For a 6-50 or 6-30, the configuration is 2 out of 3 phases and Ground (no Neutral terminal).
Thanks

Why is ABCGN not 5 wires ?
It would be 5 wires counting the ground for the full 3-phase with neutral and ground circuit. The 14-50 receptacle is 4 wires because it is only 2 phases, neutral, and ground; The 6-50 receptacle is 3 wires because it is 2 phases and ground (no neutral).

To be clear, the three phases are 120 volts RMS from each line to neutral and each phase is 120 degrees from the other phases. This makes the line to line voltage between any two phases 208 volts RMS. There is no way to get 240 volts without using another transformer to step 208 up to 240. There is a three phase circuit arrangement to get 240 volts line to line, but that is a delta instead of wye so there is no neutral and therefore it is not suitable to supply a normal EVSE.
 
GerryAZ said:
There is a three phase circuit arrangement to get 240 volts line to line, but that is a delta instead of wye so there is no neutral and therefore it is not suitable to supply a normal EVSE.
I thought an EVSE is two hots and a ground
 
SageBrush said:
GerryAZ said:
There is a three phase circuit arrangement to get 240 volts line to line, but that is a delta instead of wye so there is no neutral and therefore it is not suitable to supply a normal EVSE.
I thought an EVSE is two hots and a ground
Since it is a delta circuit with no neutral, there is no direct reference between the phase conductors and ground so the safety ground sensing circuit in the EVSE will not recognize the ground connection and will not activate.
 
GerryAZ said:
SageBrush said:
GerryAZ said:
There is a three phase circuit arrangement to get 240 volts line to line, but that is a delta instead of wye so there is no neutral and therefore it is not suitable to supply a normal EVSE.
I thought an EVSE is two hots and a ground
Since it is a delta circuit with no neutral, there is no direct reference between the phase conductors and ground so the safety ground sensing circuit in the EVSE will not recognize the ground connection and will not activate.
Heh. This brings me back to one of my most stubborn stumbling blocks -- understanding ground Vs neutral. It bugs me to no end knowing that the two wires are bonded in the main panel ;)
 
....and then there is 3-phase 277v power!
Commonly used in larger? commercial buildings. 3 separate wires of 277v each, 480v between 2 hots. Things like ballasts for lighting are frequently rated for 277v as are motors and things like air handlers, actually they are oftentimes 3-phase 480v. Unfortunately our Leafs don't accept 277v, I believe the maximum is around 260v so while I had access to a good 60a 277v circuit at work, I instead had to use their 208v power, which was only a 20a breaker and being 208v instead of 240v, slow to charge my Leaf :( Apparently, Teslas can accept 277v, at least when I checked some years back they could, chalk up another one for Tesla :cool:
In buildings that have 277v/480v they often use large transformers to step it down to 120v/208v for outlets and normal 208/240v things. Those transformers run hot so the electric rooms where they were located were frequently quite warm, sucked in the summer but a nice place to warm up in the winter.
 
jjeff said:
Apparently, Teslas can accept 277v, at least when I checked some years back they could, chalk up another one for Tesla
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/info-from-tesla-277v-feed-to-wall-connector-hpwc-which-cars-support-it.129169/

Seems so, although not the most recent Gen3 Tesla EVSE.
It is also VERY nice to have an EV that supports 48 Amps for those on the road occasions when only fast L2 is available.
 
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