Aerovironment EVSE install information

[garygid]

Good, understandable video, includes routing wiring, e-hose length, and the 3-year AV warranty subjects.

For anybody with questions about the assessment process, certainly worth viewing.

[mwalsh]

Edit: Survey didn't like our firewall. I filled it out over our open wireless with my laptop.

[garygid]

So, you need the totally unimplemented survey about taking the survey about the AV experience.

[Danny]

My electrician said that in order to get the UL stamp, a company has to warrantee the unit for a year. That's certainly not the three year warrantee that AeroVironment gives with the installation, but that would be pretty good if we had a different licensed electrician install it. Does anyone know if that one year warrantee is correct for the UL stamp?

[AndyH]

My electrician said that in order to get the UL stamp, a company has to warrantee the unit for a year. That's certainly not the three year warrantee that AeroVironment gives with the installation, but that would be pretty good if we had a different licensed electrician install it. Does anyone know if that one year warrantee is correct for the UL stamp?

Danny - I'm not going to speak to the UL stamp, but the warranty in general.

AV provides a warranty on the EVSE. That cannot change regardless of who installs the EVSE.

As I see it, here's the warranty break-down. If an AV rep or contractor runs a wire from a breaker box to the EVSE location, and then connects the EVSE, there are multiple warranties in play - they all go back to the manufacturer. If new breakers are installed, the breaker manufacturer carries that warranty. The company that makes the wire owns that one, the folks that make the staples or conduit or electrical box owns those warranties. The electrician that installs everything can offer an ADDITIONAL warranty on the hardware if they wish, but their warranty could only be limited to their work.

AV is still on the hook for the EVSE warranty regardless of who installs it (unless they have a prohibition on unqualified homeowner installs, I guess...).

If I choose to install the wiring to the EVSE connect point, then by default I accept responsibility for going back to the Romex, conduit, or circuit breaker manufacture (or Lowes!) for warranty replacement if one of those parts fails.

If I choose to welcome an electrician (or an AV installer) into my garage and simply grunt and point, then the installer is 'on the hook' to chase down warranty service if necessary (while we drink coffee).

Having another electrician install the AV unit doesn't remove AV from their warranty responsibility - and doesn't remove the electrician's responsibility from her work, or Square-D's responsibility for the breaker.

[EVDRIVER]

My electrician said that in order to get the UL stamp, a company has to warrantee the unit for a year. That's certainly not the three year warrantee that AeroVironment gives with the installation, but that would be pretty good if we had a different licensed electrician install it. Does anyone know if that one year warrantee is correct for the UL stamp?

Danny - I'm not going to speak to the UL stamp, but the warranty in general.

AV provides a warranty on the EVSE. That cannot change regardless of who installs the EVSE.

As I see it, here's the warranty break-down. If an AV rep or contractor runs a wire from a breaker box to the EVSE location, and then connects the EVSE, there are multiple warranties in play - they all go back to the manufacturer. If new breakers are installed, the breaker manufacturer carries that warranty. The company that makes the wire owns that one, the folks that make the staples or conduit or electrical box owns those warranties. The electrician that installs everything can offer an ADDITIONAL warranty on the hardware if they wish, but their warranty could only be limited to their work.

AV is still on the hook for the EVSE warranty regardless of who installs it (unless they have a prohibition on unqualified homeowner installs, I guess...).

If I choose to install the wiring to the EVSE connect point, then by default I accept responsibility for going back to the Romex, conduit, or circuit breaker manufacture (or Lowes!) for warranty replacement if one of those parts fails.

If I choose to welcome an electrician (or an AV installer) into my garage and simply grunt and point, then the installer is 'on the hook' to chase down warranty service if necessary (while we drink coffee).

Having another electrician install the AV unit doesn't remove AV from their warranty responsibility - and doesn't remove the electrician's responsibility from her work, or Square-D's responsibility for the breaker.

AV can choose to offer a longer warranty on the unit if they install the unit. Many products offer a 1 year warranty but the manufacturer may offer an extension for say, filling out the registration card. If AV provides a 90 day warranty on the unit then that's what you get no matter what, if they chose to extend that as a perk for having them install it then that is their choice. I think AV has been saying or implying that the warranty is longer if you have them install it. Personally, I get a bad feeling about them in general and will get another brand even if it cost's a bit more. People who buy only the AV unit will get whatever is the stated warranty in writing provided at purchase.

[mwalsh]

People who buy only the AV unit will get whatever is the stated warranty in writing provided at purchase.

AV has been quoted as offering a 3 year in-home warranty. Presumably with a reasonable response time. This could have value to those not wanting to dismount their units and shipping them back to AV (or another vendor) for service. What kind of value? From other extended warranties I've had, I'd say maybe $200-$250 for three years worth.

[garygid]

Yes, you buy the EVSE alone, you get some basic warranty (1 year, parts only, I think).

You buy the "EVSE-installed" package, you get a 3-year, in-home, full replacement warranty (to minimize "down" time).

[mwalsh]

You buy the "EVSE-installed" package, you get a 3-year, in-home, full replacement warranty (to minimize "down" time).

That has some value to me. I'm currently sitting with my entertainment system amp not working properly (one side of the front channel) because the amp is going to be a pain in the ass to unhook and reinstall, and it's going to be 2-3 weeks before I see that sucker again once it's sent in for repair.

[oobflyer]

The quote I received was $3600.

It is approximately 30 feet from the circuit-breaker box to my garage. The electrician was going to put conduit on the outside of the front of my house and just poke a hole in the wall. When I insisted that the installation be done professionally (with the electrical conduit running from the circuit breaker box through the attic of the house, to the attached garage); the price went up.

There's no question in my mind that this company is egregiously taking advantage of the situation. I could buy a used car for $3600.

The smart thing for Nissan to do would be to allow multiple bids and let the owners choose which company does the installation. The competition would prevent this unethical price gouging.