Can I divert excess solar power to my LEAF?

knightmb said:

It won't run a stove or hot water heater, but it can keep the home warm/cool and power some outlets for TV, Microwave, Fridge, etc.

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The LEAF should be able to easily power my heat-pump water heater from 12V. It only draws about 600W from 240VAC. I have an auto transformer which converts 120VAC to 240VAC split phase which would allow me to run from a 120VAC inverter.

davewill said:

Nissan sold one in Japan that plugged into the CHAdeMO port, but that wasn't what I was suggesting. Most people who have done this use the 12v bus to feed the inverter. You have to leave the car on so that the DC to DC converter will operate. Only good for emergencies.

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Dave;
Have you found any details of the Japanese equipment? (I've tried with no luck). Bi-directional CHAdeMO would be a great help in direct use of the traction battery for off-grid - I'd guess the Leaf's command and control systems would have to be compliant and fairly efficient (just an assumption on my part).

My goal is to have 4-6 KW available of 240 VAC split phase power (peak). I have the split phase transformer and an APC UPS that works at 400 VDC/240 VAC. The only hitch is the UPS design - requires a non-isolated center DC tap (+/- 200 VDC) - that seems highly problematic. I have experience with a similar design - although much more straight-forward with the Prius "generator" (PriUPS).

Marktm said:

Have you found any details of the Japanese equipment? (I've tried with no luck). Bi-directional CHAdeMO would be a great help in direct use of the traction battery for off-grid - I'd guess the Leaf's command and control systems would have to be compliant and fairly efficient (just an assumption on my part).

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Hi Mark, I am also very interested in such a device. Here are a couple of posts I have made in the past on the topic:

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=15235&p=342149#p342149

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14744&p=441188#p441188

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=19687&p=422563#p422563

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=17145&p=423271#p423271

I have pushed Nissan management to offer such a device, but they indicated they did not want to be in that business and indicated they would instead prefer to work with a third party to provide such a solution. They also told me the Mitsubishi device was not compatible with the LEAF.

I have entertained the idea of designing one in the 2- to 3-kW range, but have learned that the CHAdeMO connector costs on the order of $2500!! That makes the value proposition much harder to swallow.

RegGuheert said:

I have entertained the idea of designing one in the 2- to 3-kW range, but have learned that the CHAdeMO connector costs on the order of $2500!! That makes the value proposition much harder to swallow.

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Appreciate all the references - they sometimes get "buried" in topics that seem off-topic to off-grid/SolarElectric./EV stuff. It seems as though this "home" energy supply topic has moved on.

Motor Werks makes a clone CHAdeMO for $900 or so:
https://emotorwerks.com/index.php/store-juicebox-ev-charging-stations/dc-charging-systems/product/listing

They also make CHAdeMO based EV chargers that can operate up to 800 VCD -input-, but don't believe they make a 240 VAC split phase inverter - nor an MPPT based charger for direct PV use.

Obviously, you have substantial "solar" experience and a serious DIYer. I do have substantial experience with UPSs - mainly APC/Schneider - and they work well for the Prius/UPS "generator" (directly tied traction battery - which I actually have two of!). The largest of the SURT line (double conversion, highest quality) do accept the 400 VDC needed to work with the Leaf. HOWEVER, they also center tap the DC voltages to use the standard battery cages of the smaller SURT units. I think this precludes the use, but I'm not sure. I'd like to run it by a serious electronics designer type that can review the wiring schemas to confirm or not. I have all the information to do so. Can you help? or know someone?

Mark

Marktm said:

I'd like to run it by a serious electronics designer type that can review the wiring schemas to confirm or not. I have all the information to do so. Can you help? or know someone?

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