Garage Pre-Wired for 20 A 220 V - how to level 2 charge with 2018 Leaf?

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zzzjoshzzz

New member
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
2
The garage:
"20 AMP 220 breaker (capability) but set up as a 20 AMP 110 breaker"
My actual EV charging equipment tag says:
"This charger draws a constant 12 A at AC 120 V 60 HZ or 30 A at AC 240 V 60 HZ"
It came with the purchase of the 2018 Leaf.

In my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, 12 A @ 120 V is just a regular plug trickle charge which I can already do because of the adapter that came with the leaf.
I'm looking for being able to charge at the 30 A @ 240 V (or something close/equivalent). However, since my breaker box is on the third floor, re-wiring is too expensive. Is my best option (is it even an option?) to get some new EVSE that can supply the 2018 Nissan Leaf without any wiring upgrades? Would it be able to charge at a rate that is closer to the Level 2 then the trickle charge?

I'm really hoping for a sub $700 solution.
 
Yes, there are 240 volt EVSE's out there that only require a 20 amp circuit (meaning it can supply up to 16 amps). An example is the Clipper Creek LCS-20: https://store.clippercreek.com/featured/lcs-20-lcs-20p-16-amp-level-2-ev-charging-station Much faster than L1 (120 volt) but of course not as fast as if you have a full 30 amps available to you (meaning you'd need a 40 amp circuit). Only $379 + tax and shipping.
 
16a 240v EVSEs are plentiful and cheap, just decide what type of plug you want(or cut the end off whatever EVSE you get and put on whatever plug you want, I did this). They start <$200 for a Duosida, then for around $250 you could get a generic Clipper Creek(generally thought to be a very good EVSE) and for around $425 you could get a branded Clipper Creek.
If you want to future-proof your purchase you could purchase an adjustable EVSE like a 40a Juicebox for around $550 that would let you limit charging to your current 16a but if you ever got a higher amperage outlet or were at say a friends that had a higher amperage plug, you could charge your Leaf at up to 27.5a(max it will charge at).
Lots of options, just decide what type of plug you'd want. I kind of like the "L" series locking plugs, for 20a 240v outlet you'd need a L6-20 plug. For plugs and outlets I'd strongly suggest Amazon(or maybe eBay) local will be much higher in price.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazingE-Portable-Electric-Equipment-Connector/dp/B06XSLYDLH/ref=sr_1_22?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1535496681&sr=1-22&keywords=level+2+ev+charger

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013HBCB6E/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_cr_x__a_w

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UB9R4KO?aaxitk=ZgrGyyg5ONUsVEJaUSz8cg&pd_rd_i=B00UB9R4KO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=54dc821a-0937-4e6f-9da9-f8dd5443145d&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=level+2+ev+charger&hsa_cr_id=9333288150101&sb-ci-n=textLink&sb-ci-v=JuiceBox%20Pro%2040%20with%20JuiceNet%3A%20WiFi-equipped%2040%20Amp%20UL%20Listed%20Electric%20Vehicle%20Charging%20Station%20(EVSE)%20with%2024-foot%20cable%20and%20NEMA%2014-50%20plug

https://www.amazon.com/Duosida-Portable-Electric-Vehicle-Charger/dp/B018A6QK7C/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1535496681&sr=1-4&keywords=level+2+ev+charger

This is a 30a wall mount unit but sounds like it has a internal adjustment to limit charging current, it should have a 16a setting but check with mfg.
https://www.amazon.com/Siemens-US2-VersiCharge-Installation-Compatibility/dp/B00MFVI8UG/ref=sr_1_14?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1535496681&sr=1-14&keywords=level+2+ev+charger

This one specifically says you can limit charging to 16a
https://www.amazon.com/EVoCharge-EVoInnovate-Electric-Charging-Adjustable/dp/B07BKMX3NL/ref=sr_1_30?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1535496681&sr=1-30&keywords=level+2+ev+charger
 
zzzjoshzzz said:
I'm looking for being able to charge at the 30 A @ 240 V (or something close/equivalent).

Is it a 30 amp outlet?

https://store.clippercreek.com/level2/level2-20-to-32/lcs-30p-nema-6-50

I'd suggest avoiding the non-UL listed cheap units.
 
@zzzjoshzzz You mentioned: "20 AMP 220 breaker (capability) but set up as a 20 AMP 110 breaker" - sounds odd...

If the circuit will support 240V @ 20A already, then the wiring might be 10/3, in which case you could put in a 30A breaker at the panel and a NEMA 14-30 receptacle (or perhaps an L6) in the garage without having to pull new wire. I'm not an electrician though, so seek out advice from a pro ;)

If you can safely get a 30A circuit using the existing wiring, then you can charge at up to 24A on that circuit - 240v x 24A = 5.8 kW rate - very close to full speed. My home EVSE charges at that rate and it takes less than 3 hours to charge from low battery warning to 90% - I'm happy with that.

Given your budget, you should consider the Zencar 32A L1/L2 portable EVSE as it has programmable amperage set points that you can custom order. I ordered mine with 12/20/24/30 amperage set points so that I could charge (at both 120V and 240V) using a range of "standard" amperages. You can get that EVSE for about $350 US if you order it direct from the manufacturer's website. It's also listed on Amazon (just costs more)...
 
I know several seasoned electricians that call it 220 and 110. I just talk same as them, not going to try to educate them. Job seems to go easier that way.
 
The NEC requires EVSE's to be a continuous load and they limit the current to 80%. Thus a 40A circuit is good for a max of 32A and a 20A circuit is good for 16A.

I really doubt the 20A circuit is wired with #10 gauge wires since #12 is good for 20A.
 
I sent off our Nissan EVSE to evseupgrades.com, for the 240V mod.
I had found a 10-30 dryer outlet in the garage in our rented house.
I have since replaced it with a Leviton L6-30R.

You think about "well I MIGHT drive all morning, then come
back and need to charge at lunch and then drive a bunch
more in the evening." If the Leaf is your only car and you
are running kids around all day or something then OK
it makes sense then.

For most people the effort+money to install a 50A circuit
and a 6+ KWh charger, is a desire more than actual need.

We charge overnight. The 3.x KWh rate is sufficient for everyday needs.
 
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