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EVSE
Jun 6, 2013 13:54:36 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 6, 2013 13:54:36 GMT 11
Hello,
Can I ask a silly question because I had someone tell me otherwise: The LEAF comes with the portable EVSE doesn't it? They (not the dealer, someone who knows someone) thinks it's a $2400 accessory but I think he's mistaking it for a L2 charger.
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EVSE
Jun 6, 2013 14:06:51 GMT 11
Post by Phoebe on Jun 6, 2013 14:06:51 GMT 11
Yes Feng. The LEAF comes with a portable EVSE in a bag in the boot. I use that for all my charging. It can be used with an Ampfibian RV2 adaptor in a normal 10 amp powerpoint, but since it draws 9.8 amps it will blow the system if you have a jug or a toaster or the same circuit at the same time so Nissan advise against this - a number of us Forum members have them but keep them for when we travel. The portable EVSE system itself comes with a 15 amp plug on it and Nissan reccomend you install a dedicated 15 amp circuit to charge your LEAF this way. This is how I normally charge my LEAF - it takes a bit over 8 hours for a full charge this way but it only cost me $200 to install the circuit instead of the much larger amount for the charger supplied by Origin etc which is probably what this other person has a price for.
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EVSE
Jun 6, 2013 14:08:00 GMT 11
Post by Jim Hare on Jun 6, 2013 14:08:00 GMT 11
Sure does. It's 15amps but there are devices to make it work with 10amps.
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EVSE
Jun 6, 2013 14:51:47 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 6, 2013 14:51:47 GMT 11
Thanks guys!
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EVSE
Jun 8, 2013 1:47:59 GMT 11
Post by Brian on Jun 8, 2013 1:47:59 GMT 11
Just be aware, Feng, that the supplied EVSE will take twice as long to charge as a Level 2 supply.
Originally, I was under the misapprehension that these external, plug-in units were ' chargers ' - they're not.
The actual charger ( 3.3kW on the 2012 LEAF, and 6.6kW on the 2013 model ) is built into the car.
The external units might best be described as ' Handshake regulators ' - initially, they conduct an electronic ' handshake ' between the car and the electricity supply, and then they regulate the current draw.
The EVSE supplies current at a full 10 Amps. Whereas my Level 2, on a dedicated 15 Amp circuit, has been measured at drawing up to 18 Amps.
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EVSE
Jun 8, 2013 9:24:16 GMT 11
Post by duncan on Jun 8, 2013 9:24:16 GMT 11
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EVSE
Jun 8, 2013 10:01:41 GMT 11
Post by Phoebe on Jun 8, 2013 10:01:41 GMT 11
Duncan, I have a 15 amp power point sitting in my garage Cost me $200 installed on dedicated line!
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EVSE
Jun 8, 2013 11:35:50 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 8, 2013 11:35:50 GMT 11
I'm hoping these will be available in Australia in the not too distant future: www.pluginnow.com/power-max2. I asked Bosch Australia about it on Facebook and they said they're evaluating them for use in Australia. Not sure if that's just a polite answer or if they really are going to bring them down under. Either way I'm planning to go the Amp-fibian route until prices come down. I could try to build my own OpenEVSE but it I'd rather buy something off the shelf than risk getting it wrong and breaking something!
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EVSE
Jun 8, 2013 12:24:23 GMT 11
Post by Jim Hare on Jun 8, 2013 12:24:23 GMT 11
As far as I'm concerned, when you're charging overnight it doesn't matter if it takes 4, 7 or 10 hours to complete.
Phoebe, how long does it take you to get from 10% to 100%?
I think the amp-fibian route is a good way to go. You can always upgrade if it isn't working out.
We find we only have to charge every three days or so. Unless you're commuting to another city it's pretty difficult to drive 100-150kms in a day!
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EVSE
Jun 8, 2013 12:42:20 GMT 11
Post by Phoebe on Jun 8, 2013 12:42:20 GMT 11
Jim, it takes me 8hrs 35 mins from nothing, 7 hrs 30 mins with 25 left on the Eco Range - I can't tell you in percentages. That's using 15amp dedicated circuit drawing 9.8 amps. Feng, the problem with the Amfibian route, apart from the fact that Nissan says it voids your warranty, is that you have to make sure you aren't running anything else on that circuit at the time or it will blow. I have used my Amfibian just to test that it worked, but it wouldn't work for me on a regular basis 'cos I need to use the circuit for other things. I also run my Amfibian using a 15 amp cable with 10 amp plugs at both ends to reach my 10 amp power point because a 10 amp cable tends to warm up - the 10 amp plugs on the end of that cable do warm up a bit. One Forum member, I think it was Duncan, did use Amfibian to charge up when he staying away in a holiday home.
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EVSE
Jun 11, 2013 12:12:51 GMT 11
Post by estation on Jun 11, 2013 12:12:51 GMT 11
This information may be useful.
The Nissan Leaf has a 3.3KW on-board charger capable of drawing a maximum of 15 amps. It will recharge the 24KWH battery pack in 6 hours from a 15 amp power supply and 8 hours from a 10 amp power supply. The cable that comes with the Nissan Leaf is hardwired to draw a maximum of 9.75 amps and will not draw 15 amps even if it is plugged into a 15 amp socket.
The charging system on the Nissan Leaf is compatible with the Type 1(J1772) charging protocol which specifies standards for sockets, cables, plugs and communications between the car and the charging station. There is an extra wire in the cable that runs between the car and the station. This carries the communications or "pilot signal" that carries data between the car and the station including the amount of current in amps available from the station, 8, 10, 15 or 32amps. The on board charger in the car will adjust it's consumption accordingly and draw 10 amps from a 10amp charging station and 15 amps from a 15amp charging station.
There is no pilot signal available from a standard domestic electrical socket so the pilot signal in the EVSE(electric vehicle supply equipment) cable supplied with the Leaf is set to 9.75 amps. This is true even though the cable has a 15amp plug. This is why it takes the Leaf longer to charge using the cable. The car is drawing at around 9.75 amps using the cable compared to the the 15amps it would draw from a charging station.
The next version of the Nissan Leaf due for release in Australia in 2014 will have a more powerful on board charger( 6.6 kW) which will draw current at 32 amps. The car will charge in about four hours if connected to a 32 amp charging station. However there are no plans to upgrade the existing Nissan Leafs with 32amp chargers so all those Leaf's sold between now and 2014 will not be able to avail of 32 amp charging.
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EVSE
Jun 11, 2013 22:12:18 GMT 11
Post by duncan on Jun 11, 2013 22:12:18 GMT 11
Good details, thanks.
FWIW, the guys in the states are working on retrofitting 6kw chargers (Brusa model) into the 2011 and 2012 Leaf, costs about $1500. I think I'll give it a shot once they have it working well. I understand the circontrol charger I have in the garage will support 6kw if the leaf allows it.
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EVSE
Jun 12, 2013 0:48:48 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 12, 2013 0:48:48 GMT 11
Since the portable EVSE only draws 9.8A, is there anything wrong with using one of these? www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MS4044I like the ruggedness of the Ampfibian but it feels a little overkill if I'm not going to charge at 15A. I'm getting my car this weekend! With apologies to Jayson as I was able to get a good price through someone who knew someone who knew someone at a different dealer. Hopefully the next time I charge for free at Steve Jarvin won't be an awkward experience!
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EVSE
Jun 12, 2013 9:06:42 GMT 11
Post by duncan on Jun 12, 2013 9:06:42 GMT 11
That's functionally the same as an amphibian. They key is they both have circuit breakers in case of over drawn current.
But keep in mind a 10A power point runs over wire rated > 20A with a fuse of either 16A or 20A. Nissan put a 15A plug on this unit but did not need to since it does not draw over 10A.
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EVSE
Jun 12, 2013 15:54:29 GMT 11
Post by estation on Jun 12, 2013 15:54:29 GMT 11
Good details, thanks. FWIW, the guys in the states are working on retrofitting 6kw chargers (Brusa model) into the 2011 and 2012 Leaf, costs about $1500. I think I'll give it a shot once they have it working well. I understand the circontrol charger I have in the garage will support 6kw if the leaf allows it. Just make sure you don't invalidate the Nissan warranty. The car manufacturers can get funny about after market modifications to the cars.
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EVSE
Jun 12, 2013 19:47:02 GMT 11
Post by leafboi on Jun 12, 2013 19:47:02 GMT 11
I'm getting my car this weekend! I'm excited for you!!
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EVSE
Jun 12, 2013 22:54:13 GMT 11
Post by Jim Hare on Jun 12, 2013 22:54:13 GMT 11
Awesome! Welcome to the club! I'm getting my car this weekend!
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EVSE
Jun 13, 2013 0:12:38 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 13, 2013 0:12:38 GMT 11
Thanks guys, it's been one hell of a build up leading up to the purchase, I can't remember the last time I got so excited over something!
I shall call her Evie. I've had better puns I swear!
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EVSE
Jun 13, 2013 8:01:55 GMT 11
Post by Phoebe on Jun 13, 2013 8:01:55 GMT 11
Memorable moment coming up, Feng
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EVSE
Jun 13, 2013 10:36:30 GMT 11
Post by Jim Hare on Jun 13, 2013 10:36:30 GMT 11
LOL Evie is a great name!
Yeah, I think we were all pretty excited when the LEAF arrived.
You're timing is perfect and you are getting it for a fantastic price!
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EVSE
Jun 15, 2013 19:57:24 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 15, 2013 19:57:24 GMT 11
I have a LEAF in my garage! I'm a little exhausted from all the excitement, it's been such an eventful day! All is good so far, I'm going to study all the manuals and spend some time getting used to the car. One thing I forgot to ask the dealer when I left though was the Carwings login. Is it something I have to get from the dealer or is it something I can set up myself with the paperwork they gave? What's the website for Carwings? The manuals point to www.nissan.com.au/owners but there's no mention of Carwings there.
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EVSE
Jun 15, 2013 20:17:06 GMT 11
Post by duncan on Jun 15, 2013 20:17:06 GMT 11
haha good luck reading those! More manual than I have ever seen on any car At least you can't get too exhausted by this car. HA HA HA. Oh man I am funny. Enjoy it
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EVSE
Jun 15, 2013 20:17:42 GMT 11
Post by duncan on Jun 15, 2013 20:17:42 GMT 11
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EVSE
Jun 15, 2013 20:58:28 GMT 11
Post by David on Jun 15, 2013 20:58:28 GMT 11
Welcome aboard Feng. What colour did you get. I will look out for you in the streets of Bexley. Happy driving
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EVSE
Jun 15, 2013 21:29:43 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 15, 2013 21:29:43 GMT 11
Thanks for the link Duncan, did you get your login off the dealer or did Dean help you out? Bit of a worry it's been down for so long! Dave, it's a silver one. If you seen an older Asian gentleman driving it it's probably my dad. I'm sure he'd be just as chuffed if you gave him a beep and a wave!
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EVSE
Jun 15, 2013 22:36:12 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 15, 2013 22:36:12 GMT 11
Two observations so far: The car has a build date of April 2012 and you can tell it's been sitting outdoors for a while because the chrome trim and the black plastic part on the bonnet are tarnished. There's also some residue beneath the doorhandles like some runoff dried there. Nothing a polish can't fix.
The other oddity was they made us sign a disclaimer stating that we declined the installation of an official charger (I presume the Origin one) and opted to only use the supplied charger. I hope they're not going to use that against us further down the line!
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EVSE
Jun 15, 2013 22:44:47 GMT 11
Post by leafboi on Jun 15, 2013 22:44:47 GMT 11
Two observations so far: The car has a build date of April 2012 and you can tell it's been sitting outdoors for a while because the chrome trim and the black plastic part on the bonnet was tarnished. There's also some residue beneath the doorhandles like some runoff dried there. Nothing a polish can't fix. The other oddity was they made us sign a disclaimer stating that we declined the installation of an official charger (I presume the Origin one) and opted to only use the supplied charger. I hope they're not going to use that against us further down the line! You should get the carwings login info emailed to you in a week or so. The car itself should already be signed up and logged in with your info. The disclaimer is only because the supplied charger charges slower than what a fixed charge station would charge it at and they don't want you to go and complain in a week or so that it won't charge fast enough etc. So nothing to worry about at all. The only disappointment I had when I first got the car was I wanted to drive it... A lot... But had to keep waiting for it to recharge, lol. Enjoy it!!!
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EVSE
Jun 15, 2013 23:51:50 GMT 11
Post by duncan on Jun 15, 2013 23:51:50 GMT 11
Odd. I signed no such disclaimer and also do not have the origin charger. I can't see how they can add a condition to the sale after you sign a contract....
BTW I had the same issue with the car at delivery. The paint was not in good condition, and the dealer did not polish it because "their detailer was not in that day". Very poor.
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EVSE
Jun 16, 2013 10:12:15 GMT 11
Post by Jim Hare on Jun 16, 2013 10:12:15 GMT 11
Yeah, not impressed about the state of the car at delivery. You should let Dean know that the dealers are being lazy when they should be treating LEAF owners as royalty for getting on board!
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EVSE
Jun 16, 2013 12:14:33 GMT 11
Post by Feng on Jun 16, 2013 12:14:33 GMT 11
The car was washed, it might have been hard to clean the tarnish off without some extra work. After getting such a good price for it through connections I wondered if they were just skimping on effort just to quickly close the deal! At least the salesman was thorough and went through the whole checklist. I can't find Dean listed in the users here, how is he contacted? I am curious to know is how up to date is my car's firmware. I like having the latest just for the peace of mind of knowing there are fewer bugs. I followed the steps here: www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=78389 and came back with part number 3EN0A which Google reveals nothing about. I know I'm moving further away from the topic of this discussion, happy to start a new topic about it if it's better that way.
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