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Post by Jim Hare on Aug 29, 2012 10:05:09 GMT 11
Completely understand the need for a 15A plug on a 15A device, but since the emergency charger has been reduced to 10A, why can't we use it on any socket in Australia? Would be SO much more useful to know we can plug in anywhere when we're in trouble!
My guess is the charger has a very real 10A draw and there is a concern someone will plug it into a daisy-chained power board that is already running 2 bar fridges or something!
I would rather be trusted with being smart about it and get some clear instruction about the procedure.
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Post by Brian on Aug 29, 2012 23:51:03 GMT 11
Sadly, in this litigeous age, it is probably about fear of liability for the ' daisy chain ' case you mention, over which Nissan has no control.
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Post by richardh on Sept 17, 2012 23:40:55 GMT 11
The Nissan supplied EVSE is only a 10 amp device as stated on its label. The modification I am going to describe is probably highly illegal but it works safely and is very helpful when you need a top-up charge when away from home and can only access a 10 amp domestic powerpoint. Disclaimer: Try at your own risk.
I asked an electrician about charging the LEAF from a normal 10 amp powerpoint. He said it could be done. The background is that a normal household power circuit has a 20 amp circuit breaker and the wiring is 2.5 mm which can take a 15 amp load. The very important point is not to plug into a powerpoint that is part of a circuit that has other high amp drawing appliances running (eg toaster, radiator, hair dryer etc). Otherwise you will trip the house's circuit breaker. So with a bit of common sense it works fine.
To actually plug into a normal 10 amp powerpoint you need to make an extension lead with a 15 amp socket on one end and a 10 amp plug on the other. I bought a 15 amp extension lead for $20 and a 10 amp plug for $3 from Bunnings. I then cut off the 15 amp plug from the extension lead and replaced it with the 10 plug. This lead works fine. The worst that can happen is if someone turns on a high amp appliance on the same power circuit as the one charging the LEAF then the circuit breaker will trip.
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Post by Jim Hare on Sept 18, 2012 13:00:31 GMT 11
Asked my electrician and he said the exact same thing. As long as you are mindful of what else is on the same circuit there is no reason not to do it, especially since the chances of finding a 15a circuit in the wild is pretty much 0%.
I would have MUCH preferred if Nissan put it out with a 10a plug with massive warning stickers about proper use. Unless someone can say it hurts the car to have the circuit breaker tripped, I don't see a downside, only up.
Thanks for the info Richard, much appreciated.
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Post by Brian on Sept 19, 2012 0:31:48 GMT 11
An even easier / cheaper way is to grind down the earth pin on the 15 Amp plug to 10Amp size . . . . but I never said that.
Going the other way, I have a 32Amp plug connected to a 15Amp socket using a single phase, enabling the Normal or the Trickle charger to use a 32Amp socket.
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Post by Jim Hare on Sept 19, 2012 22:44:06 GMT 11
My electrician also suggested filing down a 15 Amp plug!
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Post by richardh on Sept 20, 2012 10:12:33 GMT 11
It is very helpful having the 10 metre extension cable as part of this setup. Can park away from the 10 amp socket, which may be inside a house or office.
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Post by leafboi on Jan 3, 2013 19:39:37 GMT 11
I can add to this conversation as I am currently charging my LEAF via a regular 10amp socket!! I purchased a devices called an AMP Fibian RV-02. See their website; ampfibian.com.au/store/rv-02/It works a treat! Untill my ChargePonint is installed on the 9th of Jan. I'll continue to use it for 'away from home charging'.
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Post by Jim Hare on Jan 4, 2013 9:47:46 GMT 11
Hey Chris, Good to have you on the forum, welcome! Interesting box. ampfibian.com.au/store/rv-02/The thing about the trickle charger is that it was reduced to 10a but they just use a 15a plug to ensure you don't overload the circuit as it may have a washing machine going at the same time! The amp convertor certainly fits best practise, but the cost and space to carry it around seem like a deterrent, especially if the worst case scenario is tripping a circuit breaker. Then again, peace of mind is priceless! ;-)
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Post by leafboi on Jan 4, 2013 10:13:48 GMT 11
For sure using this adaptor is a piece of mind thing. It meets AUS electrical standards. I'd much prefer to use this while visiting a friend who doesn't have a 15amp socket rather than a home made 15amp to 10amp adaptor that may trip their circuits. Wouldn't want to give a bad impression of EV's in general. I'm just happy I have the ability to safely plug in anywhere.
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Post by Jim Hare on Jan 4, 2013 13:50:16 GMT 11
Excellent point! I think if I were charging in the wild this would be a good investment.
Wish they just built this protection into the trickle charger itself!
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Post by Phoebe on Jan 4, 2013 16:01:20 GMT 11
I bought a AMP Fibian RV-02 together with a 15 amp cable with 10 amp plugs on it but Nissan told me my warranty would be void if I used it so I got a dedicated 15 amp power point installed at home, which I use all the time. Will put the AMP Fibian RV-02 and heavy calbe in the car if I think I'm likely to get stuck. If the circuit overloads it cuts out so there is no danger, just might not get a chage.
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Post by leafboi on Jan 4, 2013 16:23:35 GMT 11
I bought a AMP Fibian RV-02 together with a 15 amp cable with 10 amp plugs on it but Nissan told me my warranty would be void if I used it so I got a dedicated 15 amp power point installed at home, which I use all the time. Will put the AMP Fibian RV-02 and heavy calbe in the car if I think I'm likely to get stuck. If the circuit overloads it cuts out so there is no danger, just might not get a chage. I think you'll find Nissan are just trying to cover themselves as when people start talking about 15amp to 10amp blah blah most people think about home made adaptors which could be dangerous, not many people have head of the AMP Fibian which is an Australian approved electrical device. So it would be impossible to void any warranty using it. Unless of course we were given documentation that specifically mentioned the AMP Fibian as a no no. And since the warranty info for the LEAF is extremly vague, I wouldn't worry too much.
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Post by bobherbert on Jan 4, 2013 18:48:44 GMT 11
AMP Fibian RV-02 cable sounds like an easy option for peace of mind. the ability to charge anywhere there is a power point is very desirable. at $280.00 +freight it's not too expensive.
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Post by leafboi on Jan 4, 2013 19:02:01 GMT 11
Check ebay!! Should get it for $200 with a 15amp extension cable. I did.
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Post by bobherbert on Jan 14, 2013 12:21:26 GMT 11
Happy New Year to all,just used my AMP fibian charger for the first time.NICE to know i can charge at any 10 amp outlet.longer trips comming up with no worries.
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Post by Jim Hare on Jan 14, 2013 16:18:46 GMT 11
Happy New Year Bob! Fantastic, good to know!
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Post by Phoebe on Jan 14, 2013 17:16:51 GMT 11
Good to hear you've used yours, Bob. Must get mine out of the cupboard!
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Post by eburbsleaf on Feb 1, 2013 19:39:31 GMT 11
I'm trying to give myself some flexibility on charging away from home and decided to go for the ampfibian (Rv-02) but now its turned up I realise the LEAF charger 15A plug has an extra surround on it that means it cannot fit in the ampfibian !!
Can anyone whose got and uses and ampfibian advise how they fit the leaf plug into the ampfibian - are there some leaf charge 15a plugs without the extra surround on the plug ?
I'd prefer to not have to have a very short 15A extension in order just to get around the leaf charger plug size...
Would appreciate some advice.
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Post by Jim Hare on Feb 2, 2013 9:19:02 GMT 11
Would a short 15a extension cable do it? Imagine you would need some kind of extension if you're charging away from home anyway.
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Post by Phoebe on Feb 2, 2013 10:38:02 GMT 11
I hope that is not the answer Jim. You already have 15 metre cable on the Nissan EVSE and a 10 amp extension chord (mine is 15 metre). You don't want yet another extension chord if you can avoid it. I hadn't taken my AMP Fibian RV-02 out of it's box until I saw this new member's problem. I have now and I can just get the plug to sqeeze in the socket but I cannot close the cover and it's all not very safe. Perhaps Bob can tell us how he used his AMP Fibian RV-02, because he must have got round the problem somehow
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Post by leafboi on Feb 2, 2013 12:46:55 GMT 11
I'm trying to give myself some flexibility on charging away from home and decided to go for the ampfibian (Rv-02) but now its turned up I realise the LEAF charger 15A plug has an extra surround on it that means it cannot fit in the ampfibian !! Can anyone whose got and uses and ampfibian advise how they fit the leaf plug into the ampfibian - are there some leaf charge 15a plugs without the extra surround on the plug ? I'd prefer to not have to have a very short 15A extension in order just to get around the leaf charger plug size... Would appreciate some advice. Hey there eburbsleaf!! I have the ampfibian and I used it solely for the first 2 weeks I had my leaf. Unfortunately a 15amp extension lead if the only option you have to get the LEAFs evse plug to fit into it. This really shouldn't be too much of a problem to you since you have already said its only for added flexibility. That said, I'm yet to seriously charge away from home anyway, other than showing friends and work mates how it charges.
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Post by Jim Hare on Feb 2, 2013 17:31:07 GMT 11
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Post by Phoebe on Feb 2, 2013 17:59:32 GMT 11
Unfortunately, Jim, the collar wasn't my problem with the AMP Fibian RV-02. I could just fit the collar in. It was the rest of the plug behind the collar that was too long and too fat to fit in the slot provided making it impossible to close the cover once the plug was in. The Chargepoint Richard was using must have been a different shape if removing the ring solved the problem.
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Post by Jim Hare on Feb 3, 2013 21:21:52 GMT 11
I think in Richard's case it allowed him to plug into a level 1 wall charger in a car park.
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Post by eburbsleaf on Feb 13, 2013 22:11:02 GMT 11
After a quick trip to Bunnings for a 10m 15A extension, I can confirm that I have tried out the Amp fibian RV-02 to charge my leaf from a 10A regular wall socket.
The cable between the amp fibian and the wall socket did warm up a bit (the 15 A extension was cold) but it worked.
I've stashed it in the boot now as a 10A or 15A emergency plug in while out & about.
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Post by Phoebe on Feb 14, 2013 18:37:13 GMT 11
My cable between the amp fibian and the wall socket is 15amp cable with 10amp plugs on the ends. That might solve the warming up problem. I have yet to go to Bunnings to buy a 15amp extension cable so I still haven't tried it yet.
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Post by duncan on Feb 16, 2013 19:36:46 GMT 11
The Nissan supplied EVSE is only a 10 amp device as stated on its label. The modification I am going to describe is probably highly illegal but it works safely and is very helpful when you need a top-up charge when away from home and can only access a 10 amp domestic powerpoint. Disclaimer: Try at your own risk. I asked an electrician about charging the LEAF from a normal 10 amp powerpoint. He said it could be done. The background is that a normal household power circuit has a 20 amp circuit breaker and the wiring is 2.5 mm which can take a 15 amp load. The very important point is not to plug into a powerpoint that is part of a circuit that has other high amp drawing appliances running (eg toaster, radiator, hair dryer etc). Otherwise you will trip the house's circuit breaker. So with a bit of common sense it works fine. To actually plug into a normal 10 amp powerpoint you need to make an extension lead with a 15 amp socket on one end and a 10 amp plug on the other. I bought a 15 amp extension lead for $20 and a 10 amp plug for $3 from Bunnings. I then cut off the 15 amp plug from the extension lead and replaced it with the 10 plug. This lead works fine. The worst that can happen is if someone turns on a high amp appliance on the same power circuit as the one charging the LEAF then the circuit breaker will trip. I went this way too....I have posted up a thread on how to do this: ozleaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=everything&action=display&thread=58
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Post by Phoebe on Feb 16, 2013 21:58:16 GMT 11
I have now been to Bunnings and bought a 15amp extension cable. I am currently using my new system for the first time. It consists of a 15amp cable with 10amp plugs at each end ( which I bought already made up), going from the 10 amp regular power point to the AMP Fibian RV-02, a 15amp cable with 15amp plugs at each end going from the AMP Fibian RV-02 to the Nissan EVSE, which, naturally is plugged into my LEAF I have now been to Bunnings and bought a 15amp extension cable. I am currently using my new system for the first time. It consists of a 15amp cable with 10amp plugs at each end ( which I bought already made up), going from the 10 amp regular power point to the AMP Fibian RV-02, a 15amp cable with 15amp plugs at each end going from the AMP Fibian RV-02 to the Nissan EVSE, which, naturally is plugged into my LEAF After 2 hours charging the 10amp plugs on the 15amp cable are slightly warm but all the cables are still quite cold and the whole thing is working, and from what I can gather is completely legal. After 2 hours charging the 10amp plugs on the 15amp cable are slightly warm but all the cables are still quite cold and the whole thing is working, and from what I can gather is completely legal.
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Post by Phoebe on Feb 17, 2013 6:22:55 GMT 11
After 4hrs 15 mins I wanted to use my jug and my toaster so I turned off my 10amp power point charge and plugged my EVSE into the 15amp dedicated powerpoint which I normally use to charge my LEAF. During the time it was plugged into the 10amp power point all the cables stayed quite cold but the 10amp plugs on the 15amp cable got a little warm. The range increased by 97kms on ECO over that charge period, which is about the same amount as when I charge with the EVSE in the 15amp dedicated power point over the same length of time. That’s not surprising since both charging methods are drawing 10amps. I won’t be carrying the AMP Fibian RV-02 and all the cables around in the car on a regular basis as it weighs 6kgs and that is a lot of extra weight to be carrying around and it takes up a lot of space as the 15amp cable is quite substantial. However, it is good to have it to take when I know I am going to be pushing the limit of my range. I’ll just have to hope that whoever I am visiting when I need to use their power point doesn’t want to use their jug and their toaster while I’m charging my LEAF
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