johnp
EV Tyre Kicker
Posts: 3
|
Post by johnp on Jan 23, 2014 18:27:30 GMT 11
Am about to take the electrifying leap and go with the LEAF (test drove the I-Miev and a couple of hours later the LEAF - the choice was then easy).
However I'm a little confused regarding the charging - I understand the LEAF requires a 15 amp power point but actually charges at less than this? As I have a 7kw solar array I'm keen on fast charging at home but I don't want to blow another $3k with Origin for their fast charger (which I understand isn't really a charger, just fancy box on the wall). Cant I just have the electrician put on a dedicated 32amp circuit for the car and the J1772 attached to it?
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by gabzimiev on Jan 23, 2014 18:33:13 GMT 11
ok both the i-meiv and leaf come with a supplied cable that has a 15amp plug on it but only pulls 10amp (for safety and mitsub and nissian legal reasons) you can buy another level 2 charger which will allow your leaf to charge at 16amps. you can buy from the following companies Chargepoint Phone: 1300 730 511 Website: www.chargepoint.com.auService: Supply, Install and Management Cloud Nine Cars Phone: 0403 924 465 Website: www.cloudninecars.com.au Service: Supply and Install e-Station Phone: 08 6102 1285 Website: e-station.com.au Service: Supply Velocity Electrical Phone: 02 9699 2889 Website: velocityelectrical.com.au Service: Supply and Install CLUB ASSIST Phone:03 9700 9874 Website: www.clubassist.com.au/ Service: Supply you can import them as well but it's at your own risk (which can be high) as it doesn't have to meet Australian standards or conditions.
|
|
|
Post by gabzimiev on Jan 23, 2014 18:39:33 GMT 11
oh the answer to your question is that the 32 amp power point still won't go past 10amps with the supplied cable because it's limited to 10amps by design.
|
|
johnp
EV Tyre Kicker
Posts: 3
|
Post by johnp on Jan 23, 2014 18:50:07 GMT 11
thanks for the info. so i can buy a level 2 lead (just a lead) and have this on a dedicated circuit it will be limited to 16 amp. to go to 32 amp i need the box on the wall from the companies that you have suggested? am i on the right track?
thanks again
|
|
|
Post by gabzimiev on Jan 23, 2014 18:58:54 GMT 11
there isn't a lot of choice in Australia due to a smaller market all the ones approved for sale in the country at 16amps are wall units which can do up to 32amps. so unfortunately it's a 10amp lead they have a lunch box sized controller on them or a 32amp wall unit I haven't seen any models over here that do 16 amps as a plug in cable.
if you think about the 32amp unit as a investment to when you buy the next gen EV that has faster charger built in. chargepoint is probably the most expensive the others should be able to give you a cheaper price.
other countries you can buy leads with normal plugs on one end and the EV plug on the other end that do 16amps but not here.
|
|
|
Post by gabzimiev on Jan 23, 2014 19:05:30 GMT 11
you can always buy it post buying the car I charge at 10amps because my solar is only 3.2KW and 10amps is a 2.4KW load so i don't import when it charge the car but if i changed at 16amps I would have to import from the grid.
|
|
johnp
EV Tyre Kicker
Posts: 3
|
Post by johnp on Jan 23, 2014 19:31:27 GMT 11
|
|
|
Post by gabzimiev on Jan 23, 2014 19:40:56 GMT 11
What that is is a plug covertor between a type 2 mennekes 3phase charger and a type 1 J1772 single phase unless your in perth don't worry they seem to be the only people with Mennekes type 2. ok a fast charge station costs $40k ish and plugs into the CHAdeMO port in you car it will charge your car from empty to full in 30-40 mins.. a level 2 charging station goes in the normal type 1 J1772 port it is a safety devices which tells the car how much current it can have the cable which comes with the car tells the car it can only have 10amps the wall units tell the car it can have 32 amps. the LEAF that you are looking at buying can only use 16amps so the all adapter says you can have 32amps and it goes great it removes the limits on how much current it can pull. the I-miev only can use 13amps. in a couple years time you'll have new EVs that can use 32amps or even more with the Telsa model s.
|
|
|
Post by Jim Hare on Jan 24, 2014 8:16:32 GMT 11
Welcome John! You will not regret your decision with the LEAF, it's an amazing car! As others have said here, many use the supplied 10a charger on a 15a circuit exclusively with no problems.
|
|
|
Post by Phoebe on Jan 24, 2014 8:57:12 GMT 11
Welcome to the forum, John. I have 3kw solar and a dedicated 15 amp power point into which I plug the Nissan cable. The power point cost me $200 and charging costs me nothing as I use solar during the day. It's all a bit slow but this doesn't worry me, I have the time. If you start off with this and work out what other system you want after you have got used to your LEAF and your pattern of driving and charging it, you'll probably get the most suitable system for the cheapest price.
|
|
|
Post by ravolt on Jan 24, 2014 9:19:31 GMT 11
Welcome also John! I started using the supplied unit but quickly realised the unit in the car is easier to leave in the car and so I bought an E-Station unit. No regrets. There is an adapter for running the Nissan unit, here from Jaycar from a 10A socket, complete with trip. The screw on the Nissan will be problematic at remote charge stations so I carry a 15A extension lead too. I've had my LEAF for only 10 weeks and honestly, you are unlikely to want another petrol car. I became more aware of fume smells and noise from other cars. Enjoy
|
|
|
Post by Phoebe on Jan 24, 2014 10:22:19 GMT 11
John, that Jaycar unit works OK, but don't let Nissan know if you use one as it's use cancels your warranty And of course if you use it on the same circuit as your toaster, you might burn your house down
|
|
|
Post by riddick on Feb 26, 2014 8:00:30 GMT 11
I have also purchased the adapter recommended by ravolt, thanks. I found a cheaper one on e-bay: www.ebay.com.au/itm/RV-POWER-SOLUTION-15A-TO-10A-ADAPTOR-FOR-CARAVANS-RVS-BOATS-/181299954468?pt=Caravan_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a3651c324Given that they are not too far from my place I drove there and asked for a discount given that they will save $9 on the shipping. This was a bit difficult, as in the shop they had the unit for $79.90. In the end we agreed in $65 and I happily picked it up. Last night I charged via the adapter using the nissan cable. I was a bit worried in case it runs close to 10A and may trip the fuse, but all went well and I had a full charge this morning. By the way, I don't see how Nissan could complain about warranty at all if you use an adapter...
|
|
|
Post by Phoebe on Feb 26, 2014 9:27:47 GMT 11
By the way, I don't see how Nissan could complain about warranty at all if you use and adapter... Dean, at Nissan Head Office, has told me it does void the warranty. You may be able to argue about it but that's what he says. I never go anywhere near a Nissan EV Service Centre with my adapter in the car.
|
|
|
Post by Feng on Feb 26, 2014 9:54:28 GMT 11
Dean, at Nissan Head Office, has told me it does void the warranty. You may be able to argue about it but that's what he says. I never go anywhere near a Nissan EV Service Centre with my adapter in the car. At least with the Volt they can advertise that it can be charged from any wall outlet. Nissan must be too worried about tripping breakers or melting power points. They should have just limited it to 8A and sold it with a 10A socket for greater appeal. If you're going to spend hours charging what's a few extra hours? I wonder how many sales have they lost because people don't know you can charge from regular wall outlets?
|
|
|
Post by riddick on Feb 26, 2014 15:30:49 GMT 11
Phoebe, I hear what you are saying, but I think Nissan would have a very hard time to prove that using an adapter damages the car in any shape or form. Damaging the house circuit is another matter, but that shouldn't be a problem either as each circuit is supposed to be protected by an appropriately sized circuit breaker. With a proper setup, the worst that would happen is that a breaker would trip and you find your car uncharged in the morning.
The complication comes up in older houses or where circuits were modified incorrectly and that is probably what some Nissan lawyer is worried about (look at the well meaning home insulation scheme saga).
I like the fact that it pulls 10A so I can use it anywhere with the above adapter.
I noticed that in the manual it talks about a 16A Nissan charger in Mauritius (why Mauritius, I have no idea). Maybe that would be a cheaper option to buy than some of the expensive wall units...
|
|
|
Post by Phoebe on Feb 26, 2014 16:15:22 GMT 11
Phoebe, I hear what you are saying, but I think Nissan would have a very hard time to prove that using an adapter damages the car in any shape or form. Not only that, but they would have to know you had used it - and as far as I understand things, there is no way they would know unless you told them, and you wouldn't tell them if you had some kind of melt down in your house circuit, would you . That's why I make sure my adapter is not in my LEAF when it is serviced. In fact, except to make sure it would work if I needed it, I haven't used mine.
|
|
|
Post by riddick on Feb 26, 2014 20:42:11 GMT 11
exactly I wouldn't worry about it too much... as long as you know what you are doing.
|
|
|
Post by Brian on Feb 27, 2014 2:00:37 GMT 11
Welcome, John.
So often the salespeople do not clarify that the ' charger ' ( 3.3 kW in the 2012 model ) is built in to the car. The ' externals ' ( the car's 'back-pack and ' wall units ' ) are EVSEs ( Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment ) that perform an electronic handshake between the power source and the car ( but are not chargers in themselves ).
Both RAVOLT and I bought our Level 2 " Wall unit " EVSEs from E-Station, but specified that they come with a 15 Amp plug, instead of being hardwired. This gives portability, and means you can plug in to caravan parks and anywhere else you can find a 15 Amp socket, or even, with an adaptor, a 32 Amp socket.
Mine has been measured on occasions charging variously at 17 and 18 Amps off our 15 Amp socket, and we appreciate the faster charge times.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2014 9:21:22 GMT 11
Thanks John for buying a Gen 1 LEAF and hence making it closer for Nissan to bring the Gen 2 LEAF into Aus. Nissan won't bring Gen 2 into Aus until all/most Gen 1 LEAF stock has been sold.
I'm hanging out for the Gen 2 LEAF. some cool features of it are: a) locking charge port b) light in charge port c) remote unlock of chargeport d) 6.6 kW 32A AC charging e) darker upholstery f) heavier steering g) flat rear cargo area
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2014 9:33:20 GMT 11
Dean, at Nissan Head Office, has told me it does void the warranty. You may be able to argue about it but that's what he says. I never go anywhere near a Nissan EV Service Centre with my adapter in the car. At least with the Volt they can advertise that it can be charged from any wall outlet. Nissan must be too worried about tripping breakers or melting power points. They should have just limited it to 8A and sold it with a 10A socket for greater appeal. If you're going to spend hours charging what's a few extra hours? I wonder how many sales have they lost because people don't know you can charge from regular wall outlets? That is the possible genius of Holden/GM - $350 on website but costs $369 at Phoenix Holden, $415 at Melville Holden $425 at Shacks Holden. They have a 10A plug on their 10A EVSE. Nissan /Mitsu possibly didn't want problems that may arise from plugging into the same circuit as the fridge / microwave. hence require a dedicated EV charging circuit in the garage. The Volt defaults to annoying 6A each time a 10A EVSE is connected; then have to select 10A from the touch screen. Volt is odd in that when plugging into non card operated 16A wall box, a 10A charge is negotiated hence I have the card operated 16A wall box for now which negotiated a 15A charge. This is use when the volt is in public also have 32A wall box which I use at home since this too negotiates a 15A charge on the volt. Unfortunately the relay is bust at the moment. Hopefully will be fixed by June.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2014 9:36:33 GMT 11
Hey Gabz the cloudnine link seems dead Looks like they might have flown by night. And they've done a better place
|
|
|
Post by riddick on Feb 27, 2014 11:52:32 GMT 11
g4qber,
I thought the 2012 LEAF was already an improved model on the first version.
I think you have actually left out the most important features of the 2013 LEAF: 1. Longer range (~200km instead of ~175km) 2. Heat pump heater instead of resistive heater (results in a significant improvement of range) 3. 77kg lighter (saving the weight of 1 person => better range) 4. Bose sound system (30% lighter and 60% less energy hungry - the later probably not very material for range) 5. Fan only button - (you can achieve fan only operation in 2012 LEAF but it is more mucking around) 6. Battery % indicator (at least this does not jump around like guess-o-meter) 7. around view monitor (option)
I have also been holding out for the new LEAF, even talked to Nissan about it monthly. The only thing that I got out of them was that they may skip a generation and get the 2014 LEAF here instead (there is no real significant improvement on the 2014 LEAF over the 2013 model). This indicated to me that they still must have significant stock on the ground.
In the end, I got sick of waiting and got the current model. No real regrets as I realized that most of what I have been holding out for are non issues. The only thing I miss is point 1 (I guess includes 2 and 3) and 6. Even the boot space has never become an issue.
Given that your list includes none of these, I wouldn't wait. You will see those point are not very important, IMHO.
|
|
|
Post by riddick on Feb 27, 2014 11:52:59 GMT 11
|
|
|
Post by ravolt on Feb 27, 2014 13:13:57 GMT 11
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2014 9:14:09 GMT 11
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2014 16:48:55 GMT 11
Thanks Brian n RA Volt for allowing me to test e-station's 32 amp wall box on their LEAFs.
My hunch seems to be correct.
Circontrol replaced Brian's original 16 amp module with a 32 amp module.
Tested 32 amp walbox with both LEAFs and they were "super" charging at 17 and 16 amps, for Brian and RA Volt, respectively.
|
|
|
Post by philcanberra on Jun 12, 2014 1:16:17 GMT 11
|
|
|
Post by philcanberra on Jun 12, 2014 1:19:36 GMT 11
I've been charging at 16A from my home built EVSE since my car had 600km on it. I now have 26,000km and my EVSE has been flawless. Never an issue.
|
|
|
Post by riddick on Jun 12, 2014 12:52:52 GMT 11
Hi Phil, Thanks for sharing that, I have seen your OpenEVSE build on their site, I just didn't know who you were I am currently building my own, but I am still waiting on a part to come in that was missed originally. Hopefully only a few more days, all else is built now. Here is the thread where I mentioned it: ozleaf.proboards.com/thread/297/wall-chargers-suggestons?page=2I was also thinking to enhance it a bit... good thing is you can with OpenEVSE.
|
|