evse recommendations?

I have no complaints with my Grizzl-E classic. I use the MINI app to manage charging time slots, which is adequate for my needs.

Pro Tip:
When I installed my Grizzl-E, I mounted the holster for the charging pistol near the box. The box is mounted near the front end of the car so I had to wrangle the charging cable each time I wanted to plug in and unplug. I have since installed a second holster on the wall near the charge port of my SE and carefully laid the cable along the wall, out of the way. This is much more convenient, as I have unfurled just enough of the charging cable so I can move it between the holster and my SE without winding/unwinding anything.

 

Great tip. My NEMA plug will be on the front wall of the garage and for the foreseeable future there will only be one EV. But I am thinking about running a wire track down the center of the garage ceiling so it can (more easily) service the Mini and in the future, service a second EV. Right now we still need an ICE vehicle for road trips to Austin. Yes, I’ve looked at it and it could be done in the Mini, but not easily. And if any of the fast DC chargers were not working along the way, we’d be stranded…

 

I have the JuiceBox and really like it. No problems connecting to the MINI and the cable is long. Smart app is pretty decent. Wifi connection from outside is rock solid, and never have had to reboot it.

For me though, the selling feature of the JuiceBox is its weather rating. Mine is installed on my driveway, completely exposed to the elements. It’s also rated for spayed water, so I’m ok washing my car next to it.

Another big plus is that the holster and cable holder are built into the unit and well implemented.

If I had a garage to install it in, I might’ve gone with the ChargePoint, which seems to have a nicer charge handle and cool holster. But it’s not as watertight, so I stuck with the JuiceBox. Not cheap, but I’ve been happy with it.

 

I agree with everything you wrote. That was my rationale too. The JuiceBox brand isn't known for the best reliability in the EVSE world, but mine has been fine. Looks like the Costco version (20' cable instead of 25') is now back in stock too: https://www.costco.com/juicebox-40-amp-electric-vehicle-charging-station-with-nema,-20-ft-cable.product.100574926.html

The main benefit there would be the amazing Costco warranty and return policy.

 

My Grizzl-E smart has been flawless, never a problem or reboot required. I've unplugged it and plugged it in several times over the course of the summer. Their marketing video shows them using it while ice fishing on a frozen Canadian lake in below zero weather and then they ran over it with a snow tractor, or was it a pickup, I forget. Seems well made box if not stylish . Made in Canada. I don't use the holster as I have a $5 garden hose hanger mounted above the box that I just wrap the cable on, similar to a hose. One cockpit error where I inadvertently set a charging profile threw me off for a day. A few more charging profile parameters can be set than the mini app I think, like a Kwh limit, along with time. Unless you have a fleet of stations to manage, at the current point it is mostly eye candy, but the candy is free. The charging curve showing charging rate over time may be interesting to the nerds among us.

I think you'll find any of the UL approved brand models offer pretty much the same function. Some have cable more suitable to outdoors and cold weather, some have more flexible charge cable, some give you a choice of cable and cable lengths. Some have hardware setting for max current, so they are safer to use on a lower current rated circuit (less than 50 amps). So it becomes more of a fit and value exercise. Make sure you get a UL approved one, some of the crap they sell on Amazon is not.

 

Since it is what I know, l'll throw an underdog into the ring: The Tesla Wall Connector.



https://shop.tesla.com/product/wall-connector---18-ft

Only $500.
Offers up to 48 Amp charging (11.6kW).
Waterproof.
18' cable.
It acts as its own cable spool.
User-selectable max Amp draw is user programmed, for use with any sized breaker.
Can be connected via WiFi to up to 3 other Tesla wall connectors to intelligently share power. (This is what my wife and I do, to share our 60 Amp breaker between our Model 3 and Jessie).

Downsides:
Not a "smart" charger. It just delivers what the SE asks for. But, the SE's app is smart enough to schedule charging, show some statistics, etc.

You'll need a Tesla to J1772 adapter to use it. But, that's a piece of kit I think all J1772 owners should have, anyway, since it doubles the charging opportunities for us SE owners. The combined price of the connector and the adapter are pretty close to or less that a similar J1772 connector, only. And, you'll be ready for any electric vehicle visitors, except CHAdeMO weirdos.

 

I didn't realize the Tesla EVSE costs only $500. It's quite attractive IMO. The adapter and the cord length are downsides for me, but more than compensated by the ability to share a breaker. There are very few EVSEs that offer this flexibility. A custom-made adapter (I know a guy) could stretch the cord length to address both of my reservations (I don't need my EVSE to have smarts).

 

Hey, I'm going to reply before I go read and double check, so you don't order it with possibly incorrect info.

We own two, 2nd Generation Tesla EVSEs. They, indeed, share a breaker. They talk to each other via a physical cable. They do not have any WiFi capability. Their max Amperage draw is set with a physical dial, inside.

Tesla currently only sells the 3rd Generation EVSEs (the one I linked to, above). They have WiFi, which is how I believe their Amperage draws are set. They talk to each other via WiFi. I AM NOT SURE IF THEY SHARE BREAKERS, OR IF THEY EACH HAVE THEIR OWN BREAKER AND SHARE POWER BY LIMITING THE DRAW BY EACH SEPARATELY-BREAKERED EVSE.

Imma go do some research.

 

They do NOT share breakers, it seems:

https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/support/charging/Gen3_WallConnector_Installation_Manual.pdf

It's too bad, because that is such an important feature, IMO. Most people are stretching to add even one double-pole, 240V breaker into their box, much less two or more.

You can still get the Gen2 on eBay, with a heavy duty 24' cable:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tesla-Gen-2-High-Power-Wall-Charger-With-24-Cable-80A-Max-Models-S-3-X-Y-/144145768196?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Gen 2s and Gen 3s do not talk to each other, at all, so you'd need two to do the power sharing thing, as I do.

 

The teslas aren't plug in right? They are designed for an electrician to install and are permanently attached? I thought I'd save a few bucks by buying one rugged portable EVSE to use at three locations that have appropriate sockets. But thats just me. I dunno what would happen if a kid runs over a plastic enclosed charger with his truck.

I think it would be hard, if not impossible, to share a breaker via software control while also meeting UL standards and local code requirements. You may be able to hardware limit them to say 25 amps and put them on a 50 amp dedicated circuit if your code allows it.

One could load share smart chargers on separate circuits/breakers pretty easily by defining charging profiles for each station that don't conflict. Somewhere buried in the Grizzl-e documents it talks about how to do that.

 

Correct; the wall chargers (the ones that load share) must hardwired to the conductors.

The Tesla portable chargers, that come with the car but may be purchased separately, are also very good. I carry one in Jessie, as well as the adapter I mentioned, as my "away" charging gear.

 

By the way, the Grizzl-E smart is OCPP compliance which is perhaps a smart feature worth considering if your utility does demand management, or will in the future. The charger has power management and power control functions that utilities can use for its demand response programs. It can save quite a few bucks in some areas. This process is much more sophisticated than a simple time-of-use plan. In order to participate, the EV smart-charger needs to be connected and communicating with the energy provider for real-time load shifting. The compliant chargers I am aware of cost a lot more than the Grizzl-E smart.

Grizzl-E also offers a version that charges two vehicles at the same time.

I'm starting to sound like I'm in Grizzl-E marketing.... but I'm just a retired engineer.

 

I've posted this before, but the internal design of the Grizzl-E is a very impressive design. It's a major reason I went with it, less to go wrong with such a straightforward design. And the metal box it comes in certainly makes it rugged. Mine came with a NEMA 14-50 plug, but I easily converted it to hardwired, again because of the elegant design.

Here's the insides of a Grizzl-E classic (on right) compared to original JuiceBox (on left):

 

I’m at the opposite end of the EVSE spectrum in that I’m interested in acquiring the least expensive Level 2 EVSE. I’ve seen several that appear to have very attractive prices, but all of them are some brand name that I’ve never heard of. I’d appreciate any experiences, opinions, or recommendations on a basic 16amp 240v 3-wire Level 2 EVSE.

 

https://store.evsolutions.com/turbocord-240v-plug-in-ev-charger-p51.aspx

This is one I am considering. It's one of the few UL listed, inexpensive 16A 240V EVSEs made by a company that has been doing this for a long time, although they keep changing the name. A long time ago, they were known as Aerovironment and worked some of the very first electric and regenerative braking systems even before the first Toyota Prius came out.

 

In 2019, when I erroneously believed the US MINI Cooper SE would be able to charge at 11 kW, I spent about $400 for a used ClipperCreek CS60. It was designed way back in 2008, but the company stills sells them for $1,995. Except for the humongous mechanical relay (which makes a very satisfying "THUNK!"), it looks even simpler than the Grizzle-e. ClipperCreek wasn't worried about exterior dimensions--this enclosure is nearly empty.

 

Whenever my MINI actually gets finished and delivered (not holding my breath - I would have passed out by now). I will simply use the Porsche Mobile Charger Plus EVSE that came with my Taycan. I realize this is a very niche choice. Lol.

Due to a maxed out internal main house panel (actually right beside the NEMA 14-30R I installed) and almost maxed out main disconnect, I had to go the path of least resistance and add a 30A circuit to the dedicated 100A line for my AC units (the AC are 30A and 40A -- don't worry I verified the AC stated max loads and measured the normal active loads). It works like a charm for the Taycan at around 5.2 kW intake to the vehicle. The Taycan does not need to be charged very often so no issues "sharing" the charge one at a time.

The MINI will be charged nightly and at 24A (80% of 30A) it will be brisk top off.

 

Thanks. I do remember the Aerovironment brand from my early years on the Volt forum. I did not realize the price had come down so much on the Turbocord. In fact, I thought a Turbocord was coming with the SE…


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Which Tesla adapter are you using? I've noticed a few on Amazon say they are incompatible with a BMW i3 so I imagine they might not work with an SE either.

 

I am not so keen about these "demand management" programs. They seem akin to me to giving a utility / local government authority to set your home's thermostat from afar, but in some ways could be even more impactful, in that for residents who have only an EV for transportation could be remotely denied power to charge up their sole means of transportation.

Personally, I think this is a slippery slope and will keep control over my own thermostat and EV charger, thank you very much. IMHO, utilities and state & local governments should focus on pricing & other policies that promote adequate generation & distribution to meet demand, not on artificial means to throttle / control demand. (The cost of power every month gives me all the incentive I need to manage my own power consumption conservatively.)

Here in Texas, where we have had some real grid reliability & capacity challenges of late, some people who happily gave up control over their "smart" home thermostats to enable remote demand control by utilities in exchange for a lower power rate screamed like stuck pigs when the utility actually began controlling home thermostats remotely, claiming they didn't know what they were doing in accepting lower power rates & "free, smart" thermostats.

In short, I am not sure what the "right" set of policies ought to be to balance these factors, but I am pretty sure that remote "demand management" should not be one of them.