NCD and Home Chargers: Model Recommendations and L1 or L2?

I have had great results with Clipper Creek. US based, they actually answer questions and have had great reviews. https://www.clippercreek.com

 

My 2020 US Niro EV Premium came with a level 1 (what Kia calls trickle) charger that plugs into a standard 120 volt outlet. It should give you at least 3 miles per hour of charge and if you only drive about 20 miles a day that should be enough. You could give it a try without spending any money and see if it works for you.

One caveat, though. Depending on your garage wiring and state of charge of the battery the charger might trip your gfci outlet. A nearby outlet inside the house should solve that if necessary.

Hope this helps.

 

This may be an unusual POV, but I don’t think you need a charger except the one (“granny charger”) that comes with it. I bought an L2 charger (Clipper Creek, which I also recommend) and then sold it before having it installed. I drive a ton more mileage than you’re planning (8k since getting the car a few months ago) and I get by just fine without it. Charging every night with “granny” and using free public charging when I’m out and about has been enough.

 

Understood...for me, it was a matter of, well, if I took a big trip, I would be able to get the charge up more quickly at home than with the 'granny'

 

Another thought, if you have a, say electric drier plug in said laundry room, you might be able to forgo the electrician and get a unit that plugs in there when you're not drying clothes.

 

Do you have a level 3 charger anywhere near your house? You’ve got to fill up with that a lot of times for occasional long trips before you’ve spent what a good charger and electricians bill cost. The heart wants what it wants, so get the charger if you really want it. I’m several months in at this point, drive the thing on 250 mile trips 2-3 times a month (including today) and still haven’t needed a L2 home charger.

 

That's what I did, got a charge point charger that plugs into drier plug in garage and it's great.

 

I had a second dryer plug put into my garage, I have a pigtail on my L2 charger.

I first made a "juicebox" from a kit, 7 years later the logic board failed, and I found the openevse people and replaced the board for about $60.... make your own,

See my site:
https://elmassian.com/index.php/electronics-aamp-gadgets/vehicles/fiat-500e/building-the-openevse-240v-charger

Greg

 

What I really want is an adjustable amp level 1 and level 2 ESVE. I found some but they usually are lacking in some function or the plug is inconvenient. It would be nice if you could set the amps in the car like a tesla.

 

my openvvse charger lets you control charge rate

 

Is it portabl or a wall unit?

 

It's in a small metal box, I put a longer cable to the clothes dryer plug. Very portable.

 

We have an adjustable portable L2 from Primecom (the newest ones adjust down to L1). Then we picked up an assortment of adaptors. Everything fits nicely above the spare tire kit in the foam divider layer under the floor of the trunk (including the trickle cord the Niro came with).

 

Glad it worked out - only suggested it because it did for me as well and we do a LOT of driving in the car. Our power is (nearly) free from 11pm-7am, yet with only 8 hours a night of "granny charging" we've been covered when sticking in town.

 

Many people can manage with a Level 1. I did that for about 2 years. Now I have decided to install a Level 2, because I am planning to buy a second car (Niro EV). Another factor is a tax credit that will expire on December 2020, so I want to do it this year in case it is not extended next year. I think installation and charger cost are qualified for this tax credit., but I am no tax expert, so do your own due diligence.

https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/10513

 

When to looked into it in Atlanta, the cost of using an electrician who was going to qualify me for the tax credit was more than doing the electrical myself (with the help of a friend) and not qualifying. Permitting was required, plus I think the electricians know you get the credit so they just mark it up. YMMV

 

I so a lot of DIY work at the home, but I don't like to alter electrical system, mainly for insurance reasons. But I agree if you can do it yourself it is cheaper than an electrician even with tax credit.