evse recommendations?

[Lainey]

Question for those who bought the Siemens EVSE...

Isn’t it only 30A, but the Mini SE can draw up to 32A? Does that reduce your charging speed relative to something that can draw 32A or more?

I may have misread some of these posts, but it seems that you’d want at least 40A of service so you can draw 32A to the Cooper. I was trying to decide between the Siemens and the Juicebox. I don’t figure to get another electric car for 8 years or so.

It would be relatively close. Technically closer to 31A with the 7.4kwh they rated. We opted for a 50amp for up for 40 knowing other family members are getting EVs too. I have a ChargePoint that will be nice for the SE and most other cars that we'll get. I admit I did pass on the Siemens partially for that aspect, but also for size.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

My JuiceBox reports the Mini pulls 30.9A when charging. The EVSE can supply up to 32A. This lines up nicely with the sticker which claims a 7.4kW on-board charger.

At 240V / 30.9A (7.4kW), assuming an efficiency of 90% (anyone have a better number?), it takes 4h20m to charge that 28.9kWh (usable) battery from empty to full.
At 240V / 30A (7.2kW), it takes 4h28m to charge to full.

That's only an 8 minute difference. Only charging from 50% to full? It's only 4 minutes.

I wouldn't think twice about a 30A EVSE for this car.

 

[Puppethead]

I may have misread some of these posts, but it seems that you’d want at least 40A of service so you can draw 32A to the Cooper.

The electrical circuit does need to be sized for a load 20% higher than the max amperage draw of the EVSE. So to charge your SE at 30 amps would require a 37.5 amp circuit, which would get rounded up to a 40 amp breaker and wiring. That actually gives a max charge of 32 amps. The car will never draw more than it can handle, but if you have an EVSE that will allow more than 32 amps it should to be on a 50 amp circuit (or higher), or have a way to limit power draw. My Grizzl-E EVSE has internal DIP switches to set maximum draw.

 

[bldxyz]

At 240V / 30.9A (7.4kW), assuming an efficiency of 90% (anyone have a better number?), it takes 4h20m to charge that 28.9kWh (usable) battery from empty to full.
At 240V / 30A (7.2kW), it takes 4h28m to charge to full.

That's only an 8 minute difference. Only charging from 50% to full? It's only 4 minutes.

That is exactly my style of analysis! Thank you.

That makes me more flexible. I can decide to go with the Siemens or one than does 32A or greater since 4-8 minutes will hardly matter. Sure, maybe one day I haven't recharged it in awhile, and I unexpectedly need to charge it up, but if I'm not charging it overnight and I need to have a full charge the next day for any reason, I think I'll only have myself to blame, not the Siemens kit!

 

[Puppethead]

Another thing to consider is charging isn't linear. EVs slow down once they get above 80%-90% SoC to protect the batteries, so the draw can drop quite a bit. The SE, from all reports I've seen, does a really good job of charging near maximum until about 90%, then slows down. Although I've personally seen the DC fast charge slow down at 80%.

But this drop-off will be the same for 30 amp or 32 amp, so it shouldn't make much difference except for the overall finish time for any EVSE.

 

[F14Scott]

I paid about $250 in materials for 50' of 6/3 wiring, a 50A breaker, and an outdoor 14-50 enclosure. A friend and I did the labor ourselves. This does not include the actual EVSE, which is a 32A JuiceBox.

For your outdoor 14-50 outlet, does code require a GFCI breaker? Your material cost seems low, if so. As I understand it, you can avoid the GFCI breaker only if you hard wire the EVSE, and perhaps then only if the EVSE is inside. But, code varies a lot from place to place.

 

[Puppethead]

I believe as of the 2010 (?) National Electrical Code even indoor outlets require a GFCI breaker. I was told it's code in my state which is why I hardwired my EVSE, since I can't find any EVSE manufacturers that don't build GFCI into their product.

 

[moff1959]

I have a Lectron EVSE we are about to have Dominion Power (our provider) install smart meters in our area so I can take advantage of the low overnight rate.
I really like charge and climate feature having the car preconditioned to my preferred temperature and charged in the morning is a great feature. I also have it set for my commute home from work I can hear the heat pump running as I approach the car and its the perfect temperature when I get in and set off home.

 

[Puppethead]

I also have it set for my commute home from work I can hear the heat pump running as I approach the car

I do the same thing, which is brilliant in 10 ºF weather. I'm amused to see all the ICE cars in the lot running with their headlights on while warming up, and my SE sits there with no sign that it's climatizing unless you get close enough to hear it.

 

[GvilleGuy]

I got a few quotes from electricians to install my Chargepoint Home Flex EVSE. The one I scheduled cannot come until mid February, but that should still be WAY before I see my theoretical Mini (whose order is still waiting acceptance). The electricians I spoke with recommended hardwiring the Chargepoint because putting in a NEMA 14-50 outlet would require a GFCI outlet, and, as has been discussed here, even the Chargepoint installation manual recommends hard wiring to avoid false trips of a GFCI. I'm in South Carolina.

My experience level with an EV is zero. So, just to make sure I have the somewhat confusing terms correct:
(1) The level 2 EVSE I purchased comes with a J1772 plug, and this is the type of plug that, when available at a public charging station, will provide a complete charge in around 4 hours. (As well as the Chargepoint in my garage) Correct?

(2) We have family 90 miles away from our house, so I was looking at available public charging stations in that area. I see four types listed:

• J1772
• CCS/SAE Combo: This is the DC fast charge type for the Mini which can normally get you from empty to 80% in 30 minutes?
  
• CHAdeMO: The Mini does not use this standard, right?
• Tesla: N/A

The contents of the Chargepoint box: (and our cat, Oz)

 

[F14Scott]

I got a few quotes from electricians to install my Chargepoint Home Flex EVSE. The one I scheduled cannot come until mid February, but that should still be WAY before I see my theoretical Mini (whose order is still waiting acceptance). The electricians I spoke with recommended hardwiring the Chargepoint because putting in a NEMA 14-50 outlet would require a GFCI outlet, and, as has been discussed here, even the Chargepoint installation manual recommends hard wiring to avoid false trips of a GFCI. I'm in South Carolina.

My experience level with an EV is zero. So, just to make sure I have the somewhat confusing terms correct:
(1) The level 2 EVSE I purchased comes with a J1772 plug, and this is the type of plug that, when available at a public charging station, will provide a complete charge in around 4 hours. (As well as the Chargepoint in my garage) Correct?

(2) We have family 90 miles away from our house, so I was looking at available public charging stations in that area. I see four types listed:

• J1772
• CCS/SAE Combo: This is the DC fast charge type for the Mini which can normally get you from empty to 80% in 30 minutes?
  
• CHAdeMO: The Mini does not use this standard, right?
• Tesla: N/A

The contents of the Chargepoint box: (and our cat, Oz)

View attachment 10513

Everything you wrote is correct. You're smarter than you look!

 

[GvilleGuy]

Everything you wrote is correct. You're smarter than you look!

LOL - thanks!

 

[F14Scott]

LOL - thanks!

Also, if there are Tesla "destination chargers" around (Level 2, 208 or 240 VAC Tesla *connectors*, usually found at hotels and stores), you could buy and use one of these. (I have one, both to use on the road to give me additional charging options and at home because I have a home Tesla wall connector.):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V7V2QT8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_i8gdGbD8PP4T0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1



Note: This will not work at Tesla Superchargers (DC Level 3 Tesla *chargers*, usually found in banks of 6 or more chargers at highway stops). It can't handle the 100Kw current and doesn't know what to do with the DC.

 

[insightman]

Tesla: N/A

There are two types of public Tesla chargers. The DCFC Tesla Superchargers that verify that the connected car is authorized to connect and charge (very quickly). Level 2 (AC) Tesla Destination Chargers are available to private establishments who want people to hang out at their establishments while they charge their Teslas. Unlike the Supercharger network, Tesla does not administer Destination Chargers.

As I understand it, these Level 2 Destination Chargers do not check for authorization. Reinforcing that understanding are the available Tesla-to-J1772 adapters that enable non-Tesla vehicles to use Tesla Destination Chargers. That said, I've never seen a Tesla Destination Charger at any private establishment.

 

[F14Scott]

They're all over the place, here in Houston.

BTW, Plugshare is a great app for finding the juice.

 

[Lainey]

There are two types of public Tesla chargers. The DCFC Tesla Superchargers that verify that the connected car is authorized to connect and charge (very quickly). Level 2 (AC) Tesla Destination Chargers are available to private establishments who want people to hang out at their establishments while they charge their Teslas. Unlike the Supercharger network, Tesla does not administer Destination Chargers.

As I understand it, these Level 2 Destination Chargers do not check for authorization. Reinforcing that understanding are the available Tesla-to-J1772 adapters that enable non-Tesla vehicles to use Tesla Destination Chargers. That said, I've never seen a Tesla Destination Charger at any private establishment.

This is my understanding of Destination chargers as well. We have a lot in our area - more than superchargers to be honest too.

@GvilleGuy Hope all goes well with the installation. We used the same one for my garage and just moved the line and receptacle to the other side of the house. Only used it a few times, but works great from what I've seen.

 

[GvilleGuy]

They're all over the place, here in Houston.
View attachment 10523
BTW, Plugshare is a great app for finding the juice.

That is the app I was using to look at stations in Columbia, SC. On the side of town where I would be staying, there are 9 CSS/SAE plugs:
1) A Spinx gas station EVGO - 1 plug
2) A Chevy dealer - 1 plug
3) An Electrify America station at a Wal Mart - 7 plugs

Looks like EA might be the best option.

 

[insightman]

They're all over the place, here in Houston.
View attachment 10523
BTW, Plugshare is a great app for finding the juice.

I'm not surprised I've never seen one--I just checked PlugShare for local Tesla Destination Chargers and found there's one in an Ann Arbor parking structure and one at a Sheraton Hotel south of town for a total of 2 in a rather large area (carefully cropped to exclude Detroit, where there are a few more):

 

[Texas22Step]

Also, if there are Tesla "destination chargers" around (Level 2, 208 or 240 VAC Tesla *connectors*, usually found at hotels and stores), you could buy and use one of these. (I have one, both to use on the road to give me additional charging options and at home because I have a home Tesla wall connector.):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V7V2QT8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_i8gdGbD8PP4T0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 10514

Note: This will not work at Tesla Superchargers (DC Level 3 Tesla *chargers*, usually found in banks of 6 or more chargers at highway stops). It can't handle the 100Kw current and doesn't know what to do with the DC.

It may pay to shop around a little. The manufacturer of this item is currently (pun intended) offering it for $150 less 5% for new customers. Amazon has dropped the price to $160. I didn't search further, though.

 

[Texas22Step]

There are two types of public Tesla chargers. The DCFC Tesla Superchargers that verify that the connected car is authorized to connect and charge (very quickly). Level 2 (AC) Tesla Destination Chargers are available to private establishments who want people to hang out at their establishments while they charge their Teslas. Unlike the Supercharger network, Tesla does not administer Destination Chargers.

As I understand it, these Level 2 Destination Chargers do not check for authorization. Reinforcing that understanding are the available Tesla-to-J1772 adapters that enable non-Tesla vehicles to use Tesla Destination Chargers. That said, I've never seen a Tesla Destination Charger at any private establishment.

Here in the D/FW area, I rather frequently see these destination chargers at hotels that (I guess) want to attract travelers with Teslas to stay there overnight. FYI.