Level 2 Charging Settings - Maximum vs. Reduced

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JoeC

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Hi all,

Has anyone determined whether there is logic/rules for choosing Maximum vs. Reduced in the Level 2 charging settings in the car? The manual doesn't provide any detail on Level 2 settings, although it does have the following table, which only seems to apply to Level 1 charging settings.

upload_2021-12-11_9-12-34.webp


I am still trying to get used to my new Level 2 setup (JuiceBox 40 on 50 amp circuit) but it seems that with the default Reduced Level 2 setting, I am only adding ~11% per hour. This is less than I hoped. Will the Maximum setting increase the charging rate and can anyone point to something that shows that my setup can handle the Max setting?

Tx!
 
Hello.

If I'm not mistaken, level 2 settings are to control charging from your evse when connected to the wall socket. If you're using a box on a single phase 50 amp, then you should take al ook at the level 3 settings...
 
Luis Abreu said:
Hello.

If I'm not mistaken, level 2 settings are to control charging from your evse when connected to the wall socket. If you're using a box on a single phase 50 amp, then you should take al ook at the level 3 settings...
Click to expand...

My understanding for lingo in US:
Level I = 110-120V from "standard" US wall socket; this is the charger included with car and to which the table refers
Level II = 208-240V setup, potentially hardwired or non-"standard" plug; no instructions on Max vs. Reduced in Owner's Manual
Level III = DC fast charging; no settings configurable in MINI
 
JoeC said:
My understanding for lingo in US:
Level I = 110-120V from "standard" US wall socket; this is the charger included with car and to which the table refers
Level II = 208-240V setup, potentially hardwired or non-"standard" plug; no instructions on Max vs. Reduced in Owner's Manual
Level III = DC fast charging; no settings configurable in MINI
Click to expand...
This is correct, except technically there is no "Level 3". It's referred to as DC Fast Charging. The only reason to set the SE's Level 2 to anything other than "max" is if your EVSE will draw too much power for the circuit. If the SE is set higher than the maximum of the EVSE it's fine, since the EVSE's limits will prevent too much power draw.

DC Fast charging is direct current (DC), and the electricity goes directly to the battery. The vehicle has a maximum charge rate, which in the SE's case is 50 kW.

Level 1 and Level 2 are alternating current (AC), and there's a charger in the vehicle that converts the AC to DC to charge the battery.

Here's a diagram to show the basic idea (the "mode" labels are not germane to US notation, maybe other countries use those?).

ev3.PNG
 
Thanks, Puppethead. I tried the Level 2 Max setting and it seems to be charging more quickly. Nothing blew up so I think that I can continue to do this going forward.

Puppethead said:
This is correct, except technically there is no "Level 3". It's referred to as DC Fast Charging. The only reason to set the SE's Level 2 to anything other than "max" is if your EVSE will draw too much power for the circuit. If the SE is set higher than the maximum of the EVSE it's fine, since the EVSE's limits will prevent too much power draw.

DC Fast charging is direct current (DC), and the electricity goes directly to the battery. The vehicle has a maximum charge rate, which in the SE's case is 50 kW.

Level 1 and Level 2 are alternating current (AC), and there's a charger in the vehicle that converts the AC to DC to charge the battery.

Here's a diagram to show the basic idea (the "mode" labels are not germane to US notation, maybe other countries use those?).

ev3.PNG
Click to expand...
 
JoeC said:
Hi all,

Has anyone determined whether there is logic/rules for choosing Maximum vs. Reduced in the Level 2 charging settings in the car? The manual doesn't provide any detail on Level 2 settings, although it does have the following table, which only seems to apply to Level 1 charging settings.

View attachment 14413

I am still trying to get used to my new Level 2 setup (JuiceBox 40 on 50 amp circuit) but it seems that with the default Reduced Level 2 setting, I am only adding ~11% per hour. This is less than I hoped. Will the Maximum setting increase the charging rate and can anyone point to something that shows that my setup can handle the Max setting?

Tx!
Click to expand...
 
Your set up is more a car can handle is 30.8 maximum amps only car is design to handle is ok bc car controls acceptance of charge but my car is going to reduce charge all a time of 13.2 amps and nobody can give me an answer why?
 
@JoeC
Sounds like with your setup, "reduced" is giving you about what I can get out of my 30A socket. I have a Grizzl-e set to 24A plugged into a 30A outlet on "max". My wife typically returns home with about 60% SoC and it takes just about 3 hrs to charge back up. That's just over 13% per hour on average.

Rob
 
I was able to see what amps my car was taking when charged bc Lectron charger display 13.5 amps and reduced setting . But last night amazingly when I plug Lectron charger ,charger shows agin 13.5 amps and timing from 50 -100 % 5 Hr. But on Maximum charging ,I plug and unplug and nothing changed still Maximum I said great .But to be more confused I plug my Cripper Creek and and a charger stay on maximum setting and a time 50-100% show me 2 1/2 hr which mean charger was on about 27 amps but I can’t proof bc CCreek have no display . Today I’m going to charge again bc I drove 80 miles and I like to see what going to happen.Maybe my big battery is finally balanced .Can everyone say where a Mini SE is driven bc Some European answers are very confusing.Mini in USA is different and I believe Canada the same as USA .I’m driving SE in New York .
 
Rexsio said:
I was able to see what amps my car was taking when charged bc Lectron charger display 13.5 amps and reduced setting . But last night amazingly when I plug Lectron charger ,charger shows agin 13.5 amps and timing from 50 -100 % 5 Hr. But on Maximum charging ,I plug and unplug and nothing changed still Maximum I said great .But to be more confused I plug my Cripper Creek and and a charger stay on maximum setting and a time 50-100% show me 2 1/2 hr which mean charger was on about 27 amps but I can’t proof bc CCreek have no display . Today I’m going to charge again bc I drove 80 miles and I like to see what going to happen.Maybe my big battery is finally balanced .Can everyone say where a Mini SE is driven bc Some European answers are very confusing.Mini in USA is different and I believe Canada the same as USA .I’m driving SE in New York .
Click to expand...
Since I have a car Jan. 3 22 last night in my garage was 65 F.maybe this was a factor of charging without any restrictions,usually is about 50 F.
 
Rexsio said:
Since I have a car Jan. 3 22 last night in my garage was 65 F.maybe this was a factor of charging without any restrictions,usually is about 50 F.
Click to expand...
That temperature difference shouldn't be a factor. The only time I see slower charging is when my batteries are cold-soaked by being in subzero (Fahrenheit) temperatures for over six hours.
 
Puppethead said:
That temperature difference shouldn't be a factor. The only time I see slower charging is when my batteries are cold-soaked by being in subzero (Fahrenheit) temperatures for over six hours.
Click to expand...
You right I never experienced charging issues with i3 ,but cross a fingers I try today to charge again I drove 80 miles ,maybe BMW fix my problem by going into my SE bc I make so much nose!
 
Rexsio said:
But to be more confused I plug my Cripper Creek and and a charger stay on maximum setting and a time 50-100% show me 2 1/2 hr which mean charger was on about 27 amps but I can’t proof bc CCreek have no display .
Click to expand...
You don't need a display on your Clipper Creek EVSE if your MINI tells you it will charge from 50-100% in 2-1/2 hours. That timing indicates you've successfully selected your SE's full charging rate.
 
If anybody can say on L2 in a house you charge a car in 4 hr . Or everybody is so excited about own SE a people don’t care how long they charge them on public chargers or in a house on L 1 for 28 HR .Right now with 25 miles on a car I plug my L2 and car is showing 7 HR to be fully charged on Maximum setting on L2 charger 240/32amp. Se recently was switching to reduced charge but now stay on Maximum and believe me I know how to set a charging setting correctly, I drove the same crab for 6 years BMW I 3
 
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