New to EVs and have Level 2 charging question

C

CFMSN

New Member
Just took possession of a green Clarity (Touring) in Tampa Bay area. Still less than 100 miles.

Need to do some electrical work for charging and contemplating going with Level 2. Anyone BTDT? I know that recommended min of 32amp but wonder if 40amp has any advantages or disadvantages. Any recs on brand? Thanks for any responses.

I've just scanned through the postings so far and will spend more time over the next few days learning more about the car and EVs in general.

Later,
C
 
CFMSN said:
Just took possession of a green Clarity (Touring) in Tampa Bay area. Still less than 100 miles.

Need to do some electrical work for charging and contemplating going with Level 2. Anyone BTDT? I know that recommended min of 32amp but wonder if 40amp has any advantages or disadvantages. Any recs on brand? Thanks for any responses.

I've just scanned through the postings so far and will spend more time over the next few days learning more about the car and EVs in general.

Later,
C
Click to expand...

We install Level 2 charger hookups in the houses we build, we wire/breaker for 50 amps and use a NEMA 14-50 outlet if we do not install the wall box, when we do install the wall box we hardwire the Chargepoint-Home which is not the cheapest wall box, but looks nice and seems to work well, I have installed more then a dozen and not had any complaints.

https://www.chargepoint.com/drivers/home/
 
CFMSN said:
Just took possession of a green Clarity (Touring) in Tampa Bay area. Still less than 100 miles.

Need to do some electrical work for charging and contemplating going with Level 2. Anyone BTDT? I know that recommended min of 32amp but wonder if 40amp has any advantages or disadvantages. Any recs on brand? Thanks for any responses.

I've just scanned through the postings so far and will spend more time over the next few days learning more about the car and EVs in general.

Later,
C
Click to expand...
The 40 amp charger (EVSE) should charge the vehicle a bit quicker. You might post your question in the Clarity forum and you will get some responses as to their actual charge times.

If you are going to update the electrical panel or don't have to update the panel for 40 amps, then you might as well go with the 40 amp device. If you can get away using the 30 amp EVSE without updating the electrical panel but need to for 40 amps, then it's a tougher call since the slower charging time probably isn't going to make that big a difference to most folks.

Some things to consider are: how long you are planning to live at your residence and do you see ever having a battery only vehicle.
 
The cost for the two types is minimally different. I would have to switch out to a 40 amp breaker either way unless I should go with a 50 amp for a 40 amp box. Either way the cost is about the same if not the same. Both require a #8 wire. So if there's no disadvantage to the 40 amp then that answers the question. Thanks to both of your responses I'll let you know how it goes.
 
The rule of thumb is you can safely draw 80% of the rated circuit breaker and wire. So if your Clarity has ~7.2 kW charging capability that would be ~31 A @240 VAC. That means the circuit must be rated at 31/80% ~= 39 A.

Now if you have a dryer, those are usually rated at ~30 A. This means you could charge at 30 A * 80% ~= 24 A when the dryer is not in use.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson
 
CFMSN said:
The cost for the two types is minimally different. I would have to switch out to a 40 amp breaker either way unless I should go with a 50 amp for a 40 amp box. Either way the cost is about the same if not the same. Both require a #8 wire. So if there's no disadvantage to the 40 amp then that answers the question. Thanks to both of your responses I'll let you know how it goes.
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When we wire for EV level 2 charging we use 6/3 CU NM/B which is good for 60 amps peak loading, but for constant loading like an EV charger in any weather I think it better to not use it above 45 Amps 240V continuous. Wiring the EV charger with 8/3 is cost saving, but I would not recommend over 32 Amps continuous, as in hot weather the wire heating can get higher then optimal. If your charger is close to the panel the cost difference is minimal, and if it is a longer distance, just more reason to upgrade the wire.
 
So if I understand the last two posts correctly. Total run is about 25 foot which includes the up and down to the box and receptacle. A 40 amp breaker would protect the charger based on the 39 watt calculation from Bob. The #8 I have would suffice but it would be better to go to #6.
 
FYI - the #8 is already wired to the box from when we had an ac coil and fan in the attic. Just need to switch out breakers and move wire to other side of attic. The ac/fan was preheating hot water using the attic heat. Eventually the fan died and got a new roof and better insulation. So I didn't replace it. But the wiring is still there.
 
CFMSN said:
FYI - the #8 is already wired to the box from when we had an ac coil and fan in the attic. Just need to switch out breakers and move wire to other side of attic. The ac/fan was preheating hot water using the attic heat. Eventually the fan died and got a new roof and better insulation. So I didn't replace it. But the wiring is still there.
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I see, in the case of an older home and trying to re-use older equipment I would recommend having a licensed electrician look at your installation before moving forward. There are so many variables that could cause you a problem. Always better to be overly careful than have a situation that is not safe.
 
CFMSN said:
Just took possession of a green Clarity (Touring) in Tampa Bay area. Still less than 100 miles.

Need to do some electrical work for charging and contemplating going with Level 2. Anyone BTDT? I know that recommended min of 32amp but wonder if 40amp has any advantages or disadvantages. Any recs on brand? Thanks for any responses.

I've just scanned through the postings so far and will spend more time over the next few days learning more about the car and EVs in general.

Later,
C
Click to expand...
Honda claims it has a 30amp charger on board. Putting a 40amp charging station will not charge the vehicle any faster. The only plus side to having a larger charge station is if you plan on getting a full electric EV in the future. But for the Clarity, stick with the 30 amp charge station. Clipper creek makes portable level 2 30 amp charge stations that plug into dryer outlets if this will work for you. Amazon sells lots of different models, make sure the one you buy us UL listed as these are tested and certified as safe by the government.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Inside EVs mobile app
 
CFMSN said:
Just took possession of a green Clarity (Touring) in Tampa Bay area. Still less than 100 miles.

Need to do some electrical work for charging and contemplating going with Level 2. Anyone BTDT? I know that recommended min of 32amp but wonder if 40amp has any advantages or disadvantages. Any recs on brand? Thanks for any responses.

I've just scanned through the postings so far and will spend more time over the next few days learning more about the car and EVs in general.

Later,
C
Click to expand...
I have the exact same car....congrats, you'll love it!

The car can only charge at 32A (or less), but that means a 40A circuit for the electrician. I bought a 32A Level 2 charge cable with an inline charger from Amazon. You don't need to get the much more expensive wall charger with a cable. While I was waiting on the cable to arrive, I had an electrician install a 40A circuit with the appropriate outlet (look at the picture of what you buy and make sure the electrician puts in the right one...but it's essentially 1 of 2 options you have for a dryer).

I went from charging overnight to charging in about 2 hours +/- depending on how much juice is left in the battery. The wife says that we haven't seen any change in our electric bill over last year, but clearly there has to be some impact. So far though, it appears negligible. Good luck.
 
CFMSN said:
Just took possession of a green Clarity (Touring) in Tampa Bay area. Still less than 100 miles.

Need to do some electrical work for charging and contemplating going with Level 2. Anyone BTDT? I know that recommended min of 32amp but wonder if 40amp has any advantages or disadvantages. Any recs on brand? Thanks for any responses.

I've just scanned through the postings so far and will spend more time over the next few days learning more about the car and EVs in general.

Later,
C
Click to expand...
Look at the Tesla charger on their website. Probably the best option. Very flexible and you don't even need a Tesla!
 
CFMSN said:
So if I understand the last two posts correctly. Total run is about 25 foot which includes the up and down to the box and receptacle. A 40 amp breaker would protect the charger based on the 39 watt calculation from Bob. The #8 I have would suffice but it would be better to go to #6.
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Also consider how often you will really drain your battery to "empty". We have a 16kW battery and seldom if ever do we drain it below 20%! I charge the car on using a 30A dryer outlet.

It all depends on your daily driving needs. Also, as someone mentioned, how long will you live I your present address? Can you charge at work? I assume if money is no object you would not have asked the question. A 50A circuit, wired with AWG 6 wire, is of course the ultimate solution. It will probably add value to your house.
 
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