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אַרְיֵה
Picture of V-Tail
posted
What Level 2 charger do you have / recommend for home installation?

My parameters are:
  • The fastest charging speed is not a requirement. Anything from 24 amps on up, is plenty for our needs.

  • The installation will not be hard-wired; I will opt for a NEMA 14-50 plug-in model.

  • I am looking at four chargers right now, all supposedly good quality. The list might change, depending on what I learn. In no particular order, we're looking at

    1. The one that is sold by GM dealers. Not sure what the brand is. Might (or might not) be better support since the charger will be used with a GM vehicle. Maybe less finger-pointing if there's a problem and I need support.

    2. ChargePoint Home Flex. The app gets high reviews.

    3. Tesla -- the model with the 14-50 plug and the J1772 connector.

    4. Emporia
The price that I'm seeing for each of the first three (unless I can find a discount) is right at or just under $600, and the Emporia is $400.

It's a GM vehicle (will be described in a separate thread), and GM is paying for the cost of the electrician. They will cover up to $1,500 for installation costs, permit, etc., but they do not pay for the charger itself. That purchase is on my nickel.



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Posts: 31544 | Location: Central Florida, Orlando area | Registered: January 03, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The Ice Cream Man
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Buy the Tesla one. I have a few of them, at different places.

Reliable, and mass market used.
 
Posts: 5952 | Location: Republic of Ice Cream, Low Country, SC. | Registered: May 24, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
The Ice Cream Man
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If it is outside get the dedicated 14-50 one.

I have the multi adapter one which came with my first Tesla, in my trunk, along with an extension cord, when I travel, in case something weird happens.
 
Posts: 5952 | Location: Republic of Ice Cream, Low Country, SC. | Registered: May 24, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
I use Wallbox 40 amp charger at home. Works great. ChargePoint should be good as well. I have the L2 commercial version installed at one of my commercial properties.
 
Posts: 912 | Location: Texas | Registered: January 05, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Conservative in Nor Cal constantly swimming
up stream
Picture of PR64
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Mine is not hardwired. It’s plugged into the dedicated 220 outlet.

We charge the Mach E and the Volt.

I have nothing to compare it to but it works just fine for us. Had it for probably 8 years now.







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Posts: 3665 | Location: Nor Cal | Registered: January 25, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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get the best one that has the connector for your vehicle

Tesla charger will require an adapter, unless GM has adopted the future NA standard

check with your power company, many of them will issue a rebate after buying an EV charger, monthly rebates when charging at non peak times. I got sent a $250 check from my power company after I provide receipt for a Tesla charger purchase which cut the cost in half

I have a Tesla charger which has been flawless for almost 4 years


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Posts: 6307 | Location: New Orleans...outside the levees, fishing in the Rigolets | Registered: October 11, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I've had the Chargepoint for 5 years. It died once so they sent me a new one. Don't remember how many years in that was, but it was no hassle. I also purchased a longer charging cord when we got a second plug in car (a hybrid). Trouble free.

ETA: I've got the exact same setup as PR64
 
Posts: 844 | Location: STL | Registered: January 07, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
אַרְיֵה
Picture of V-Tail
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by snwghst:

Tesla charger will require an adapter, unless GM has adopted the future NA standard
Tesla "Wall Connector," MSRP $450, is Tesla (NACS) only.

Tesla "Universal Wall Connector," MSRP $580, handles both Tesla (NACS) and J1772 (just about every EV / Plug-In Hybrid other than Tesla).

ChargePoint and GM chargers both list for $599.

Emporia is $399.



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Posts: 31544 | Location: Central Florida, Orlando area | Registered: January 03, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Conservative in Nor Cal constantly swimming
up stream
Picture of PR64
posted Hide Post
I have heard of a lot of failures of the Emporia chargers from the Macheforum.

There’s a guy that does a bunch of YouTube videos called state of charge.

You should check out his channel.


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Get your guns b4 the Dems take them away
Sig P-229
Sig P-220 Combat
 
Posts: 3665 | Location: Nor Cal | Registered: January 25, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I installed a gen 3 Tesla wall connector in the garage. Instructions specifically say that it needs to be hardwired, the mobile connector can be plugged in the an outlet, with the correct adapter.
 
Posts: 349 | Location: Bardstown, Ky | Registered: December 06, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Prefontaine
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I have a NRG. But it was installed 10 years ago. It has its own surge protector built in so whichever high rated one you can find that has surge protection built in.



What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone
 
Posts: 13026 | Location: Down South | Registered: January 16, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of SIGfourme
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Chargepoint in CT. Enel Juice Box in Florida. No problems with either charger.
Chargepoint has a swivel connection which makes it easier to return the charger into the holster.
Florida Light and Power has a program for EV chargers--unlimited off peak charging (nights and weekends)
Mount your charger towards the front of your garage--allows charging in the garage or outside.
 
Posts: 2379 | Location: Southeast CT | Registered: January 18, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Thank you
Very little
Picture of HRK
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Duke Energy has an off peak credit for EV owners who charge - off peak..

Off-peak hours have their advantages.
Eligible customers who have a Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) home charger can get a $10 credit on their monthly Duke Energy bill if they charge during off-peak hours. It’s a win-win. Customers get bill credits and we can shift some energy demand to off-peak hours.


HOWEVER!

Our program is currently full. Join our waitlist to be notified as soon as new spots become available.

Link

You can also enroll in DE's off peak Flex Savings Option, basically your power costs are reduced from 9pm to 6am. We did this and changed the pool pump schedule to run between those hours.

Link
 
Posts: 24439 | Location: Gunshine State | Registered: November 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
אַרְיֵה
Picture of V-Tail
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by SIGfourme:

Florida Light and Power has a program for EV chargers--unlimited off peak charging (nights and weekends)
Mount your charger towards the front of your garage--allows charging in the garage or outside.
Unfortunately, we're not in FP&L territory. Our power company changes names frequently, it used to be Florida Power -- not Florida Power and Light -- but it is now part of Duke Energy. They do have some sort of incentive for charging during off peak hours, but when I contacted them to ask about it, they told me that the program had a limited number of slots, currently all filled, and they would place me on a waiting list. That means I really have no incentive to charge during the wee hours; I'll charge when it's convenient for me, not for Duke Energy.

There's a two-station ChargePoint charger in the parking lot at the City of Apopka (Florida) Public Works Department. Wife and I stopped there yesterday to look at it, since the vehicle is new to us and we hadn't charged it yet. The screen on the charger displayed instructions to tap phone or credit card, I used iPhone with Apple Pay to enable the charger. Pleasant surprise, the price came up as FREE! I guess it's a return of some tax money. Maybe the energy source at that location is solar?

Re location of home charger, yes, we're planning to locate it at front (driveway) end of garage. We decided that if the whole thing goes up in flames during charging, better it's in the driveway rather than inside the garage. Wink



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Posts: 31544 | Location: Central Florida, Orlando area | Registered: January 03, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of myrottiety
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I've only got experience with the Tesla wall charger. We had a 60a dedicated breaker switch added to our breaker. It charges around 45-50 mph for what it's worth. We had it installed maybe 3 feet from the breaker to cut down on the cost.

Guy charged us maybe $200 - $300 to install the breaker and hard wire it all in. I think it was a solid deal.

Sorry I don't have any exposure to the other brand chargers. But we've used ours for almost x3 years with no issues.




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Posts: 8947 | Location: Woodstock, GA | Registered: August 04, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of NapoleonSolo
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I work for Cadillac indirectly and can consider myself an expert on EVs. The NEMA 1450 plug will give you 20 miles of range added per hour. The 11.5 KW Ultium Power up charger will give you 30 miles of range an hour. Most EVs will be fine on either one as most people are not driving 200 miles per day. Either system will require a 60 amp breaker 50amps + 10. If you buy the Ultium Power Up Plus (19.2 KW) you would need a 100 amp circuit and the installation cost will be very expensive even on a newer home. If you have any questions just message me. - Bob


“Our actions may be impeded...
But there can be no impeding our intentions or our dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting.

The impeding to action advances action.

What stands in the way becomes the way.”

― Marcus Aurelius
 
Posts: 254 | Location: Indianapolis, Indiana | Registered: November 24, 2017Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Right now, both Tesla vehicles and tesla chargers seem to be the best. If you buy something other than a Tesla vehicle, good luck.

Son has a GM bolt. Loves the car (it's a great driver), hates the charging. His mom has a Tesla Y, she loves the car and the charger. At our coast place, we plug it into a 110Wall outlet, so it's more like having a GM EV like the Bolt at that time.
 
Posts: 1954 | Location: Pacific Northwet | Registered: August 01, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
אַרְיֵה
Picture of V-Tail
posted Hide Post
A few replies have recommended the Tesla charger. Does anybody know whether the Universal model (with the J1772 plug) is available with NEMA 14-50 plug? I've looked at the Tesla website, and I haven't found an answer to that question.



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Posts: 31544 | Location: Central Florida, Orlando area | Registered: January 03, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Conservative in Nor Cal constantly swimming
up stream
Picture of PR64
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I’m waiting on your thread on what car you chose vtail.

Equinox? Is my guess.


-----------------------------------
Get your guns b4 the Dems take them away
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Sig P-220 Combat
 
Posts: 3665 | Location: Nor Cal | Registered: January 25, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of myrottiety
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quote:
Originally posted by V-Tail:
A few replies have recommended the Tesla charger. Does anybody know whether the Universal model (with the J1772 plug) is available with NEMA 14-50 plug? I've looked at the Tesla website, and I haven't found an answer to that question.


Not sure it's the solution you want. But the do have the NEMA adapter for the regular chargers for Tesla. (The ones that come with the car.)
https://shop.tesla.com/product/gen-2-nema-adapters

But it's got the tesla plug on the car side. They do make J1772 adapter's for the car side.
https://ev-lectron.com/product...ile-connectors-black

BUT: I'm sure there are way simpler answers out there. Having a Tesla I've just stuck with the tesla chargers.




Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.
 
Posts: 8947 | Location: Woodstock, GA | Registered: August 04, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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