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.

Buy the Tesla one. I have a few of them, at different places.

Reliable, and mass market used.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

I’m waiting on your thread on what car you chose vtail.

Equinox? Is my guess.

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.