http Posted July 5, 2013 at 08:44 PM Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 at 08:44 PM I decided that I don't need a Level 2 charger at home. I'd have to add a subpanel and run a new outlet. I mostly charge overnight anyway, so I decided that I could get by with an extra L1 charging cable mounted in the garage. Apparently, Ford raised their prices on July 1. For an OEM cable, Ford part number FM5Z10B706A:Ford Parts was $510. 23 now $701.49Varsity was $408.18 now $561.19Levittown was $420.94 now $578.73 Ouch! I'm thinking of going with the Leviton EVC11-300 at Amazon for $497.88. Has anybody had any experience with this cable?Are there any other options other than making up my own cable or the ClipperCreek permanent install? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted July 5, 2013 at 09:30 PM Report Share Posted July 5, 2013 at 09:30 PM If you have a 20A 120V circuit in your garage, Clipper Creek makes a charger that can take advantage of that. Instead of being a 1500 watt charger (the one the car comes with), it does 1900 watts, so you may be able to get a bit faster charge and slightly better go time performance. However, I have no idea if the car can utilize that or not. I don't see why it can't. It can do 16A at 240 for both legs... don't see why it can't do 16A on one leg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Energized Posted July 6, 2013 at 01:01 AM Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 at 01:01 AM Have you looked at the Clipper Creek one? It's more than the Leviton though. http://www.clippercreek.com/uploads/ClipperCreek%20PCS-15.pdf All the L1 charging cables seem way over priced for what they are and in comparison to the L2 chargers. Bosch sells a L2 for $450, why are the L1s so darn expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted July 6, 2013 at 02:24 AM Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 at 02:24 AM The cable and J1772 plug is why this stuff is so expensive. You can buy just the cable and plug and just that runs 150 - 175 bucks (saw that on the 'build your own L2 charger' site that was in another thread). I'm sure BUILDING that and selling it runs the company 30 bucks, but due to royalties on the patent of the charging connector, it's insanely expensive. Plus there's the fact that they're probably not selling a huge number of these just yet. All cars come with a charger and the L2, in my opinion, is a luxury, as is any additional chargers. Heck, laptop power supplies for my ancient machine were 130 bucks... but 7 years later, now they're 20. I'm sure with time, they'll come down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy Posted July 6, 2013 at 10:17 AM Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 at 10:17 AM Not if the high price is really because of a patent. A patent issued after 1995 is good for 20 years. A differnet charging method could be developed but it would not be backward compatible to current cars.That possibility might make the patent holder reduce the royalty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
http Posted July 6, 2013 at 03:46 PM Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 at 03:46 PM Yes, I've looked at the Clipper Creek, but it's a permanent install. I just want a second cable that I can leave in the garage for overnight charging without having to dig into the trunk every time. I guess I'll go with the Leviton. According to the Leviton web site, you can select slow (12 amp, 1.4 KW) or really slow (7 amp, 0.8 KW) charge settings so you don't overload the circuit. I'm using a non-dedicated 120v plug in the garage, so that's probably the best way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhyalus Posted July 6, 2013 at 06:32 PM Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 at 06:32 PM I could be wrong, but the 120v draw is not a real big deal. I definitely do not have an isolated circuit for the outlet that I use. R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyersnole Posted July 6, 2013 at 09:09 PM Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 at 09:09 PM I could be wrong, but the 120v draw is not a real big deal. I definitely do not have an isolated circuit for the outlet that I use. RI also do not have an isolated circuit that I currently use for charging the car, but if I were to plug my blower into that circuit while the car is charging I will pop the breaker (from experience). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
http Posted July 6, 2013 at 09:52 PM Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 at 09:52 PM I could be wrong, but the 120v draw is not a real big deal. I definitely do not have an isolated circuit for the outlet that I use. R Normally it's not a big deal, but today I learned that you can't charge your Energi and run a Shop Vac at the same time on the same 20 amp circuit. Strangely enough, the breaker didn't pop when I turned on the Shop Vac. I was using it for about 30 seconds before the breaker went. So far, I haven't had any problems with the garage door opener which is also on the same circuit. In any event, the 7 amp setting on the Leviton should make sure I don't have a problem, so long as I'm not in a hurry to recharge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Energized Posted July 10, 2013 at 02:23 AM Report Share Posted July 10, 2013 at 02:23 AM Yes, I've looked at the Clipper Creek, but it's a permanent install. I just want a second cable that I can leave in the garage for overnight charging without having to dig into the trunk every time. I guess I'll go with the Leviton. According to the Leviton web site, you can select slow (12 amp, 1.4 KW) or really slow (7 amp, 0.8 KW) charge settings so you don't overload the circuit. I'm using a non-dedicated 120v plug in the garage, so that's probably the best way to go. The Cripple Creek PCS-15 is a portable L1 unit not unlike the one that came with the car http://www.clippercr...reek PCS-15.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthdog Posted July 11, 2013 at 07:51 AM Report Share Posted July 11, 2013 at 07:51 AM The Cripple Creek PCS-15 is a portable L1 unit not unlike the one that came with the car http://www.clippercr...reek PCS-15.pdf Yes this CC unit is Level 1 and is being provided as OEM to several US Automakers. COntact metroplugin.com and request the information as this is a great level 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bwehry Posted August 3, 2013 at 03:35 AM Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 at 03:35 AM Looks like the price dropped 8/1 - "ClipperCreek Industry-Leading LCS-25 Charging Station on Sale for only $495!"http://www.clippercreek.com/blog/clippercreek-industry-leading-lcs-25-charging-station-on-sale-for-only-495/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy Posted August 3, 2013 at 09:28 AM Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 at 09:28 AM That probably means they are getting ready to introduce a new model and want to sell off the existing inventory before then. Andre07 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy314 Posted August 5, 2013 at 04:11 PM Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 at 04:11 PM Also L1 charging is less efficient so it takes longer than just twice the time. I got a L2 charger with a plug so should I move IT comes with me and the new owner have to figure out what to do with a 240 plug halfway down the garage... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lokicat Posted August 15, 2013 at 04:42 AM Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 at 04:42 AM L2 charger is a much more convenient so just to make sure you have looked into all your options. I assume you need a sub panel because you don't have any spaces left in your main panel for a 240V breaker. However, consider: 1) Depending on the model of your panel, you may be able to combine 2 120V breakers with a single 240V breaker in a space of two sockets. This type of breaker is called a "quad". You would pull out two single breakers and replace the open slots with a single quad. For more info, you can search "quad circuit breaker" on Home Depot. This is the case with my panel and I will need a quad if I install another L2 charger when I get a second EV. 2) Even if you end up having to install a sub panel, keep in mind there is a federal tax credit of up to $1,000 (33% of the cost of equipment plus installation) for installing a level 2 car charger. You may be eligible for even more rebates from your city/state or utilities provider. That can ease the pain of that sub panel cost. Andre07 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlb92 Posted August 15, 2013 at 03:42 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 at 03:42 PM There is an obvious reason why these cost so much. The government is giving a 30% rebate so they raise the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy314 Posted August 15, 2013 at 09:29 PM Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 at 09:29 PM I doubt they raise the price for that reason, so much as they are in less hurry to lower it as their costs lower. They would also have to assume:1) You know about the rebate2) Qualify...3) a 30% rebate is the sole factor in getting one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlb92 Posted August 16, 2013 at 02:47 AM Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 at 02:47 AM Well lets think about this...I'm a big corporation and people MUST buy chargers (especially EV only vehicles): "Why do I want the customer to get a 30% rebate, I designed this and I have health benefits to pay. I'm going to raise the price of this because I want a cut of that government money." Free money, stock prices up, woot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staceyk Posted October 17, 2013 at 01:12 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 at 01:12 PM Where can I find out about this 30% Federal rebate for installing a level 2 charger? I was only aware of the $3,750 tax credit for purchasing the energy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted October 17, 2013 at 01:20 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 at 01:20 PM Here you go: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-8911,-Alternative-Fuel-Vehicle-Refueling-Property-Credit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SD Diver Posted October 17, 2013 at 07:33 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 at 07:33 PM Where can I find out about this 30% Federal rebate for installing a level 2 charger? I was only aware of the $3,750 tax credit for purchasing the energy.BTW - the $3750 has now been raised to $4007 based upon the size of the battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dag Posted October 17, 2013 at 09:58 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 at 09:58 PM I have an electrician coming out later next week, and it think I need a sub panel in my garage. Does anyone have any idea what that might run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckJ Posted October 17, 2013 at 10:26 PM Report Share Posted October 17, 2013 at 10:26 PM I have an electrician coming out later next week, and it think I need a sub panel in my garage. Does anyone have any idea what that might run?I had them re-work a couple of circuits and then they were able to put it in the same box. It cost me $250. ChuckJ Dag 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russael Posted October 18, 2013 at 12:41 AM Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 at 12:41 AM Dag, what kind of electrical service do you currently have in your garage? Just one 120v circuit or do you have 240 out there already? If you're JUST connecting a charging station to a dedicated line, then you shouldn't need a sub panel unless you want to distribute power through your garage (I ran 50A 240v service via a 6 gauge cable to a sub panel, and I have 3, 20A 120v circuits, 1 30A 240V circuit, and 1 15A circuit). Sub panels are essentially just distribution panels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dag Posted October 18, 2013 at 03:06 AM Report Share Posted October 18, 2013 at 03:06 AM My garage has just a few 120 outlets. My panel is as far away as possible in my basement on the other side of the house. The panel appears full, but perhaps we can combine some stuff. A future project would be to run outside lighting so a sub panel would make that project easier. I guess I'll find out soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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