New owner - Charging equipment question

[Rooster_EV]

Hello all! I recently purchased a 2014 Energi titanium and im looking at home charging options.I was leaning toward the lower rated 120v.But most of what i've found on Amazon are the 240v. Do these require a higher voltage electrical socket? Does anyone have a recommendation for a charging solution i can use with a standard wall socket in my garage? Thanks!

Edited September 3, 2017 at 12:59 AM by Rooster_EV

[meyersnole]

The charger that came with your car will work with your standard 120v socket in your garage. Just make sure that you do not overload that circuit with multiple things plugged into that plug, or other plugs that are on the same breaker while you are charging your car.

 

If you want to charge your car faster, then you will most likely have to have an electrician come out and install a 240V line in your garage. If you are willing to undergo that expense then many on here would point you to Clipper Creek ( https://www.clippercreek.com/ )as a good value charger. The car wont be able to take advantage of anything over a 16A charger but if you are going to go through the expense of putting a level 2 charger in then your next car might be able to utilize a bigger charger. Browse through this section of the forum as there is a lot of information to be found.

 

Good luck!  

[murphy]

I see you are in Maryland.  You will not be able to successfully pre-heat the car using GO times with a 120 volt EVSE (Electric Vehicle Service Equipment).  The charger is built into the car.  120 volts times 12 amps = 1440 watts.  240 volts times 16 amps = 3840 watts.  With the 120 volt EVSE it takes over 5 hours to charge the battery.  That EVSE should be under the cover in the trunk.  With a 240 volt EVSE it takes slightly over 2 hours to charge the battery. 

 

Have an electrician run a 240 volt 50 ampere line to your garage.  That means you are future proofed for a future car that can charge at up to 40 amps.  I recommend this because I originally installed 14 gauge wire for a 120 volt 15 amp dedicated circuit.  Then I ripped that out and installed 12 gauge wire for a 240 volt 20 amp circuit.  Finally I ripped that out and installed 6 gauge wire for a 240 volt 50 amp circuit when I got a second, full electric, car. It's more expensive doing it right the first time but not as expensive as doing the same job three times.