What Level 2 Charger did you buy/install?

[rspray]

How long is the cord on the Clipper Creek?  Thanks!

[Earthdog]

How long is the cord on the Clipper Creek?  Thanks!

At least 16 feet. 

[lokicat]

Leviton Level 2 kit for me. Purchased from Home Depot. My panel is in the garage so it took an electrician about 2 hours to install the 240 V socket. Thankfully, I had a couple empty breaker sockets but now at 100% full. If I ever get another plugin car, it's gonna be a lot more to install than the $180 I spent today. Will probably need a sub panel like jeff_h or do some illegal splicing of some 120V lines!

[rspray]

Just a reminder, last night for the $595 Clipper Creek charger.  Unless they extend the sale for a 3rd month....  I just placed my order!

[BadRock]

I'm holding out in hopes that they'll extend!

[BadRock]

...and they did!

 

 

New Low Price
The most advanced level 2 residential charge station now available at a new lower price

 

http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ClipperCreekInc/-strse-6/Level-2-EVSE%2C-Level/Detail.bok

[Mr. Fusion]

The odd thing to me is when charging on 110 (at home) the car only gets to 21 miles, at the office on the LCS-25 it always shows AND GOES 25 miles. Just thought that was odd as if its getting more of a charge on the LCS-25.

Also the LCS-25 charging is with eGo Times that turn on the AC before I leave the office.

I have the Clippercreek also, and I'm consistently getting 28-29 miles per charge. I just assumed it was adjusting to my driving habits. I should use the 110 tonight to see if I still get 28 miles....

Edited May 2, 2013 at 11:42 AM by Mr. Fusion

[Mr. Fusion]

I used the 110 charger last night and still got 28 miles on the battery. Although, I unplugged the 110 and plugged in the 220 and the charger said it was charging, but the ring was solid and my meter didn't click up any.

One thing's for sure... WOW it took a long time to charge with the 110. I'm spoiled with my 220 charger.

[Earthdog]

How long is the cord on the Clipper Creek?  Thanks!

 

@rspray Correction I had the gentleman in from MetroPlugin and the Clipcreek LCS25 has a 20' cable.

 

I'm with you Mr. Fusion I am so spoiled with my 220 at the office I am getting a 220 for home too.

[Mr. Fusion]

My last full 220 charge used 7.16 kWh, according to my meter. I never measured the 110, but others say it's in the high 7's

 

And I know I can't prove it, but I swear you get a little more out of the 220.

 

Last night I charged with the 110 and had 28 miles on the dash battery, which quickly ticked down to 27 soon after leaving.

 

I just charged it today on the 220 and I have 30 miles in big battery.

[rtshinn]

Excellent. The most I have seen so far is 23 miles.

[drwhipps]

I just ordered the Clipper Creek LCS-25 from metroplugin,com.

The price, features and experiences from other users convinced me this was the best deal.

The service from metroplugin was also top notch - Greg answered all my questions and the unit shipped the same day.

Should have this installed in a week or two.

[Rhyalus]

So I wonder how low the prices will come down on these things?

 

Is the price so high because the regulation on 220v electronics really requires good components OR is the price so high because we are early adopters and the volume of sales are low?

 

R

[BadRock]

You're paying higher prices because you're an early adopter. The "chargers" are not chargers at all, they are essentially a high current rated relay/contactor with a basic communication card that drives it. 

 

The comm card negotiates with the car to determine what sized charger is on board and also prepares the car for what voltage it's going to send. Once negations are complete the contactor closes and AC power is sent to the car. That is why some complain about a "thunk" sound that the "charger" makes. The sound is made by the larger electromagnet pulling the contactor closed. Others use solid state technology that does not make noise but the concept is still very similar. Here is a basic diagram, more on the comm protocol can be found here.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J1772

 

 

 

[rtshinn]

You can also build your own charging station:

 

http://code.google.com/p/open-evse/

[Rhyalus]

I think I am going to wait a little while...  I can now see the benefit of having a 220 charging station, but at 43 MPG I can deal with using some gas.  :-)

 

R

[shaggy314]

Here's a NICE list...

 

http://www.pluginamerica.org/accessories

 

We might want a sticky post of this.

[Energized]

I think I am going to wait a little while...  I can now see the benefit of having a 220 charging station, but at 43 MPG I can deal with using some gas.  :-)

 

R

 

I've come to the same conclusion.  The charging time at 110V has been plenty fast for my uses and buying gas once every 6 weeks or so isn't bad.

[shaggy314]

As always I recommend checking into the tax rebates and incentives with the IRS and local energy companies...

[Guest drfeltersnatch]

i got the 40a leviton with the hanging plug. It charges fully in under two hours. Only reason we went with the 40a is because we have a tesla model s performance on order.

 

Edited May 22, 2013 at 07:25 PM by drfeltersnatch

[larryh]

I filled out the request form for the Bosch Power Max 30 Amp / 18' Cord charger at their web site a couple of weeks ago.  They contacted Mr. Electric to come out and do a survey, and provide an estimate for the installation.  Mr. Electric came out today to do the survey.   Mr. Electric submits the estimate to PlugInNow and they in turn will provide me with the cost for the total package.  The charger will be available at the end of June.

 

The manual recommends a 30 Amp charger:  Ideal conditions include a 240V charging station and a minimum 30A service and high-voltage battery at a moderate temperature.

 

Mr. Electric was the installer that Ford had previously selected for its Charging Stations.   Mr. Electric would purchase the Ford/Leviton Charging Station from Best Buy (special order) and do the installation.  However, Ford has now selected AeroVironment as the provider for its Charging Stations.  Mr. Electric and Best Buy are no longer involved.

Edited May 23, 2013 at 11:39 PM by larryh

[meyersnole]

I filled out the request form for the Bosch Power Max 30 Amp / 18' Cord charger at their web site a couple of weeks ago.  They contacted Mr. Electric to come out and do a survey, and provide an estimate for the installation.  Mr. Electric came out today to do the survey.   Mr. Electric submits the estimate to PlugInNow and they in turn will provide me with the cost for the total package.  The charger will be available at the end of June.

 

The manual recommends a 30 Amp charger:  Ideal conditions include a 240V charging station and a minimum 30A service and high-voltage battery at a moderate temperature.

 

Mr. Electric was the installer that Ford had previously selected for its Charging Stations.   Mr. Electric would purchase the Ford/Leviton Charging Station from Best Buy (special order) and do the installation.  However, Ford has now selected AeroVironment as the provider for its Charging Stations.  Mr. Electric and Best Buy are no longer involved.

 

If you don't mind sharing your estimate and experience, I am also considering this route.

[meyersnole]

i got the 40a leviton with the hanging plug. It charges fully in under two hours. Only reason we went with the 40a is because we have a tesla model s performance on order.

 

 

I thought the tesla used a different charge method. I am pretty sure you only use a cord and the outlet, and the charger is built into the car.  Edit: I see the model S also has the standard charger! Model S also comes with a J1772 adapter to be used with public charging stations.

 

 

However, you still have a nice charger that should work on whatever PEV car you chose next.

Edited May 24, 2013 at 02:52 AM by meyersnole

[larryh]

If you don't mind sharing your estimate and experience, I am also considering this route.

I should be getting the estimate sometime next week.  Mr. Electric will run wire from my electric panel in an unfinished section of my basement to the garage (about 30') through the floor joists.  I have a 150 amp main breaker in the panel with plenty of room for a 40 amp breaker for the charger.  Once in the garage, he will install another 20' of conduit along the wall to the charger. Note that if you use the electrician that they recommend, you get a 3 year warranty on the charger vs. a 1 year warranty if you install it yourself or use another electrician.  But they probably add on a small surcharge to the estimate provided by the electrician they recommended for that (maybe 5%).

 

I had considered adding a $75 submeter socket provided by the electric company for lower charging rates.  However, Mr. Electric said the cost to install that would be greater than $2500.  I'm not sure all what he was planning to do, but it included installing a new meter socket along with a new electric panel.  So I will not be installing a submeter.

Edited July 4, 2013 at 03:16 PM by larryh

[Earthdog]

A big part of the cost and why we won't see these come way down in the is the Company holding the Utility Patent for the plug is charging $200.00 per unti for the plug alone.....