EVSE Recommendations for new buyer

[dr_gibberish]

Hi All,
I have been lurking these forums for about a week as I contemplated buying a Rav4 EV. It looks like we are going to take the plunge (thanks Dianne Whitmire) and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions about brand/model of EVSE. I am looking at the 30 amp Siemens Versacharger but thinking the Leviton 40 amp would be a better bet if I need to charge quickly. (Especially given the apparent problems with programming the charge time on this car.)

What do you think? Does 40 amp vs. 30 amp make that much of a difference? (I am especially worried about the need to fill it up quickly if I come home after a long commute and need to go out.) Any other brands people would suggest? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[user 340]

I recommend the Leviton if you:
1) Decide to not get a free EVSE from the state program
2) Need to install a new high current circuit
3) Do not plan to use the EVSE on a lower current circuit (Leviton current is not adjustable - only 40A)

The extra current is nice if you need to put some extra juice into the car as quickly as possible, as in the 2 cases you describe (failed timed charge and after a long drive). I had to spend $1K on a new circuit with the expensive permit, so I decided that spending a few hundred $ more on the Leviton over a 30A unit was worth it.

 

[miimura]

I chose to get the Leviton 40 amp unit. It is more expensive and chances are you will not really notice the difference between 30 amp and 40 amp at home. I already had a NEMA 14-50 in the right spot in my garage, so I just changed the socket to a NEMA 6-50 to match the Leviton plug. I have never had the situation you describe where you need to charge quickly for a back-to-back trip. There are only a few features that differentiate the different units.

1. Current delivery
2. Portability
3. Compatibility
4. Known Defects (such as overheating pins or internal connectors)

One aspect of portability is the ability to adjust the current to match the circuit. Most EVSE cannot do this and the RAV4 cannot do it by itself - it will just pull the max current indicated by the EVSE. Siemens Versicharge and Tesla Mobile Connector are notable for that feature. The Tesla unit is clearly the best portable unit, but needs to be modified for use with non-Tesla vehicles. See Tony's thread about that.

I would stay away from Blink units due to their ongoing issues with the poorly assembled J-plugs. Older SPX units can have their firmware upgraded for full compatibility with the RAV4 EV and newer units should be shipping fully compatible.

Other than that it's just appearance and cost. Amazon used to have good prices on the 40 amp Leviton but they don't today. If I was buying today I would either get the Versicharge from Amazon, the Leviton 30 amp (with free mounting bracket) from Homedepot.com, or the Leviton 40 amp direct from Leviton at http://toyota.leviton.com/solutions/rav4ev

 

[rav4buyer]

I've been thinking about the same thing. If the car charges while you sleep it won't make much of a difference. If you have a backup gas car you don't have to worry about one off trips. If you're going 30A you might as well get the free one.

 

[TonyWilliams]

Siemens Versicharge and Tesla Mobile Connector are notable for that feature. The Tesla unit is clearly the best portable unit, but needs to be modified for use with non-Tesla vehicles. See Tony's thread about that.

For a home 40 amp option, there is:

1) Leviton 40 amp from Toyota (or far cheaper from Home Depot online). Here's a link to somebody who did just that

2) Clipper Creek CS50 or CS60... my personal favorite and what I recommend for daily home use at 40 amps: http://www.clippercreek.com/products.html

3) Build your own OPENevse any way you want: http://code.google.com/p/open-evse/

4) The portable Tesla UMC, variable from 12 amps to 40 amps:

How to buy

Link to the below

When you attach the respective Tesla $45 plug, the UMC will automatically provide the following amperage:

..................................................VOLTS / AMPS..........kW
NEMA 5-15 .......Standard Outlet 110 V / 12 A...... 1.4 kW
NEMA 14-50......RVs and Camps. 240 V / 40 A...... 9.6 kW
NEMA 6-50 .......Welding Equip... 240 V / 40 A...... 9.6 kW
NEMA 10-30......Older Dryers...... 240 V / 24 A...... 5.8 kW
NEMA 14-30......Newer Dryers..... 240 V / 24 A...... 5.8 kW

****************************************

Miles Gained per Hour Charging @ 87.5% charger efficiency
70F Ambient temperature - hotter or colder will decrease miles gained

---------------------------- 2.7 miles/kWh - 3.4 miles/kWh
Amps/Volts -- Where ------ City Drive ----- 65mph

12 / 120 ------- Any ------ 2.8 miles ------ 3.5 miles (supplied cable with car)
12 / 240 ------ Home ----- 6.8 miles ------ 8.6 miles (EVSEupgrade.com mod)
16 / 208 ------ Public ----- 7.5 miles ------ 9.5 miles (2011-2012 LEEF EVSE doesn't work)
16 / 240 ------ Home ----- 8.9 miles ----- 11.2 miles (2011-2012 LEEF EVSE doesn't work)
20 / 208 ------ Public ----- 9.4 miles ----- 11.9 miles (2013 LEEF EVSEupgrade.com)
20 / 240 ------ Home ---- 11.0 miles ----- 13.9 miles (Clipper Creek LCS-25)
24 / 240 ------ Home ---- 13.6 miles ----- 17.7 miles (dryer outlet)
25 / 250 ------ Home ---- 13.7 miles ----- 17.9 miles (2013 LEEF EVSEupgrade.com)
30 / 208 ------ Public ---- 14.8 miles ----- 18.7 miles (typical public J1772)
30 / 240 ------ Home ---- 17.1 miles ----- 21.6 miles (rare public J1772)
40 / 208 ------ Public ---- 18.5 miles ----- 23.4 miles (Tesla Roadster/Clipper Creek)
40 / 240 ------ Home ---- 22.7 miles ----- 28.5 miles (RV park, welder outlet)

 

[Khoa]

Bought a Bosch Powermax 30 Amp, 18' ($593.00)
They have a charger for $449.00 but @ 16 Amps and 12', it may not fit what you need.
http://www.pluginnow.com/charging_stations

I bought this for my 500e so didn't even consider a 40 amp.
I've only charged my Rav4 EV once so it's too early to see if that 10 amp difference will affect me.

Their Chargers are cheap but the Bosch certified installation company, SPX, is quite expensive. I think it was 1,100 or so for installation . However with their certified installation, I get a 3 year warranty on the charger.
If you want to go this route, I would recommend getting the charger from Bosch and getting your own electrician to install it for half the labor cost.

FYI I live in Anaheim where I get 1500 back.
My total cost with charger/install was 1900, so I'll get more of that 400 back after the 30% tax rebate on the charger.

 

[occ]

...
I bought this for my 500e so didn't even consider a 40 amp.
I've only charged my Rav4 EV once so it's too early to see if that 10 amp difference will affect me.

How do you like your 500e? Give us your first impression.

Also you weren't at IKEA's blink charger in Fountain Valley about a month ago were you? I thought I saw a fiat charging there.

 

[Khoa]

Nope, that wasn't me... however I do live in Orange County so the chances were high. Sidenote... what is someone doing with a Fiat at IKEA? I hope they're not buying furniture lol

The Fiat WAS a very fun car to drive. I was one of the first people that the axle fell apart on. It took them over 30 days to repair so I'm Lemon Law-ing it. The car MAY be fine but after something like that, I don't know how safe I feel in it. Plus the fact that I may drive my baby around... It's a shame too, like I said the car is super fun to drive. Instant torque gives you confidence to squeeze into pockets here and there on the freeway (safely) which is even easier to do since the car is so small. The normal 500 handles pretty nicely already (albeit with weak steering) so you lower the CG and increase the front/back weight ratio and now you've really got a fun driving machine.

 

[dr_gibberish]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the info. I just ended up ordering the Leviton EVB40-PST directly from them. Strangely cheaper than anyplace else. (Amazon actually seems to be raising the price every day. Its almost $100 more today than yesterday!) I have an electrician coming out Wednesday to install it though I am not sure I will have it by then. We'll see. Thanks again to everyone for the help and I look forward to being an active participant in this forum.