surfingslovak said:cwerdna said:As for $500-$600, I mentioned it when I said "There are some cheaper EVSEs like http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=12744" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and the Clipper Creek LCS-25." I have no experience w/them.
I had the LCS-25 for a brief period of time. These are great and well-built EVSEs. One caveat is that they only deliver about 20 amps to the vehicle, even though they are marketed with 25 amps. Turns out that this is the input, not the output, and the manufacturer is taking some liberties with their marketing. That said, the LCS-25 could work well, even though it does not charge a 2013 LEAF with 6 kW onboard charger at the full speed. I ended up returning this EVSE, because it would not work with a regular 120V wall outlet. Compared to EVSE Upgrade, this is a serious shortfall, if you would like to use it on an occasional trip, and avoid hauling two EVSEs instead of just one. Personally, if I was in your situation, I would get the portable EVSE upgraded and have an electrician install an additional 240V outlet in your garage. Much like what Ray described above. I don't think that you will be able to beat the utility and the overall price of this solution.
I'm pondering similar thoughts. In the end, I decided on the exact opposite of this.
Buy Clipper Creek L2 EVSE LCS-25 for $500.
Keep Nissan L1 EVSE at home.
Reasons:
1) If I'm travelling, I'd be looking for a 240V outlet and most definitely wouldn't wait at L1 speed. Even the LCS-25 isn't fast enough for me, but it's portable.
2) I seriously considered EVSEupgrade but a colleague here at work (my work provides just basic 120V/240V outlets) has one and I'm surprised at the poor quality of the mod work. The enclosure screw caps were obviously drilled out to gain internal access and poorly resealed with goop. The AC cable was replaced and the cable entry poorly done. It looks like a homebrew job but it has the EVSEupgrade label at the back.
3) Pricing. Spend $300+ to end up with ONE EVSE at 3.8kW max (and suffer without EVSE for 1 week) or $500+ to get TWO EVSE at 4.8kW max (and get $150 back as tax credit, haha).
Why would the LCS-25 not output the current that it is drawing? It's an EVSE - so it's not like there are conversion/switching losses.