Holding off on charger replacement to get 6.6 kw in 2013

[coolfilmaker]

It occurred to me today that since the replacement chargers that people are getting are having to be pulled directly off the production line, in 2013 they might start using 6.6 kw chargers to replace the original faulty ones. While at best they'll probably downrate them to 3.3 kw that still leaves the possibility of modifying the firmware and replacing the necessary wiring to get to 6.6 kw. We already know the battery itself has the necessary capacity to to handle 50 kw quick charges. What do you guys think? Would it be worth holding off for a year for the possibility?

Edit: Since apparently Nissan has been doing a good job of covering this up, here is the thread about the faulty chargers: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3988" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

 

[TRONZ]

What original faulty ones??? Is there a thread on this?

 

[adric22]

What original faulty ones??? Is there a thread on this?

First I've heard of it! Maybe it is EVSEs that are not functioning (Blink, etc..), but lots of people call those chargers..

 

[travisty]

Also if you're wall-charger is broken there are plenty of 6.6+ wall chargers already available today.

 

[coolfilmaker]

Really guys? I'm not an idiot....

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3988" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[TomT]

The chance of that happening is slim and none. They'll simply stock replacement 3.3Kw chargers for the 2011 and 2012 models like they do any other replacement part for any other previous model year car.

It occurred to me today that since the replacement chargers that people are getting are having to be pulled directly off the production line, in 2013 they might start using 6.6 kw chargers to replace the original faulty ones.

 

[TRONZ]

Really guys? I'm not an idiot....

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3988" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Got it. Thank you.

 

[EdmondLeaf]

I am completely confused about 6.6 kWh in 2013, during recent webchat 6.6 kWh was an option:
1:06
Comment From KeiJidosha
Smyrna LEAF. When will cars roll off the line? Will they have a 6.6kW charger?

1:06
Mark Perry: We expect Start of production in December 2012. And yes a 6.6Kw charger will be an option.

 

[cdub]

Really guys? I'm not an idiot....

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3988" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think you're confusing EVSE with charger.

The charger in the 2011 and 2012 Leaf will always be 3.3 but the EVSE wall unit you have now will currently do 6.6.. if the car supports it.

The 2013 Leaf will offer 6.6.

Do not confuse charger (which is in the car) with EVSE.

 

[EdmondLeaf]

Really guys? I'm not an idiot....

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3988" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think you're confusing EVSE with charger.

The charger in the 2011 and 2012 Leaf will always be 3.3 but the EVSE wall unit you have now will currently do 6.6.. if the car supports it.

The 2013 Leaf will offer 6.6.

Do not confuse charger (which is in the car) with EVSE.

Take time and read topic interesting stuff there

 

[adric22]

The chance of that happening is slim and none. They'll simply stock replacement 3.3Kw chargers for the 2011 and 2012 models like they do any other replacement part for any other previous model year car.

Not only that, but Nissan has already stated that the new charger will be located in a totally different place in the car. That is why they are not offering it as an upgrade. So in the event of a charger failure, they would definitely replace it with same model.

 

[KeiJidosha]

Really guys? I'm not an idiot....

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3988" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for bringing this up. I didn't realize there was yet another reason to wait for a 6.6kW charger.

 

[TRONZ]

I wonder if the aftermarket might release a 6.6 retrofit for the 35-40K LEAFs that will be running around by 2013. Might be a very profitable niche for some product maker.

If the spec were the same as Nissans 6.6 it should not create a warranty issue... but you never know.

 

[FairwoodRed]

Really guys? I'm not an idiot....

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=3988" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hmm. I stopped reading that thread sometime last year. At the time, it seemed to be isolated trouble and most of the comments were just rehashing the same stuff. As a result, I completely missed the new stuff. I know the mods here have a zeal for stopping new threads, but I hope this illustrates the drawbacks of such a stance.

Now to go back and find what I missed...

 

[TEG]

It occurred to me today that since the replacement chargers that people are getting are having to be pulled directly off the production line, in 2013 they might start using 6.6 kw chargers to replace the original faulty ones. While at best they'll probably downrate them to 3.3 kw that still leaves the possibility of modifying the firmware and replacing the necessary wiring to get to 6.6 kw. We already know the battery itself has the necessary capacity to to handle 50 kw quick charges. What do you guys think? Would it be worth holding off for a year for the possibility?...

My educated guess is that the new 6.6kW will not be the same size/shape as the current 3.3kW one. In fact it will probably be in a different place in the car. So, no, waiting on a 2011 charger replacement hoping to get a 6.6kW next year is probably fruitless.

I have an early 2011 with the 'noisy' charger, I hope to get replaced soon, but I basically have no hope/expectation that the replacement will be anything other than a similar 3.3kW but with additional line noise filtering.

Also, the topic of early charger replacement is somewhat of a limited audience "niche" as I think the problem only affected the very early cars, and they corrected it soon for most of the cars that have now been produced.

 

[kubel]

I'm guessing they will continue production of the 2011-2012MY parts and that waiting won't get you a 6.6kW charger. I'm also guessing that a 6.6kW charger will not be the same size and probably won't mount in the same location as the 3.3kW charger.

 

[TomT]

Plus, the charger wiring would have to be upgraded to a heavier gauge to support 6.6Kw charging... So many things would have to change that it simply would never be practical.

Not only that, but Nissan has already stated that the new charger will be located in a totally different place in the car. That is why they are not offering it as an upgrade. So in the event of a charger failure, they would definitely replace it with same model.

 

[Herm]

Perhaps Nissan will use two of the 3.3kW chargers per car.. but I doubt that

 

[coolfilmaker]

Ok. I get it. It was wishful thinking and will not happen. I think we can consider this topic closed.

 

[planet4ever]

I am completely confused about 6.6 kWh in 2013, during recent webchat 6.6 kWh was an option

My guess on that is that the SL will have 6.6kW, while the SV and S (if it exists) will still have 3.3kW. [By the way, I'm going to assume your use of kWh was a typo.]

Ray