I just bought a 2016 Leaf in Canada, and am trying to get my head around the charging options.
As far as I can tell from the handbook and other sources, the J1772 cable provided with the car will charge from 120V at 12A (I measured it; it does), and the Leaf will charge at 30A from a level 2 EVSE. (According to a study at INL, the electrical efficiency is 90% on 208V cf. 78% on 120, another good reason to use 240V)
I see many Level 2 EVSEs on the market, using various connectors, and people talking about charging from dryer or RV outlets. My dryer uses a NEMA 14-30R connector rated for only 30A, not enough margin, and my RV has a NEMA TT-30 plug (120V 30A, not 240), which is what I've seen at some campgrounds.
I have seen a couple of commercial 240V EVSEs that state a lower charge current, compatible with a dryer outlet - the Clipper Creek LCS-30P and the Aerovironment Turbocord. The LCS-30P is a 24A charger, while the Turbocord is a 16A charger using a NEMA 6-20 connector. It seemed like it might be useful when visiting someone who has a dryer but not a NEMA 14-50 or their own EVSE.
I don't entirely understand the SAE connector. Would these EVSEs charge at their stated charge rate by negotiation with the charger in the Leaf, or would the Leaf try to pull 30A from it regardless ?
Are there any EVSEs that are easily configurable to charge at either the full 30A at home or 20A when traveling ?
As far as I can tell from the handbook and other sources, the J1772 cable provided with the car will charge from 120V at 12A (I measured it; it does), and the Leaf will charge at 30A from a level 2 EVSE. (According to a study at INL, the electrical efficiency is 90% on 208V cf. 78% on 120, another good reason to use 240V)
I see many Level 2 EVSEs on the market, using various connectors, and people talking about charging from dryer or RV outlets. My dryer uses a NEMA 14-30R connector rated for only 30A, not enough margin, and my RV has a NEMA TT-30 plug (120V 30A, not 240), which is what I've seen at some campgrounds.
I have seen a couple of commercial 240V EVSEs that state a lower charge current, compatible with a dryer outlet - the Clipper Creek LCS-30P and the Aerovironment Turbocord. The LCS-30P is a 24A charger, while the Turbocord is a 16A charger using a NEMA 6-20 connector. It seemed like it might be useful when visiting someone who has a dryer but not a NEMA 14-50 or their own EVSE.
I don't entirely understand the SAE connector. Would these EVSEs charge at their stated charge rate by negotiation with the charger in the Leaf, or would the Leaf try to pull 30A from it regardless ?
Are there any EVSEs that are easily configurable to charge at either the full 30A at home or 20A when traveling ?