Nissan's Included L1 (120v) EVSE

[Ingineer]

Maybe I just missed reading this in this post, but WHY doesn't nissan make these 240/120v capable in the first place? Especially so many are upgrading. Makes plenty of sense. I go visit a friend, I pull out my included EVSE and plug it into his dryer or water heater socket, or I just parallel, 2 120v sockets? So much more versatility, and I am sure it would not cost Nissan a few bucks to do it.

There's a huge list of things on the "Why didn't Nissan do this" list. I'll be sure to underline the EVSE for you.

-Phil

 

[HighDesertDriver]

Maybe I just missed reading this in this post, but WHY doesn't nissan make these 240/120v capable in the first place? Especially so many are upgrading. Makes plenty of sense. I go visit a friend, I pull out my included EVSE and plug it into his dryer or water heater socket, or I just parallel, 2 120v sockets? So much more versatility, and I am sure it would not cost Nissan a few bucks to do it.

You are not alone in wondering this and it has been much discussed elsewhere in this forum. I'll offer up the conspiracy theory that Nissan supplies 120V units to keep Phil busy doing EVSE upgrades, diverting his attentions from the truly dark corners of the Leaf design. :shock: :lol:

 

[smkettner]

I think my laptop brick says 90 to 250vac. I see no reason why the Nissan evse could not be same for at least for 12 amps.

 

[Ingineer]

I think my laptop brick says 90 to 250vac. I see no reason why the Nissan evse could not be same for at least for 12 amps.

My $239 Rev 1 upgrade is exactly that! =)

-Phil

 

[davewill]

Maybe I just missed reading this in this post, but WHY doesn't nissan make these 240/120v capable in the first place? ...

Well, I can answer this one. There are two reasons. The first is that there is no standard 240v plug for Nissan to pick, and I doubt they want to deal with selling adapters. The second is that they contracted with AV to be their L2 supplier for the LEAF, and they wouldn't want to undercut them by providing a "free" L2 with the car.

 

[thankyouOB]

Maybe I just missed reading this in this post, but WHY doesn't nissan make these 240/120v capable in the first place? ...

Well, I can answer this one. There are two reasons. The first is that there is no standard 240v plug for Nissan to pick, and I doubt they want to deal with selling adapters. The second is that they contracted with AV to be their L2 supplier for the LEAF, and they wouldn't want to undercut them by providing a "free" L2 with the car.

smart thinking.

 

[smkettner]

No adapter is the real issue. Would need a propriatary adapter that only fit evse. Two ends would then have to be supplied one with 5-15 and the other 6-15, 6-20 or locking.

 

[dgpcolorado]

Maybe I just missed reading this in this post, but WHY doesn't nissan make these 240/120v capable in the first place? ...

Well, I can answer this one. There are two reasons. The first is that there is no standard 240v plug for Nissan to pick, and I doubt they want to deal with selling adapters. The second is that they contracted with AV to be their L2 supplier for the LEAF, and they wouldn't want to undercut them by providing a "free" L2 with the car.

I'll add another reason: a portable L2 EVSE isn't considered as safe as a hardwired wall-mounted version and may violate code in some areas. There was some discussion awhile back as to whether portable EVSEs are even allowed by the specs (the language is a bit ambiguous, IIRC). Also, 240 V outlets aren't really designed for many plug/unplug cycles.

The Nissan supplied EVSE was intended for occasional opportunity charges, not everyday use. But, as Phil has pointed out before, it is more robustly designed and built than a lot of other EVSEs available (for example, the melting Voltec ones).

 

[Ingineer]

 

[Halforc]

Hey Guys,

For L1 charging extension cord, is this good?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202531240/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=rigid%20520840" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;\&storeId=10051

 

[EVDRIVER]

Hey Guys,

For L1 charging extension cord, is this good?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202531240/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=rigid%20520840" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;\&storeId=10051

Yes, but those cords are rigid, no pun intended. Get a softer 12/3 cord, they are easier to manage and deal with . Really.

 

[Halforc]

Hey Guys,

For L1 charging extension cord, is this good?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202531240/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=rigid%20520840" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;\&storeId=10051

Yes, but those cords are rigid, no pun intended. Get a softer 12/3 cord, they are easier to manage and deal with . Really.

I like the light that tells its working for the rigid, but how about this?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100661446/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=husky+12+guage+cord&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202891135" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or

http://www.lowes.com/pd_67864-16503-UTP511825_4294761182__?productId=3203691&Ntt=12+guage+cord&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_150_4294761182__s%3FNtt%3D12%2Bguage%2Bcord&facetInfo=15.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or

http://www.lowes.com/pd_242127-66906-UTK500825_4294761182__?productId=3190819&Ntt=12+guage+cord&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_150_4294761182__s%3FNtt%3D12%2Bguage%2Bcord&facetInfo=15.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[jjlink]

Yes, I got this one (its lighted) and appears to be made well:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_67864-16503-UTP511825_4294761182__?productId=3203691&Ntt=12+guage+cord&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_150_4294761182__s%3FNtt%3D12%2Bguage%2Bcord&facetInfo=15.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also it does not tangle-up like some others I have tried (assuming you wind it in large loops).

 

[EVDRIVER]

Yes, I got this one (its lighted) and appears to be made well:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_67864-16503-UTP511825_4294761182__?productId=3203691&Ntt=12+guage+cord&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_150_4294761182__s%3FNtt%3D12%2Bguage%2Bcord&facetInfo=15.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's a better cord. I have the Rigid and the Lowes cord is much more flexible.

 

[smkettner]

Any 12/3 will work electrically. Color, flexibility, features are up to you.

 

[Halforc]

Perfect - greatly appreciate it guys!!

 

[davewill]

Minor issue (unless it affects you), ChargePoint public EVSEs that have L1 won't work properly with a clear connector like those. They use an optical sensor to detect that a plug has been inserted. Read this post: http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2504&p=55429#p55429" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[garygid]

Or, would these work:
1. put a wrap of electrical tape around the plug end?
2. put a band of black shrink-wrap on the plug end?

 

[DarkStar]

Or, would these work:
1. put a wrap of electrical tape around the plug end?
2. put a band of black shrink-wrap on the plug end?

That should work since it's just an IR optical sensor.

 

[Ingineer]

Or, would these work:
1. put a wrap of electrical tape around the plug end?
2. put a band of black shrink-wrap on the plug end?

Yes.

-Phil