Smart Plugs

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hyperionmark

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 31, 2017
Messages
202
Location
Nebraska
I have a 2015 S which means I have no way to remotely start or stop charging. Wondering if anyone has used a smart plug (wifi) with their basic Level 1 EVSE. I haven't purchased one yet, just looking for feedback if it is possible and what experiences people have had. Thanks!
 
Of course it is possible, just make sure to get one with a current limit of 15A minimum. You'll find most are rated way below that, because they are generally used to switch lamps and things.
 
2k1Toaster said:
Of course it is possible, just make sure to get one with a current limit of 15A minimum. You'll find most are rated way below that, because they are generally used to switch lamps and things.
Good advice, thank you!
 
This product seems pretty cool on paper:

https://emotorwerks.com/products/charging-stations/juiceplug

However, at $200 it sure isn't cheap. I think they would sell a lot more of them if priced in the $125 - $139 range, assuming they still actually make $ at that price point...
 
I'll probably get one of those, since the 2018 Leaf still won't have a charge limit, and since I want to go to 90% with my 2013 now that it's cold. That works with both L-1 and L-2, right?

EDIT: Ah, crap! "Indoor Rated. Not recommended for use during wet weather." So you have to use it in your garage if you have weather where you live...
 
alozzy said:
This product seems pretty cool on paper:

https://emotorwerks.com/products/charging-stations/juiceplug

However, at $200 it sure isn't cheap. I think they would sell a lot more of them if priced in the $125 - $139 range, assuming they still actually make $ at that price point...
Wow, that looks really cool! But I agree it's a hair pricey. If it reads SOC then it may be more worth it.

Can J1772 read SOC? Chargepoint never tells you SOC while on Level 2 but it does through Level 3. Is that the reason?
 
Not sure, but they likely mention that in the manual. I would think that, if SOC is carried as a signal on the pilot then it will. I know SOC is part of the CHADEMO protocol, but not sure about L2.
 
Ouch! Indoor only use sucks! I'm not going to bother mentioning this device in future, as it's really only of any use with a home based, indoor, "dumb" EVSE and as such not worth what they are asking for it.
 
I supposed that I could use my J-1772 extension, and run the cable through a hole in the wall, connect it to this thing, run the extension back out the hole, and plug it in that way. Naaaah...
 
The smarts are in the car along with the charger. The J1772 is just a fancy extension cord, nothing more.

CHAdeMO chargers are actual chargers feeding DC and regulating the voltage current. It needs to know lots of parameters about the car, and does lots of reading and handshaking before connecting and charging.
 
2k1Toaster said:
The smarts are in the car along with the charger. The J1772 is just a fancy extension cord, nothing more.

CHAdeMO chargers are actual chargers feeding DC and regulating the voltage current. It needs to know lots of parameters about the car, and does lots of reading and handshaking before connecting and charging.
Interesting. I'm assuming this is why it takes longer when you plug in CHAdeMO before you start getting "juice?"
 
Re: J1772 vs. CHAdeMO, OP can look at https://openev.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/6000052074-basics-of-sae-j1772 and https://openev.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/6000052070-theory-of-operation.

vs.

http://www.evs24.org/wevajournal/php/download.php?f=vol4/WEVA4-4120.pdf or http://chademo.com/pdf/interface.pdf pages 4 to 4.
 
The Juiceplug looks very interesting except for the "indoor use" recommendation (which is strange since most J1772 plugs are rated for outdoor use.

If using a 120-volt "smart plug" to control the standard Nissan EVSE, you need to be aware that the internal switching contacts may not last very long if it is frequently used to interrupt charging because the contacts will be interrupting 12 amperes. It should last a long time if just used to start charging because it will not interrupt high currents. The plugs are probably intended to switch light loads such as lighting, computers, TV, etc. that only draw a few amperes.
 
I can think of a workaround that would let me use one in my garage, but I'm reluctant to make the required hole(s) in the garage wall. Maybe they'll make a weatherproof one (I assume the issue is with the WiFi components, not the J-1772 part) later this year after hearing "If only it were weatherproof" as a reason for lost sales.
 
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