jlatl said:
Regarding the 12 amp draw and concerns about the quality of the average garage outlet, that is a valid concern. However, we don't need the standard EVSE to be modified to draw more than 12A at 120v.
Since the supplied EVSE can support 240v why not supply the unit with an odd, locking plug that goes to a pigtail for connection to the outlet. One pigtail would have the standard 120v plug and another would use a 240v twist lock connector.
For 120V still draw 12A. For 240V it could still draw 12A or go up to whatever the EVSE is rated for.
No increase in fire hazards, and to use for 240v you would still need to have an outlet installed by a qualified professional.
The supplied EVSE does NOT support 240 volt current "out of the box." It needs to be modified by someone like EVSE Upgrade to be able to safely handle that kind of current. Nissan has long been aware of people who have plugged unmodified OEM EVSE's from North American-market Leafs into 240 volt outlets, will not warranty any EVSE subjected to same, and has sent out a TSB to dealers advising them to look for telltale high voltage damage whenever a customer complains about the EVSE not working anymore.
The rest of the argument falls back into what I was saying earlier: Nissan is discouraging folks from using the trickle charger, since they don't know the quality of your existing house wiring. Already there is one current post where a Leafer has reported a fire resulting from poor wiring used to supply the particular outlet that he was using to charge his car.
The only way to make it safer is to reduce the amp draw of the EVSE, like GM has done with more recent model Volts. But that will slow down the charging rate even more; on a car with a smallish battery like a Volt, that may be OK, but even with the Leaf's 24 kWH battery that would mean a 25+ hour recharge time at 120 volts/8 amps, and that does not include any charging losses.