Clipper Creek LCS-25 LCS-20 LCS-15 L2 Charger

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danmeljeff

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2011
Messages
54
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA
Limited to 240V 20A Level 2 (4.8 kW)

They say it charges all first generation EV's at full rate. Well, only if you exclude the upcoming Ford Focus EV which is 6.6 kW and exclude Tesla roadsters using a J1772 to Tesla adapter that can go up to 70A, 16.8 kW. And when the second generation LEAF comes out with 6.6 kW, your probably want to replace the LCS-25 with something that can do 6.6 kW. You'll definitely want 6.6 kw for Future EVs with longer range. The LCS-25 is not future proof unless you restrict yourself to Plug In Hybrids (sedans) with electric range of 40 miles or less.

I'll take Phil's EVSE upgrade for now, and later we may have better portable 240V Level 2 EVSE that let the user easily set the max current and support at least 6.6 kW with end user easy selection of the current limit at 12A (15A circuit), 16A (20A circuit) 24A (30A circuit) and 32A (40A circuit). Preferrably it would also work at 120V Level 1 and 240V Level 2. If it did 120V level 1, I'd add one more current setting - 5A (shared 15A circuit for bed and breakfast weekend).

I will applaud them for offering another EVSE option.
 
Couldn't find the manual and the pdf brochure didn't render in Acrobat for me. I did find this http://www.greaterindiana.org/docs/Clipper%20Creek.pdf . Check out page 15 for the LCS-25.
 
I will say that when I had my pre-Blink Clipper Creek wall mounted L2 EVSE, I was impressed with the quality of the unit and the J1772 connector.

So at $995, you get a unit that is UL listed, and outdoor rated. That is really only a couple hundred dollars more than the Nissan / Phil solution we currently have.

Danmeljeff, what input connector / wire does the unit come with? They haven't posted the pdf file yet on the CC website...
 
The LCS-25 is nice and compact, but you loose the versatility of 120V Level 1 and 240V Level 2 in the same highly portable EVSE that Phil's http://evseupgrade.com/ offers though the trade off is that Phil's goes to 12 amps max on 240v which is twice as fast as 120v and 87% of the maximum (3.3 kW) capability of the Leaf.
 
I published the docs I received from Clipper Creek onto Google Docs...

Brochure:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...WEtNDE4Yy00MGZlLTk2NjQtZTM2ZmE0M2Q4MmM3&hl=en

User Manual:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...2MtODk2ZC00NWY1LTllZGMtNzU1NGY2ZTk2YTNl&hl=en

I agree it seems a little expensive for what it is, but I'd like to have a charger that remains in the LEAF, and one that is in the garage. since there is a tax credit, the actual cost is less than the $995 (for most). Not sure I'm going to purchase, but of all the EVSE's I've seen that are currently available, I like this one best (on paper).
 
Thanks, just looked at the manual. Too bad they didn't allow a L1 120v input as well, just in case you find yourself in a situation where you have 120 volts available but not 240 volts...

Still, it looks like a nicely engineered unit....
 
ElectricVehicle said:
The LCS-25 is nice and compact, but you loose the versatility of 120V Level 1 and 240V Level 2 in the same highly portable EVSE that Phil's http://evseupgrade.com/ offers though the trade off is that Phil's goes to 12 amps max on 240v which is twice as fast as 120v and 87% of the maximum (3.3 kW) capability of the Leaf.
It's only 75% if the measured values are used. My EVSE charges at 3.75kW at 240v. 3.3kW is a nominal value not the actual value. The 75% can also be gleaned from the ratio of the charging currents as well (12/16). Or, as measured, 11.57/15.75 which is 73.5% when comparing my upgrade from Phil to my (ex) Clipper Creek.

Malcolm :geek:
 
Saw both of Clipper Creeks charging units; the 120V portable charger, and the LCS-25, at our local green living expo this weekend. Manuals and brochures available here:

http://www.clippercreek.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=212

Being in the forgotten 36, I have awhile to figure out what I am going to use, but I really liked the LCS-25 as it will be a piece of cake to install. It seems like right not the popular choice is Phil's EVSE upgrade. I see that that can do both L1 and L2 charging, but only at 12Amps.

I am a bit confused on the how discussion of rate....at 240V and 12 Amps, the max power should be 2.88kW, while the LCS-25 with the higher (20Amp) current has a maximum output of 4.8kW.

Or am I missing something?
 
ElectricVehicle said:
The LCS-25 is nice and compact, but you loose the versatility of 120V Level 1 and 240V Level 2 in the same highly portable EVSE that Phil's http://evseupgrade.com/ offers though the trade off is that Phil's goes to 12 amps max on 240v which is twice as fast as 120v and 87% of the maximum (3.3 kW) capability of the Leaf.

Now that I have tested the Leaf charger these numbers are not quite right. The on board charger has an output of 3.3 kWh into the battery and pulls 3.7 kWh out of the wall. Phil's upgrade pulls 2.88 kWh so it's really 78% of L2 240v charging.
 
garygid said:
The Mod-L1 EVSE, operating at 240v, "allows" 12 amps to be drawn by the car's charger.

Then, 12 amps / 16 amps = 3/4 = 75% of "full" L2 charging.
Yes, but 3.3kW at 240v is only 13.75a, and 3.7kW at 240v is 15.42a. So, I don't see 240v 16a as the correct figure for the "max" LEAF 240v L2 rate.
 
Shy 16 amps (about 15.75 amps measured) is the L2 (240v) current draw through the EVSE from the wall.

The "3.3 kW" description of the internal charger is just a nominal value, possibly derived from 15 amps at 220 volts (3300 watts). Or, it might be approximately the DC charging power actually delivered to the battery pack.
 
Clipper Creek now has the LCS-25 listed on their website:

ClipperCreek Product Information and Specifications Residential/Portable Product with PCS-15 and LCS-25
http://www.clippercreek.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85&Itemid=212

The product manual link is broken, it points to the PCS-15 manual at the moment. I sent an email to Clipper Creek pointing that out. They've responded that they will be fixing this. They sent me the pdf manual in the meantime, which I could pass along, but it might be best to use their website link when fixed because that will always be current.

The LCS-25 supplies 240V, 20A (4.8 kW) to the vehicle (from a 25A circuit).

The standard model is the LCS-25, the LCS-20 and LCS-15 that use less current are available as a special request. They ship with different software to set the available current. All of the units are $995.
Current LCS Model Circuit Breaker Maximum Current
LCS-15 15A 12A
LCS-20 20A 16A
LCS-25 25A 20A
Note that the maximum current for the vehicle is set by the duty cycle of the Pilot waveform.
Output Power Variable depending upon the LCS model and vehicle demand. At 240V AC, the LCS-15 outputs approximately
3KW, the LCS-20 4KW, and the LCS-25 5KW.
The reduced current versions can be useful in situations where the higher current models might require the added expense of a service upgrade, say in San Francisco where some homes only have a 50A service entrance and you don't need 30A / 6.6 kW charging speed for future vehicles that are capable of 6.6 kW charging (LEAF Gen2, Ford Focus Electric, Tesla RAV4 EV, etc....)

LCS-25 Listed in an online store:
LCS-25 LEVEL 2 EVSE [LCS-25] $995.00
http://www.texaselectricbikes.com/catalog/lcs25-level-evse-p-238.html

Specs from the LCS-25 brochure
• UL Listed Outdoor Rated (NEMA 4) enclosure.
• Reclosure: Smart software that automatically self-checks the system and resumes charging after minor stoppage–systems without reclosure will discontinue charging and leave you with an empty battery.
• Charge Circuit Interruption Device: Ground Fault protection with fully automatic self-check feature that eliminates the need for monthly testing by user.
• Service Ground Monitor: Constantly checks for presence of proper safety ground.
• Tested to automotive standards for durability and reliability.
• Indicators to tell you when the unit has power and when it is charging.
• No buttons, always ready to charge.
• Low profile: Smallest level 2 unit in the industry.
PRODUCT SPECS
• Service Entrance: 208V to 240V – 25 Amp Circuit, single phase, 2-wire, with ground – Conduit and pigtail supplied
• 11” L x 4” W x 3” D (279mm L x 102mm W x 76mm D)
• Weight 9 lbs
• Operating Temperatures: -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to +50°C)
AVAILABLE NOW
 
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