cdherman
Well-known member
I will make a slightly longer story out of this so that its clear why I am posting and mildly annoyed at EVSEupgrade. First, the company and its proprietor have made fabulous contribution to this site and EV charging in general. When I bought my first Leaf in 2012, the upgrade to my 120V EVSE was a great idea and was probably the cheapest 240v solution on the market, and remained that way for years.
So when I bought my 2016, I hardly thought twice about sending my new 2016 unit off to EVSEupgrade for the upgrade. Their site said it required a 30A circuit. This to me meant that it could charge at least somewhat over 16A (20A circuit derated). Otherwise, why stick a 30A plug on it.
I did not explore the many other 240v portable charging options out there.
Here is why you should explore other solutions:
1) Although the 2016 "upgrade" uses the L6-30 plug capable of 30A 240v use, in fact it cannot draw more than 16A. This means in can be used on a 20A service. Many other cheaper 240V portable devices cost less than the upgrade, especially if you factor in shipping twice.
2) The website is deceptive in stating that a 30A circuit is required. In fact, they should make it much clearer that they deliver a product only capable of 16A, where a 20A service would suffice. They have since clarified to me that "since most users install a 30A circuit anyhow, they put the 30A plug on because of "standardization", and not because its needed."
3) Buying a second 240v portable unit from a different vendor for less $$ allows you to have two EVSE devices. Keep the Nissan as a backup.
4) Especially pay attention to this if you are leasing!!!! This way you can return the Nissan original undamaged at lease end.
At the end of the day, perhaps this information was available in some other thread. Searches, even after the fact, did not reveal it though. There are other references to the 2013-2014 units which CAN be used at up to 20A 240v. We all need to be much clearer about what you will get when you have them upgrade the 2015-2017 units!!!
Let my mistake be good information for future buyers.
Finally, I will plead to the admins to NOT just add this to some other thread. This site is nearly un-useable at times because of threads with 30 pages of posts that have veered off topic and had other issues tacked on again and again. Just my opinion.....
So when I bought my 2016, I hardly thought twice about sending my new 2016 unit off to EVSEupgrade for the upgrade. Their site said it required a 30A circuit. This to me meant that it could charge at least somewhat over 16A (20A circuit derated). Otherwise, why stick a 30A plug on it.
I did not explore the many other 240v portable charging options out there.
Here is why you should explore other solutions:
1) Although the 2016 "upgrade" uses the L6-30 plug capable of 30A 240v use, in fact it cannot draw more than 16A. This means in can be used on a 20A service. Many other cheaper 240V portable devices cost less than the upgrade, especially if you factor in shipping twice.
2) The website is deceptive in stating that a 30A circuit is required. In fact, they should make it much clearer that they deliver a product only capable of 16A, where a 20A service would suffice. They have since clarified to me that "since most users install a 30A circuit anyhow, they put the 30A plug on because of "standardization", and not because its needed."
3) Buying a second 240v portable unit from a different vendor for less $$ allows you to have two EVSE devices. Keep the Nissan as a backup.
4) Especially pay attention to this if you are leasing!!!! This way you can return the Nissan original undamaged at lease end.
At the end of the day, perhaps this information was available in some other thread. Searches, even after the fact, did not reveal it though. There are other references to the 2013-2014 units which CAN be used at up to 20A 240v. We all need to be much clearer about what you will get when you have them upgrade the 2015-2017 units!!!
Let my mistake be good information for future buyers.
Finally, I will plead to the admins to NOT just add this to some other thread. This site is nearly un-useable at times because of threads with 30 pages of posts that have veered off topic and had other issues tacked on again and again. Just my opinion.....