RustyShackleford
Well-known member
I am wondering if it's feasible and safe to charge a Leaf (via the charging cord plugged into a 120vac outlet) while the car is in "ready" mode.
The reason I ask: I have rigged my car so that I can connect an 120vac inverter to the Leaf's 12vdc system, and use that inverter to drive some essential loads in my home (per the "my Lead-to-home thread https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?t=13097).
I also have a grid-tied solar PV system, which uses an SMA SunnyBoy inverter, which has the "secure power" (SPS) feature where it's able to supply 1500watts or so of 120vac power even when the grid is down (if the sun is shining). I've tested plugging the Leaf charging cord into the SPS outlet, and indeed it does work to charge the car (albeit very slowly).
So what I'd like to do (during outages longer than a day) is run my essential loads off the "Leaf-to-home" 120vac inverter that's connected to the Leaf's 12vdc system, and also top off the Leaf's battery from the solar inverter's SPS outlet during the day. The issue is, can I do both simultaneously ? I'd rather not have to take the car out of "ready" mode, thus de-activating the Leaf-to-home and cutting power to my essential loads, while I'm charging from the solar; especially since that's when it's most likely to be hot and thus I'd like the refrigerator to be powered.
One answer might be "just try it", but I'd rather have some idea if it's safe (as far as damage to the Leaf) first.
The reason I ask: I have rigged my car so that I can connect an 120vac inverter to the Leaf's 12vdc system, and use that inverter to drive some essential loads in my home (per the "my Lead-to-home thread https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?t=13097).
I also have a grid-tied solar PV system, which uses an SMA SunnyBoy inverter, which has the "secure power" (SPS) feature where it's able to supply 1500watts or so of 120vac power even when the grid is down (if the sun is shining). I've tested plugging the Leaf charging cord into the SPS outlet, and indeed it does work to charge the car (albeit very slowly).
So what I'd like to do (during outages longer than a day) is run my essential loads off the "Leaf-to-home" 120vac inverter that's connected to the Leaf's 12vdc system, and also top off the Leaf's battery from the solar inverter's SPS outlet during the day. The issue is, can I do both simultaneously ? I'd rather not have to take the car out of "ready" mode, thus de-activating the Leaf-to-home and cutting power to my essential loads, while I'm charging from the solar; especially since that's when it's most likely to be hot and thus I'd like the refrigerator to be powered.
One answer might be "just try it", but I'd rather have some idea if it's safe (as far as damage to the Leaf) first.