10A Leaf charger options?

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norman1nz

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#262204 10-Jan-2020 00:43

Hey there.

I'm looking at getting myself a gen2 leaf and see most of the direct imports sell an 8A charger for extra $599 or so...

Wondering why only 8A and can something like this be used if avail or converted to a standard AC 10A plug to make charging 25% faster anywhere..?

Also read on here you can convert the usual japanese EVSE to a caravan plug which seems a good option if the above isn't a goer

Keen to hear any thoughts on this or otherwise (sorry if this has been covered before - I spent ages hunting through here and didn't find answer)..

Thanks!

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#2389403 10-Jan-2020 06:41

Some charging cables provide for variable rates, eg I had the Charge-amps Ray that allowed me to select between 8 and 16A. Used an amphibian (think it was called) to adapt from caravan plug to 3 pin plug. Great concept but really unreliable product, as mine and many others simply failed.

the NZ company (OEM Audio or whatever) talked about making something with variable amp selection, but unsure if anything came of it. Currently we have two cables, one that does up to 16A via caravan plug (OEM Audio one) and another for 8 amp 3 pin plug.

IANAE but I thi k I recall reading that modifying the Japanese original is not advised and potentially illegal, but others here may be able to confirm the actual truth. Facebook’s NZ Leaf group is a great place to ask such questions too.

norman1nz

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2389408 10-Jan-2020 07:24

Thanks for the reply n suggestions ... Just noticed my hyperlinks above didn't work too..

Should have been this charger here https://www.amazon.com/BESENERGY-EV-Charger-Level-2-J1772-EVSE-27ft-Home-Current-Switchable-220V-240V-IP66-10A-16A-Portable-Charge-Station-Compatible-with-All-EV-Cars/dp/B07TKVJ389
I figure (maybe too optimistically) I could get a sparky to swap out the us plug for a clover plug then use either standard 10a clover cable or a caravan one...

And this post here about updating oem plug https://samholford.github.io/leafguide/

RunningMan

8956 posts

Uber Geek

#2389417 10-Jan-2020 07:48

Read this

https://juicepoint.co.nz/knowledge-base/charging-modes/

and this

https://juicepoint.co.nz/knowledge-base/can-i-use-a-10-amp-domestic-outlet-to-charge-my-ev/

No, you cannot draw more than 8 amps from a standard powerpoint, unless it is equipped with temperature sensing / overheat protection.

EDIT: And this https://juicepoint.co.nz/knowledge-base/can-i-use-an-imported-japanese-charger/

afe66

3181 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2389706 10-Jan-2020 15:48

As a leaf owner of 3 years, I would suggest you just try charging at 8A and see how you go. I rarely need to charge at more than 8A as I am home most days before 6pm abd connecting before I get into the house gives me 14 hrs of charging before I leave in the morning.

If you find that you news more charging than that, get a caravan plug installed and charge at 16A. With the exception of the most recent versions of leaf or earlier uk leaf, most leafs cant takeover than 16A AC anyway.

clive100

236 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#2390194 11-Jan-2020 11:42

I see EVSE chargers from overseas fitted with the C-European Standard Plug rated at 250V. 16A.

This is a step up well worth considering over to standard 8A supplied chargers.

Does anyone know the legality of fitting a C-European Power Point in New Zealand ?

SATTV

1648 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2390241 11-Jan-2020 12:53

clive100:

I see EVSE chargers from overseas fitted with the C-European Standard Plug rated at 250V. 16A.

This is a step up well worth considering over to standard 8A supplied chargers.

Does anyone know the legality of fitting a C-European Power Point in New Zealand ?

I cant see being an issue, as long as the socket is type approved for NZ. Speak to an electrical wholesaler to see if they can get them, if they can it will be type approved.

I have seen other sockets used in NZ in commercial applications.

Would it be cheaper and easier to cut the plug off and put on a 16A NZ plug and socket ( Yes I know they are bulky and ugly ) or a 20A flat pin plug and socket ( less bulky and less ugly )

https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/product/2575-PDL-56SO320-56-Series-20A-3pin-Socket-Outlet

John

I know enough to be dangerous