Nissan LEAF - General

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#1833019 28-Jul-2017 16:58

PhantomNVD: So, bringing home my 2011 Leaf (11 bars 👍) tomorrow, with a supplied 16A commando plug for charging.
Once my sparky has upgraded the garage, what might the best power Co. be for (overnight/off peak) charging to get the maximum saving? Currently with powershop as a low user (LPG water and wood fire heating).

Also, Is there a ‘power curve’ in charging a leaf that would work best with something like Electric Kiwi’s free Hour of Power? I know the last 20% charges slower, but does the first 20% draw more Amps too? (Eg set the free hour to match the cars ‘start charge’ timer)

I can't speak to the power company as I'm on Powershop as a high user and typically use 100-140kWh / day in the winter for heating and lights. (Three women....."I'm cold!") so my rate per kWh is about 21 cents. I'll charge from 20 or 30% to 80% when i do charge at home......unless I'm going to be doing a lot of driving, in which case I charge to 100%. I also charge whenever I want and I'm not very organised about the time. :-)

Your Japanese LEAF will pull 3.3kw (16amp) steadily up until the last 10% or so (I think). Unless you step it back to 10amp....(see below).

By the way.....if the ONLY AC charging option you have is the EVSE with a 16amp blue command on it, you may want to check out a "Mini-blu" from Bluecars.nz (there is no "co" in that). They sell a unit that you plug your blue commando in to...and then you plug the Mini-blu into a normal household 3-pin socket. It then pulls 10 amp. This combo gives you maximum charging flexibility for charging from hotel rooms or your Auntie's garage. I got mine for $155. Without the Mini-blu or something like it you'll only be able to AC charge at home or in campgrounds or someone else's house with a compatible plug. With the Mini-blu, you can charge anywhere.

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PhantomNVD

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#1833064 28-Jul-2017 19:17

Thanks again @linuxlover 👍

Does the Mini-Blue somehow restrict the ‘pull’ to 10A? I was under the impression it simply put a 10A fuse inline and you needed something like a ‘spark’ (smart) charge lead that has a user setable Amp scale... 🤔

https://bluecars.nz/shop/mini-blu-caravan-adapter/?v=d76c77a873e2

This adapter was designed specifically for use with our SPARK EVSEs. It plugs into a standard 3-pin wall socket, allowing you to charge anywhere. Featuring both overcurrent and RCD protection, it is the safest way to connect your SPARK to a regular 3-pin socket.

Strangely, nowhere on heir site can I find the “Spark EVSA” product either... and google just gets stuck on the telephone co. Spark’s trial at turning their phone boxes into charge stations... 🙄

RunningMan

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#1833098 28-Jul-2017 20:53

Almost certain the mini blu requires an EVSE that you can vary the current on - need to set to under 10 amps

Linuxluver

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#1833108 28-Jul-2017 21:30

PhantomNVD: Thanks again @linuxlover 👍

Does the Mini-Blue somehow restrict the ‘pull’ to 10A? I was under the impression it simply put a 10A fuse inline and you needed something like a ‘spark’ (smart) charge lead that has a user setable Amp scale... 🤔

https://bluecars.nz/shop/mini-blu-caravan-adapter/?v=d76c77a873e2

This adapter was designed specifically for use with our SPARK EVSEs. It plugs into a standard 3-pin wall socket, allowing you to charge anywhere. Featuring both overcurrent and RCD protection, it is the safest way to connect your SPARK to a regular 3-pin socket.

Strangely, nowhere on heir site can I find the “Spark EVSA” product either... and google just gets stuck on the telephone co. Spark’s trial at turning their phone boxes into charge stations... 🙄

You're right. I have a Spark and I can set the rate down to 10amp or 6amp. Sorry about that.

The Spark has been superceded by the Charge Amps "Ray". Bluecars sell those. You may have to phone them. Their web site isn't always up to date....

I have a 10amp Nissan EVSE that came with my UK LEAF......and I have a couple of Sparks...and a Mini-blu....and a Type 2 to Type 1 cable. That was all mainly to ensure I had redundancy while doing the Leading the Charge EV drive from Bluff to Cape Reinga.....No single points of failure.

You may be able to buy a 10amp / 3-pin EVSE separately, or maybe the Juicepoint 8amp unit. But the market is still small enough the gear tends to be seen as expensive by most people. I just bought what I thought I'd need and didn't worry too much about the price.....it all comes out in the wash when you realise you'll never be buying petrol and the servicing might come to $100 / year of you're a worry-wart.

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Linuxluver

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#1833110 28-Jul-2017 21:37

RunningMan:

Almost certain the mini blu requires an EVSE that you can vary the current on - need to set to under 10 amps

You're right. My mistake. :-(

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RUKI

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#1833162 29-Jul-2017 00:33

Another faster cable for testing Nissan including Leaf is made. Geeks with Leafs passing Greenlane are welcome to stop by and check. I am specifically interested in one test which I was unable to recreate on the bench as my "virtual Leaf" is not in the right mode/mood for that. Ordered new Industrial Grade Re-soldering Station instead of my old set of soldering irons - next week would be fun in seeing what's inside Leaf's chips... and teaching it English...

Toyota / Lexus Hybrid and EV Battery Expert Battery Test & Repair

hamish225

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#1833163 29-Jul-2017 01:26

Looks like the new nissan leaf may have a type 2 socket! the spy shots of the charge ports seem to indicate the slow charge plug looks a little bigger than the old j1772 socket!

See the photos on this page:

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2018-nissan-leaf-range-revealed-265-km-165-miles-from-99-percent-battery-119383.html#agal_2

*Insert big spe*dtest result here*

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Linuxluver

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#1833382 29-Jul-2017 14:08

hamish225:

Looks like the new nissan leaf may have a type 2 socket! the spy shots of the charge ports seem to indicate the slow charge plug looks a little bigger than the old j1772 socket!

See the photos on this page:

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/2018-nissan-leaf-range-revealed-265-km-165-miles-from-99-percent-battery-119383.html#agal_2

AC charging at 22kw would be very nice. A 40kWh LEAF could then be AC charged from empty in under 2 hours......at home. A 60kWh LEAF would take just under 3 hours..........for 450km-500km. At home.

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dolsen

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#1833390 29-Jul-2017 14:23

Linuxluver:

AC charging at 22kw would be very nice. A 40kWh LEAF could then be AC charged from empty in under 2 hours......at home. A 60kWh LEAF would take just under 3 hours..........for 450km-500km. At home.

Not sure too many homes would be able to pull 22kW without blowing network connection fuses. Would be nice though.

Linuxluver

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#1833404 29-Jul-2017 14:53

dolsen:

Linuxluver:

AC charging at 22kw would be very nice. A 40kWh LEAF could then be AC charged from empty in under 2 hours......at home. A 60kWh LEAF would take just under 3 hours..........for 450km-500km. At home.

Not sure too many homes would be able to pull 22kW without blowing network connection fuses. Would be nice though.

You can get 3-phase at home if you're near a supply point. Tesla owners and Renault Zoe owners see it as 'aspirational'. It's becoming more common.

Even if you can't get it reticulated to your house, it's also possible to supply it at your own house from battery storage powered by a solar / wind array trickle-feeding the battery storage. But you'd need a fair bit of battery storage to hold 60kWh. The latest Tesla Powerwall only holds 14kWh and costs $9,300 each. You'd want at least 3 of them for the car (top-up say 50%) and the house.

Might seem crazy....but if the grid fails you've got 42kWh of you own to use until the power comes back.....I plan to set my own house up like this when it's built. If the car battery is full and you can do Vehicle to House, then you can treat the car battery as an extention of your house supply...and could have up to 100kWh. That could last several days if you're economical about it.

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#1833443 29-Jul-2017 17:18

Being able to do vehicle to house would be a killer application af any EV, essentially negating the new for a powerwall at all. I’d be really interested when/if that comes about as then you could use the EV to run your house over the peak 7-9pm period for the price of a quick QC (often free) near your home... and recharge in ‘offpeak’ Hours overnight.

This could be the best way for an electrical supply company to leverage YOUR infrastructure to ride their peak load times... negating the need for hugely expensive ‘peakers’ and possibly making our electric supply entirely green too (and likely explode Solar installations growth too?)

Linuxluver

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#1833593 29-Jul-2017 23:10

PhantomNVD: Being able to do vehicle to house would be a killer application af any EV, essentially negating the new for a powerwall at all. I’d be really interested when/if that comes about as then you could use the EV to run your house over the peak 7-9pm period for the price of a quick QC (often free) near your home... and recharge in ‘offpeak’ Hours overnight.

This could be the best way for an electrical supply company to leverage YOUR infrastructure to ride their peak load times... negating the need for hugely expensive ‘peakers’ and possibly making our electric supply entirely green too (and likely explode Solar installations growth too?)

Vector are looking at it if you live in Auckland.

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Aredwood

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#1833605 30-Jul-2017 00:38

Linuxluver:

I can't speak to the power company as I'm on Powershop as a high user and typically use 100-140kWh / day in the winter for heating and lights. (Three women....."I'm cold!") so my rate per kWh is about 21 cents. I'll charge from 20 or 30% to 80% when i do charge at home......unless I'm going to be doing a lot of driving, in which case I charge to 100%. I also charge whenever I want and I'm not very organised about the time. :-)

I think you need to change power companies. Electric Kiwi are offering 19c/ unit inc GST. And you get 1 hour per day of free power as well. And Pulse energy have even cheaper rates (last time I checked), assuming you don't need or want the free hour of power.

And have you considered Flick Electric? Especially as Flick are the only company AFAIK that offer the Vector peak / offpeak plan. (Flick call it the "smart user" plan) Combining the smart user plan with low offpeak wholesale prices gives a pretty big saving on power costs. (Flick claimed I was saving 30% per week compared to my old power company for the same usage) And since you use heaps of power + your ability to use most of it offpeak. I think you could get some very large savings on your power bills.

Due to your high yearly usage, even a 1c or 2c per unit saving will very quickly add up.

Cybnate

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#1833823 30-Jul-2017 17:30

Linuxluver:

PhantomNVD: Being able to do vehicle to house would be a killer application af any EV, essentially negating the new for a powerwall at all. I’d be really interested when/if that comes about as then you could use the EV to run your house over the peak 7-9pm period for the price of a quick QC (often free) near your home... and recharge in ‘offpeak’ Hours overnight.

This could be the best way for an electrical supply company to leverage YOUR infrastructure to ride their peak load times... negating the need for hugely expensive ‘peakers’ and possibly making our electric supply entirely green too (and likely explode Solar installations growth too?)

Vector are looking at it if you live in Auckland.

I dived into this. Won't be until mid next year before Vector would offer it to consumers. The professional, expensive and bulky setup they (and overseas companies) have been experimenting with is not suitable for home use.

Will take some time and cost to get it even certified for NZ use. Haven't even seen consumer like setups for sale overseas yet. This is bleeding edge clearly. Be patient.

PhantomNVD

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#1833962 30-Jul-2017 23:54

Cybnate:
Linuxluver:

PhantomNVD: Being able to do vehicle to house would be a killer application af any EV, essentially negating the new for a powerwall at all. I’d be really interested when/if that comes about as then you could use the EV to run your house over the peak 7-9pm period for the price of a quick QC (often free) near your home... and recharge in ‘offpeak’ Hours overnight.

This could be the best way for an electrical supply company to leverage YOUR infrastructure to ride their peak load times... negating the need for hugely expensive ‘peakers’ and possibly making our electric supply entirely green too (and likely explode Solar installations growth too?)

Vector are looking at it if you live in Auckland.

I dived into this. Won't be until mid next year before Vector would offer it to consumers. The professional, expensive and bulky setup they (and overseas companies) have been experimenting with is not suitable for home use.

Will take some time and cost to get it even certified for NZ use. Haven't even seen consumer like setups for sale overseas yet. This is bleeding edge clearly. Be patient.

Then there is this:
https://youtu.be/ADqk4IjzjXs cheap and cheerful way to ‘get by’ in a pinch in the meantime... essentially using a 12v inverter and leaving your car in ‘drive ready’ mode outputs upto 1kw (limit of a leafs DC/DC charging of its 12v battery) gives you about 20 hours ‘emergency’ powering @ a 1KW draw... and rinse/repeat if there’s a working CHaDeMO nearby 😂

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