Nissan LEAF - General

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1238 posts

Uber Geek

#1915294 8-Dec-2017 13:43

Nissan Leaf and extension cords:

I'm going away on holiday over Christmas and want to charge my Leaf at my holiday house. No guarantees that I will have a power point near the carpark so I want to use an extension cord.
Planning to by a 15A extension cord with 1.5mm core wiring and 10A plugs..

Can anyone see any issues?
Will I have any significant power losses using this 15m cable?

My thoughts ate that since extension cord is the same as the house wiring (1.5mm core) its not going to make a difference how long the extension cord is.

wellygary

8328 posts

Uber Geek

#1915341 8-Dec-2017 14:51

As long as its a rated 15A cord, it should be fine,

What's the max draw on the EVSE?, if its 3.3Kw/h then you should be fine....

But watch for any other heavy load on the circuit,

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#1915343 8-Dec-2017 14:58

If you are using an 8 or 10 amp EVSE you should be fine (so up to 2400 watt as your plugs are 10 amp).

Just check that the socket you plug in to appears in good condition and make sure your extension cord is not left coiled up when in use.

You should also have an RCD between the extension cord and the wall socket unless the house already has protection on the circuit.

happyfunball

287 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1915359 8-Dec-2017 16:05

jonathan18:
freeland:

As many Japanese-imported Leaf owners are aware, the Japanese language head unit is a pain in the ass.

Completely replacing the head unit is an option, but the side effect is that you loose the ability to set the charge and climate timers.

Can someone please clarify this, ie in which particular circumstances will a head unit replacement result in the loss of ability to set timers?

We've just paid a deposit for a Leaf (X spec), and are paying to have the head unit replaced with one sourced from the US or UK (as my wife's keen to have it all in English) - given this is a like-for-like replacement with genuine Nissan parts (just with a different language) I'd assumed we'd maintain all features including timers - it would be useful to know if this isn't the case.

On a related matter, does anyone know if replacing the head unit in an X or G allow you to set the local time properly?

Many thanks.

The X and G models lack timers on the dash computer, they are set from the head unit (large screen). If you replace it with an English unit you keep the existing functionality you don’t gain anything or lose anything. Cameras and timers work normally but you don’t need to use the translate app on your phone :)

Unfortunately it also means that maps and gps navigation still won’t work and same situation with the clock as with the Jap unit it replaced.

MarkH67

518 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1915363 8-Dec-2017 16:10

KrazyKid:

Nissan Leaf and extension cords:

Planning to by a 15A extension cord with 1.5mm core wiring and 10A plugs..

I've done exactly this thing.

I've used an extension cord as you have described, both a 20m and a 10m one. I charged at 10A (my EVSE can select 6 - 16A in 1A increments) and there was no significant heating in the cable or the plugs. I'm not sure how much efficiency was lost, but it wasn't my power bill and even if it was - would I care if it used $1 more worth of power? It is still so very much cheaper to use electricity than petrol I'll happily accept a little efficiency loss and use an extension cord where I need to.

freeland

42 posts

Geek

#1915371 8-Dec-2017 16:27

jonathan18:

Can someone please clarify this, ie in which particular circumstances will a head unit replacement result in the loss of ability to set timers?

We've just paid a deposit for a Leaf (X spec), and are paying to have the head unit replaced with one sourced from the US or UK (as my wife's keen to have it all in English) - given this is a like-for-like replacement with genuine Nissan parts (just with a different language) I'd assumed we'd maintain all features including timers - it would be useful to know if this isn't the case.

On a related matter, does anyone know if replacing the head unit in an X or G allow you to set the local time properly?

Many thanks.

I think if you are swapping the Nissan (Clarion) head unit with another one you will be OK. I don't think the dealer would do it if it wasn't going to work.

If you are getting a 2016, then apparently setting the clock is more involved than on the older models. On the older models you only had to find the service menu or unplug the gps cable. Some how the 2016 is different but the NZ dealers who are offering to change the dash to English (via help from EVs Enhanced) have a way to do it.

In this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uzIHUvTNOY Walter from EVs Enhanced shows that he has set the time on a 2016, but he does not show how.

My quest is more about replacing the Nissan head with something better.

Linuxluver

5828 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

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#1915407 8-Dec-2017 19:35

jonathan18:

freeland:

As many Japanese-imported Leaf owners are aware, the Japanese language head unit is a pain in the ass.

Completely replacing the head unit is an option, but the side effect is that you loose the ability to set the charge and climate timers.

Can someone please clarify this, ie in which particular circumstances will a head unit replacement result in the loss of ability to set timers?

We've just paid a deposit for a Leaf (X spec), and are paying to have the head unit replaced with one sourced from the US or UK (as my wife's keen to have it all in English) - given this is a like-for-like replacement with genuine Nissan parts (just with a different language) I'd assumed we'd maintain all features including timers - it would be useful to know if this isn't the case.

On a related matter, does anyone know if replacing the head unit in an X or G allow you to set the local time properly?

Many thanks.

You should be fine. The Leaf S has a head unit that doesn't do any car-control stuff, so you can put in after-market head units with NZ features. But the X and G do / can control things. The good news is you can get one from a (wrecked?) LEAF elsewhere...and install it. It should be fine.

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Linuxluver

5828 posts

Uber Geek

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#1915408 8-Dec-2017 19:39

KrazyKid:

Nissan Leaf and extension cords:

I'm going away on holiday over Christmas and want to charge my Leaf at my holiday house. No guarantees that I will have a power point near the carpark so I want to use an extension cord.
Planning to by a 15A extension cord with 1.5mm core wiring and 10A plugs..

Can anyone see any issues?
Will I have any significant power losses using this 15m cable?

My thoughts ate that since extension cord is the same as the house wiring (1.5mm core) its not going to make a difference how long the extension cord is.

I have a 10amp UK-sourced Nissan EVSE and I have plugged it into hotel wall sockets many times. In Westport I had to add a 30m 10amp outdorr extension cord to get it from my room to the stairwell, then to the ground floor...then to my parking space. Car charged fine. Extension cable was cool to the touch throughout.

If you're charging at 15amp, then you need a better cable.....yes....and a better wall socket to put it into. It will try to draw 15amp...and that won't go well for any 10amp wall socket. Really you should have a blue commando plug for 15 / 16amp...or a 10amp EVSE.

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I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Linuxluver

5828 posts

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#1915410 8-Dec-2017 19:40

wellygary:

As long as its a rated 15A cord, it should be fine,

What's the max draw on the EVSE?, if its 3.3Kw/h then you should be fine....

But watch for any other heavy load on the circuit,

3.3kw is 15/16 amp......don't try that from a regular power point.

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I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

KrazyKid

1238 posts

Uber Geek

#1915470 8-Dec-2017 22:01

My EVSE is supplied by the dealer. Can't say I know a lot about it. It is marked as 110-220V AC and the 8A rating box is marked (it has a 15A and 10A option but these are not marked).
There is no option to change the Amperage.

Its got the standard 3 pin NZ wall plug on the other end of the J1772 plug.

I assume it draws 8A so the 15A cable is probably overkill. I'll lent out my power meter so can't actually check the draw at the moment.

Think I'll be fine.

Thanks

MarkH67

518 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1915597 9-Dec-2017 10:21

KrazyKid:

I assume it draws 8A so the 15A cable is probably overkill.

It may be overkill, but you draw that 8A for several hours. I think it is better to go with the 15A cable for less efficiency loss and less heating. Heavy duty cables are also more robust with thicker insulation which means more use before you get frayed cables. With a good heavy duty extension lead I believe that everything should be safe and work well.

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

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#1915675 9-Dec-2017 14:35

Thanks for the advice re timers and head unit replacement - good to know I'll retain the use of these when the dealer replaces the head unit.

It's a 2013, so are you saying I should be able to relatively easily set the clock directly from the service menu, or will I also need to detach the GPS cable? (And, if the latter, am I best to ask the dealer to do this when he's switching out the head unit?)

In regards to a decent but affordable OBD2 dongle thing - is there anything as reliable but at a better price point than the one Linuxluver purchased (it's $60 plus shipping)? Also, are these things best left plugged in, or only plugged in when actually in use?

Many thanks.

Linuxluver

5828 posts

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#1916173 10-Dec-2017 18:55

KrazyKid:

My EVSE is supplied by the dealer. Can't say I know a lot about it. It is marked as 110-220V AC and the 8A rating box is marked (it has a 15A and 10A option but these are not marked).
There is no option to change the Amperage.

Its got the standard 3 pin NZ wall plug on the other end of the J1772 plug.

I assume it draws 8A so the 15A cable is probably overkill. I'll lent out my power meter so can't actually check the draw at the moment.

Think I'll be fine.

Thanks

Allow enough time if you need a full charge. 8amp x 240v = 1920 watts......less any loss. It's about 1.9kWh added per hour....(d'oh) so if you need to add, say, 20kw you'll have to charge for 10 or 11 hours-ish.

10amp would be 2.4kw and 16 amp is 3.3kw....and 32amp is 6.6kw....and so on.

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Linuxluver

5828 posts

Uber Geek

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#1916178 10-Dec-2017 18:57

jonathan18:

Thanks for the advice re timers and head unit replacement - good to know I'll retain the use of these when the dealer replaces the head unit.

It's a 2013, so are you saying I should be able to relatively easily set the clock directly from the service menu, or will I also need to detach the GPS cable? (And, if the latter, am I best to ask the dealer to do this when he's switching out the head unit?)

In regards to a decent but affordable OBD2 dongle thing - is there anything as reliable but at a better price point than the one Linuxluver purchased (it's $60 plus shipping)? Also, are these things best left plugged in, or only plugged in when actually in use?

Many thanks.

I thought that was pretty cheap. :-) I hope you have some luck finding a cheaper one.

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I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1916240 10-Dec-2017 19:37

Mine is a WiFi version (as iOS only supports wifi for the Leafspy app) and should work for either iOS or Android.
NZ$24.01 (landed) from AliExpress... you’ll have to wait a while (especially due to Christmas) but 1/3 the cost of the one linked above 😉

http://s.aliexpress.com/FvaYZJzQ

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