Portable Level 2 EVSE (charger) recs?
1 - 20 of 35 Posts
One thing I was wondering is whether any of these portable chargers let us set an upper limit for the Solterra's battery capacity. For example, I want the charger to stop when the car's battery is no higher than 75-80% (or whatever that would translate to in miles). Can portable chargers do that? Can any charger?
Here's a snip from page 107 in the Owner's Manual. There's also a note that says "The selected upper limit value is common to AC charging and DC charging."
Joined
·
79 Posts
That's from Solterra manual. Look in the DIY and How To forum for the link.
Joined
·
37 Posts
When you say portable level 2 charger, you are talking about an EVSE cable that plugs into a 30-50 amp receptacle like you may find in some garages in the US? The charger is actually built into the car and the cables are EVSE’s. I am not trying to be the grammar police I just wanted to make sure I understood because it never occurred to me to buy a level 2 EVSE. I always figured I would level 2 charge at home using a Pulsar Plus Wallbox and Level 3 on road trips at EVGO or others. And I would keep the Level 1 EVSE cable in the car for any desperate 120 volt last resort charging.
What scenario do you see needing a Level 2 EVSE cable? Visiting family that have a 240 volt outlet in their garage?
Joined
·
393 Posts
I’m a different poster. I would probably take my EVSE off the wall and bring it on trips if my destination was the in-laws who have a nice 240V outlet that we used when we brought our motorhome. Other relatives have 240 outlets in their garages and workshops. Kids have EVSE for their Teslas, but I don’t know which car-end connector(s) they have. Plenty of reasons, but not just generally finding a 240 outlet. I guess there are always RV parks. Plenty of 240 outlets (RV 30 and 14-50).
My planned usage is similar to n6nl's, so near as I can tell I'm trying to find a "Portable EVSE" that supports the ability to plug into common USA 240V outlets (I don't know the specific types yet)
I can’t find a more recent comparison review than this one, but Tom has a good reputation as far as I’m aware. EV Charger Review: The AmazingE and AmazingE Fast
These portable charging cables aren’t cheap, and they’re basically just an EVSE with a more “portable” form-factor: you’re basically buying a slim-line version of an EVSE. And I’m not aware of any that have “universal” NEMA connectivity, i.e. - the ability to switch between various plug adapters. If it were me, I would go for the 14-50 plug as that’s becoming the most common from what I’ve read (vs a welder plug like a 6-50).
I have a portable EVSE with a 14-50 plug end for my 240v garage outlet. I also have adapters to use it with 6-50 welder receptacles and with various RV campground outlets. Greatly extends where you can charge in the boonies.
I have this one, can sometimes be found cheaper on sale and with coupons.
My son bought it as well, when his Tesla OEM one crapped out (overheating and throttling back the charge). Works great.
This is the same one, just a diff brand name.
Amazon.com: BESENERGY 32 Amp EV Charger Level 2, NEMA14-50 220V-240V Upgraded Portable EV Charging Cable Station, Electric Vehicle Charger Compatible with All J1772 EV Cars : Automotive
Buy BESENERGY 32 Amp EV Charger Level 2, NEMA14-50 220V-240V Upgraded Portable EV Charging Cable Station, Electric Vehicle Charger Compatible with All J1772 EV Cars: Charging Stations - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
And this welder adapter, can be found cheaper, too, sometimes.
Amazon.com: NEMA 6-50P to 14-50R 240V 50 Amp 3 Prong Male Plug to 50 Amp 4 Prong Female Outlet Receptacle Generator Welder Dryer EV Charger Power Cord Adapter : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com: NEMA 6-50P to 14-50R 240V 50 Amp 3 Prong Male Plug to 50 Amp 4 Prong Female Outlet Receptacle Generator Welder Dryer EV Charger Power Cord Adapter : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
RV adapter
That 32A Primecom one looks like the same box as my $408.99 unit I got from SimplyWorks:...
www.insideevsforum.com
Now I understand. From an electrical safety perspective (particularly if it’s raining), I wouldn’t personally use that sort of adapter arrangement. I thought you had something like the Tesla charging cable that has a removable short cord at the wall end that allows various NEMA cables to be connected.I have this one, can sometimes be found cheaper on sale and with coupons.
My son bought it as well, when his Tesla OEM one crapped out (overheating and throttling back the charge). Works great.
This is the same one, just a diff brand name.
Amazon.com: BESENERGY 32 Amp EV Charger Level 2, NEMA14-50 220V-240V Upgraded Portable EV Charging Cable Station, Electric Vehicle Charger Compatible with All J1772 EV Cars : Automotive
Buy BESENERGY 32 Amp EV Charger Level 2, NEMA14-50 220V-240V Upgraded Portable EV Charging Cable Station, Electric Vehicle Charger Compatible with All J1772 EV Cars: Charging Stations - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchaseswww.amazon.com
And this welder adapter, can be found cheaper, too, sometimes.
And built my own RV adapter. Browse down a few posts.Amazon.com: NEMA 6-50P to 14-50R 240V 50 Amp 3 Prong Male Plug to 50 Amp 4 Prong Female Outlet Receptacle Generator Welder Dryer EV Charger Power Cord Adapter : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com: NEMA 6-50P to 14-50R 240V 50 Amp 3 Prong Male Plug to 50 Amp 4 Prong Female Outlet Receptacle Generator Welder Dryer EV Charger Power Cord Adapter : Patio, Lawn & Gardenwww.amazon.com
RV adapter
That 32A Primecom one looks like the same box as my $408.99 unit I got from SimplyWorks:...
What you’re using isn’t something I would be willing to use at that power level in an outdoor environment, but if it works for you, more power to you (no pun intended
).
The adapters go on the plug end which are normally indoors. And the Tesla adapter is at the car end, which is actually more exposed. And they are all grounded, too. RVers use adapter plugs all the time... But up to you, of course.Now I understand. From an electrical safety perspective (particularly if it’s raining), I wouldn’t personally use that sort of adapter arrangement. I thought you had something like the Tesla charging cable that has a removable short cord at the wall end that allows various NEMA cables to be connected.
What you’re using isn’t something I would be willing to use at that power level in an outdoor environment, but if it works for you, more power to you (no pun intended
If you’re referring to an outlet that has an RV box, there’s usually a closable cover so there will be no “exposed” connections.
If someone uses an adaptor that isn’t designed to be weatherproof, then there will be an exposed connection. In nice weather there should be no issues. I’m just the kind of person that would want a portable EVSE that could safely be used in all weather conditions (without relying on the ground to save my bacon). The problem is I haven’t found one that has that Tesla-charger-like setup, so at this point it would be a tradeoff.
But to each his own.
Attachments
The one in your pic, 14-50, doesn't require an adapter. The EVSE comes with a 14-50 plug.
I think I just heard the head of my friend who is a licensed electrician explode, lol
i imagine this works well most of the time, but it’s just not something I would do.
Again, I’m not going to try and convince anyone else that they need to do things my way.
It’s just what I’m comfortable with.
Joined
·
393 Posts
If it’s temporary, the tape will keep most moisture out of where the connectors mate.
For longer term, I use a wrap of tape (to make it easy to remove later), 1/3 overlap mastic, compress it in your hand to seal it, and three 1/3 overlap wraps of tape, followed by an application of a spray coating (spray paint works fine). The wraps must completely cover the connector and a short portion of the outdoor-rated cable. I’ve been doing this for antennas mounted on towers at mountaintop radio sites for RF connections and for general electrical for decades.
One wrap of tape will at least keep rain out of the connection for the short term and is preferable to nothing if rain is expected.
I don’t know why your friend’s head would explode, but if he has a better solution, I’m one to hear it and improve on how I do things.
This is for mating connectors which can’t be shielded by an appropriate permanently mounted NEMA-rated enclosure.
It’s only for temporary weatherproofing of two cord-mounted connectors.
For longer term, I use a wrap of tape (to make it easy to remove later), 1/3 overlap mastic, compress it in your hand to seal it, and three 1/3 overlap wraps of tape, followed by an application of a spray coating (spray paint works fine). The wraps must completely cover the connector and a short portion of the outdoor-rated cable. I’ve been doing this for antennas mounted on towers at mountaintop radio sites for RF connections and for general electrical for decades.
One wrap of tape will at least keep rain out of the connection for the short term and is preferable to nothing if rain is expected.
I don’t know why your friend’s head would explode, but if he has a better solution, I’m one to hear it and improve on how I do things.
This is for mating connectors which can’t be shielded by an appropriate permanently mounted NEMA-rated enclosure.
It’s only for temporary weatherproofing of two cord-mounted connectors.
1 - 20 of 35 Posts
