Level 1, i.e. up to 16A, 110V charging will put power into your EV. Be aware, however, that the AC to DC converter in your car is optimized for 220-240V charging. It's less efficient at 110V than it is at 230V. So not only will you charge slower, it will cost you significantly more per kWh of energy into your battery. In my vehicle, 16A at level 2 will add about 10 miles of range per hour. 16A at level 1 (half the power) will only add 3.5 miles of range per hour. So in my case, I am putting in half the power, but only getting 1/3 of the range on level 1 versus level 2.
Level 1 chargers are great for someone like me who will drive 20-30 kms a day, to and from work. I can plug it in every night and be fully charged by the morning without having to pay to get a level2 charger installed. That's why I put a deposit down for a PHEV, if it ever shows up ☹ On a side note, Burke Mountain is gorgeous. It's ashamed that all those trees behind you will be gone soon and replaced by condos
I am in the same boat as you. For my use case Level 1 charging is all I need. And for people who drive PHEVs this is a phenomenal option. And I agree about Burke Mountain. Such a beautiful place but the construction there is ruining nature. Like you said most of the trees will be gone in a few years. It’s a shame.
Been using the Leaf L1 most every night for 2+ years, works fine, no need for another charger. Edit: I live in Sweden, Europe. L1 is 240V 10A = 2.4kW. The 2014 Leaf has 19.5 kWh by now. Usually charge to 80%. No problem to charge over night. Has another one that is 240V 10/16A, and at 16A it is 3.8kW minus charging loss so about 3.5kW to the battery.
Agree. Level 1 charging is more than enough for most daily commutes. And if you have a garage where you can plug in, this is a very viable option. Then do L2 and L3 charging when you do road trips or if you have to drive further.
Perfect use case when staying with family or friends who don’t drive electric. Still able to plug into a household plug and get a charge. Thanks for the feedback!
There was a basic level1 EVSE included with my Ioniq5 but I purchased a 40A/10kW capable Pion Power unit as a roadtrip EVSE.. it comes with a NEMA 14-15 and a NEMA 14-50 adapter buit I also purchased a NEMA 6-50 to NEAM 14-50 adapter so I could use the welder plug in the shop at my parents farm. getting a TT-30 adapter would also be useful to be able to use the 120V/30A RV plugs in many campgrounds. overall provides many options. 10kW charging from welder plugs 14-50 RV power plugs, 3.6kW charging from 30A RV plugs or standard 1.4kW charging from typical plug.... have to be flexible when getting away from the #1 highway,
Really like how well prepared you are. I also travel with a Level 2 portable charger with a bunch of adapters. I’ve also made good use of the TT-30 when camping. Thanks for your feedback!
I noticed that after you changed your setting so as to charge at 16 amps at level 1, you plugged your EVSE into a regular NEMA 5-15 outlet. Shouldn't you have limited your amperage to a maximum of 12 amps maximum, which is 80% of 15 amps, so as to avoid overheating the wiring and ultimately tripping the 15-amp breaker? You can only safely charge at 16 amps with a level 1 EVSE using a NEMA 5-20 outlet only!
It is a simple math, a standard 110V outlet in North America has current capacity of 12Amp. You can put in 1.32 KWh every hour. That say, if you are in 220V region, avaerage outlet is usually able to put out 8 to 10 amp capacity. (Note, some 220V region dont have dedicated plug for high power user. Mainland China is an example. So, you circult load capacity is actually determined by CB. Because the wire are usually standardlized to handle everything you throw at it) so in theory, you can put in up to 2.2Kwh every hour or getting 1.76 if you have a 8Amp CB. However, the deal breaker is, if a lv1 chager is designed for 110V only, the charger will likely go kapoo of you put in a 220V system. But, if you have lv1 charger can handle both voltage, then it will be up to the cb if it can handle it. If the charger pulling more current that cb rateded, the cb will trip.
Level one is just using a 110 outlet. Yes, it is slow, but plug the EV in at night, and it will probably be ready in the morning. I am still wondering how fast the battery will degrade on fast charges?
It all depends on how much you drive and how long your commute is. For most people, myself included, charging overnight even on Level 1 is plenty. I am planning to do a video in the future where I use only Level 1 charging for a whole week...including the weekend.
I have yet to install a full, 48A L2 charger. I did, however, get one of the outside 110V, 20A outlets changed over to a 220V, 20A outlet. The breaker had to be changed and rewired in the panel, and the sticker had to be changed. The wires were ok as I wasn't increasing the maximum current in the wires. Double the power, however, results in triple the range added per hour (10 miles versus about 3.5 miles per hour) due to increased efficiency in the on board AC to DC converter with higher input voltage.
Have you ever tried charging your EV on a Level 1 charger? How did it go? Share your comments below!
thanks great video - I have nissan leaf & adapter makes lots of sense!
Level 1, i.e. up to 16A, 110V charging will put power into your EV.
Be aware, however, that the AC to DC converter in your car is optimized for 220-240V charging. It's less efficient at 110V than it is at 230V. So not only will you charge slower, it will cost you significantly more per kWh of energy into your battery.
In my vehicle, 16A at level 2 will add about 10 miles of range per hour. 16A at level 1 (half the power) will only add 3.5 miles of range per hour. So in my case, I am putting in half the power, but only getting 1/3 of the range on level 1 versus level 2.
Thanks for this, great info!
Level 1 chargers are great for someone like me who will drive 20-30 kms a day, to and from work. I can plug it in every night and be fully charged by the morning without having to pay to get a level2 charger installed. That's why I put a deposit down for a PHEV, if it ever shows up ☹
On a side note, Burke Mountain is gorgeous. It's ashamed that all those trees behind you will be gone soon and replaced by condos
I am in the same boat as you. For my use case Level 1 charging is all I need. And for people who drive PHEVs this is a phenomenal option. And I agree about Burke Mountain. Such a beautiful place but the construction there is ruining nature. Like you said most of the trees will be gone in a few years. It’s a shame.
Been using the Leaf L1 most every night for 2+ years, works fine, no need for another charger.
Edit: I live in Sweden, Europe. L1 is 240V 10A = 2.4kW. The 2014 Leaf has 19.5 kWh by now. Usually charge to 80%. No problem to charge over night. Has another one that is 240V 10/16A, and at 16A it is 3.8kW minus charging loss so about 3.5kW to the battery.
Thanks for sharing your experience using a Level 1 charger.
Never considered L1 charging as a viable option. Always thought it was too slow. Will have to look into this deeper. Thanks for the video!
It is a viable option for most people. Check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks for watching!
Level 1 charging is enough for most people. With a charger like this that gives a few more kW of charge speed even better.
Agree. Level 1 charging is more than enough for most daily commutes. And if you have a garage where you can plug in, this is a very viable option. Then do L2 and L3 charging when you do road trips or if you have to drive further.
I use L1 all the time when visiting the in-laws. I stay one night or two, so plenty of time for car to charge up.
Perfect use case when staying with family or friends who don’t drive electric. Still able to plug into a household plug and get a charge. Thanks for the feedback!
There was a basic level1 EVSE included with my Ioniq5 but I purchased a 40A/10kW capable Pion Power unit as a roadtrip EVSE.. it comes with a NEMA 14-15 and a NEMA 14-50 adapter buit I also purchased a NEMA 6-50 to NEAM 14-50 adapter so I could use the welder plug in the shop at my parents farm. getting a TT-30 adapter would also be useful to be able to use the 120V/30A RV plugs in many campgrounds. overall provides many options. 10kW charging from welder plugs 14-50 RV power plugs, 3.6kW charging from 30A RV plugs or standard 1.4kW charging from typical plug.... have to be flexible when getting away from the #1 highway,
Really like how well prepared you are. I also travel with a Level 2 portable charger with a bunch of adapters. I’ve also made good use of the TT-30 when camping. Thanks for your feedback!
I noticed that after you changed your setting so as to charge at 16 amps at level 1, you plugged your EVSE into a regular NEMA 5-15 outlet.
Shouldn't you have limited your amperage to a maximum of 12 amps maximum, which is 80% of 15 amps, so as to avoid overheating the wiring and ultimately tripping the 15-amp breaker?
You can only safely charge at 16 amps with a level 1 EVSE using a NEMA 5-20 outlet only!
I love this device. I wonder whether it will be even faster if you change the voltage into 220V？
Maybe one day I will get a chance to test it out in a country where 220V is the standard and I will report back.
It is a simple math, a standard 110V outlet in North America has current capacity of 12Amp. You can put in 1.32 KWh every hour. That say, if you are in 220V region, avaerage outlet is usually able to put out 8 to 10 amp capacity. (Note, some 220V region dont have dedicated plug for high power user. Mainland China is an example. So, you circult load capacity is actually determined by CB. Because the wire are usually standardlized to handle everything you throw at it) so in theory, you can put in up to 2.2Kwh every hour or getting 1.76 if you have a 8Amp CB. However, the deal breaker is, if a lv1 chager is designed for 110V only, the charger will likely go kapoo of you put in a 220V system. But, if you have lv1 charger can handle both voltage, then it will be up to the cb if it can handle it. If the charger pulling more current that cb rateded, the cb will trip.
Awesome explanation! Thanks for this. I will try to do a real life test in the future.
i charge my kia e-niro (64khw battery) with a level 1, 220v 16a charger. It does 3.4kwh. that means 50% battery in 10 hours overnight charge.
That is awesome. You are lucky to have 220v plugs, here in Canada we are stuck with 120v unfortunately.
Level one is just using a 110 outlet. Yes, it is slow, but plug the EV in at night, and it will probably be ready in the morning. I am still wondering how fast the battery will degrade on fast charges?
It all depends on how much you drive and how long your commute is. For most people, myself included, charging overnight even on Level 1 is plenty. I am planning to do a video in the future where I use only Level 1 charging for a whole week...including the weekend.
@@LeftCoastEV Great idea.
I have yet to install a full, 48A L2 charger. I did, however, get one of the outside 110V, 20A outlets changed over to a 220V, 20A outlet. The breaker had to be changed and rewired in the panel, and the sticker had to be changed. The wires were ok as I wasn't increasing the maximum current in the wires. Double the power, however, results in triple the range added per hour (10 miles versus about 3.5 miles per hour) due to increased efficiency in the on board AC to DC converter with higher input voltage.
When you install your Level 2 charger are you going to hardwire or just run it off a 50A NEMA plug?
Above 40A, electrical code is to hard wire in NC