[Salkin]

I ended up buying the Emporia "Classic" L2 EVSE. Voted to be the best EVSE in this article. Not only is it the best, but it is also one of the least expensive "full feature" L2 EVSEs on the market. It is a smart charger that allows adjusting amp from 6A to 48A in 1 Amp increment via an app as well as scheduling charging according to your TOU rate and connecting to Alexa.

In my case, with the state incentive, Emporia charger was a mere $129 after a $300 rebate. So choosing it was no brainer. However, the direct wire installation cost on a dedicated 60A circuit was $1,500. Since I already use the Emporia's Vue Home Energy Monitor system, the same app can now control the EVSE and monitor energy use. Fantastic value.

 

[Salkin]

Is there definitive data on whether a lower charge rate improves the battery's longevity? I understand that, in general, you don't want heat, but say L1 at 12A vs L2 at 24A vs L2 at 48A, would the lower charge rate really make the battery happier?

I have my L2 hardwired on a 60A breaker, so I can charge a max of 48A that EVSE and EQEV allow. But I can lower it down to 6A if need to be. Before installing L2 EVSE a few weeks ago, I used 120V L1 @12A. With our infrequent driving, it worked fine mostly.

 

[Salkin]

Thanks for the info. It aligns with what I have read and learned, mostly about charging our PHEV in the past. But I never had a PHEV that could charge above 3.3 kW. So, this EQEV with 11.5 kW L2 charging capability is new for me.

 

[Salkin]

The charge rate set at 48amp, it charges at max 11.5kw all the way from start to finish for the target 80%. Slight variation probably due to voltage fluctuation from the grid, but range is low of 11.43kw to high of 11.64kw. So, on average 11.5kWh for each 1hr charge, which is about 13.5% SOC gain per hr. At my current 3.0mi/kWh lifetime average, it is 34.5miles per hour. Of course if the EPA rated 3.5mi/kWh is used, it would be 40.25miles per hour. I have used it only a few times so far, but the charge rate are similar every time.

Here is the most recent charge session graph.

 

[Salkin]

How many people on this forum are DIY installing EVSE? I do basic home DIY repairs, but I have no electrical engineering skills or knowledge. I hired a licensed electrician to work on the main service panel to install my Emporia EVSE (hard-wired and installed on the outside wall of the house). Initially, I asked Qmerit for the installation, which was reasonably priced at ~$799 quoted for the job. But they could not locate an electrician on their network close enough to our rural home. I hired an electrician closer (still ~50 miles away) who accepted the job. But it cost ~$1,500 for the job. Still, this was something I would have never tried DIY.