Questions Abour Choosing 240v Charging Stations

[marcham93]

Hello, all. I have a few questions about picking out a 240v EV charging station. While at the dealership, they seemed to insist on recommending AeroViornment. I can see that Ford and AeroVironment have a partership of sorts. If I use a different brand of charger, how does that affect my warranty with Ford? I came across some chargers from Dostar and they are about half the price, so I am considering them

 

[campfamily]

Buy a charger based on performance (charging rate), reliability, and other features that you might find important. I bought mine for a bit over $400 from Lowe's. Pretty basic, but does everything I need.

Keith

 

[Omen87]

I have a JuiceBox 40 Classic from EMotorWerks. Simple, no frills charger. Works great. I have had zero issues since I installed it in December. Plus I got a great deal on it because I bought it refurbished from their eBay store.

 

[jmueller065]

A different EVSE (that is what they are really called--the charger is actually in the car) will not affect your warranty.

That is kind of like saying: Filling up with Sunoco may void your warranty, but BP doesn't--it doesn't make sense.

 

[triangles]

FYI the EVSE aka charge station is basically just a smart extension cord. It tells the charger (built into your car) how much current it can draw. The car's charger can only do 6.6kW which is just under 30A so if you get an EVSE capable of at least 30A you will have the fastest level 2 charging. I might add that getting one rated for higher won't make any difference for you. Getting one rated for 16A, 20A, or 25A is perfectly okay it just means it will take a little longer to charge up. Since most people charge over nite it's no big deal if it takes a little longer.

 

[EVA]

Hope I don't open a can of worms here - please buy one that is UL or Intertek certified.

A really great article about safety. The discussion at the bottom is also worth reading if you have time.
https://chargedevs.com/features/amazon-evse-safety/

What I got from that article, buy a brand name, or one that is well known. Juicebox might not be certified, there is a lot of history with people using them and they are safe. Same for the ones made from OpenEVSE.

What you really want to avoid are all the no-brand Chinese knock-offs you see on Amazon and eBay.

And I think you mentioned a Dostar - pretty sure none of those were ever tested or certified.

Just remember the EVSE is handling high current and high voltage. Do you really want to risk something going wrong with that device, trying to save $50 or $100?

I'd steer a long ways clear of anything with a strange name.

 

[EVA]

There is another reason to go with something made by a real company, not some seller on Amazon or eBay, warranty. If something should go wrong, who is going to help you at Dostar? I know where to go for GE, ClipperCreek, Schneider, Bosch, chargepoint ... warranty repairs.

 

[shniestEV]

I went with the Chargepoint https://www.chargepoint.com/drivers/home/
It has awesome smart features, integrates with my residential utility company to provide accurate usage and daily/month cost breakdowns.
I also broke a piece of my cable by stressing it accidentally and they shipped and replaced and no charge.
I've been happy and impressed with support.

Of course i wanted a smart home charger so it was easy pick. If you just want basic charging i think i was looking up basic 30amp ones from Schneider, GE and i think costco had a good deal on ones in Canada for ClipperCreek/SunCountryHighway(Canada).

Not surprised that ford dealer pushed Aerovironment... they are the ones that ford uses but my dealer had a hard time sourcing when i kept asking and they were well over $1000 here in canada... i said forget that as it didnt offer anything other than basic charging at that time with no smart features.

EVSE choice should not affect warranty.

 

[Pearl]

Home Depot has several name brand EVSEs in the $400-$600 range.
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Alternative-Energy-Solutions-EV-Charging-Stations/N-5yc1vZc3gj?Ns=P_REP_PRC_MODE%7C0

 

[EVA]

I ended up with a GE WattStation because my installer recommended it (the bill to do all the electrical work was already big, and just going with something he recommended was simple - not cheap at the time, and I could count the cost in the Illinois EVSE rebate).

I see it at Home Depot for $599 - I would gladly buy it again at that price (three years no problems).
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-EV-Charger-Indoor-Level-2-WattStation-Wall-Mount-EVWSWBH-CP02/204269636

The strange thing about it, if this even remotely matters to you, it is big and GelaSkins sells skins for it. So you can make this big thing look really cool.

 

[Pearl]

I'd love to Gelaskin my EVSE, got a a link?

 

[Elektra]

Hope I don't open a can of worms here - please buy one that is UL or Intertek certified.

A really great article about safety. The discussion at the bottom is also worth reading if you have time.
https://chargedevs.com/features/amazon-evse-safety/

What I got from that article, buy a brand name, or one that is well known. Juicebox might not be certified, there is a lot of history with people using them and they are safe. Same for the ones made from OpenEVSE.

What you really want to avoid are all the no-brand Chinese knock-offs you see on Amazon and eBay.

And I think you mentioned a Dostar - pretty sure none of those were ever tested or certified.

Just remember the EVSE is handling high current and high voltage. Do you really want to risk something going wrong with that device, trying to save $50 or $100?

I'd steer a long ways clear of anything with a strange name.

I agree with this. I went with clipper creek because it was UL listed and had many connector options. I went with one that will connect to a dryer outlet.

 

[EVA]

I'd love to Gelaskin my EVSE, got a a link?

First of all, it has to be the GE Wattstation. That was the only one Gelaskins ever offered skins for.

I can't find them at all any more. Gelaskins must have discontinued them? If they made the skins to order, then they didn't have stock laying around. If they had them made, it is possible they still have a supply of them. I would write to them.

Article about them
http://insideevs.com/gelaskins-now-available-for-ge-wattstation-for-30-per/

https://www.gelaskins.com/

 

[Pearl]

I'd love to Gelaskin my EVSE, got a a link?

First of all, it has to be the GE Wattstation. That was the only one Gelaskins ever offered skins for.

I can't find them at all any more. Gelaskins must have discontinued them? If they made the skins to order, then they didn't have stock laying around. If they had them made, it is possible they still have a supply of them. I would write to them.

Article about them
http://insideevs.com/gelaskins-now-available-for-ge-wattstation-for-30-per/

https://www.gelaskins.com/

I see now. I've got a PowerMax. thanks. I wonder of they make a generic sized decal.

 

[EVA]

You could look at laptop skins - that would be a square of material. The Gelaskin material is really heavy and super nice. It goes on with no bubbles.

The other option is vinyl automotive wrap. There are smaller sheets available, not just the massive 5 or 6 foot rolls. Those would be a solid color.

 

[marcham93]

UPDATE: I went for a Level 2 charger! Ordered the Clipper Creek LCS-20P. Found it at a great price and it will be perfect for my needs. Thanks all!

Buy a charger based on performance (charging rate), reliability, and other features that you might find important. I bought mine for a bit over $400 from Lowe's. Pretty basic, but does everything I need.

Thank you for pointing this out! I did not notice that different Level 2 chargers had different amperage.

A different EVSE (that is what they are really called--the charger is actually in the car) will not affect your warranty.

That is kind of like saying: Filling up with Sunoco may void your warranty, but BP doesn't--it doesn't make sense.

Makes sense. Since the dealership doesn't sell it directly, I assume they were simply misinformed. They notified me that they had only sold one FFE in the last five years... so it seems I will be one of the first in my area.

 

[Steve0512]

I bought my Siemens EVSE from Amazon. Quick and easy.

 

[Twinstangs]

I went with the Chargepoint https://www.chargepoint.com/drivers/home/
It has awesome smart features, integrates with my residential utility company to provide accurate usage and daily/month cost breakdowns.
I also broke a piece of my cable by stressing it accidentally and they shipped and replaced and no charge.
I've been happy and impressed with support.

Of course i wanted a smart home charger so it was easy pick. If you just want basic charging i think i was looking up basic 30amp ones from Schneider, GE and i think costco had a good deal on ones in Canada for ClipperCreek/SunCountryHighway(Canada).

Not surprised that ford dealer pushed Aerovironment... they are the ones that ford uses but my dealer had a hard time sourcing when i kept asking and they were well over $1000 here in canada... i said forget that as it didnt offer anything other than basic charging at that time with no smart features.

EVSE choice should not affect warranty.

Parked next to the local Chargepoint rep with our FFE at the local EarthDay event last Saturday at the local fairgrounds. We talked a lot when there were no people looking at our car and his products. If my wife and I ever go 240 volt, we would check them out first.