Is cheap and simple level 2 charging possible?

"Adding a 220 outlet" is not always as simple as it may seem. You probably already have 2, one for dryer and one for range. Your service panel has to have enough room for 2 additional breakers, and be rated for an additional 30 amp load over what it's already serving.

So if you have a 200 amp service panel that already has 200 amps of load, you'd need to add a new service box for the new outlet. While its true that people often just piggy-back an extra 220v outlet onto an existing one, its not recommended and you could be popping breakers if both outlets happen to be hot at once.

 

Yes and no. Yes, the car will work with either Level 1 OR Level 2 chargers at anytime. No, a 220V level 2 ESVE is hard set at 220V.

Level 1 charging is using the supplied cord/EV plug and a regular 15 Amp, 110V wall outlet. You retain that option as long as you have the cord and an conventional outlet.

Level 2 charging uses a dedicated EVSE charger fed with 220Volts. The amperage of the EVSE is internally set to not exceed the amperage of the circuit breaker feeding the EVSE from the house circuit breaker panel. The usual EVSE capacity ranges from 20 to 40 Amps (however, the car charger will limit the actual amperage to the maximum the car can handle, so the actual charge time /current is set by the smaller amperage limit of the EVSE or EV.)

The car works with either at any time. the J1772 charging plug is designed to charge any car that uses that plug regardless of 110/220V inputs or max amperage rating of the EVSE/Car. The big difference is the recharge time. Between the Level 1 vs. a 40 Amp Level 2, very simple math shows the Level two charging just over 5 times faster (if the car can handle the max amperage.)

 

Be aware that adding an additional load to a Load Center is quite easy using a doubled up 220V dual breaker like shown below. For example, a 20 Amp dual (i.e. 220V) breaker can be replace with a combination 20 Amp/50 Amp breaker. The 50 amps can be used to supply the EVSE. Of course the wiring for the 50 Amps needs to be added and hopefully not every single 220 Amp breaker in the panel is doubled up already.

 

if you have your factory evse modified for 240v, it will still work off 120v with a plug adapter which may come with it.

 

If you're going to pay someone to run a 220v, I'd suggest get the highest possible amp allowed by law. I don't know what the limit is but it has to be at least 30 amps. The Prius Plug-in charger does not use anywhere near 30 amp but you never know what your next EV or plug-in will be and future EV's could use more amperage. Don't worry about overloading your panel box since most likely, you'll be using a timer to start your charging process after you go to bed.

 

The practical limit is 40-50 Amps. This is because the biggest residential EVSEs have a maximum it can handle in this range. Additionally if you want to have a EVSE that you can take with you if you move, then the largest standard plug is called a NEMA 6-50 where the 50 is the maximum amperage. Beyond this a very, very big price step is encountered where one starts to deal with commercial units instead of residential units.

 

Agreed.

I kept the EVSE from my PIP and had it modified to work with 220v and 120v. I now use it to charge my Volt in my garage. The Volt EVSE can be modified to work on 220v but it will no longer work on 120v which is why I chose to modify the PIP EVSE instead.

The cost and turn around period was excellent. I had my modified EVSE in 3 days. It brought my charging times down from 10 hours to 4.5 hours.

The circuit panel on my house is located on the same wall I wanted my 220v outlet so it only cost me $150 to install a 20amp breaker and a 220v outlet.

 

+1

 

Check out EVSE Upgrade - Your EV Charging Solution and it should answer most if not all of your questions. Many of us PChatters have done this mod and we are happy with it at the price.

 

I have a sub-panel in my garage so adding a 240v breaker to the panel, a two foot piece of correct wiring, a knockout box and 240v receptacle cost me about $27 in parts; Level II charger extra.

 

justin! where you been man? i missed you!​

 

Missed you too!

I'm just working out my new life without cancer and enjoying my new car.

I can't quit you or PriusChat. *blush*

 

i like the sound of those words. the red sox are doing their annual jimmy fund/dana farber cancer center drive today, amazing the advances they make every year. if the success stories don't make you reach into your wallet, you must have icicles on your heart. all the best my friend!