Bolt EVSE Recommendations?

[roundpeg]

In preparation for my Bolt's arrival next month (I hope) I've begun researching EVSEs for the garage. Unfortunately most of the articles I find online are quite dated and don't address the Bolt's charging needs. Any recommendations by brand or features? Would 30 amps do, or is 40 better for this car? Any advantages of hardwired vs. plugged in?

Thanks!

 

[DucRider]

40 amp circuit, 30 or 32 amp EVSE will maximize charge rate on the Bolt. You can "future proof" your installation if you wire for 100 A (you can upgrade the breaker later).
Clipper Creek units are UL listed and US made and have a very good reputation.
https://www.clippercreek.com/

eMotorWerks has the "Juicebox" line and is also US made (UL pending). They offer the most reporting options and more control than a "standard" EVSE (but it looks like much of that will be available in the Bolt). Depending on what part of CA you live in, you may be eligible for their rewards program if you let the utility have some control over when and at what rate your car is charged (you can override it anytime).
https://emotorwerks.com/store-juicebox-ev-charging-stations
https://emotorwerks.com/rewards

If I was buying today, those would be my choices (the Fit EV came with a free Leviton 32 A EVSE)

I prefer plug-in to hardwired. You can take the EVSE with you if needed (RV park and/or if you move) and some inspectors can be picky about hard wiring non-UL equipment if that is what you select.

 

[Geo]

Get a 30A/32A charger. For that, you'll need a 40A circuit.

Almost any major brand should work. Not sure if Chevy has a list of approved chargers, but that might be a place to start.

That said, Clipper Creeks are rock solid and affordable. If you get one with a NEMA plug, they are also somewhat portable.

I currently have a Leviton EVB-32 in the garage. It works great, all metal construction, never had a problem.

 

[user 387]

I can't recommend the Jukebox 40 or Pro 40 enough. If you are worried about UL, their certified units should be available mid-January.

They are small, run on 120 or 240, portable (they just hang on a mount on the wall) and actually provide up to 40 Amps for future-proofing (they require a 50 Amp circuit).

By far the best bang for the buck out there.

 

[roundpeg]

Thanks for the recommendations. A couple more questions...

A plugin EVSE seems like a good choice for my situation, though I wonder if one can be secured to the wall with screws making it not so portable that someone could easily walk away with it.

Also, the sub panel that I will be using is probably mid-1970s vintage. I wonder if it's going to have to be upgraded. Probably a question for an electrician.

Chevy I believe recommends Bosch. They will set you up with that product and an installer, though surely that is not the most economic way to go.

The high tech wifi EVSEs seem like overkill to me, at least from what I am understanding about the Bolt's charging system. It sounds like you can get all the programming and reporting you'd really need from the onboard system.

SCE offers an off-peak plan for EV charging. I will definitely look into that.

 

[DucRider]

Thanks for the recommendations. A couple more questions...

A plugin EVSE seems like a good choice for my situation, though I wonder if one can be secured to the wall with screws making it not so portable that someone could easily walk away with it.

Also, the sub panel that I will be using is probably mid-1970s vintage. I wonder if it's going to have to be upgraded. Probably a question for an electrician.

Chevy I believe recommends Bosch. They will set you up with that product and an installer, though surely that is not the most economic way to go.

The high tech wifi EVSEs seem like overkill to me, at least from what I am understanding about the Bolt's charging system. It sounds like you can get all the programming and reporting you'd really need from the onboard system.

SCE offers an off-peak plan for EV charging. I will definitely look into that.

Most Electrical Codes requires that a plug in type EVSE allows for tool free removal. I know what I would do in your situation (with my screw gun).

Look closely at the SCE TOU plan - more than one EV driver has been surprised by the huge bill increase due to peak rates for things like AC use.

 

[wwhitney]

Most Electrical Codes requires that a plug in type EVSE allows for tool free removal.

I don't believe there is any such language in Article 625 of the National Electric Code, "Electric Vehicle Charging System".

Cheers, Wayne

 

[user 387]

The Jukebox has an optional locking system. Most others do not.

 

[roundpeg]

The Jukebox has an optional locking system. Most others do not.

Sure enough, for $35. Great tip!

Does anyone know the difference between the Juicebox 40 and the 40 Classic? I am finding the latter for sale only at Wal-Mart, for about $50 less than the other model. From the photo and description, the only difference is the Classic is white and the other is grey. The manufacturer doesn't even seem to sell it.

 

[user 387]

The Jukebox has an optional locking system. Most others do not.

Sure enough, for $35. Great tip!

Does anyone know the difference between the Juicebox 40 and the 40 Classic? I am finding the latter for sale only at Wal-Mart, for about $50 less than the other model. From the photo and description, the only difference is the Classic is white and the other is grey. The manufacturer doesn't even seem to sell it.

The Classic (40) is just a standard EVSE with no Internet connectivity or apps. $499. The Pro 40 is the same unit with Internet connectivity ($599). https://emotorwerks.com/products/juicebox

 

[roundpeg]

That's what I thought at first, but apparently the Classic is somewhat different than the Standard (which I am not confusing with the Pro).

https://emotorwerks.com/store-juicebox-ev-charging-stations/171-juicebox-40-40-amp-evse-with-24-foot-cable/category_pathway-23

Scroll down. They aren't completely clear about the differences but clearly these products are labeled differently. The only place I could find the "Classic" for sale is Wal-Mart.

 

[user 387]

If you look carefully at their "standard 40" photos in their store, the center one is labeled "Classic Edition". My guess is that they changed the name but not the functionality.

Besides, the Walmart ad I see is outrageously priced at $861 compared to $499 on the emotor werks site.

 

[roundpeg]

Some photos say "Classic" on them, some don't. Perhaps they simply changed the name of the product to differentiate it from the Pro.

Anyway, the price I saw at Wal-Mart was $439. Though it now shows out of stock. This is through one of their online resellers. Caveat emptor.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Generic-JB40-JuiceBox-40A-Plug-in-Electric-Vehicle-Charger-Charging-Station-with-24-Cable-and-NEMA-14-50-Plug/49802225?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=9031631&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=49802225&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[fromport]

Just another alternative:
I like this unit a lot: https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/40a-charging-station-powered-by-openevse

It is opensource (both hard & software)
Works on 120/208/240 Volt
It comes completely assembled OR as a kit
You can choose your own cable length.
Weight: 9.7lbs Size: 10" (260mm) x 5" (130mm) x 2.8" (70mm) (half the weight of a juicebox)
I have a "regular" where I charge my EV's at night/during the day and have an extra long one that I take with me on long drives (40ft)
I made a whole set of converters from 120 , dryer plugs, ac plugs etc to the 14-50 plug for RV's to accompany on my trips
Since my current EV (rav4ev) takes up to 40 amps, the cable is ultra flexible and delivers up to 40 amp (80% of the 50 amp plug) of charging.
More than enough for the bolt.
Has a display and you a button which you can use to setup everything.
From a timer (i use ToU between 10pm-8am) but during the day (when it normally is asleep) i just shortly press the button and it comes active so I can charge it with the power from my solar panels.
You can set the charging amps to whatever you want : 6-40 amps in my case at 240 volt
Since it measures current, you can also add a certain kWh if you want.
Best thing: for $37.50 extra you can (afterwards if you want) install a WIFI kit
https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/openevse-wifi-kit
That gives you access to all above mentioned functions through your desktop/mobile device.
I have been using openevse from the very first version in 2011 when I got my Nissan leaf to the current version.
There is an active community on the openevse google group and Chris is always ultra fast in answering questions.
Consider it as an alternative
disclaimer: am nothing more than a satisfied customer.

 

[roundpeg]

Did you build one yourself from a kit, or buy pre-made?

 

[oilerlord]

I use a Clipper Creek HCS-50P which provides about the same current as the openEVSE in the link. That said, my car (unlike the Bolt) has very rudimentary SOC / charging reporting - and only does so with a USD$300 per year Mercedes subscription (that I ended after the free trial) so the openEVSE would have been a better choice for me.

Getting an EVSE with a 14-50 plug makes sense if you plan to go camping as you would be able to take the EVSE with you to charge the car, and extend your range if required. Most campsites / RV parks have 40 or 50 amp services using the standard 14-50 plug.

GM says it takes 9 hours to charge the Bolt which implies it supports up to 6.6kW (9 hours @ 6.6kW = 59.4kWh battery) so a lower cost 30 amp EVSE would be all you need. I'd recommend that you install at least a 50 amp service in your garage for future proofing.

Yes, absolutely get a qualified electrician to do this.

 

[roundpeg]

I'm pretty certain to go with a plug-in EVSE. This seems like the more flexible choice overall, and especially in my case. I have a couple of existing electrical boxes in a suitable location in my garage that I can see are connected to the sub-panel with BX cable. Need to get an electrician in to find out if they are live but either way making them so should not be a big deal.

I'm finding the OpenEVSE web site to be really confusing, in terms of what you really need to buy and how much it will cost.

 

[oilerlord]

Actually, the one I have is the HCS-40p - delivers up to 7.7kW:

https://store.clippercreek.com/level2/level2-20-to-32?product_id=67

The openEVSE site is geared towards DIY, though I have no doubt they have a good product. Clipper Creek makes a solid EVSE and has good support. I bought the HCS-40p thinking that I was going to buy a Volt (which also supports up to 6.6kW). but ended up with a car with a 10kW onboard charger. For that reason, I keep wondering if it's worth it to sell mine and get one (like an openEVSE) that is a better match for my car.

 

[fromport]

Did you build one yourself from a kit, or buy pre-made?

I used a kit.
Since I wanted 40ft for my portable and 30 feet for my stationary EVSE, I ordered a kit without the J1772 cable.
Ordered the cables directly from
http://shop.quickchargepower.com/J-Plug-J1772-40-Amp-Plug-Cable-Assembly-JPC40A.htm
Since I am in CA and they ship from OR, saves me the tax as well ;-)
I picked up the 14-50 plugs/cables from ebay for about $11 a piece.
And I like to work on stuff like this ;-)

 

[fromport]

I'm finding the OpenEVSE web site to be really confusing, in terms of what you really need to buy and how much it will cost.

either get the assembled product:
https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/40a-charging-station-powered-by-openevse
$479

or get a kit

https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/openevse-30a-charge-station-combo
$269 plus 2 cables:
- 1 x J1772 cable
This is the ultra flexible cable that goed up to 40 amps:
http://shop.quickchargepower.com/J-Plug-J1772-40-Amp-Plug-Cable-Assembly-JPC40A.htm
get it any length you like

- 14-50 cable that feeds the openevse
and this is an example of such a cable:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-4-ft-4-Prong-40-Amp-Range-Cord-WX09X10035DS/203438714
I usually buy those on ebay for about $10-$12 shipped

Ask if you need more info, happy to help