Siemens Versicharger Dead After Only 5 Years. Ugh!

[ChevyDolt]

I'm seriously bummed out that my Siemens Versicharger died. I'll admit that the company has awesome customer service and there's no disputing that my charger has crapped out. But it's not even 5 years old and I'm hardly a power user. Very disappointed.

Apologies if this convo is already elsewhere, but I'd love recommendations from you folks for a new Level 2 home charger. I have a SEMA 6-50 outlet in place already. I don't need WiFi. Thanks!

 

[SparkE]

I'm seriously bummed out that my Siemens Versicharger died. I'll admit that the company has awesome customer service and there's no disputing that my charger has crapped out. But it's not even 5 years old and I'm hardly a power user. Very disappointed.

Apologies if this convo is already elsewhere, but I'd love recommendations from you folks for a new Level 2 home charger. I have a SEMA 6-50 outlet in place already. I don't need WiFi. Thanks!

Well, it depends on what you want / need. Many people have said that after buying and installing a 32A (or 40A) EVSE, they realized that they didn't need one that "big". Time necessary to charge 50% of battery (~ 30 kWh) :

~40 hours : level 1 120V, 8A (stock EVSE that came with car)
~28 hours : level 1 120V, 12A (stock EVSE that came with car)
~14 hours : level 2 240V, 12A (stock EVSE that came with car, with home-made pigtail cord to work at 240V)
~8 hours : level 2 240V, 16A (inexpensive "travel" EVSE / charge cord)
~4 1/2 hours : level 2 240V, 32A (fastest EVSE for Bolt)

So, if you generally use less than 30 kWh / day, just getting a pigtail ("short extension cord") with a NEMA 6-50 plug (for the wall) and a NEMA 5-15 socket (for the EVSE plug) will allow you to charge up overnight. Heck, having a series of pigtails with various "common" 240V plugs (14-30 , 10-30, 6-20, etc) would be a good thing, when traveling to friends / family for an overnight visit.


But, if you really want / need a "full power" EVSE (maybe you have two EVs?) , I found :

*** this used Siemens for sale on eBay for $350 :
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Siemens-Versicharge-30A-EVSE-Charger-w-NEMA-6-50-plug/333547177180?hash=item4da8f604dc:g:ExwAAOSwSD9ebrf0

*** New unit, 32A, 6-50 plug, some Chinese manufact , for $370 (UL certified, supposedly) on eBay :
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32A-Level2-Smart-Electric-Vehicle-CAR-Charger-EV-Charging-Station-EVSE-NEMA-6-50/372873186167?hash=item56d0f94b77:gk8AAOSw6Dxd8gx4

*** Same unit as above, 32A, 6-50 plug, some Chinese manufact (LEFANEV), for $399 (UL certified, supposedly), amazon.com :
https://www.amazon.com/Charging-220v-240v-Electric-Compatible-Vehicles/dp/B07Z7N6QZX?th=1

*** "portable" "charging cable" (240V, 32A EVSE). (Lefanev). mislabeled description "level 1", $299 on newegg.com :
https://www.newegg.com/p/0MD-0174-00003?Item=9SIAM79A469277

*** "portable" "charging cable" (240V, 32A EVSE). (Lefanev). mislabeled description "NEMA 6-20", $298 on newegg.com :
(actually, call newegg about this one if interested, the description is completely contradictory, all over)
https://www.newegg.com/p/0MD-0174-00006?Item=9SIAM79A4H3469


And you may find this useful, a cable that plugs in to 6-50 socket, and provides a NEMA 14-50 socket :
( NEMA 6-50P To 14-50R Outlet EV Adapter ) - 14-50 are more "common" if you wish to travel with your EVSE, it is probably a better choice (6-50 to 14-50 won't supply 120V)
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=6-50+nema+evse&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=6-50

 

[jdunmyer]

Another unit to look at is the Clipper Creek HCS-40. If you buy it w/o a plug, you can obtain a 6-50 and put it on the end of the included pigtail on the Clipper Creek. Many folks here use the CC (including me) and have had good experience, even if it fails. Look for the thread on the subject.

 

[ChevyDolt]

Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated. Now I gotta figure out the best way to get rid of the broken VersiCharge.