DIY Home EVSE

[TEG]

Wimpy 30 amp charger!

Er., EVSE...

 

[Lloyd]

Oops EVSE!

 

[vfx]

We gotta come up with a word a catchy as "charger"!!

 

[TEG]

"Pilot signal box?"
"Interface box?"
"Interlock?"

 

[W.Petefish]

I'm getting a control board from Modular EV Power. Good up to 80A.

 

[vfx]

plug box

 

[jkirkebo]

Wimpy 30 amp charger! It would take about 18 hours to charge an empty Model S battery! Fine for a leaf however.

I'm installing a Clipper Creek LCS-25 20A EVSE soon, for my incoming Leaf. If I upgrade to the Model S or X later, I will keep the LCS-25. 4.6kW is all I can spare without trouble arising somewhere, and I do not foresee having to charge a empty Model S to full overnight.

But 30A*240V is 7.2kW and that should charge a 90kWh battery in 13 hours, enough for most people I'd guess. 90kW in 18 hours is around 20A at 240V.

 

[dwegmull]

I just posted some pictures of my own effort to build an EVSE: David Wegmuller - Google+ - I started building my own J1772 EVSE (the special cable…
The project has not progressed much since my last post, but now you can see it :wink:

 

[hcsharp]

...
I think you could build your own for under $500... (But what is all the labor worth?, and you won't have a well tested, certified product...)

Why? My DIY 70 Amp HPC has lots of cool features you can't buy... and I add more every week! I spent barely over $400 complete with Roadster plug and 100 Amp contactor. Don't ask me how many hours I have spent...

 

[W.Petefish]

My problem is going to find that blasted high amp GFCI. Trying electrical supply house tomorrow.

 

[mpt]

This is the LineGard unit used in the original MC240 LineGard 30 Amp Multi-Phase Series Permanent GFCI/ECLI

These guys might have a lead on where to find a 70 unit.

 

[dwegmull]

My problem is going to find that blasted high amp GFCI. Trying electrical supply house tomorrow.

I was unable to find mine at "regular" hardware and home improvement stores. After many fruitless trips to local stores, I gave up and ordered from this place:
GFCI, High Current, Donut
I suspect that a well stocked local spa and hot tub store should have it in stock...

 

[W.Petefish]

I was unable to find mine at "regular" hardware and home improvement stores. After many fruitless trips to local stores, I gave up and ordered from this place:
GFCI, High Current, Donut
I suspect that a well stocked local spa and hot tub store should have it in stock...

I got the same at the electrical supply house fo $40.

 

[JRP3]

Jack Rickard talks about EVSE construction in a few of his videos, here's the most recent discussion I think: http://www.projectooc.com/evtv/index.php?showid=96#96

 

[W.Petefish]

Did you know he sounds a lot like John Madden? (or Frank Caliendo)

 

[JRP3]

:biggrin: I find it best to download his shows then watch them with VLC player at 1.5-2 times normal speed. You can always go back if you miss something.

 

[vfx]

I always think of Mad Magazine.

 

[TEG]

My Nissan Leaf Forum View topic - Inside the EVSE

 

[mpt]

Is that loop around the black and white cables the GFCI?

 

[TEG]

Is that loop around the black and white cables the GFCI?

According to the guy who built it, that is the "Current Transformer" that is used for the GFCI detection, so yes.