ChargePoint HomeFlex HARDWIRED 80amps

[Pioneer74]

So the charger says gauges 6-12. Is that because the terminals can only accept those gauge sizes? 12 gauge certainly wouldn't be right for this level of charger. And I'm no electrician, but if 4 gauge wire fit the terminals, how the heck would that present any problem?

12 gauge wire is good for 20 amps. Derate 20%, and you have 16. You can set the EVSE to max out at 16 amps.

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[Runaway Tractor]

And I'm no electrician, but if 4 gauge wire fit the terminals, how the heck would that present any problem?

Because the ability to shove it in the hole is not the same thing as the lug being able to properly torque down on it making adequate secure contact. Put another way, it did not fit, it was improperly shoved in ?

 

[StevenC56]

12 gauge wire is good for 20 amps. Derate 20%, and you have 16. You can set the EVSE to max out at 16 amps.

How would that even be acceptable? If you used 12 gauge wire, how would the charger even know if you didn't permanently change the max settings somehow? Wouldn't that potentially be a dangerous situation? I'm pretty sure most of these chargers recommend a large enough wire size that would support the chargers maximum rate. If it's charging at a lower rate, no harm no foul using the larger gauge wire.

 

[Pioneer74]

How would that even be acceptable? If you used 12 gauge wire, how would the charger even know if you didn't permanently change the max settings somehow? Wouldn't that potentially be a dangerous situation? I'm pretty sure most of these chargers recommend a large enough wire size that would support the chargers maximum rate. If it's charging at a lower rate, no harm no foul using the larger gauge wire.

How is it not acceptable? You set the EVSE up for the max allowed by the circuit when you commission it. If somebody changes it, and the circuit can't handle it, the breaker does it's job to protect the wire and opens the circuit.

 

[StevenC56]

How is it not acceptable? You set the EVSE up for the max allowed by the circuit when you commission it. If somebody changes it, and the circuit can't handle it, the breaker does it's job to protect the wire and opens the circuit.

OK, so if you use 12 gauge wire does it tell you to use a 20 amp breaker in the installation instructions?

 

[Runaway Tractor]

Lots of EV chargers have a hardware or software setting to set the max amps for exactly this purpose. Yes it is in the manual. This is very handy if you have to use an existing circuit for the charger. Panel on the other side of a finished basement making it impractical or too expensive to upgrade for example. Very common and nothing wrong with it.

The FCSP, Tesla charger, and most major brand have this ability.

 

[Pioneer74]

OK, so if you use 12 gauge wire does it tell you to use a 20 amp breaker in the installation instructions?

It's not the equipment suppliers responsibility to quote the NEC code. If somebody doesn't know that a 12 gauge wire has a 20 amp allowable ampacity rating, they shouldn't be installing it.

 

[StevenC56]

Got it. My L2 charger will do a maximum of 48 amps and just flat tells you to use a 60 amp breaker and no smaller than 6 gauge wiring. When I set it for 48 amps, it usually starts at 45-46 and steps itself down as the truck approaches it's preset charge level.

 

[VAF84]

So it's official that ChargePoint Flex charger does not output 80amps. You all just saved me a wasted purchase. I was about to buy that model assuming the 80amp output. I guess that just leaves Grizzl-e as the only non Ford/GM charging option to get 80amp output?

 

[Runaway Tractor]

Got it. My L2 charger will do a maximum of 48 amps and just flat tells you to use a 60 amp breaker and no smaller than 6 gauge wiring. When I set it for 48 amps, it usually starts at 45-46 and steps itself down as the truck approaches it's preset charge level.

Your charger manufacturer did not design it to to have a reliable permanent current derating, whether by a hardware setting or 100% reliable software setting.. If they did, the manual would allow smaller wire to match the max current setting. So in your case, it must be installed for max current as you did.

 

[Deleted member 20178]

So it's official that ChargePoint Flex charger does not output 80amps. You all just saved me a wasted purchase. I was about to buy that model assuming the 80amp output. I guess that just leaves Grizzl-e as the only non Ford/GM charging option to get 80amp output?

Pretty much, if it wasnt for con Edison rebates and incentives for charging here in NYC i wouldn of got something else

 

[mr.Magoo]

I guess that just leaves Grizzl-e as the only non Ford/GM charging option to get 80amp output?

I belive Leviton have one too.
https://leviton.com/products/ev80w

 

[Deleted member 20178]

I belive Leviton have one too.
https://leviton.com/products/ev80w

Looks good, but gonna need some review feedback. Me personally when i was shopping for charger. Main focus was having control of the amps, schedule, not saying this one doesn’t but before i had benz wallbox. That thing was useless on other cars besides benz

 

[StevenC56]

Your charger manufacturer did not design it to to have a reliable permanent current derating, whether by a hardware setting or 100% reliable software setting.. If they did, the manual would allow smaller wire to match the max current setting. So in your case, it must be installed for max current as you did.

I looked at my charger's manual again, and they show 2 installation methods which is either the 220 plug using a 50 amp breaker and then you set the max charger output to 40 amps, or hardwired using a 60 amp breaker to obtain the maximum 48 amps. They don't list any recommended wire size like I thought, then I remembered I had contacted them and they told me to use no smaller than 6AWG copper wire on the 2 hots for the hardwired installation.

 

[Runaway Tractor]

#8 copper 75°C max ampacity is 50 amps. By the 80% rule, your charger would need to be set for 40 amps. So you could do it with #8 on a 50 amp breaker.

To use the full 48 amps charging power, the 80% rule requires a 60 amp breaker. #6 copper 75°c max ampacity is 65 amps and is the wire you'd need for that circuit.

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