Mobile charger as Level 1 home charger. Bad idea?

[Howieb456]

I'm looking at about a $2500 bill for my level 2 home charger install. That includes the charger and the required permit. I've had my truck for three weeks and have been using the mobile charger plugged into a 110 outlet. It's slow of course. I only drive about 35 miles a day so it is working for me. I did have to pay for a retail charge one day. Are there any downsides to continue using it as is? My charger and charging cord never gets hot and I have never tripped the breaker. Saving $2500 and using a commercial chargere once in a while is looking better and better. Using PlugShare I found that my local college has chargers and they charge $2 and hour to use them. I mean the convenience of have my own level 2 is something, and maybe when weather starts to get cold, I may be changing my tune.

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[Lightning Rod]

If you can, spend the money to get the level 2 Installed.

You'll thank me later.

 

[Grumpy2]

I'm looking at about a $2500 bill for my level 2 home charger install.

Depending on your income level there may be financial help.
There are devices that connect under the electric meter that will provide level 2 charging, you may want to investigate that option with your local power provider.

Nothing wrong with level 1 power if it meets the vast majority of your use. However, DCFC in our area is about 4-8 times more expensive to use, so over a long period the home charger cost may not look as bad as it appears.

 

[Howieb456]

I told you it was crazy talk. lol. It's not an affordability issue, and to get anything from my local electric utility as far as a rebate, you need to be below the poverty line. Getting another quote on the install on Monday. My breaker panel is in the basement and the electrician has to navigate close to 50ft to the garage wall and also needs to work around the partial slab my house is on. So I get the wire itself is pricey and the labor involved too. Now just to figure which home level 2 charger to go with. I am leaning towards the Emporia Classic

 

[Lightning Rod]

I've read that continuous everyday use of the mobile charger, quickly wears it out.​

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If you plan on staying in your home for a while, spend the money for the level 2 evse.​

 

[I <3 My Lightning]

Emporium is a good choice and if you are hardwiring, You just need this https://a.co/d/01ESJeHN

The breaker, panel knock out and the mc brackets and screws.

This will give you an idea on cost vs labor.

 

[RickLightning]

I told you it was crazy talk. lol. It's not an affordability issue, and to get anything from my local electric utility as far as a rebate, you need to be below the poverty line. Getting another quote on the install on Monday. My breaker panel is in the basement and the electrician has to navigate close to 50ft to the garage wall and also needs to work around the partial slab my house is on. So I get the wire itself is pricey and the labor involved too. Now just to figure which home level 2 charger to go with. I am leaning towards the Emporia Classic

As I told you in your DM to me, you need to get a bunch of estimates.

35 miles a day / 1.8 miles per kWh = 19.4kWh / 1.1 = 17.7 hours of charging. Not happening overnight. If you can't make it up on the weekend, then...

In one hour, a level 2 charger may only give you 4 - 8kWh. Not cheap at that location. Many colleges require a permit also.

I've read that continuous everyday use of the mobile charger, quickly wears it out.​

​

If you plan on staying in your home for a while, spend the money for the level 2 evse.​

Mobile charger wears out with level 2 charging, not level 1.

 

[Grumpy2]

This is similar to what is marketed that allows outside connection directly to the electric meter if it is possible to get the truck reasonably close to the meterbase.

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Running conduit thru our attic is a option I have considered and got a quote on recently. This would be for a 2nd home charging outlet at the other end of the house. I have had over 2 years of excellent service from our Emporia, and I really like the app.

 

[Jseis]

The S.O.’s Mach E charges on the 2nd Ford charger on 120V. The first went south after 6 months of 240V charging During my daily 100 mile RT commute.

When we bought the Lightning, I used an existing 240V circuit w/separate 240V 50 amp breaker serving a dryer/welder plug via 8AWG thnn copper to connect the ChargePoint Home Flex into. It charges at about 9 KWh and puts about 19-20 miles an hour in the ER Lariat. If I put a larger breaker in the Home Flex output can be set higher but current rate works fine for adding 100-150 miles back in overnight.

My electrician told me that the wire can handle more power but putting a new run of wire relocated to more easily serve 240V to both BEVs in a tight two car garage is an origami puzzle I’ve not figured out yet. I was fortunate as our garage has a separate 100 amp panel. But the former owner served a second floor apartment and added in hot water tank, baseboard heating, dryer, fridge, welder plug, etc and I had to shut off several circuits. Installing a new 200 or 300 amp panel is $$$. When my step daughter built her new house I advised her to make sure it was EV ready and within 2 years her husband is driving a Lightning.

So… 240V is extremely valuable particularly if you you’ve a long commute and if off peak rates (say 11 pm to 5 am) are available. Unfortunately, the $$$ cost of upgrading to a 240V charging circuit is steep.

 

[ryun]

If you can make it work already with level 1 then kindof sounds like you're good?

Level 2 would allow you to:

• Precondition the battery if a departure is scheduled (I think you might need a minimum amperage for this; just using 240V doesn't cut it)
• Faster charging (obviously) but this allows you to favorably utilize time of use pricing with your utility. You can charge to your needs in the small window your power company may offer reduced rates.
• More efficient charging (climate depending). You may spend more kWh charging from level 1 than level 2 simply because level 1 isn't as efficient in colder climates where the EVSE has to help the truck raise the temp of the battery.

I'm on level 1 but I drive much less than you. Personally, I'd much prefer the $2500 if you've got other, faster options nearby. I don't think you'd really make that up switching from level 1. Maybe if you sell the house?

 

[TwentyTwentyThree]

Why is it so expensive? What is the cost breakdown?

 

[Maquis]

If your truck is going to sit in Detroit winter temps while you charge, you may not even gain any charge overnight on level 1.
Also, L2 at 40A or more will be 15-20% more efficient than L1.

 

[Redaction]

After we got our truck, I was able to convert a 20 amp / 110v branch circuit to a 20 amp / 220V circuit with a NEMA 6-20 outlet. It was easy and cheap. Now we use a 16-amp EVSE delivering about 3.6 kW of power--three times faster than typical "Level 1." It's been more than sufficient for daily driving around Atlanta. After a long trip, it takes a few days to get the truck back up to 80%, but that not a problem.

This modification does require a branch circuit with NOTHING else on it, and we were lucky to have one already run near where the truck parks. But if circumstances allow, it could be an option.

 

[Lightning Rod]

Mobile charger wears out with level 2 charging, not level 1.

That's not cool at all. As much as that unit costs, there should be a recall or something to address this issue. Are we just screwed if we use it and it takes a shit after 6 months of everyday use at 240v?

 

[RickLightning]

That's not cool at all. As much as that unit costs, there should be a recall or something to address this issue. Are we just screwed if we use it and it takes a shit after 6 months of everyday use at 240v?

3 year warranty

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