Level 2 charger, 240 plug or hardwire

[n5ac]

This has probably been said a bunch here, but the Level 1 charging charges at around 1.25kW. Since your battery usage is around 14.5kWh on a charge (less than the full capacity, but that’s for another post) it takes about 14.5kWh/1.25kW=11.6h to charge on the Level 1 charger (FYI my charging rate and time might be slightly off as I’m doing this from memory).

The level 2 charger uses both a higher voltage (250V) and higher current (up to 40A) and charges at a 7.5kW rate. This means that a full charge takes 14.5kWh/7.5kW=2h (in actuality, with losses it takes me 2:05-2:15 generally) to charge. This means a Level 2 charge is about 6x faster than a Level 1 for a 4xe. There is no Level 3 charging capability for a 4xe.

For my own use, it doesn’t matter much except on weekends. At the end of the day I plug mine in and don’t use it until the next morning so it doesn’t matter if it’s done in two or 12 hours. But on weekends, I make several short trips in a day and the Level 2 lets me do most of those on battery alone. That’s the real value of a L2 charger for me.

I put in a NEMA 14-50R on the side of the house and plugged in a JuiceNet charger which is permanently mounted to the side of the house. It provides stats on when, how much, etc. it charges. I also have a MUSTART L2 that I carry in my fifth-wheel to charge at campgrounds when I’m in the woods wheeling. I put in solar and batteries in the fifth-wheel so when I need to charge, I pull out the fifth-wheel plug and plug the Jeep in for a couple hours. The fifth-wheel is running of batteries for that time and will charge its batteries when I plug it back in.

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[GMONEY]

Sorry if I'm not understanding, but don't you then also need an adapter on the other end to convert the Tesla Style(NACS) connector to a J1772 connector that you can plug into the 4xe?

I'm sorry if I wasn't meaning it for the 4XE. I'm not sure how the 4XE charger that comes with the vehicle is configured it was just an example.that worked for the Tesla and thought it could be a consideration for the 4XEas well.

 

[bobzdar]

I already have a 220v plug in my garage so the choice was easy - I use it for other things like my air compressor, welder, to power two 110 circuits for outside stuff (like golf cart charger and tools), and with an adapter to power the house with my generator.

The outlet will always be more flexible, but if you have no need for it, whatever is cheaper imo.

 

[EHB3]

Bought my '24 Rubi X PHEV on 11/18/23. Had our electrician put in a 50a circuit connected to a 240v outlet (non-GFI) and purchased the 40a JuiceBox. Did not hard wire so I purchased a 25' 240v extension cord as I wanted the JuiceBox in a certain place and our panel and sub-panel is a short distance away. Set up is perfect and provides max. flexibility going forward.

 

[Heimkehr]

Hi all! New to the 4xE club. I’ve been debating on when I get a level 2 charger if I should should have a 240 plug installed or hardwire the charger. This would be going in my garage.

Maybe it's semantics, but having a 240V receptacle installed is a form of hardwiring (as saying "going in your garage" essentially confirms). Is there a different distinction, or approach, that you have in mind here?

 

[ormandj]

Maybe it's semantics, but having a 240V receptacle installed is a form of hardwiring (as saying "going in your garage" essentially confirms). Is there a different distinction, or approach, that you have in mind here?

Hardwiring, when talking about EVSEs, means directly wiring the circuit to the EVSE instead of to a receptacle, which the EVSE is then plugged into. In fact, I’ve never heard “hardwiring” used to refer to anything involving a plug and a receptacle in the electrical field. Where have you ever heard that receptacles and plugs are “hardwiring”, and in what context? I’m not sure there is a semantic discussion to be had around this.

 

[Slate]

I had an outlet installed so I could technically take the charger with me and/or I could use the plug for something.

 

[GMONEY]

Hi all! New to the 4xE club. I’ve been debating on when I get a level 2 charger if I should should have a 240 plug installed or hardwire the charger. This would be going in my garage.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

I went through this with my Tesla. In my AHJ a permit was required for a hardwired charger while an outlet did not. I chose to save the money which when everything was counted up was more than 1000 bucks.

I lost a few max amps so it is a little slower than it could be but it's still full when we get up in the morning.

You'll be fine with the plug unless you plan on coming home during the day and charging up quick and turning around.

 

[Tncdrew]

I certainly wouldn't install a charger INSIDE my garage.

 

[TXSquid78]

I certainly wouldn't install a charger INSIDE my garage.

I agree with this somewhat. More than likely the outlet or circuit wasn't intended for this type of use. However, inside or outside, you'll probably have extensive damage should something like this occur.

Old thread but installing an outlet gives you the flexibility of having a "mobile" charger. You can also use it for other items if needed.

 

[gerrya]

I plug into my dryer outlet, I set this charger at 24amps, since its 30amp circuit. It draws 22amps and charges in just over 3 hours if depleted.

 

[johnparjr]

installed a plug

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