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240 volt home charger unit

5K views 52 replies 20 participants last post by  CHASBOLT  
#1 ·
Does anyone know if there a home plug in 240 volt (second level) charger for a 2020 Bolt EV other than the $600.00 unit available from Chevrolet?
 
#20 ·
I'm curious as to why you prefer the Grizzl-e... it initially caught my eye, but for the time being I'm using the factory-supplied unit which came with my '23 Bolt EV (only using it on 110V until I get all the requisite hardware to install the 240V NEMA 14-50P plug on the outside wall of my garage where it will be fed from a 40A breaker with charging set to 32A.

I like the idea of the Grizzl-e, but it's not exactly cheap at CAD $499 plus tax ($564)

 
#7 ·
If your 2020 Bolt came with its factory-included L1 EVSE, it's highly likely that it's one that can be used at 240V, with a plug adapter. Many L1 EVSE makers only make one version for the World market (economies of scale, in manufacturing), so the guts work with 120V in the USA, and 230V in much of the rest of the world. All that's usually different is the plug.

If you post a couple photos of it (including the back label), we can tell you if it's able to accept 240V too.

At 240V and 12A, it can provide 2.9kW of charging power to your Bolt, giving it about 10 miles of range for every hour it's used. Many people on this forum find that an adequate amount for their daily needs.

Note that this use is "off-label", and is done at your own risk, but also know that many of us use it on 240V.
 
#14 · (Edited)
@teskimost Yes, an adapter can be used to convert it to a 240v receptacle of your choice. This will allow it to charge the vehicle at 240v/12A max if you set the car's portable adapter setting to 12A. This is almost 3kW, twice as fast as a normal 120v outlet for very little money.

Edit: @XJ12 is also correct. Looks like you would just need an adapter. What kind of outlet are you wanting to plug into?
 
#25 ·
Just so easy to buy a safety listed 240VAC EVSE it is crazy. Lectron sends me emails for models about $100. Get on their mail list or just buy a top rated model. That may include the forward feature Tesla which can easily or a simple Grizzl-e. Some power share like some models of Tesla and others.
 
#33 ·
They don't make 40 amp receptacles. If you have a 40 amp circuit your only option for a receptacle is 50 amps (or higher), and the NEC specifically allows it.

The breaker is sized to protect the receptacle and the wires.
Yes, there is that exception and it will work. I've had some different interpretations from inspectors, but it isn't a safety concern. I still wouldn't want a GFCI on an EVSE. Tesla and others note that the circuit should not be GFCI, which now conflicts with code for plugs outdoors and in garages. It puts the electricians in a sticky situation where they install something that has a potential for not working.
 
#41 ·
If someone is using the factory EVSE with a 240v adapter, I would appreciate if someone can confirm for me that using the 8A/12A toggle does indeed affect the charge rate or charge completion time. Just so I know if I'm going crazy or not. 😢

It has been a couple years since I charged at the family home (house was sold), and sometimes I charged on 120v instead of 240v, I may be mixing them up...
 
#47 ·
As a new Bolt owner, I have a question for more experienced owners. I recently bought a used 2020 Bolt, just 13000 miles. On line it says that a fully charged 2020 Bolt should have a range of 259 miles. I just charged my Bolt until the message "fully charged" popped up but it only showed that I had about 165 miles on the battery. Is the real range approximately 165 miles or if I drove it would I get more miles? Anyone have an explanation??
 
#50 · (Edited)
On line it says that a fully charged 2020 Bolt should have a range of 259 miles.
The car is not supposed to have a range of 259 miles. That is the EPA's range estimate, based on a bunch of specific conditions: 100% charge driven down to empty, warm weather, little heat or AC usage, flat terrain with little or no wind, and a mix of city and highway driving, none of it faster than 57 mph. Depending on how you drive and the conditions, you could get 100 miles on a full charge, 500 miles, or anything in between. See how temperature and speed impact EV range.

The range estimate on the dashboard is just an estimate: a projection of the range you can expect for the current charge level based on recent driving patterns. If your future driving matches your recent driving, then the estimate is pretty accurate. But you could easily get more or less than the estimate. See the new owner PSA.
 
#48 · (Edited)
"Fully charged" just means it charged to whatever limit is set in your vehicle's charge settings. Have you checked if your battery charge limit in your settings to see if you can move the slider past the 80% mark? It may have the temporary 80% battery charge limit that was part of the software remediation recall.

If you cannot move the slider past 80%, that means this vehicle had the software patch applied and needs to be driven 6200 miles after it was installed to remove the charge limit.

Depending on how cold your weather is and/or HVAC use, plus driving patterns, 80% limit could definitely end up being around that much range.

Remember, the battery holds energy, not miles. How many miles you can get out of that energy depends on many variables. In good conditions and a 100% charge, a lot of us have been able to squeeze a lot more than 259 mi of range from our cars.