[sfraden]

UPDATE: This thread is now a review, scroll to end to see the monthly reviews...

This popped up last night on AMAZON with a flash sale for 0nly $305, I dinna have much time to find opi9nions about this item, but based on the reviews on Amazon I purchased it. I have been lookling for a 40a charger to be compatible with my new 14-50 plug, and I believe this will work. Just could not pass up the price point. Did I make a good decision to buy?

 

[NortonCommando]

They all taste the same.
You plug them in, they close the relay and the EV charges.
What more do you want? The bells and whistles? Some like that stuff.
I bought an El'Cheapo amazon L2 about 3 years ago. It just works.
How do you review that?

 

[shocker]

They all taste the same.

Except the local utility has a $500 rebate on a select list of chargers.

 

[ARob]

Made in China raises flags, though the company seems to be Canada based.

Appears to be a decent choice, but the made in China might concern some folks...

 

[GregBrew]

This would be a good time to mention UL listing.

 

[galimpic]

Good choice, I think. I bought a similar one from another company a year ago and had no issues. These Chinese EVSEs may not have certifications and warranties as the more established brands, but they do the job and are significantly cheaper. I like the long cable, the ability to set the amps on the box, and the 40A limit. With wi-fi and the app, it really has it all for just a little over $300. Still, I bought mine only because my previous EVs only came with level 1 chargers, so if you have Chevy's level 2, I don't see the need for another one.

 

[sfraden]

Good choice, I think. I bought a similar one from another company a year ago and had no issues. These Chinese EVSEs may not have certifications and warranties as the more established brands, but they do the job and are significantly cheaper. I like the long cable, the ability to set the amps on the box, and the 40A limit. With wi-fi and the app, it really has it all for just a little over $300. Still, I bought mine only because my previous EVs only came with level 1 chargers, so if you have Chevy's level 2, I don't see the need for another one.

Yes, I did get the chevy dual level charger with my new Bolt, however thats ALL I got, I would like to have one in my trunk and one permanent on my house. The Chevy one is only up to 32a, but the Bolt can go higher (up to the 48a charger) To get the best charge on a 50a circuit the max I can go is the 40a unit..... That is still a couple hours faster to a full charge than the chevy unit...

 

[ARob]

Good choice, I think. I bought a similar one from another company a year ago and had no issues. These Chinese EVSEs may not have certifications and warranties as the more established brands, but they do the job and are significantly cheaper. I like the long cable, the ability to set the amps on the box, and the 40A limit. With wi-fi and the app, it really has it all for just a little over $300. Still, I bought mine only because my previous EVs only came with level 1 chargers, so if you have Chevy's level 2, I don't see the need for another one.

This appears to be as Chinese as Apple devices, designed in Canada (or California in Apple's case) and manufactured in China. So, it may be ok.

I raised the made in China above because many reports of substandard Mustart EVSEs damaging cars. Many of the Chinese units appear to be private labeled knock offs of a few manufacturers units, so it raises a degree of concern for many.

Why skimp on an EVSE when you only save $100-200 vs the damage you may do to your $30K auto or $250K home?

 

[jefro]

I don't need smart so I'd have gone with a regular model. Grizzl-e or even ebay Tesla Gen 3 if you have adapter.

 

[cfhgarza]

I'm not really sure you can trust Amazon reviews all that much. Tons of fake reviews from Chinese manufacturers and sellers.

It's probably cheap for a reason ie: no UL listing, inferior parts, no support when needed.

That being said I have no experience with this unit and it could be great.

 

[jmcbrew]

This would be a good time to mention UL listing.

Take UL listing with a grain of salt. Those AC outlets that are used in mobile homes and RVs where the wire just gets shoved into a metal channel that cuts into the insulation are UL listed. I'm not impressed.

 

[MarkCapeCod]

I think the best deal out there is the Tesla mobile connector with 5-15 and 14-50 changeable plugs for $200. The 240V is 32A fixed. I think it's made in USA. It's great for the money. Yes you also need to spend another $150 for a Tesla to J-1772 adapter, but then you are ready for Destination chargers when you travel.

 

[sfraden]

I think the best deal out there is the Tesla mobile connector with 5-15 and 14-50 changeable plugs for $200. The 240V is 32A fixed. I think it's made in USA. It's great for the money. Yes you also need to spend another $150 for a Tesla to J-1772 adapter, but then you are ready for Destination chargers when you travel.

That could be, IF i was looking for a 32a model, which I am not as Chevy already gave me one with the car. This AMPROAD will do the 40a charging, which is what I want due to the limitations on a 50a circuit...

 

[MarkCapeCod]

I guess I don't understand the need to spend over $300 to get 40A over 32A charging. The difference is hard to quantify. If you charge 10-80% at home the difference in time is less than an hour, and you're probably sleeping anyway.

I have a 50A circuit and find my 32A evse is plenty, of course YMMV.

 

[sfraden]

I guess I don't understand the need to spend over $300 to get 40A over 32A charging. The difference is hard to quantify. If you charge 10-80% at home the difference in time is less than an hour, and you're probably sleeping anyway.

I have a 50A circuit and find my 32A evse is plenty, of course YMMV.

Oh the reason is I want to keep one permanent at home, and the Chevy one which can do both L1 & L2 charging in the car for when I have a need to charge away from home.

 

[ARob]

That could be, IF i was looking for a 32a model, which I am not as Chevy already gave me one with the car. This AMPROAD will do the 40a charging, which is what I want due to the limitations on a 50a circuit...

All of us who bought 2017-2021 models have been doing great with 32A. I had a 130 mi/day pre-covid commute and a 32A EVSE completed charging every night in 3-4 hours. Even after trips, never had it fail to complete charging before I was ready to leave in the AM. I always used scheduled charging to start after 10PM

Honestly, few places away from home will offer > 40A circuits, even public L2 chargers are rarely > 32A. The Bolt battery pack is small enough to get a full charge on 32A in 9 hours or less.

Perhaps you fell into the trap of faster is always better?

 

[sfraden]

All of us who bought 2017-2021 models have been doing great with 32A. I had a 130 mi/day pre-covid commute and a 32A EVSE completed charging every night in 3-4 hours. Even after trips, never had it fail to complete charging before I was ready to leave in the AM. I always used scheduled charging to start after 10PM

Honestly, few places away from home will offer > 40A circuits, even public L2 chargers are rarely > 32A. The Bolt battery pack is small enough to get a full charge on 32A in 9 hours or less.

Perhaps you fell into the trap of faster is always better?

Certainly not! My longest trip I make weekly is 150 miles, so I will have to charge on thw way back at least once. Fortunately next to my destination is a wal-mart with L3 DC charging stations, so this is not much of an issue for me. However there could arise situations where I need to make longer trips and have no charger stations around to fill up, thus I need to carry the Chevy charger with me at all times. My AMPROAD purchase is merely so I can have a permanent charger at home, and might as well make it one that can do the max 40a if I am going to buy a new one. The cost is exactly the same to charge no matter how fast I charge at home, I pay by the Kw, not time. If I could use a 48a unit, I would, but my house cannot use such a high circuit amperage...

Faster is NOT always better, but is more convenient in certain circumstances....I got the unit today, but until Qmerit puts in the plug, I cannot use it yet. Hopefully this week it will be done and when I start to actually use the unit I'll give a few monthly updates here as to how it is working for me.

 

[MarkCapeCod]

I've had plug-in vehicles for 4 years and I have never had a need to plug on the road away from the charger "network".

If I were in your position, I would save the $300 and use the Chevy EVSE at home. If you're going on a road trip, throw the EVSE in the car if it gives you security.

You may find you never need it.

 

[mrcleop]

This popped up last night on AMAZON with a flash sale for 0nly $305, I dinna have much time to find opi9nions about this item, but based on the reviews on Amazon I purchased it. I have been lookling for a 40a charger to be compatible with my new 14-50 plug, and I believe this will work. Just could not pass up the price point. Did I make a good decision to buy?

Before joining this forum, I thought I could choose a portable EVSE through Amazon reviews as well. Then I learned about the Mustart EVSE debacles. Seeing what's happened with melted charge ports and worse, I would've thought the product isn't for sale anymore. But there it is on Amazon with great reviews! So I'm personally only interested in safety-certified EVSEs now.

I also watched the Munro Live video recently on melted 14-50 outlets and breakers. While I'm not about to go do everything they were advocating for, I do think it's still a good idea to not load all these electrical components more than you need to. So if you don't NEED 40 amps to charge and 32 amps are sufficient, it's still safer in the long run.

 

[jmcbrew]

All of us who bought 2017-2021 models have been doing great with 32A…

Perhaps you fell into the trap of faster is always better?

I’m certainly one who believes that most of us don’t need the fastest charge rate most of the time, but if the 2017-2021 Bolts had come with 48 amp chargers onboard, I guarantee you there would be a lot more people who would say 32 amps isn’t enough. It is just human nature to want the max charge rate. I started out with a 30 amp “dumb” EVSE, then upgraded to a free-to-me 40 amp smart EVSE just because I could. I usually have it set to 16 amps, though. If I hadn’t gotten the 8 gauge wire for free (120 feet needed), I would have installed a 20 amp circuit.