[Rickaroni]

Hiya,

The (ClipperCreek?) charger that came with my 2019 Bolt failed after only ~8k miles. Thankfully, the dealership said that it was a known issue and will replace it.

Since I have yet to install a robust Level 2 charger at home, I'm left to using only available DC Quick charge options until a replacement comes (which eat away at battery life a bit), and am now thinking that it would be good to have a 2nd portable charger as a primary or backup. Requirements:

• Able to charge on the old 15A 120V plug in my garage.
• Able to charge on the 20A 120V plug at the parking garage I use at the train station, ideally at higher rates.
• [Optional] Ideally be able to use a 240V outlet like a NEMA 6-20 when available (i.e. there's one at the same garage but a Tesla is hogs it on most days).
• Reliable, long lasting, and ideally about $200.
• Weatherproof connections as much as possible. Shouldn't short out with heavy rain. I'm a little worried about units using adapter/extension cords.

Initial thoughts:

• BougeRV Level 2-Level 1.
• Duosida Level 2-Level 1.
• Zencar Level 2-Level 1.
• A strictly level 1 charger.

Any thoughts on the above?

Also, will 16A units that have a regular NEMA 5-15 plug work on a regular 15A/120V circuit? [Some comments from Amazon questions say no, but not sure if I can rely on that.]

 

[wonderbolt]

I personally would not purchase a EVSE that lacks UL, ETL, or other prominent labs test certification.

Other than the above statement, I have no opinion on the units shown as I have no personal experience with any of them, I typically recommend Clippercreek, JuiceBox, or chargepoint EVSEs based on reputation. ClipperCreek sells refurb units direct, you must call them to see what is available.

I would also consider a current version (2016 or newer) used Bolt/Volt EVSE made by Clippercreek. I am very surprised yours failed, based on my memory that is very rare on this forum.

To your last question, the 16A units Should work on 120V with the Bolt as the most the Bolt will charge at on 120V is 12A and that is only if you specifically set it to do so.

 

[XJ12]

if yours came with a 2019, I wonder if it's still covered under some kind of warranty.

 

[redpoint5]

I bought a gen I Leaf EVSE for $20 on OfferUp simply because it was available for $20. Now I have 2 Leaf EVSEs and a Prius one. I modified one of the Leaf EVSEs to be L2 capable and plan to do the same with the other one I just picked up, but it's limited to 2.9 kW.

 

[cwerdna]

To be clear, the reason why people keep using the term EVSE here is that's because what the unit the OP's referring to (along w/all his candidates) are. For L1 and L2 AC charging over J1772, the external unit is an EVSE, NOT a charger. The charger is on-board the car.

For DC charging, the external unit is a charger (and the car's OBC is bypassed). It can be more accurately called an EVSE w/off-board charger.

Please see diagram by planet4ever at https://web.archive.org/web/20150619074649/https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=262630 and https://web.archive.org/web/20110726124933/http://www.sae.org/smartgrid/chargingprimer.pdf.

 

[Rickaroni]

if yours came with a 2019, I wonder if it's still covered under some kind of warranty.

It is under warranty, and the dealer is getting a replacement for me. However this incident makes me realize that having a spare would be wise.

 

[surgeonFWW]

My personal thought is to spend a little more and get a reliable Level 2 EVSE such as the 30 amp, non-WiFi, Siemens VersiCharge (plugged or hard-wire). Place it in your garage on a 40 amp circuit and be able to add 24-25 driving miles each hour you are plugged in (fill battery to full overnight). Keep your Level 1 EVSE (along with a small TSA combination lock) in the Bolt EV for emergencies, airport long-term parking, and "buffer-increasing" overnight charging (50 miles?) at a motel having only an outdoor 120VAC outlet.

 

[XJ12]

It is under warranty, and the dealer is getting a replacement for me. However this incident makes me realize that having a spare would be wise.

Good to hear. I ended up with two OEM EVSEs when I ordered my Bolt. I didn't know anything about owning and charging an EV when I made my order. So in my ignorance I ordered an extra thinking one would stay in the garage and one would stay with the car. So I was all over the idea of converting one to 240V only to find out all I needed was an adapter. So the one in the car has never seen the light of day. But, it's good to know that I have that backup if my one in the garage gives up the ghost like yours did.

 

[Vertiformed]

My personal thought is to spend a little more and get a reliable Level 2 EVSE such as the 30 amp, non-WiFi, Siemens VersiCharge (plugged or hard-wire).

Overall, word has been that the VersiCharge isn't that reliable for delayed charging with the Bolt in charge.

 

[Dimitrij]

Hiya,

The (ClipperCreek?) charger that came with my 2019 Bolt failed after only ~8k miles. Thankfully, the dealership said that it was a known issue and will replace it.

Since I have yet to install a robust Level 2 charger at home, I'm left to using only available DC Quick charge options until a replacement comes (which eat away at battery life a bit), and am now thinking that it would be good to have a 2nd portable charger as a primary or backup. Requirements:

• Able to charge on the old 15A 120V plug in my garage.
• Able to charge on the 20A 120V plug at the parking garage I use at the train station, ideally at higher rates.
• [Optional] Ideally be able to use a 240V outlet like a NEMA 6-20 when available (i.e. there's one at the same garage but a Tesla is hogs it on most days).
• Reliable, long lasting, and ideally about $200.
• Weatherproof connections as much as possible. Shouldn't short out with heavy rain. I'm a little worried about units using adapter/extension cords.

Initial thoughts:

• BougeRV Level 2-Level 1.
• Duosida Level 2-Level 1.
• Zencar Level 2-Level 1.
• A strictly level 1 charger.

Any thoughts on the above?

Also, will 16A units that have a regular NEMA 5-15 plug work on a regular 15A/120V circuit? [Some comments from Amazon questions say no, but not sure if I can rely on that.]

I have, and always carry with me a portable Zencar (240VAC, 16-24-32A) as a spare L2 EVSE; I use it "regularly" instead of my wall EVSE just to exercise it and to check its operational status. When I bought it in May 2017, it was around $400.00. With it in the bag I also have a bunch of adapters to be used with various 240V, 50 amp outlets. At some point I'll be selling all this stuff on eBay, but perhaps too late for your purpose.

I got a L1 EVSE with the Bolt and I am guessing you didn't?

 

[Rickaroni]

Thanks a lot for the feedback, Wonder. At least one of those units is UL approved. Good points.

Red, that's a great tip on OfferUp. Seems like a great way to go for a backup.

 

[Rickaroni]

I have, and always carry with me a portable Zencar (240VAC, 16-24-32A) as a spare L2 EVSE; I use it "regularly" instead of my wall EVSE just to exercise it and to check its operational status. When I bought it in May 2017, it was around $400.00. With it in the bag I also have a bunch of adapters to be used with various 240V, 50 amp outlets. At some point I'll be selling all this stuff on eBay, but perhaps too late for your purpose.

I got a L1 EVSE with the Bolt and I am guessing you didn't?

The Level 1 EVSE that came with the Bolt just died. GM is replacing but I'm thinking that a backup would be good. Will look at the above, thx!

 

[Dimitrij]

The Level 1 EVSE that came with the Bolt just died. GM is replacing but I'm thinking that a backup would be good. Will look at the above, thx!

Oh I am sorry, I thought GM suddenly developed interest in customer convenience t and started shipping Bolts with a Clipper Creek L2, how naive of me --- I think my Zencar is voltage-agnostic, but I never tried it with 120V (with an appropriate adapter). If I were you I'd go to eBay, there must be some sub-$200 stuff there.

 

[PhilBo]

Just curious, how did the EVSE fail? Was the red fault light on or blinking or did something else go bad?

 

[Michael Boyce]

Hiya,

The (ClipperCreek?) charger that came with my 2019 Bolt failed after only ~8k miles. Thankfully, the dealership said that it was a known issue and will replace it.

Since I have yet to install a robust Level 2 charger at home, I'm left to using only available DC Quick charge options until a replacement comes (which eat away at battery life a bit), and am now thinking that it would be good to have a 2nd portable charger as a primary or backup. Requirements:

• Able to charge on the old 15A 120V plug in my garage.
• Able to charge on the 20A 120V plug at the parking garage I use at the train station, ideally at higher rates.
• [Optional] Ideally be able to use a 240V outlet like a NEMA 6-20 when available (i.e. there's one at the same garage but a Tesla is hogs it on most days).
• Reliable, long lasting, and ideally about $200.
• Weatherproof connections as much as possible. Shouldn't short out with heavy rain. I'm a little worried about units using adapter/extension cords.

Initial thoughts:

• BougeRV Level 2-Level 1.
• Duosida Level 2-Level 1.
• Zencar Level 2-Level 1.
• A strictly level 1 charger.

Any thoughts on the above?

Also, will 16A units that have a regular NEMA 5-15 plug work on a regular 15A/120V circuit? [Some comments from Amazon questions say no, but not sure if I can rely on that.]

'I read somewhere that it was covered under bumper to bumper.
That being said, can you install a 220?'

I should have read the whole thread before postung,, sorry.

 

[hatchy]

My backup is Trader Joe's parking lot.. but I would buy another used Chevy EVSE myself. I haven't read of many failing. Plus they are inexpensive.

 

[surgeonFWW]

Overall, word has been that the VersiCharge isn't that reliable for delayed charging with the Bolt in charge.

Yes, but, since you can easily (on the front) set the unit to delay charge-start for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours, why do you need the Bolt to tell it to do the same? If you purchased the WiFi version, you can even do this through your phone app. My determination of reliability was based solely on 27 months of "never fail" performance.

 

[PhilR]

Yes, but, since you can easily (on the front) set the unit to delay charge-start for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours, why do you need the Bolt to tell it to do the same? If you purchased the WiFi version, you can even do this through your phone app. My determination of reliability was based solely on 27 months of "never fail" performance.

It fills the needs of some people, not others. If I plug the VersiCharge in at midnight, and my "expensive" electricity is from 5 to 9am, it's inadequate. Even if it had a 9 hour delay I'd miss out on the midnight to 5am charging. If I try to use the Bolt's scheduler, the Versicharge will throw a fault. Just trying to make others aware of its limitations.

 

[Vertiformed]

Yes, but, since you can easily (on the front) set the unit to delay charge-start for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours, why do you need the Bolt to tell it to do the same? If you purchased the WiFi version, you can even do this through your phone app. My determination of reliability was based solely on 27 months of "never fail" performance.

Your definition of “never fail” is a strange one though, if it doesn't include failures when the Bolt determines when to start charging.

I use time-of-departure charging with my Bolt. It always makes sure it finishes just before I leave in the morning. This gives me cheap electricity, a mix that includes some solar (especially in the summer), and charges when it's coolest in summer, and does useful battery warming in winter. And all the figuring of how long to delay the charge is handled by the Bolt, not me. I just plug in and walk away, no buttons to push, no apps to fiddle with, no calculations to do.

(I also use preconditioning, which would also be a problem with a recalcitrant charger that doesn't like having the Bolt decide when to draw power.)

 

[Rickaroni]

Just curious, how did the EVSE fail? Was the red fault light on or blinking or did something else go bad?

Red fault light blinking. "Unable to charge" on dash when it was plugged in. Tried different outlets in different places, same result.