[Tim]

Hello everyone. I've got 2 questions:

1. Which portable level 2 chargers should I consider buying, and which should I avoid?

2. When charging at level 1, you can choose either 8 amps or 12 amps. Can you also choose the amperage when charging at level 2? I'm not asking whether I can buy either a 16 amp charger or a 32 amp charger, because I already know I can. I'm asking whether the level 2 charge rate is adjustable on the Bolt's charging screen like it is on level 1.

Thanks very much.

 

[XJ12]

I'm asking whether the level 2 charge rate is adjustable on the Bolt's charging screen like it is on level 1.

No

 

[JaxEVLyftUber]

Some L2 chargers, such as my JuiceBox Pro 40, allow adjusting the L2 charge rate outside of the Bolt's charge control screen. Mine allows charge rates between 6 and 32 Amps which is very handy to be able to adjust.

 

[Tim]

Is JuiceBox Pro 40 portable?

 

[Tim]

One more question: What the best outdoor lock to put on the J plug release button?

 

[ZoomZoom]

Is JuiceBox Pro 40 portable?

Not in my opinion. It's heavy and clunky.

 

[ZoomZoom]

My friend bought this unit and likes it:
Mustart

I'm kind of interested in the Tesla Mobile Charger, which supports up to 32A, but it's pricey and after adapter so I can use it on my Bolt, it's super pricey.

 

[p7wang]

My friend bought this unit and likes it:
Mustart

I'm kind of interested in the Tesla Mobile Charger, which supports up to 32A, but it's pricey and after adapter so I can use it on my Bolt, it's super pricey.

The only thing about paying for the Tesla charger and then the additional adapter is that it provides you the maximum flexibility.

 

[ZoomZoom]

The only thing about paying for the Tesla charger and then the additional adapter is that it provides you the maximum flexibility.

Agreed, but now there are many 3rd party L2 chargers on the market as a quick Amazon search will produce. I have a friend buying an i3 and I'm doing the electrical so I'm getting to watch that person go through the process of buying a charger like I did.

 

[Sean Nelson]

The only thing about paying for the Tesla charger and then the additional adapter is that it provides you the maximum flexibility.

Yeah, you pay for the privilege but it's the best portable charger on the market IMHO. Not only does the J1772-to-Tesla adapter let you charge at Tesla "destination" (AKA, "L2") chargers, but the Tesla UMC ("Universal Mobile Charger) itself accepts interchangeable A/C plugs that let you charge at pretty any much any conceivable outlet - and it will automatically advertise the maximum possible charge rate based on which kind of A/C plug you're using. It's a brilliant design and it's a complete mystery to me why nobody else offers something similar.

 

[Tim]

Some L2 chargers, such as my JuiceBox Pro 40, allow adjusting the L2 charge rate outside of the Bolt's charge control screen. Mine allows charge rates between 6 and 32 Amps which is very handy to be able to adjust.

Is the charge rate set in a smartphone app, or on the Box itself? Are there any other chargers that offer a variable charge rate?

 

[Sean Nelson]

Is the charge rate set in a smartphone app, or on the Box itself? Are there any other chargers that offer a variable charge rate?

Yes, the Tesla UMC (Universal Mobile Charger) - see my post above. It advertises a charge rate based on which interchangeable A/C plug you're using. For example, it advertises 12A if you use a NEMA 5-15 plug, 24A if you use NEMA 10-30 or 14-30, or 32A if you use NEMA 10-50 or 14-50.

 

[Tim]

It advertises a charge rate based on which interchangeable A/C plug you're using.

I was hoping for something I could adjust even if plugged continuously into a NEMA 14-50.

 

[GJETSON]

I was hoping for something I could adjust even if plugged continuously into a NEMA 14-50.

Here is one that will allow you to set the amp output of the EVSE. You can get different adapters for it to plug into different plugs.

12-32A Adjustable 120-240V Charger EVSE (closeout sale) – EVSE Adapters

www.evseadapters.com

The problem with units like this is that they are not idiot proof. You could plug it into a NEMA 6-15R, and have it set to allow pulling 32 amps.

https://image.eostatic.com/m/345/2016101057fb560f0b845.jpg

 

[GregBrew]

Why don't people lurk for a while and search fora for existing threads before starting their own? Is basic forum protocol a lost art?

This stuff has been discussed ad nauseam at least a dozen times on other threads.

 

[Tim]

GregBrew, sorry to have offended you. I actually did search but couldn't find what I was looking for. I guess my search skills are not so good.

 

[GJETSON]

GregBrew, sorry to have offended you. I actually did search but couldn't find what I was looking for. I guess my search skills are not so good.

I find that doing a google search often does better than the site's own search.

 

[Tim]

Some L2 chargers, such as my JuiceBox Pro 40, allow adjusting the L2 charge rate outside of the Bolt's charge control screen. Mine allows charge rates between 6 and 32 Amps which is very handy to be able to adjust.

I got in touch with the JuiceBox manufacturer last night, and they said their Pro 32 model also has that capability. Are there any other chargers that allow this? I read that Siemens stations will adjust if you open the case, but they aren't really meant for frequent adjustments. I wish the JuiceBoxes would adjust on the case rather than through an app. The reason why I'm asking about all this is that I'm charging from solar panels which of course have variable output.

 

[GetOffYourGas]

GregBrew, sorry to have offended you. I actually did search but couldn't find what I was looking for. I guess my search skills are not so good.

I have found the same thing. Searching through forums with their search bar is a lost cause. Google with site:chevybolt.org is much better.

 

[TooCheapToMeter]

Adjustability? Openevse offers a nice simple button on the front to select output current:

OpenEVSE Stations - Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions

OpenEVSE provides electric vehicle charging solutions worldwide based on SAE J1772 and IEC 61851 standards. Our experts provide components, software and services to accelerate the development of new charging technologies.

www.openevse.com