Question: what kind of charger should I have Qmerit put in?
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Not sure what you mean by “optional add ons”
There are a number of other makes and models.
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My recommendation is ChargePoint flex
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Check with your electric utility to see if they offer Time Of Use rates. They should have a list of chargers that they will require you to choose from. Typically they will have wifi capabilities so the utility can monitor when it is charging and possibly control it so that it charges when there is less demand. There should still be enough time to charge to as high as you need.
Yes, you have many more choices. Most people aren't buying an EVSE from their installer, but if they offer one, you certainly could. Installing an EVSE once you already have your QMerit-provided outlet is simple. Kind of like hanging a clock on the wall... a clock with a really thick power cord.
I'm assuming you have an EUV, since you posted in this part of the forum... it should have come with an EVSE that will plug into the outlet and charge your car just fine. You don't need anything else. If you want smart functions, then there are smart EVSEs out there... I'm a big fan of Autel units. Pretty much nobody beats Clipper Creek when it comes to "dumb" EVSEs.
The real question here is -> What do you want it to do that your included dual voltage EVSE doesn't do?
I'm assuming you have an EUV, since you posted in this part of the forum... it should have come with an EVSE that will plug into the outlet and charge your car just fine. You don't need anything else. If you want smart functions, then there are smart EVSEs out there... I'm a big fan of Autel units. Pretty much nobody beats Clipper Creek when it comes to "dumb" EVSEs.
The real question here is -> What do you want it to do that your included dual voltage EVSE doesn't do?
For me, it came down to either a Wallbox Pulsar Plus or a Clipper Creek. The CC is larger, more expensive, and lacks any smart features but is generally acknowledged to be bulletproof. The Wallbox is the smallest unit on the market and has many smart features but it's been reported to have iffy WiFi connectivity. My installer stocks both and was comfortable with either from a reliability standpoint. I ended up with the Wallbox 48A unit and did, indeed, encounter some wifi issues upon initial install but once I updated the firmware it was solid.
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Hopefully it was hardwired on installation.
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I my case, be outside in the weather, and have wifi so I can get TOU rates from my utility for roughly half the cost. Juicebox is on the list. How well does their wifi work?
You all are so lucky that Qmerit actually does something in your area.
I filled out their "intake" questionnaire in early Dec 2022 and hadn't heard from the for a while. . Asked the dealership to step in .... no reply. After a few reminders to Qmerit a perfectly non-sequetur email came in, asking if "my plans have changed".
I replied that my plan was still to have them install the doggone EVSE, and Qmerit wrote "Oh, great, in this case we will find you a provider". This was a couple of weeks ago.
I filled out their "intake" questionnaire in early Dec 2022 and hadn't heard from the for a while. . Asked the dealership to step in .... no reply. After a few reminders to Qmerit a perfectly non-sequetur email came in, asking if "my plans have changed".
I replied that my plan was still to have them install the doggone EVSE, and Qmerit wrote "Oh, great, in this case we will find you a provider". This was a couple of weeks ago.
I believe that was directed @IStream. Maybe he could provide some details on the install.
Of course. Even if it'd been 40A or less, I would've hardwired it. EV charging is severe duty and I wouldn't trust a plug unless it was massively over-rated.
My install consists of a 60A breaker installed in a 200A box, a ~25' run of 6ga wire within flexible metallic conduit inside and hard metallic conduit outside, to the externally mounted Wallbox. The work was done by my preferred contractor (who installed my rooftop solar 8 years ago) and is Qmerit-certified.
Wow, I have my install scheduled for Friday, as far as I can tell, I'm just getting a plug (and a 40A breaker) and a short, maybe 8 foot wire run from the box to the garage through the crawlspace. I don't think I'm getting another charger unit. Either way, if they are offering, take it!
Outdoor I’d go Clipper Creek. The car has all the programming in the infotainment screen. You can select what times to not charge (TOU), what your departure time is, overrides, etc. You don’t need a “smart“ EVSE. With the app on your phone you can view the very basics, % charged, plugged in or not, charging or not, and what time your charge will be completed.
I too would go hardwired. A socket is a possible failure point.
Agree with ChargePoint Home Flex!
My electrical service provider offers a rebate for installing approved EVSEs. JuiceBox (two models) and ChargePoint's Home Flex are the ones eligible for this rebate. I spent some time researching approved EVSEs before making a purchase and I found a lot of negative experiences in customer comments for the approved JuiceBox equipment...a lot of them reported the equipment worked for a year or so and then just stopped working--and there were a lot of customers who were dissatisfied with JuiceBox's response to their warranty claims (units come with three-year warranties, but some people complained it took weeks-to-months for them to get a comparable replacement from JuiceBox).
Comments that I found on the ChargePoint Home Flex were by-and-large very positive with an occasional equipment failure reported, but great response from the ChargePoint team so I decided to spend the additional $100 for the ChargePoint unit. I am still waiting for the electrician to install my QMerit branch circuit on the other side of the garage, but have had the ChargePoint Home Flex plugged into another 14-50 receptacle and charging my new EUV for two weeks and the experience with it has been flawless.
Another bonus for me is that the EVSE in my garage integrates with the ChargePoint app on my phone so I can monitor my car's charging times as well as when it calls for power to conduct battery maintenance when it is not charging. Hopefully, the unit will be reliable and deliver years of service.
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Clipper Creek is not on the list.
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV LT w/ Driver Confidence and Comfort & Convenience pkgs
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I installed the Chargepoint Home Flex and then signed up for Clearview Energy as my electric supplier under their ClearCharge12Plus plan. They reimburse the supply cost of charging my EV between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am each day. That saves me about 11 cents per kWh. You need either the Chargepoint Home Flex or Juicebox smart charger to send data to Clearview Energy for the reimbursement checks.
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Some EVSE specific TOU programs (BG&E) require certain wifi EVSEs to participate.
But true, if you are in a whole house TOU program, the timing ability is already in the Bolt.
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I have Juicebox and Chargepoint in the list for my provider, BGE. The Chargepoint is about $100 more than the Juicebox (40) that I want. I'm planning an install of a 50amp line, and a 40 amp charger. Since it will be outside, I do not want to use the EVSE that comes with the EUV. I don't want to be concerned about a plug that may weaken.
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Are you in Maryland?
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