[eelnoraa]

I still don’t see how 200A => 400A is needed. 50A circuit is possible for 200a service even if you have AC, dryer, and electric cooling stove. Even 60A is possible, enable 48A charging.

48Ax240v = 11.5kW. Say if you plug in both cars starting 8pm, unplug 8am next day, you put 138kWh, even after charging lost you put 120kWh into the cars. 50e gas 20kWh, model 3 has 75 kWh. Total is only 95KWh. That is if you empty both car every day, you still will be ok with a single 60A circuit. Even with a 3rd EV, what is the likely hood you have all empty battery everyday??? The key consideration is mileage drive on average, not a single day, derive the kWh needed on average. You just need to be able to output that many kWh. And What you really is also EVSE with charge sharing.

Not trying to talk you out of upgrading home or spending money. Just trying to share what would be practical way to enable multiple EV charging at home.

[sk03]

I understand and agree that in most cases a sharable single 50A circuit will do the job. In my case I have mid-largish house with 3 car garage. I have 3 zone a/c and just the cooking range itself is on a 50A circuit. Some of my neighborhood houses were built with 400A service. The electric company does a residential load analysis based on information provided and suggests appropriate service. In my case I have very little capacity left for even one circuit so after a long year decided to go for the upgrade. I will be replacing all ICE cars to EV/PHEV in short term so this provided the maximum flexibility. Once you account for the service upgrade, the cost of running circuits is not that consequential. Plus my out of state visitors will be happy that they wont have to worry about charging. I wish I could get the same benefit but I doubt it .

[suby01]

Hi everyone. I DID read all 11 pages of this thread.
This PHEV thing is totally new to me. Planning on getting the 50e.
Direct charging question for the pros here.

I am totally interested in charging time that's mentioned 3-4 hours to a full charge.

How can I cost effectively achieve that? - From what I have read and actually understood. HA.

I have a 200amp circuit breaker.
Do I only need a NEMA outlet in the garage and the L2 $200 adapter cable?

Looking for suggestions on other things Im missing?
Or what are your must haves on charging?

[walketed]

Originally Posted by suby01

Hi everyone. I DID read all 11 pages of this thread.
This PHEV thing is totally new to me. Planning on getting the 50e.
Direct charging question for the pros here.

I am totally interested in charging time that's mentioned 3-4 hours to a full charge.

How can I cost effectively achieve that? - From what I have read and actually understood. HA.

I have a 200amp circuit breaker.
Do I only need a NEMA outlet in the garage and the L2 $200 adapter cable?

Looking for suggestions on other things Im missing?
Or what are your must haves on charging?

You need a level 2 charger. Either hard wired to a 50Amp breaker or plugged in into a NEMA 14-50. If you use the charger provided with the 50e you need the 200 adapter or el se you need to buy at least a $350 charger. You choose..

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by suby01

Hi everyone. I DID read all 11 pages of this thread.
This PHEV thing is totally new to me. Planning on getting the 50e.
Direct charging question for the pros here.

I am totally interested in charging time that's mentioned 3-4 hours to a full charge.

How can I cost effectively achieve that? - From what I have read and actually understood. HA.

I have a 200amp circuit breaker.
Do I only need a NEMA outlet in the garage and the L2 $200 adapter cable?

Looking for suggestions on other things Im missing?
Or what are your must haves on charging?

it’s not that easy to assess your costs as your situation may be very different from others. contact an electrician to go over the costs. you’ll need to decide on certain aspects first, though

1) do you have an existing 240V circuit?
2) if so, how many amps?
3) is it shared with other devices?
4) how fast will you charge your 50e? the full 32A? (this could be dictated by #2 and #3 above)
5) how far is your panel from the charging location?

these are only a few considerations

[jad03060]

The charger IN the vehicle tops out at 7400W for models sold in the USA, so to get that, you need a level 2 EVSE that can provide at least 32A. Any one out there should work. One comes with the vehicle, but it requires an optional cord, and a specific receptacle to plug it in. There are numerous EVSEs out there. FWIW, I prefer to hard wire one in versus using a plug, but a plug-in will work if you get a quality receptacle installed. Those are NOT really designed for repeated insertion/removals.

You can think of plugging in your vehicle like plugging in a lamp...the 15A circuit can provide a peak of 1800W, but regardless of that, the lamp will still only draw what it wants (like say a 60W lightbulb). The EVSE and vehicle are smarter, as they can coordinate the max current that is drawn from the circuit so you don't overload anything.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by jad03060

The charger IN the vehicle tops out at 7400W for models sold in the USA, so to get that, you need a level 2 EVSE that can provide at least 32A. Any one out there should work. One comes with the vehicle, but it requires an optional cord, and a specific receptacle to plug it in. There are numerous EVSEs out there. FWIW, I prefer to hard wire one in versus using a plug, but a plug-in will work if you get a quality receptacle installed. Those are NOT really designed for repeated insertion/removals.

You can think of plugging in your vehicle like plugging in a lamp...the 15A circuit can provide a peak of 1800W, but regardless of that, the lamp will still only draw what it wants (like say a 60W lightbulb). The EVSE and vehicle are smarter, as they can coordinate the max current that is drawn from the circuit so you don't overload anything.

Wait a second, 50e has a 7.4 kWh charger regardless of the country. Actually, it's 32 amps multiplied by whatever voltage (level 2) is applied which can vary from as low as 207V (US 3-phase commercial) to as high as 240V (US household single phase).

[jad03060]

Places that implement 3-phase charging can see more power than those that use single phase charging, at least from what I've heard from some of the European customers where that's possible. Whether the US KLE is different or not, the J1772 plug only has two power leads, whereas the Euro plug has three.

[Bhuvi]

I finally got the 14-50 NEMA Level 2 adapter to fit the BMW included charger and it works great. My dealer just exchanged the adapter for me (with the 14-50 NEMA adapter that works with the first gen charger)

[walketed]

Originally Posted by Bhuvi

I finally got the 14-50 NEMA Level 2 adapter to fit the BMW included charger and it works great. My dealer just exchanged the adapter for me (with the 14-50 NEMA adapter that works with the first gen charger)

I'm going to be looking at a different dealer next time, my dealer is not interested in anything else but selling..

[IS350]

Originally Posted by sk03

The whole EV/PHEV business is already costing me a pretty penny
I have likely June end x50e delivery and told my electrician that while you are at it why not put two outlets in the garage instead of one as I may get a Model 3 or something like that as my city mule car.
Few back and forth between my power company and the electrician - found out the electrical service is not sufficient to power two ev circuits. Long story short - I'm now getting an electrical service upgrade from 200A to 400A that will require a day of power outage while a new power cable will be laid, a new meter installed and an additional panel will be added to handle the additional 200A service. $5K for service upgrade plus another couple of grands to pull 3 charging circuits now to the garage . Talk about the first world problems .
The current plan is to add 3 NEMA outlets. I decided to with Chargepoint as it can be used with multiple evs, I was able to snag a homedepot 10% off and my power company gives about 125 bucks rebate and then 40 bucks annually if you let them control the ev charging. This is in VA btw with Dominion Energy.
While the math of any savings doesn't adds up but boy I do feel future ready .

How many miles will you drive per day with each?
We don’t do more than 40miles, so having 2 240v outlets is superfluous. We just use 120v, get 40 miles of charge every 10 hours on the 120.

[Crusje]

400 amp service. That's ridiculous. I have an induction stove, central air, pool heat pump and other pool things, chargepoint on 150 amp service. Are you going to be charging 3 cars, using ac, and cooking at the same time? Unless you know you're going to be running everything at once it's not worth it. Plus there's usually time of use rates so cars will be charging at night with lower rates when you're not drawing much power.

Not bad for service upgrade though. They want 5500 for 150 to 200amp service here.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by Crusje

400 amp service. That's ridiculous. I have an induction stove, central air, pool heat pump and other pool things, chargepoint on 150 amp service. Are you going to be charging 3 cars, using ac, and cooking at the same time? Unless you know you're going to be running everything at once it's not worth it. Plus there's usually time of use rates so cars will be charging at night with lower rates when you're not drawing much power.

Not bad for service upgrade though. They want 5500 for 150 to 200amp service here.

Agree. In 2017, before recent huge inflation, I moved into a 1963 build home with 80A service. I DIYed to 200A, the material, permit, wiring ... costed me $2500. No cost for labor or electrician because I am that sucker. This was even without the need to upgrade the wiring incoming from grid.

[sk03]

Originally Posted by Crusje

400 amp service. That's ridiculous. I have an induction stove, central air, pool heat pump and other pool things, chargepoint on 150 amp service. Are you going to be charging 3 cars, using ac, and cooking at the same time? Unless you know you're going to be running everything at once it's not worth it. Plus there's usually time of use rates so cars will be charging at night with lower rates when you're not drawing much power.

Not bad for service upgrade though. They want 5500 for 150 to 200amp service here.

Hee.hee...wait till I tell you my neighbor's upgrade to 600A service when he already was on a 400A service . Please see #222 response above. BTW neighbor has 4 car attached garage and got 4 dedicated charging ports ! What can I say.

On another note anyone has experience with Emporia EV charger ? It seems its the cheapest 48A L2 charger eligible for rebate by Dominion Energy. Its about $400 less $125 rebate. At $275 net its better deal than BMW's dongle for $200 as it can charge other cars at 48A max. hardwired. Maximum rebate 2 per account. Thinking of getting two of these.

[eelnoraa]

I don’t have experience with emporia evse, but I have used their other products, such as electricity usage monitor system. I think they are good quality for the money.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by sk03

Hee.hee...wait till I tell you my neighbor's upgrade to 600A service when he already was on a 400A service . Please see #222 response above. BTW neighbor has 4 car attached garage and got 4 dedicated charging ports ! What can I say.

On another note anyone has experience with Emporia EV charger ? It seems its the cheapest 48A L2 charger eligible for rebate by Dominion Energy. Its about $400 less $125 rebate. At $275 net its better deal than BMW's dongle for $200 as it can charge other cars at 48A max. hardwired. Maximum rebate 2 per account. Thinking of getting two of these.

I had the Emporía for several months, but no rebate was offered at that time from DE. I really liked it and its companion app. note that to charge at 48A, it must be hardwired (not plugged in). I ended up selling it after getting the JuiceBox for its load-sharing feature and rebates on both its initial cost and annually on my service

[sk03]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

I had the Emporía for several months, but no rebate was offered at that time from DE. I really liked it and its companion app. note that to charge at 48A, it must be hardwired (not plugged in). I ended up selling it after getting the JuiceBox for its load-sharing feature and rebates on both its initial cost and annually on my service

Ok - so Juicebox at $650, Chargepoint at $700, Emporia seems like a no brainer at $399. I watched couple of youtube videos and can't seem to tell what others are offering at more than 1.5 times the price. I have put order for two units. My x50e build date is 06/16. Hoping to have all stars aligned and will post pictures/experience when ready.

BTW if anyone cares, a coupon code MACHEVLOG at Emporia's official site brought the price down by ($19.95) to 379.05 plus taxes. Shipping free.

[eelnoraa]

Emporia is good deal, sure. But it is also not fair to compare msrp. For example juice box can be found on sale often for about $400-$450. I bought them twice in that price range, once from Costco. Once direct from JuiceBox. I kept the later because Costco version has 22ft cable only. Big brands need some shop around.

[KT_OH]

So I picked up my car last night - did not get much of a chance to drive it yet. Charging seems to be going fine. I had the Grizzl e installed on a 50A circuit earlier this week so timing worked out.

I read thru the charging portion of the manual (at least most of it). May be a dumb question, but can some explain the lock/unlock cable feature in the charging app on iDrive? Is that just to lock the cable for when i might be using public charging? Can I unplug the cable anytime - whether charging or completed?

I tried hitting unplug cable and it indicated function was not available. That may have been because I had the doors locked/unlocked when I tried.

[sk03]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Emporia is good deal, sure. But it is also not fair to compare msrp. For example juice box can be found on sale often for about $400-$450. I bought them twice in that price range, once from Costco. Once direct from JuiceBox. I kept the later because Costco version has 22ft cable only. Big brands need some shop around.

$400 abouts for Juicebox is sweet deal specially with its multi charger sharing ability. Unfortunately no deals right now but will keep any eye.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by KT_OH

So I picked up my car last night - did not get much of a chance to drive it yet. Charging seems to be going fine. I had the Grizzl e installed on a 50A circuit earlier this week so timing worked out.

I read thru the charging portion of the manual (at least most of it). May be a dumb question, but can some explain the lock/unlock cable feature in the charging app on iDrive? Is that just to lock the cable for when i might be using public charging? Can I unplug the cable anytime - whether charging or completed?

I tried hitting unplug cable and it indicated function was not available. That may have been because I had the doors locked/unlocked when I tried.

If it is the same as 45e, the J1772 is locked to the car when the car doors are lucked, cannot be unplugged in this case. When car doors are unlocked, plug is unlocked as well, free to be removed.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by sk03

Ok - so Juicebox at $650, Chargepoint at $700, Emporia seems like a no brainer at $399. I watched couple of youtube videos and can't seem to tell what others are offering at more than 1.5 times the price. I have put order for two units. My x50e build date is 06/16. Hoping to have all stars aligned and will post pictures/experience when ready.

BTW if anyone cares, a coupon code MACHEVLOG at Emporia's official site brought the price down by ($19.95) to 379.05 plus taxes. Shipping free.

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Emporia is good deal, sure. But it is also not fair to compare msrp. For example juice box can be found on sale often for about $400-$450. I bought them twice in that price range, once from Costco. Once direct from JuiceBox. I kept the later because Costco version has 22ft cable only. Big brands need some shop around.

sure, Emporía’s price is very attractive, but it’s not the only factor when purchasing an EVSE for oneself as eelnoraa pointed out. My first JuiceBox was $430 and the second was $475. those higher costs are well-worth their features and incentives I can’t get with an Emporía unit. whatever works for one’s situation