1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Any one tried EVSE Upgrade for Charge Cable

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by RicksterUSA, Aug 28, 2012.

  1. RicksterUSA

    RicksterUSA New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816, USA.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I was wondering if anyone tried the EVSE upgrade for the charge cable to upgrade it to 240 volts and what do you think. Thanks.
     
  2. Chris Knudsen

    Chris Knudsen Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    10
    1
    0
    Location:
    Moraga, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    can you point to a link discussing the upgrade?
     
  3. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Hes talking about evseupgrade.com
    Im planning on sending mine to him next week. Unless I find a reasonably priced wall mount EVSE before then.
     
  4. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
  5. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    505
    115
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
  6. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    But that is a different unit. This one is specific to our Panasonic unit. Am I wrong?
     
  7. bielinsk

    bielinsk Gremlin

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    505
    115
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    All this is the the breakdown of the LEAF unit. OpenEVSE will explain how to build your own.

    I don't see how this $29 handbook would help you upgrade your stock cable.
     
  8. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    From the seller;

    Dear jimbo69ny,

    It is VERY easy to convert. No actual parts are needed. I give you several methods of converting the unit. I prefer using the method that uses two parts that are easily available from Digi-Key. I give you the part numbers. But there is a way to convert the unit in about 5 minutes using no extra parts.

    - ibapah
     
  9. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Because it would cost $500+ to build your own. With EVSE Upgrade or with this modification, you can have a level 2 charger for a lot less money.
     
  10. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2004
    1,077
    197
    0
    Location:
    Randolph, MA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    It's now down to a little over $400 to build a 30A capable 120/240 OpenEVSE, or about $239 to have your Toyota one converted to use both voltages, or try that guide for $29, and you'll still save to buy parts from DigiKey
    NOTE: those instructions are for the Nissan supplied Panasonic EVSE, the Toyota version is likely to be different.

    Take a look at my build link, "360.com" update the J-1772 cable on my build, and added up the prices.

    Keep in mind, building your own EVSE means you own it, and it's a 2nd device to use, so if/when you sell the PiP you will still have the EVSE, for your next real EV, and you can leave the unmodified Toyota EVSE with the PiP

    My build, with updated price on the J-1772 cable: EVSE_by_mwolrich - open-evse - A portable EVSE built with an Open EVSE board. - Open Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) - Google Project Hosting
     
    Tracksyde likes this.
  11. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I would purchase your openevse unit or build on myself but after giving it some thought, I would be placing myself in a bad liability situation.

    My situation is unique, I am planning on installing EV charging stations at my rental properties for tenants to use. If I build my own unit and something happens, even if its not the fault of the openevse, I'm sure I would be putting myself in a bad position.

    So instead I want to upgrade my current EVSE and install 240 v and 120 v outlets at the properties. That way I can charge my car when I am there, then when prices come down a bit I will install a brand name EVSE unit.
     
  12. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2004
    1,077
    197
    0
    Location:
    Randolph, MA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    You might want to check this link about tenant/landlord charging issues:
    Landlords Vs Tenants With Electric Cars: Study Proposes Solutions
     
  13. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    596
    158
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I am sending mine in on Friday. They are closed on Labor day, but back on Tuesday, so hopefully he will have it back to me by Friday next week.
     
  14. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the article, I just read it along with the links within. Its interesting however its a different situation. In all of those instances the landlord is fighting the owners of EV's. I own a PHEV and I am going to be offering a level 1 and level 2 charge to my tenants for FREE. It will be great advertising, great for tenant retention, and it will help the movement. Sure its going to cost me a few grand but it will also give me a place to plug in until the EV infrastructure is in place.
     
  15. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2004
    1,077
    197
    0
    Location:
    Randolph, MA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes, I thought you might want to see that you are among the more progress thinkers on the EV charging issue.

    I think now that you can construct an EVSE for $400, you should consider that. There's not much risk in it, the entire purpose of an EVSE is as a safety device, after all.
     
  16. Jimbo69ny

    Jimbo69ny Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    712
    107
    0
    Location:
    Ithaca, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I would love to save money and build my own but i worry about the liability. I always need to be careful, people are lawsuit crazy.
     
  17. dave-H

    dave-H New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2013
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I posted some on instructables key word "evse"
     
  18. Potorap

    Potorap Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2012
    345
    148
    0
    Location:
    Pahrump, Nv
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XLE
    Hello PriusChat members,

    Just want to let you know I had my EVSE upgraded to L2. Used EVSE.com. Shipped on Thursday and received the next Thursday. Very happy so far. It will remain in garage as permanent EVSE. Paid $259 total with shipping plus $20 to ship it to them. Ran #6 wire (prepared for future) to garage with breaker for $101. Total cost for job was $380 for L2 convenience. I am really curios as to what evse.com actually did to upgrade, anyone know? Take care. Thanks Ches for advice.
     
  19. srl99

    srl99 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2014
    113
    23
    0
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    You only need a 16A EVSE for PiP (which is what the original LEAFs needed). I'd look around for a used 16A EVSE, which should be a similar price. Then you could have a complete EVSE permanently installed ?in your garage?