Background Since discovering a Type 2 AC to CHAdeMO DC adapter to buy online (from China) I've become interested in this possibility for Fast Charging our Prius PHV (aka Prius Prime with in-built CHAdeMO). I've posted an image and link already: Theory In areas with a standard 240V AC power supply the 3 Phase supply is likely to be 415V AC. Since this is the RMS voltage then the peak voltage is most likely 585V AC, and the maximum peak-to-peak voltage is then twice this i.e. 2 * 585V = 1,170V e.g. refer https://www.idc-online.com/technical_references/pdfs/electronic_engineering/Definitions_About_Three_Phase_Voltages.pdf Many areas e.g. US, have similar but different voltages; national 3 phase supplies are often in the range approx. 400V to 500V. CHAdeMO, however, requires DC for fast charging. If all three phases of a 415V, 3 phase supply are rectified and summed then the result is a DC supply at approx. 585V, although there is a pulsing present. This is outlined for a 480V AC system giving a DC supply of about 679V at: Test Happens - Teledyne LeCroy Blog: More Basics of Three-Phase AC Sinusoidal Voltages. In both cases the resulting DC voltage is above 500V, which is the standard max. for CHAdeMO (I seem to remember from reading somewhere). In spite of the pulse, this rectified supply can be used for charging batteries amongst other uses. This is described, for example, in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase_electric_power. Advantages There are a number of advantages to using Type 2 EVSE's compared to CHAdeMO EVSE's, some of which are listed here: Further, domestic 3 phase supply is widely available, so it would become possible to fast charge a Prius at home. Of course, if your Prius PHV already has a CHAdeMO port (... mine does ...) then this AC-DC adapter could be used immediately. If your Prius PHV i.e. a Prius Prime, does not have a CHAdeMO port, then availability of this adapter would add momentum to anyone trying to retro-fit CHAdeMO e.g.: and perhaps: Questions So the obvious questions are: 1. Has anyone experience with this sort of small, mobile AC-DC adapter? At low power ratings around 20kW perhaps the heat build-up would not be too bad? 2. Are there any electrical engineers out there, who might care to comment? (I'm not an electrical engineer.) Or others with thoughts on this topic?
There may be a reason why this isn't practical. If the energy efficiency of the conversion is 95% then for a 15kW AC-DC conversion there is 0.75kW of heat produced. This would quickly heat up a simple handle as shown until it was too hot to hold. So a significant cooling system would have to be included.
funny story... someone I know bought it for $5 at an Amazon pallet return store location and sent me these today
No, I haven't bought one because I haven't found one in a small format which can rectify AC to DC - refer to my most recent post above. If we can find a suitable item which can convert Type 2 (AC) into CHAdeMO (DC) at a reasonable price then I'd happily go halves. While this item looks similar it is in fact different, as described by the small print in the image. The image shows an J-1772 (AC) / Tesla-AC adapter, which does not change AC to DC i.e. it doesn't do rectification of AC to DC. I'd like a Type 2 (AC, esp 3 phase) to CHAdeMO (DC) rectifier.
Good point. However, I couldn't use it at home since my current domestic circuits couldn't sustain more than about 3kW for EV charging purposes. You are of course correct that the first people to use new products like these should be wary. At 15kW the PIP's battery charges to 80% in about 20 minutes so owners would be advised to remain with the car to monitor the converter's temperatures and cut off power before trouble starts.
