Buying a first gen Nissan Leaf - charging options
Discussion
Hi,
Following Rory's video, me and a friend are both considering doing something very similar. The price of these has been going up as I think more and more people are aware that they could make a perfect second car.
From the use we'll be getting out of them, we're expecting to do almost all of our charging at home.
Thing is, both of us already have EV's and car chargers. One of them is tethered and the other one is not.
From what I've gathered, the first gen Leaf has a ChaDeMo plug? So for an untethered charger, could we just get a Type 2 to Chademo cable? For the tethered, could there be a convertor?
From the documentation I've seen, a Leaf of that gen could be charged at 3.3kW or 6.0kW, what are our options to do so?
Or would we just be better off hanging the thing from a "granny charger"?
Following Rory's video, me and a friend are both considering doing something very similar. The price of these has been going up as I think more and more people are aware that they could make a perfect second car.
From the use we'll be getting out of them, we're expecting to do almost all of our charging at home.
Thing is, both of us already have EV's and car chargers. One of them is tethered and the other one is not.
From what I've gathered, the first gen Leaf has a ChaDeMo plug? So for an untethered charger, could we just get a Type 2 to Chademo cable? For the tethered, could there be a convertor?
From the documentation I've seen, a Leaf of that gen could be charged at 3.3kW or 6.0kW, what are our options to do so?
Or would we just be better off hanging the thing from a "granny charger"?
ZesPak said:
Hi,
Following Rory's video, me and a friend are both considering doing something very similar. The price of these has been going up as I think more and more people are aware that they could make a perfect second car.
From the use we'll be getting out of them, we're expecting to do almost all of our charging at home.
Thing is, both of us already have EV's and car chargers. One of them is tethered and the other one is not.
From what I've gathered, the first gen Leaf has a ChaDeMo plug? So for an untethered charger, could we just get a Type 2 to Chademo cable? For the tethered, could there be a convertor?
From the documentation I've seen, a Leaf of that gen could be charged at 3.3kW or 6.0kW, what are our options to do so?
Or would we just be better off hanging the thing from a "granny charger"?
You are getting confused, ChaDeMo is DC always tethered & will fit the Leaf (if it does DC charging). Not sure if Leaf is type 2 or 1. Most UK tethereds are Type 2 so you'll need an adapter, BUT! The vast majority of these use your own lead so you provide the ends you want. I have a Type 2 for the box & a Type 1 for the car for my Outlander PHEV which is (because its Japanese) Type 2.Following Rory's video, me and a friend are both considering doing something very similar. The price of these has been going up as I think more and more people are aware that they could make a perfect second car.
From the use we'll be getting out of them, we're expecting to do almost all of our charging at home.
Thing is, both of us already have EV's and car chargers. One of them is tethered and the other one is not.
From what I've gathered, the first gen Leaf has a ChaDeMo plug? So for an untethered charger, could we just get a Type 2 to Chademo cable? For the tethered, could there be a convertor?
From the documentation I've seen, a Leaf of that gen could be charged at 3.3kW or 6.0kW, what are our options to do so?
Or would we just be better off hanging the thing from a "granny charger"?
tr7v8 said:
You are getting confused, ChaDeMo is DC always tethered & will fit the Leaf (if it does DC charging). Not sure if Leaf is type 2 or 1. Most UK tethereds are Type 2 so you'll need an adapter, BUT! The vast majority of these use your own lead so you provide the ends you want. I have a Type 2 for the box & a Type 1 for the car for my Outlander PHEV which is (because its Japanese) Type 2.
Yes, that part does get me confused.So the leaf has two separate plugs, one for DC and one for AC? The ones we have at home are of course AC chargers.
Edit, just did some googling.
This looks like a Type 1?
If it is, is there a convertor piece from type 2 to type 1 in case of a tethered charger?
Leaf is type 1, and should come with a type 1 to type 2 cable.
If you get an untethered charger it will be type 2 you can use the cable that comes with the car. If you get a tethered charger make sure you get a type 1 model. Replacing the cable isn't too difficult or expensive if you ever want to change.
If you get an untethered charger it will be type 2 you can use the cable that comes with the car. If you get a tethered charger make sure you get a type 1 model. Replacing the cable isn't too difficult or expensive if you ever want to change.
aestetix1 said:
Leaf is type 1, and should come with a type 1 to type 2 cable.
If you get an untethered charger it will be type 2 you can use the cable that comes with the car. If you get a tethered charger make sure you get a type 1 model. Replacing the cable isn't too difficult or expensive if you ever want to change.
The chargers are used for multiple cars.If you get an untethered charger it will be type 2 you can use the cable that comes with the car. If you get a tethered charger make sure you get a type 1 model. Replacing the cable isn't too difficult or expensive if you ever want to change.
For the leaf I could get away with something like this?
ZesPak said:
From the documentation I've seen, a Leaf of that gen could be charged at 3.3kW or 6.0kW, what are our options to do so?
Or would we just be better off hanging the thing from a "granny charger"?
Most came with the 3.3kW charger. 6.6kW was an option, but not many went for it. Granny charger does about 2.1kW and is quite a practical proposition as the battery is pretty small anyway.Or would we just be better off hanging the thing from a "granny charger"?
Type 2 to Type 1 converter is certainly possible, but it's spending £100 or more which is a lot for the benefit over a granny on the 3.3kW version (IMHO). Personally I'd try with the granny to start with and see how you get on.
We've done about 70k miles in leafs using granny charger only. pre-2018 / early shape is type 1, current shape is type2.
Avoid pre-2013 cars (beige trim) because the batteries are crap and the electric parking brake is problematic.
I replaced the 3 pin plug on the granny with a commando (10a continuous is a bit much fr a standard socket - I know it should be ok but too easy for the plug to overheat) and extended the cable to 10m at the same time - use it on a dedicated rcbo. Just get into the habbit of plugging it in when we park. It is a very cheap way to do the school run/local commute. We do either 25 or 50 miles/day commute depending on which clinic OH goes to. Almost never charge at commercial charger so even at current leccy prices its 5p/mile. Throw in minimal depreciation and I can't see a better way to do the day to day short commute.
Avoid pre-2013 cars (beige trim) because the batteries are crap and the electric parking brake is problematic.
I replaced the 3 pin plug on the granny with a commando (10a continuous is a bit much fr a standard socket - I know it should be ok but too easy for the plug to overheat) and extended the cable to 10m at the same time - use it on a dedicated rcbo. Just get into the habbit of plugging it in when we park. It is a very cheap way to do the school run/local commute. We do either 25 or 50 miles/day commute depending on which clinic OH goes to. Almost never charge at commercial charger so even at current leccy prices its 5p/mile. Throw in minimal depreciation and I can't see a better way to do the day to day short commute.
tr7v8 said:
You can but you need to think about the teft aspect.
The tethered one is indoors so no issue. Knock_knock said:
Most came with the 3.3kW charger. 6.6kW was an option, but not many went for it. Granny charger does about 2.1kW and is quite a practical proposition as the battery is pretty small anyway.
Type 2 to Type 1 converter is certainly possible, but it's spending £100 or more which is a lot for the benefit over a granny on the 3.3kW version (IMHO). Personally I'd try with the granny to start with and see how you get on.
Thanks, the tethered charger is inside so we could easily granny charge there on a free plug. The untethered will be fixed by the cars cable then. Type 2 to Type 1 converter is certainly possible, but it's spending £100 or more which is a lot for the benefit over a granny on the 3.3kW version (IMHO). Personally I'd try with the granny to start with and see how you get on.
lost in espace said:
There is an efficiency penalty with a granny vs a dedicated charger, losses of another 10%.
But a granny charger is a dedicated charger at a slightly lower power, what's the difference? Do you have a source on this? Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff