I Just Did My First DC Charge

Illinibird

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I know this is yesterday's news for most of you but I did my first DC charge this afternoon and spent a whooping $0.80. It was a Charge Pointe EVSE at a Harley Davidson dealer and being a Sunday it was great as nobody was around. In front of the charger was a sign "Motorcycles Only"?? There are electric motorcycles? Anyway, I flipped down the door that allows the DC connection and plugged it in. I tapped my Charge Pointe card and the charger started making funny noises so I could tell it was running. Because of the sun, I couldn't read the sign on the charger. I only charged from 88% to 90% (I know, I know - only charge to 80%). There was absolutely nobody around so I wasn't keeping anyone from charging. As has been stated on this forum the rate of charge drops precipitously over 80% and it certainly took its time to charge the 2% SOC. I now know how to do it and won't be so hesitant to try the chargers. I still don't like hearing the stories of them not working properly and the lack of Plug and Charge capability but I'm getting there. ?
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JamieGeek

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Yes there are electric Harley's.

Above 80% it will charge no faster than your Level-2 at home regardless of the DCFC plugged into.
 
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Illinibird

Illinibird

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Yes there are electric Harley's.

Above 80% it will charge no faster than your Level-2 at home regardless of the DCFC plugged into.
I know it's a lot slower than before 80% but I didn't know the rate was the same as L2 chargers. I also didn't know there were electric Harleys; who would buy them?? Everyone thinks of Harleys as being loud with the distinctive Harley sound. I would think the people who ride electric Harleys would get a lot of trash talk from the "real" Harley guys and gals. Kind of like us getting comments about the Mach E isn't a "real" Mustang.
 

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I know it's a lot slower than before 80% but I didn't know the rate was the same as L2 chargers
This was only mentioned by tom mologhney, kyle conner, alex on autos, and at least a dozen other members here.
 
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Illinibird

Illinibird

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This was only mentioned by tom mologhney, kyle conner, alex on autos, and at least a dozen other members here.
Gee, I'm sorry. Maybe because I just got my car and I'm new to all of this I wasn't paying particular attention to DC charging. I'll try not to ask dumb questions in the future. Thank you for your patience with a new owner.
 


JamieGeek

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I know it's a lot slower than before 80% but I didn't know the rate was the same as L2 chargers. I also didn't know there were electric Harleys; who would buy them?? Everyone thinks of Harleys as being loud with the distinctive Harley sound. I would think the people who ride electric Harleys would get a lot of trash talk from the "real" Harley guys and gals. Kind of like us getting comments about the Mach E isn't a "real" Mustang.
Actually the motorcycle Black Widow rode in Age of Ultron was a Harley Livewire (electric):
https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-harleydavidson-livewire-avengers-20150413-story.html

Too bad the movie makers chose to add engine noise ! LOL
 

dbsb3233

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I know it's a lot slower than before 80% but I didn't know the rate was the same as L2 chargers.
Yep. At 80% it typically falls to around 12 kW. That's slightly above typical L2 speeds (7-11 kW), but pretty close. Always need to take that into account if ever trying to DCFC charge above 80%. General rule of thumb is to plan not to charge above 80% on DCFC, although sometimes it's still worthwhile (depending on your time and location situation). I did once during a recent road trip, intentionally, as we decided to make that stop a lengthier sit-down lunch stop for like 90 minutes.

But most of the time, just plan to stop by 80%. The good news is that the MME usually holds 80+ kW right up to 80% (if not too cold). That's good speed up to 80%.
 
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Illinibird

Illinibird

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Yep. At 80% it typically falls to around 12 kW. That's slightly above typical L2 speeds (7-11 kW), but pretty close. Always need to take that into account if ever trying to DCFC charge above 80%. General rule of thumb is to plan not to charge above 80% on DCFC, although sometimes it's still worthwhile (depending on your time and location situation). I did once during a recent road trip, intentionally, as we decided to make that stop a lengthier sit-down lunch stop for like 90 minutes.

But most of the time, just plan to stop by 80%. The good news is that the MME usually holds 80+ kW right up to 80% (if not too cold). That's good speed up to 80%.
Yes, I got a message from Charge Pointe that I was over 80%. I was just hooking up so I could learn some "on the job training" in doing a DC charge. I also wanted to try out my new Charge Pointe card which worked flawlessly. I have Charge Pointe in my wallet on my iPhone but when I tried a Level 2 Charge Pointe station it wouldn't recognize it for some reason. Had this been a busy week day I would never have done this but today I just wanted to learn about charging my new car with a DC charging station without bothering anybody.
 

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Yes, I got a message from Charge Pointe that I was over 80%. I was just hooking up so I could learn some "on the job training" in doing a DC charge. I also wanted to try out my new Charge Pointe card which worked flawlessly. I have Charge Pointe in my wallet on my iPhone but when I tried a Level 2 Charge Pointe station it wouldn't recognize it for some reason. Had this been a busy week day I would never have done this but today I just wanted to learn about charging my new car with a DC charging station without bothering anybody.
I used a few ChargePoints along my recent road trip. No card, I just used my phone (Android) for the NFC activation (just holding the phone above the NFC symbol on the charger). Need to make sure NFC is turned on on your phone though, and of course have the ChargePoint app and account logged in.
 
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Illinibird

Illinibird

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I used a few ChargePoints along my recent road trip. No card, I just used my phone (Android) for the NFC activation (just holding the phone above the NFC symbol on the charger). Need to make sure NFC is turned on on your phone though, and of course have the ChargePoint app and account logged in.
I have an iPhone X does it have NFC? When there was talk about using your phone as a key I was upset because my phone didn't have something and I think I remember somebody saying NFC. It turns out PaaK doesn't rely on NFC. Be that as it may, my iPhone (actually my Apple watch) does Apple Pay without problem when I press the side button of the watch and hold it by the reader. I don't know why this particular Charge Pointe wouldn't recognize the phone. It was a Level 2 charger in downtown Frankfort in their municipal parking lot. There is a walking trail that runs right by it and we've seen cars plugged in there charging.
 

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dbsb3233

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I have an iPhone X does it have NFC? When there was talk about using your phone as a key I was upset because my phone didn't have something and I think I remember somebody saying NFC. It turns out PaaK doesn't rely on NFC. Be that as it may, my iPhone (actually my Apple watch) does Apple Pay without problem when I press the side button of the watch and hold it by the reader. I don't know why this particular Charge Pointe wouldn't recognize the phone. It was a Level 2 charger in downtown Frankfort in their municipal parking lot. There is a walking trail that runs right by it and we've seen cars plugged in there charging.
I guess on iPhone it's part of Apple Wallet. On Android it's NFC. I'm an Android so I can't help much with iPhone.

https://www.chargepoint.com/resources/setting-and-using-tap-charge/
 
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Illinibird

Illinibird

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Yes, and so does your Apple Watch. If you have a ChargePoint card in your Apple Wallet, just double click the side button and hold it up to the station. This works for your phone or your watch.
It works for my Visa card but I didn't double click it for Charge Pointe charger and that was probably the problem. I'll try that next time. Thanks for the info.
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