Grizzl-E Charger - GRRRR

[kramerica]

I had a grizzl-e smart installed this week (expecting the Mache delivery in the next week, so I haven't actually used it). I purchased it for supposed durability and I liked the idea of an OCPP-based residential charger. Since it's installed outside I had it hardwired (vs the 14-50 receptacle). That said, I have been unable to get it to connect to my wifi for no clear reason. Support hasn't been helpful thus far, since if they can't see it they can't tell you much other than to check your wifi signal strength (which is fine). Verdict is still out to me, but not the best start. I've heard the chargelab app has some pain points also, so while more accessible charger software is a good idea, in practice it seems to be a work in progress.

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[OrchidMania]

"Yous gets what yous pay for"

Never an issue with my JuiceBox.

https://amzn.to/3y6nXMU

It’s not the price for me but the IP67 and Nema 4. I have no garage and the others seem to be for garage installs.

 

[dbsb3233]

Haven't had any issues in a year (knock on ikea wood)

Same here (the dumb model) . Almost 2 years now. Just been rock solid dependable.

But like anything electronic, ya just never know from unit to unit. And also whether your power source tends to have surges and blips that mess it up.

 

[Logal727]

Same here (the dumb model) . Almost 2 years now. Just been rock solid dependable.

But like anything electronic, ya just never know from unit to unit. And also whether your power source tends to have surges and blips that mess it up.

Yeah that’s why it’s hard to compare reliability.

 

[21st Century Pony]

My thoughts on the occasional "smart EVSE / dumb EVSE" points made in this thread... what attracted me to Grizzl-E after 12 years of owning a 2012 (!!) 16 amp Leviton EVSE is the hardened outside enclosure (mine lives on a driveway outer house wall), the relatively cheap price for a factory- refurbished Grizzl-E unit, and my inability to convince myself that I need a "smart EVSE" along with already having a "smart car" and a "smart phone Ford app" for monitoring the MME charge itself. Oh yeah, there's also the cool "MME widget" which I actually use the most for occasional on-screen car status information glances.

Having lived all my happy life with "dumb" wall plugs in my parents' house, in Army barracks, in various college apartments and in every other place I've laid my head down to sleep, I can't justify the additional cost for a more complicated "smart EVSE" which will, on demand, tell me information I already know, which is already provided by three other devices, and which frankly is somewhat pointless. The dumb Grizzl-E (or eq.) is the way to go for me. Just my 2 bent cents...

 

[dbsb3233]

My thoughts on the occasional "smart EVSE / dumb EVSE" points made in this thread... what attracted me to Grizzl-E after 12 years of owning a 2012 (!!) 16 amp Leviton EVSE is the hardened outside enclosure (mine lives on a driveway outer house wall), the relatively cheap price for a factory- refurbished Grizzl-E unit, and my inability to convince myself that I need a "smart EVSE" along with already having a "smart car" and a "smart phone Ford app" for monitoring the MME charge itself. Oh yeah, there's also the cool "MME widget" which I actually use the most for occasional on-screen car status information glances.

Having lived all my happy life with "dumb" wall plugs in my parent's house, in Army barracks, in various college apartments and in every other place I've laid my head down to sleep, I can't justify the additional cost for a more complicated "smart EVSE" which will, on demand, tell me information I already know, which is already provided by three other devices, and which frankly is somewhat pointless. The dumb Grizzl-E (or eq.) is the way to go for me. Just my 2 bent cents...

Yep. As you say, "smart" usually means more complicated, which means more failure points. For this purpose, I'm OK with what's the equivalent of a dumb (but heavy-duty) phone charger.

There's also the cost. Anything electronic is bound to fail at some point. I can almost buy a whole new replacement Grizzl-E for the price difference of what a smart CC or JB would have cost.

 

[RickMachE]

It’s not the price for me but the IP67 and Nema 4. I have no garage and the others seem to be for garage installs.

Your research needs some work.

JuiceBox is NEMA 4X rated and weather tight. https://evcharging.enelx.com/products/juicebox

 

[redranger04g]

Your research needs some work.

JuiceBox is NEMA 4X rated and weather tight. https://evcharging.enelx.com/products/juicebox

I’m not seeing an IP rating for it though. “Weather tight” is a marketing phrase, look at any water resistant/proof electronic they all have an IP rating.

Another satisfied buyer of the Grizzl-E. I live in southern California and my ford charger routinely throttled to about 50% due to the temperature in the garage. Haven’t had a single issue with the Grizzl-E. I also prefer the look of the Grizzl-E over any other plastic looking design, but looks are certainly personal preference.

 

[RickMachE]

I’m not seeing an IP rating for it though. “Weather tight” is a marketing phrase, look at any water resistant/proof electronic they all have an IP rating.

Look harder. IP66

https://support-emobility.enelx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038171892-JuiceBox-40-Data-Sheet

 

[redranger04g]

Look harder. IP66

https://support-emobility.enelx.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038171892-JuiceBox-40-Data-Sheet

I stand corrected, it is IP66. Grizzl-E is IP67, meaning it’s protected for full immersion whereas the Juicebox is not. Grizzl-E is obviously the better choice from that standpoint if you’re mounting it outside.

 

[RickMachE]

I stand corrected, it is IP66. Grizzl-E is IP67, meaning it’s protected for full immersion whereas the Juicebox is not. Grizzl-E is obviously the better choice from that standpoint if you’re mounting it outside.

Because you plan on using the charger while it is underwater, right? ??

IP66 Enclosure - IP rated as "dust tight" and protected against heavy seas or powerful jets of water. IP 67 Enclosures - IP rated as "dust tight" and protected against immersion for 30 minutes at depths 0.5 - 3.3 feet.

What happens if it's underwater for 35 minutes, or deeper than 3.3 feet?

#Nonsense

 

[redranger04g]

Because you plan on using the charger while it is underwater, right? ??

IP66 Enclosure - IP rated as "dust tight" and protected against heavy seas or powerful jets of water. IP 67 Enclosures - IP rated as "dust tight" and protected against immersion for 30 minutes at depths 0.5 - 3.3 feet.

What happens if it's underwater for 35 minutes, or deeper than 3.3 feet?

#Nonsense

IP ratings tell you how they were tested, not how they will be used. The submersion testing for an IP67 just means it’s more water tight than a jet test of an IP66. Use some common sense here, no one is charging underwater! The testing means the Grizzl-e is more water tight than the charge point, which is a fact per the IP testing. If I was going to put one outside I’d want the more waterproof Grizzl-E. But hey that’s just me I like things overbuilt, the charge point with it’s IP66 rating would get the job done too.

 

[Motomax]

I’m not seeing an IP rating for it though. “Weather tight” is a marketing phrase, look at any water resistant/proof electronic they all have an IP rating.

Another satisfied buyer of the Grizzl-E. I live in southern California and my ford charger routinely throttled to about 50% due to the temperature in the garage. Haven’t had a single issue with the Grizzl-E. I also prefer the look of the Grizzl-E over any other plastic looking design, but looks are certainly personal preference.

What really sold me was the waterproof and full metal construction. I have mine mounted outside in direct California sun. One year and 19k miles with zero issues. I’m not sure the plastic housings of others would last, I have a doorbell camera on the same wall and the direct sun just destroys them in a year or two.
It’s definitely one of the most durable charger housings out there.

 

[RickMachE]

IP ratings tell you how they were tested, not how they will be used. The submersion testing for an IP67 just means it’s more water tight than a jet test of an IP66. Use some common sense here, no one is charging underwater! The testing means the Grizzl-e is more water tight than the charge point, which is a fact per the IP testing. If I was going to put one outside I’d want the more waterproof Grizzl-E. But hey that’s just me I like things overbuilt, the charge point with it’s IP66 rating would get the job done too.

Except it's the JuiceBox...

 

[Fixbear]

GrizzlE is expediting a 3rd charger, fingers crossed. I will give them an A plus for customer service, I just hope I don’t have to talk with them again.

I have to ask, what setting are you using and what size wire and breaker is it on?

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