A few charging questions

[kltye]

This one was free too, but it has a sticker on the side that says you still have to go into their app to activate it, even once you plug in. I'd be surprised if yours was charging without activating. Considering they subsidize the charge with ads or something.

Were you using a Volta DCFC? Those are the only ones that require activation, AFAIK. Regular L2s don't.

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[JSeis]

We live in SW WA and I commute 90 miles RT a day. For year I’ve charged nightly in the garage with the Ford charger with no issues. I’ve used EA sites exclusively when traveling much farther than 150 miles RT. . We’ve also been to Portland, Leavenworth, Great Falls, Columbia Gorge. In GF I used a local bank’s level 2 to charge to 100% to get back to Missoula (no DCFC in Great Falls… none). Plug and Charge has worked flawlessly. Debated about putting charger outside but no real need at the present.

 

[MachEnthusiast]

Were you using a Volta DCFC? Those are the only ones that require activation, AFAIK. Regular L2s don't.

yes it was DCFC.

 

[c max]

yes it was DCFC.

Well that MUST be the difference, all the voltas I've dealt with were L2's

 

[SinaiKD]

cool setup!!

if photo be true, i am getting the 2022 version (rapid red, MME GT). How do you like your red. I plan to go for ceramic coating. Still undecided about a wheel upgrade.

 

[Maquis]

The only thing I can add to The General's response is to answer your question about the 80% "rule".

A 50 Amp breaker won't blow right away if you run 50 Amps through it; however, eventually it will. The breaker is only designed to handle 80% of it's rating if the current is steady, like when charging a car.

That is why a 48 Amp charger requires a 60 Amp breaker. And a 60 Amp breaker requires wiring that is rated for 60 Amps. And there are no outlet/plug combinations that are rated at 60 Amps for residential use. Which is why all 48 Amp EVSEs must be hardwired.

I have a hardwired Emporia charger that is 48 Amps. There are a lot of 48 Amp EVSEs available.

A breaker should carry 100% indefinitely unless some other parameter is out of spec. The NEC 80% requirement is not due to breaker trip curves. Here is a typical residential breaker type B curve:

 

[mkhuffman]

A breaker should carry 100% indefinitely unless some other parameter is out of spec. The NEC 80% requirement is not due to breaker trip curves. Here is a typical residential breaker type B curve:

Awesome correction! Thanks!

 

[Mach-Lee]

For those with knowledge of Chargepoint Home Flex and Grizzl-E... Can I max the amps delivered to MME with either of these units? I'm confused about the whole 80% thing. My circuit is rated at 50 Amps with a NEMA 14-50 plug like I said above. I think MME can draw something like 48 Amps? Since this number is more than 80% of 50 Amps, it seems like my circuit won't even allow max draw, let alone these units. But I think I have a fundamental misunderstanding here of how this stuff works. If I'm not mistaken no level 2 charger will deliver more than 40 Amps to MME on my 50 Amp Circuit and I should have maybe put in something with more amps.

Edit: after watching a video on YouTube it sounds like somehow Ford's home charger delivers the full 48 amps, even though the 3rd party ones can't. Can somebody explain why this is the only charger that can? Especially since there are other cars out there that charge faster.

If you're confused about what size breaker or charge rate see my topic: EV Charger Breaker & Wire Size Reference

The charging amps column reflects the 80% rule and maximum rate of the on-board charger to show what speed you'll actually get.

 

[kdonnel]

This one was free too, but it has a sticker on the side that says you still have to go into their app to activate it, even once you plug in. I'd be surprised if yours was charging without activating. Considering they subsidize the charge with ads or something.

All the ad supported Volta chargers I have used let you just plug in and walk away. No need to use the app. The ads that support the service are displayed on the large screens located on the charger.

Edited to add:
Looks like I was late to the party and the difference is free DCFC vs level 2. I have not seen a Volta free DCFC, only level 2.

 

[AZBill]

All the ad supported Volta chargers I have used let you just plug in and walk away. No need to use the app. The ads that support the service are displayed on the large screens located on the charger.

Edited to add:
Looks like I was late to the party and the difference is free DCFC vs level 2. I have not seen a Volta free DCFC, only level 2.

I believe the new Volta CCS chargers require payment, but the L2 ones are still free, but time out after 2 hours.

 

[MachEnthusiast]

All the ad supported Volta chargers I have used let you just plug in and walk away. No need to use the app. The ads that support the service are displayed on the large screens located on the charger.

Edited to add:
Looks like I was late to the party and the difference is free DCFC vs level 2. I have not seen a Volta free DCFC, only level 2.

Yeah at one of the local malls there are about a dozen level 2 Volta chargers scattered around the entire perimeter. As it stands, there is exactly one DCFC, and that is the one usually vacant. And of course that's the only Volta charger I've used, despite seeing the others around (again, always in use).

It advertises that only the first 30 minutes are free, and then it is a pay charger after that. I'm also guessing this is why the app is necessary.

 

[MachEnthusiast]

if photo be true, i am getting the 2022 version (rapid red, MME GT). How do you like your red. I plan to go for ceramic coating. Still undecided about a wheel upgrade.

While the photo I'm using here is stock, my GT is Rapid Red and looks just like it. I accepted delivery in October. I love the red. I've owned only 4 different personal vehicles in my life (not including vehicles that are my wife's primary). Of them, 3 were red and 1 was another Mustang (Laser Red). I think this is the best red of the bunch. A little darker than the others, and real sharp when the vehicle has had a proper wash. I've just had it detailed for the first time and it's looking new as ever.

I wanted Cyber Orange but my wife said it was the only color she vetoed because she didn't want a school bus sitting in the driveway. But with my history I obviously love red cars.

 

[SinaiKD]

While the photo I'm using here is stock, my GT is Rapid Red and looks just like it. I accepted delivery in October. I love the red. I've owned only 4 different personal vehicles in my life (not including vehicles that are my wife's primary). Of them, 3 were red and 1 was another Mustang (Laser Red). I think this is the best red of the bunch. A little darker than the others, and real sharp when the vehicle has had a proper wash. I've just had it detailed for the first time and it's looking new as ever.

I wanted Cyber Orange but my wife said it was the only color she vetoed because she didn't want a school bus sitting in the driveway. But with my history I obviously love red cars.

LOL My wife is a red fan, but ditto on the Orange... non starter. Thanks for comments on color, very excited to see one (especially mine) in real live color.

 

[daemonic3]

I was just at a store I often go to (2.7mi from home) and saw a dude using the Volta DCFC. Since he was chillin with the window down I asked what the rate ($) was for using it and he said "free". I said oh you have a network plan with the car (BMW)? He said no, you just get the Volta app and it is 30m free.

There has to be some catch? But there isn't!! I scanned around from Sacramento to Santa Cruz and the only free Volta DCFC's are in Sac right near my house. Nearly everything else is a Level2 or a DCFC that is not free. For example that one in Santa Cruz is 39c/kWh and 50c/minute after charging stops!

This one is insane as I easily just spent 30m at the Pet Club and Smart & Final it is in front of. Very happy to see it as an option if ever needed.

 

[kltye]

I was just at a store I often go to (2.7mi from home) and saw a dude using the Volta DCFC. Since he was chillin with the window down I asked what the rate ($) was for using it and he said "free". I said oh you have a network plan with the car (BMW)? He said no, you just get the Volta app and it is 30m free.

There has to be some catch? But there isn't!! I scanned around from Sacramento to Santa Cruz and the only free Volta DCFC's are in Sac right near my house. Nearly everything else is a Level2 or a DCFC that is not free. For example that one in Santa Cruz is 39c/kWh and 50c/minute after charging stops!

This one is insane as I easily just spent 30m at the Pet Club and Smart & Final it is in front of. Very happy to see it as an option if ever needed.

It's been like this ever since they launched their first DCFCs. Used it a half dozen times; always reliable, never had any issues activating. Part of the reason I'm able to easily charge even without at-home charging!

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