I have a charger issue. What would you do?

[joebruin77]

I have a unique charging issue and am not sure what to do.

I have a Gen 2 hardwired Tesla Wall Connector, which I bought back in 2018 when I got a Tesla. It is set to deliver power at 48 amps and cannot be easily adjusted.

In 2022, when my wife and I got her MacheE GT, I wanted an EVSE where I could reduce the amps when charging. I live in an area with very high summer temps. In case we are running the AC and are placing a large overall load on the house's electrical system, I wanted the ability to reduce the amps I am charing at. So at the time, I bought a Juicebox from Costco and used the Juicebox app to reduce and adjust the amp level. I would routinely charge at 18 amps. The Juicebox is not hardwired and is plugged into a Nema 14-50 outlet. So 18 amps is a bit less than half the max charge rate of 40 amps.

Both the Nema 14-50 and the Tesla Wall Connector were installed by a licensed electrician. I have a "newer" panel rated for 200 amps total. And we never charge 2 cars at the same time.

As many of you know, Enel, the owner of Juicebox, went out of business and I can no longer use the app to adjust the amp level. This was not a problem, as the amp level was set at a low level. If I needed to charge at a higher level, I could just use the Tesla Wall Connector to charge at 48 amps.

However, a few days ago, I noticed that on its own, the Juicebox changed its amp level to the max of 40 amps.

I am thinking about replacing the Juicebox with another EVSE that gives me the ability to adjust the amp level. A couple questions:

1) Do you think it is necessary for me to replace the Juicebox so I can charge at a lower amp setting during peak power usage? Or is it safe to charge at 40 amps even during the hottest summer months?

2) If I should get a new EVSE, which EVSE would you recommend? Is there a Nema 14-50 EVSE that alllows me to adjust the amp level without it being dependent on an internet-based app?

Thank you,
Joe

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[tonytaylor53]

I haven't used it, but learned about the replacement controller when I was considering an OpenEVSE for myself.

https://store.openevse.com/collecti...ronics-for-juicebox-v1-metal-black-and-orange

https://store.openevse.com/products/replacement-electronics-for-juicebox-v2-plastic-grey-and-white

It is back-ordered at the moment unfortunately. The instructions are straightforward, take a peek and see if you'd feel comfortable doing it or know someone who could.

https://openevse.dozuki.com/Guide/Replace+Controller+in+Juicebox+v1/52

 

[DeltaDelta]

1) I'd bet someone has figured out some hacky method to adjust the power but I've no idea

1.5) entirely dependent on your power use. I have 200 amps and don't think twice about charging at 48. Add up the amperage of all your devices.

2) Chargepoint flex and emporia are often recommended, I have Chargepoint and it's easy to adjust in the app.

 

[tonytaylor53]

1) I'd bet someone has figured out some hacky method to adjust the power but I've no idea

Exhibit A: https://github.com/JuiceRescue/juicepassproxy

borne from these guys as I understand it: https://juice-rescue.org/

 

[Fremont Kid]

Your question: What would you do?...I personally would just use the Tesla charger, rather than invest more $ and time into modifying a charger that is no longer supported by the manufacturer.

 

[Maquis]

I have a 200A service and have charged my MME and Lightning at the same time at 48A with my central air, pool equipment, etc., all running.

I’d be more worried about the receptacle melting than your service.

 

[BullittHitsTheBone]

Can't you set the charge rate in the car or the FordPass app?

What am I missing (be gentle, I'm a new MME owner; '25 Premium)?

 

[A-A-Ron]

The car largely handles temps, slowing charging down and running the fans on high as it gets hotter. It might be a little easier on the battery at the lower rate, but I doubt the guy who buys the car from the guy who buys the car from you gonna hunt you down in 200k miles to thank you for that extra percent

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Can't you set the charge rate in the car or the FordPass app?

No. It's an oft-requested feature, though.

 

[BullittHitsTheBone]

What's this?

 

[tonytaylor53]

That's a 2025+ feature as I recall.

 

[Bad Dolphin]

I have a unique charging issue and am not sure what to do.

I have a Gen 2 hardwired Tesla Wall Connector, which I bought back in 2018 when I got a Tesla. It is set to deliver power at 48 amps and cannot be easily adjusted.

In 2022, when my wife and I got her MacheE GT, I wanted an EVSE where I could reduce the amps when charging. I live in an area with very high summer temps. In case we are running the AC and are placing a large overall load on the house's electrical system, I wanted the ability to reduce the amps I am charing at. So at the time, I bought a Juicebox from Costco and used the Juicebox app to reduce and adjust the amp level. I would routinely charge at 18 amps. The Juicebox is not hardwired and is plugged into a Nema 14-50 outlet. So 18 amps is a bit less than half the max charge rate of 40 amps.

Both the Nema 14-50 and the Tesla Wall Connector were installed by a licensed electrician. I have a "newer" panel rated for 200 amps total. And we never charge 2 cars at the same time.

As many of you know, Enel, the owner of Juicebox, went out of business and I can no longer use the app to adjust the amp level. This was not a problem, as the amp level was set at a low level. If I needed to charge at a higher level, I could just use the Tesla Wall Connector to charge at 48 amps.

However, a few days ago, I noticed that on its own, the Juicebox changed its amp level to the max of 40 amps.

I am thinking about replacing the Juicebox with another EVSE that gives me the ability to adjust the amp level. A couple questions:

1) Do you think it is necessary for me to replace the Juicebox so I can charge at a lower amp setting during peak power usage? Or is it safe to charge at 40 amps even during the hottest summer months?

2) If I should get a new EVSE, which EVSE would you recommend? Is there a Nema 14-50 EVSE that alllows me to adjust the amp level without it being dependent on an internet-based app?

Thank you,
Joe

Joe, we also had a 2018 Tesla charger that we used for our new this year 2024 Mach E GT until the Ford Pro charger was installed under the power Promise. And we also have the situation where we prefer to charge at different rates -for us, it's to moderate the draw on solar system/Tesla PowerWalls on cloudy days. Our optimum max setting is 32-36 amps--seems to be the sweet spot to cover most times of day with clouds passing by and sun at different angles.

I miss being easily able to adjust the charging amps within the Tesla app. You could do it often and easily and it took about sixty seconds to respond.

With the Ford charger, we could theoretically change the charging rate but I haven't messed with it yet because the software is so crude in comparison. So we have it set (physically under the cover and also in the Ford app) to a max of 36 amps. We use it to also charge our new VW Buzz 2025 1st Edition and it works fine for that. Biggest gripe is that unlike Tesla app/charger, we cannot plug in outside of our programmed charging window to get the Mach E to start charging at the next charging window--we get a charging fault. If we do manage to plug in before end of charging window, it does now shut off at the end of the window and start at the beginning of the next window. But otherwise, we have to set an alarm to remind us to go down to the garage (150 feet away) and plug it in. Very crude.

I'm going to start experimenting with changing charge rate in the app and see if it works properly. If so, we'll change the physical setting in the ford Pro charger to 48 and control it with the software, as we should be able to do.

I can't speak to chargers other than the Ford pro or the Tesla, but I'm sure others here can. My thought is to try to use the same brand charger as the vehicle so if there are any problems, that issue has been eliminated in advance. The Buzz behaves just like the Mach E on the Ford charger, so no issues there with a different brand.

Curious to see what others suggest and your final resolution.

 

[Bad Dolphin]

Your question: What would you do?...I personally would just use the Tesla charger, rather than invest more $ and time into modifying a charger that is no longer supported by the manufacturer.

We found that the adapter required for the Tesla charger would get very warm (Lectron). Do we were happy when the Ford Charger was installed. Have yet to mess with changing charging rate within the app, though, since do many other parts of the software have been crude (not stating within "preferred" charging window, for example, which Tesla did seamlessly for our Tesla.) And Tesla charger not adjustable in Tesla app for the Ford, as data seems to come from the vehicle.

 

[RickMachE]

I replaced both my JuiceBox boards with OpenEVSE for $129 each. No more cloud, controlled via local web interface, and works fine. It is plug and play, no soldering, moving chips, etc. My wife and I did it together, with her watching me to make sure I followed the directions...

 

[Adventureboy]

There is no issue leaving it at 40 amps. L2 at any power will not hurt the battery. If needed, the car will cool the battery or reduce the charge power as needed but it is doubtful that this will be needed for L2. It is also more efficient to charge at 40 amps than at 18 amps, and it will cost a few % less on your electric bill.

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