SplitVolt Charger

[TheOneAB]

I'm picking up my Ford Mach E in 3 weeks and I was wondering if anyone has used SplitVolt's
Level 2 charger with the Nema 14-30 socket? Seems like a decent price. I really dont want to run wire for a 14-50 outlet when I can use my dryer outlet. I wish ford allowed the user to adjust the amperage.

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[generaltso]

If this is the one you’re looking at, it‘s not going to work because there’s no way to set the car or EVSE to only draw 24A. But you could buy a different EVSE that can.

https://www.splitvolt.com/product/splitvolt-nema-14-30-14-50-switch-sps/

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

The General speaks the truth. You can use your dryer outlet with the splitvolt, but then you will need an EVSE (what most of us newbs cal the charger) that only draws 24 amps. Might end up being cheaper in the long run, but not by much. And will charge slower.

 

[TheOneAB]

I'm talking about this charger:
https://www.splitvolt.com/product/portable-ev-charger-nema-14-30-24-amp/

 

[macchiaz-o]

I'm talking about this charger:
https://www.splitvolt.com/product/portable-ev-charger-nema-14-30-24-amp/

It's probably fine. Just be aware it's not UL or ETL listed (i.e. the design and construction are not certified for fire safety by the companies recognized to do so for consumers in the US and Canada).

 

[TheOneAB]

Do you recommend something better?

 

[BMT1071]

It's probably fine. Just be aware it's not UL or ETL listed (i.e. the design and construction are not certified for fire safety by the companies recognized to do so for consumers in the US and Canada).

CE certification is generally pretty rigorous. I don't know how it corresponds to UL.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Do you recommend something better?

They are a bit more expensive, but I'd look at Grizzl-E, ChargePoint, or Clipper Creek options.

Those first two are adjustable to 24A to align with your circuit rating, but you may have to hardwire them or replace the included cord with a 30A cord.

With Clipper Creek, you would buy one of their fixed 24 amp EVSEs that already has the matching 30A plug on it.

There are other UL or ETL listed options, too... These are the ones I've been considering (in addition to Ford's Connected Charge Station when it goes back on sale) due to build construction, reputation, and how hot it will get in my garage.

CE certification is generally pretty rigorous. I don't know how it corresponds to UL.

I don't know. ?‍ Maybe one of the electrical engineers can chime in? @CHeil402?

My thought process for EVSEs is that since the vehicle is charging while I'm sleeping, and EVSE build shortcuts could result in fire, I'd rather play it safe.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

I'm talking about this charger:
https://www.splitvolt.com/product/portable-ev-charger-nema-14-30-24-amp/

I’d have no real problem using that. I went for the Grizzl-E and a NEMA 14-30 to 14-50 plug converter (from an RV Store). A little more expensive but when I added a 40 amp circuit, I was able to increase the amperage on the EVSE. Hopefully get even more power to the garage soon and then I can upgrade to a 50 amp circuit and increase the EVSE, yet again.

 

[TheOneAB]

I’d have no real problem using that. I went for the Grizzl-E and a NEMA 14-30 to 14-50 plug converter (from an RV Store). A little more expensive but when I added a 40 amp circuit, I was able to increase the amperage on the EVSE. Hopefully get even more power to the garage soon and then I can upgrade to a 50 amp circuit and increase the EVSE, yet again.

I was thinking about adding a nema 14-50 outlet, but I just cant justify the cost. THe Nema 14-30 charges at 16mph vs 21 mph on the nema 14-50. Honestly, this is enough for my daily driving needs. I average about 60 miles a day.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

THe Nema 14-30 charges at 16mph vs 21 mph on the nema 14-50.

A 40 amp charger on a 50 amp circuit at 240 V will get you 9.6 KW of power. Or about 28-29 miles each hour (assuming you make an EPA average 3.1 miles for each kWh).
At 3.1 miles / kWh your 60 miles a day only needs 20 kWh to replace. Or about 3 hours of charge at 30 amps. You’ll be fine.
I went to a time of use plan where I get cheaper charging for 8 hours at night. So I want the most power possible to ensure neither car ever has to charge outside that 8 hour window.

 

[CHeil402]

They are a bit more expensive, but I'd look at Grizzl-E, ChargePoint, or Clipper Creek options.

Those first two are adjustable to 24A to align with your circuit rating, but you may have to hardwire them or replace the included cord with a 30A cord.

With Clipper Creek, you would buy one of their fixed 24 amp EVSEs that already has the matching 30A plug on it.

There are other UL or ETL listed options, too... These are the ones I've been considering (in addition to Ford's Connected Charge Station when it goes back on sale) due to build construction, reputation, and how hot it will get in my garage.



I don't know. ?‍ Maybe one of the electrical engineers can chime in? @CHeil402?

My thought process for EVSEs is that since the vehicle is charging while I'm sleeping, and EVSE build shortcuts could result in fire, I'd rather play it safe.

The Splitvolt L2 charger linked is claimed to be certified for cTUVus, CE, and TUV. The EU requires products sold to the public to have the CE designation, but the only issue with it is that you can self-certify that you meet it and only need to show proof if asked. You could ask them if you want, but there are a lot of "fake" certifications. UL requires a third-party to test and verify it. The UL listing is meant to prove meets fire safety in the US, but unlike CE, it is optional.

https://asq.org/quality-resources/ce-marking

I'm not as familiar with the TUV certification. But the cTUVus is meant to be the North American rating by TUV which is for Germany (hence the 'c' and 'us' for Canada and US). Supposedly, the cTUVus certification means that it was tested to meet UL requirements; however, when I tried to look up the Splitvolt I couldn't find the certification. That doesn't mean they don't have it, just that I couldn't find it...

https://www.certipedia.com/

If it really does have a CE mark and a TUV certification, I wouldn't be worried about it. But there are a lot of instances of certification fraud and false claims from less reputable companies. While it is certainly illegal to use those markings without actually having them, that doesn't stop it from happening.

If it would help you sleep easier, you can email the company and ask them for proof of CE certification. They're supposedly a California-based company so they should prioritize the US market.

That being said, I have the Grizzl-e personally and that can be set to 24 A as others have mentioned.

 

[CHeil402]

I was thinking about adding a nema 14-50 outlet, but I just cant justify the cost. THe Nema 14-30 charges at 16mph vs 21 mph on the nema 14-50. Honestly, this is enough for my daily driving needs. I average about 60 miles a day.

Agreed that for most people, even the 120 V charger is a viable option. If you leave it plugged in for 12 hours per week day, that's 36 miles per night and you can catch up on the difference on the weekends.

That being said, I know it's a long shot, but did you ever verify the cable size that actually goes to the 14-30 outlet? There's a slight chance that when it was installed it was designed to be future proof and they ran 50 A wire.

If this is the one you’re looking at, it‘s not going to work because there’s no way to set the car or EVSE to only draw 24A. But you could buy a different EVSE that can.

https://www.splitvolt.com/product/splitvolt-nema-14-30-14-50-switch-sps/

Also, if you still need the outlet for a dryer, you can use that product with something like a Grizzl-e's 14-50 outlet and just set it to 24 A.

 

[TheOneAB]

Agreed that for most people, even the 120 V charger is a viable option. If you leave it plugged in for 12 hours per week day, that's 36 miles per night and you can catch up on the difference on the weekends.

That being said, I know it's a long shot, but did you every verify the cable size that actually goes to the 14-30 outlet? There's a slight chance that when it was installed it was designed to be future proof and they ran 50 A wire.




Also, if you still need the outlet for a dryer, you can use that product with something like a Grizzl-e's 14-50 outlet and just set it to 24 A.

I checked the wire for my 14-30, its an orange 10/3. I was looking at buying the Grizzl-E, but all of their connections use a 14-50 or 6-50 plugs. I would have to either, replace their plug with a dryer one or buy an adaptor to convert 14-50 to 14-30 and turn down the amps to 24. Has anyone done this with the Grizzl-E?

 

[timbop]

I checked the wire for my 14-30, its an orange 10/3. I was looking at buying the Grizzl-E, but all of their connections use a 14-50 or 6-50 plugs. I would have to either, replace their plug with a dryer one or buy an adaptor to convert 14-50 to 14-30 and turn down the amps to 24. Has anyone done this with the Grizzl-E?

I set my grizzl-e to draw 32A because I ran 8/3 off of a 40A breaker to a 14-50. Rather than an adapter or misuse a 14-50 connector, just hardwire the grizzl-e (and of course set it to 24A).

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