[thevex67]

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Anyone have a recommendation on a home charger (for US (Ohio) installation inside my garage)? My i4 M50 is entering production and I want to get a charger installed before it arrives. I have an electrician. BMW wallbox availability and cost? Electrify america, chargepoint, clipper creek, Enel-X Juicebox? So many choices.
I would love a diversity of opinions!

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by thevex67

Anyone have a recommendation on a home charger (for US (Ohio) installation inside my garage)? My i4 M50 is entering production and I want to get a charger installed before it arrives. I have an electrician. BMW wallbox availability and cost? Electrify america, chargepoint, clipper creek, Enel-X Juicebox? So many choices.
I would love a diversity of opinions!

Your i4 comes with the flexible charger meaning it is Level 1 / Level 2. You just need to get a 50
Amps 240V circuit installed with a NEMA 14–50R outlet and you're all set for level 2 charging.

If you prefer a dedicated unit, Chargepoint Home Flex has good reviews.

[deutsch100]

Agree with cruzer!

We have a ChargePoint Level II and a Porsche branded Level II installed in our garage, and honestly the ChargePoint is better. The Porsche one is slow to respond once plugged in, and the cord gets so hot compared to the ChargePoint.

If you do not care about not having a charger in the trunk in case you need it while out, you can use the one that comes with the car for Level I or Level II (Level II adapter comes with the i4).

[Aalfred]

I agree. Im planning on installing the Chargepoint Level II 48 amps. You dont have to do the NEMA outlet. Just install a 60 Amp breaker and connect the chargepoint 48A hard wired to the wall box by a licensed electrician. I like how small and compact it is and u are able to access it via your phone and schedule things and check on the charge. Also, if you are out of town and need to charge your car, they have a lot more chargpoint stations than Electrify america which BMW is giving for free. In Milwaukee I have one EA station and 10 Chargepoints. Also, you are eligible for 30% credit on the total cost of the charger and installation as part of the federal EV credit in addition to the $7500 credit for the car. You get the point..lol

[Raille]

Are there any practical considerations why an outlet would be preferable or the only option over a direct connection to the breaker?

We will be installing one in our new home, but I have some discounts if I purchase one now, so I'm wondering if there's any risk in picking a plug in or circuit breaker model now and finding out I had the wrong one later. I presume no, but figured it can't hurt to ask.

[motzus]

Originally Posted by Raille

Are there any practical considerations why an outlet would be preferable or the only option over a direct connection to the breaker?

We will be installing one in our new home, but I have some discounts if I purchase one now, so I'm wondering if there's any risk in picking a plug in or circuit breaker model now and finding out I had the wrong one later. I presume no, but figured it can't hurt to ask.

The outlet is better than hard wiring the EVSE if you have to change the EVSE. If you have an outlet you can swap the EVSE without calling an electrician. If you have an NEMA 14-50 outlet in your garage when you are not charging your car you can plug in other high power equipment such as table saws, welders etc. If you don't need the flexibility provided by the outlet then direct wiring the EVSE to the breaker will provide more power for charging (if the EVSE and the car supports it).

[Raille]

Originally Posted by motzus

The outlet is better than hard wiring the EVSE if you have to change the EVSE. If you have an outlet you can swap the EVSE without calling an electrician. If you have an NEMA 14-50 outlet in your garage when you are not charging your car you can plug in other high power equipment such as table saws, welders etc. If you don't need the flexibility provided by the outlet then direct wiring the EVSE to the breaker will provide more power for charging (if the EVSE and the car supports it).

Thanks, those are some great considerations to just push for the plug!

[Aalfred]

Keep in mind the outlet limits your total amps to 40 to charge instead of 48A. Also, its one less break in electric current and a wall box to put if you are going for the sleek and clean look. Except for Tesla, the Chargepoint or any other charger should be compatible with all manufacturers- J1772. So in future if you are looking to charge a tesla, you can either get an adaptor to the Tesla (which tesla provides free of charge) or if you really want a tesla box, I think an outlet might come useful.

As @motzus mentioned, if you are using power tools (think like welding stuff), the consume more power and will need a NEMA outlet but most of the tools that home owners use, is standard 110v and can be done with a 15-20A outlet than using a 60A circuit.

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by Raille

Are there any practical considerations why an outlet would be preferable or the only option over a direct connection to the breaker?

We will be installing one in our new home, but I have some discounts if I purchase one now, so I'm wondering if there's any risk in picking a plug in or circuit breaker model now and finding out I had the wrong one later. I presume no, but figured it can't hurt to ask.

Here's how I see it:
- having a NEMA 14-50R outlet installed gives me more flexibility than having a wired option. If I ever move out, I can easily take the charger with me.
- if the charger fails for some reason, I don't need an electrician to come install the replacement, I can just unplug the faulty charger and replace it with the new one.
- the mobile charger comes with the car and charges the car almost as fast as it can be charged with a L2 charger, 9.6kWh(mobile charger) vs 11kWh (max).

I had a Chargepoint wired unit installed 9 years ago, it's only a 32A charger connected to a 40A circuit and I wish it was a plugged charger today so I can easily replace it.

[Aalfred]

If you are wondering whats the difference between a 40A and a 48 or 50A charger, its 30 miles/hr vs 36 miles/hr charging. Not a big thing if you plan on charging it overnight. So the outlet does give u the flexibility of changing Chargepoint to other manufacturers in the future if need be instead of calling an electrician. But if you even a bit handy, its not that much to swap out a EVSE by yourself as long as you have turned off the breaker. its just 3 wires to swap - Red, Black and Green.

[Kayanarka]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

If you are wondering whats the difference between a 40A and a 48 or 50A charger, its 30 miles/hr vs 36 miles/hr charging. Not a big thing if you plan on charging it overnight. So the outlet does give u the flexibility of changing Chargepoint to other manufacturers in the future if need be instead of calling an electrician. But if you even a bit handy, its not that much to swap out a EVSE by yourself as long as you have turned off the breaker. its just 3 wires to swap - Red, Black and Green.

The 50 Amp would be 4 wires, white, Red, black, and green. But yeah, still pretty easy to do if you can shut off the power to the box. I would say be careful, if you are not sure what you are doing, you can kill yourself.

[TechCTU]

I am going with the ChargePoint to get the smart features in case I forget to plug in or check on status. The other cool think is if you hard wire for 50 amps it's easy to disconnect from the charger and take it with you.

In my state it also qualifies for a rebate, so it's free

Full reviews of all major chargers
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...2djL5kVWZQZgTY

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by TechCTU

In my state it also qualifies for a rebate, so it's free

Which state are you in ? And who's the rebate through? The electricity company or..?

[TechCTU]

Originally Posted by cruzer666

Which state are you in ? And who's the rebate through? The electricity company or..?

The rebate is through my electric company, Eversource. They have 3 chargers on the list for rebate. They also allow for a wiring rebate.

[bagekko]

Grizzl-e Duo is a slightly better option than the Chargepoint flex.

Depends on the electrical setup, if you want to charge at 48/50 amps you may need a 60a setup. Depends on if the setup is designed for 80% or 100%.

[Aalfred]

TechCTU Did u mean hardwire for the NEMA outlet that you can disconnect from the outlet and take it with you? Also, sweet deal on the rebates. I wish my electric company does that !!!

[TechCTU]

Originally Posted by Aalfred

TechCTU Did u mean hardwire for the NEMA outlet that you can disconnect from the outlet and take it with you? Also, sweet deal on the rebates. I wish my electric company does that !!!

Most home chargers recommend for 48 and 50 amp to the chargers (60 amp circuit 80% of load) be hardwired to the charger. The ChargePoint charger has a quick easy connect / disconnect for the service cable.

My electrician is going to install a 60 amp disconnect box in the garage and hardwire directly to the charger. This will give me the full 48 amps the car can accept. A 50 amp plug would provide 40 amps to the charger.

Not a big deal for some (40 vs 48 amps) but if I am paying for the install I wanted the fastest charging rate possible. It's a difference of a couple hours and that may be important sometimes.

Another thing to consider is does your home service have 50 or 60 amps free in the panel and free to use without overloading. I had the room for the 60 so went with the highest rate possible.

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by TechCTU

Most home chargers recommend for 48 and 50 amp to the chargers (60 amp circuit 80% of load) be hardwired to the charger. The ChargePoint charger has a quick easy connect / disconnect for the service cable.

My electrician is going to install a 60 amp disconnect box in the garage and hardwire directly to the charger. This will give me the full 48 amps the car can accept. A 50 amp plug would provide 40 amps to the charger.

Not a big deal for some (40 vs 48 amps) but if I am paying for the install I wanted the fastest charging rate possible. It's a difference of a couple hours and that may be important sometimes.

Another thing to consider is does your home service have 50 or 60 amps free in the panel and free to use without overloading. I had the room for the 60 so went with the highest rate possible.

That was my problem. I had 200 amp service and my wife wanted to swim in the winter so I installed a heat pump for the pool. The electrician had to redo my ECU to raise my service to 225 amps. Then I wanted to install a charger box for my BMW PHEV. The electrician could only free up 20 amps for me without trenching my front lawn to bring in another line from the street. I prefer not to do that so as of now my charging speed is limited.

[cruzer666]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

That was my problem. I had 200 amp service and my wife wanted to swim in the winter so I installed a heat pump for the pool. The electrician had to redo my ECU to raise my service to 225 amps. Then I wanted to install a charger box for my BMW PHEV. The electrician could only free up 20 amps for me without trenching my front lawn to bring in another line from the street. I prefer not to do that so as of now my charging speed is limited.

Hey Steve,

If you look at your service panel, what is the total amperage between all circuit breakers?
I find your issue very peculiar and I wonder if there is some sort of local code that's causing you issues. Total can easily be 350-400 amps (amount of oversubscription is determined by a qualified electrician, but there is definitely oversubscription possible) , even though there is only 200-225 going to the service panel.

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by TechCTU

I am going with the ChargePoint to get the smart features in case I forget to plug in or check on status. The other cool think is if you hard wire for 50 amps it's easy to disconnect from the charger and take it with you.

In my state it also qualifies for a rebate, so it's free

Full reviews of all major chargers
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...2djL5kVWZQZgTY

Man, this guy is a charging guru! Good stuff. I also went with the ChargePoint. My electric company was given a $500 rebate so it only cost me about $220.

[Aalfred]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

That was my problem. I had 200 amp service and my wife wanted to swim in the winter so I installed a heat pump for the pool. The electrician had to redo my ECU to raise my service to 225 amps. Then I wanted to install a charger box for my BMW PHEV. The electrician could only free up 20 amps for me without trenching my front lawn to bring in another line from the street. I prefer not to do that so as of now my charging speed is limited.

Steve, you dont have to account for every breaker for the service you bring in as you wont be using them all at the same time. If you are able to even get a 40 AMP NEMA outlet that is 220v to a dedicated circuit, you should be able to move your heat pump outlet to a different breaker provided your heat pump doesnt use 220v and can run on a 20 A circuit. Since you will only be using the heat pump in winter, you can have other outlets thats connected to the same breaker as long as they r wired to withstand 20A circuit- usually a 12G wire. So that way you can share the heat pump circuit with other outlets and when you are using the heatpump make sure you dont use the other outlets. Worst case u might have to rewire the outlets with 12G wire but it sure will be cheaper than digging a trench. Also have u thought about a dedicated service to your garage for the EVSE? I was able to get a 100Amp service to my garage for it specifically. They charged me $15/month for the meter and I paid about $2K for the whole service panel. Maybe thats an option too esp if you plan on living at ur current house for a long time

[sor]

Yeah, I agree, 200a is a lot. I've got 2 x 60a circuits for two EV chargers, two 30a circuits for laundry dryers, three 40a circuits for AC units, a 30a circuit for a server rack, 2x20a circuits for home theater, two 50a range circuits, a 20a wall oven, 20a humidifier… and that's not counting all of the bedrooms, lighting, hallways, and other rooms. All on a 200 amp service and I've never come close to tripping. I have a Sense monitor and my all time peak after six years is 25kw, about 105 amps.