[nevin]

I have a Level 1 and a Level 2 hybrid chargers. I never installed the level 2 charger. It’s still in the unopened box. The level 1 charger is used, works perfect.


The level 1 charger retails for about $500
The level 2 charger retails for about $1000

Selling both of them for $650, local pickup only.


Please text me, I don’t get on here much anymore. 302.745.3147, Chris.

[orion1977]

How much does it cost to install level 2?

[nevin]

Not sure. I never bothered even getting a quote. I'll ask my electrician and get back to you.

[drlonline]

It depends on the amount of work required. In my case, I had an existing panel board in my garage with a couple of spare 20A circuits that would suffice for the charger current draw, so it was fairly straightforward to connect to the level 2 charger location. Still, it cost me $1900 here in California.

[PBNB]

Originally Posted by orion1977

How much does it cost to install level 2?

I just picked up a wifi Chargepoint Level 2 charger and with the age of our house, we need upgrade the power coming into the house to 200 amps from 100. We also need to change the breaker panel with a new bigger one to be installed. This means digging a trench out to the transformer as well. Not to mention all the modifications to the walls were the meter and panel interface the house. We will probably be into this for about $8,000 CDN and that is with us doing a lot of the labour and repairs.

I sure hope it is worth it.

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by PBNB

I just picked up a wifi Chargepoint Level 2 charger and with the age of our house, we need upgrade the power coming into the house to 200 amps from 100. We also need to change the breaker panel with a new bigger one to be installed. This means digging a trench out to the transformer as well. Not to mention all the modifications to the walls were the meter and panel interface the house. We will probably be into this for about $8,000 CDN and that is with us doing a lot of the labour and repairs.

I sure hope it is worth it.

I installed a Level 2 charger for my Chevy Volt and then replaced the charger itself when I got my Tesla Model X.

Its not a difficult install. You will need a 50A breaker (for a true 40A circuit) and some VERY HEAVY gauge 4 conductor cable (Gnd, Neutral, Phase1, Phase2). I forget the gauge (6 ga?) of the cable/wiring I used but it is very heavy and does not bend easily. The Wire/Cable is also VERY EXPENSIVE because it is so large. Besides the cost of the charger, and the 50A breaker, don't forget the cost of the wire!

I have an adapter to convert the Level-2 Tesla Connector to a standard J1772 so I can use it for the i8. However, the battery capacity on the i8 is so very small, its likely just going to be much more convenient to plug it in using the BMW supplied 15A 120V cable. The i8 doesn't actually NEED to be charged, and the smaller battery will charge overnight on a 120V circuit anyway.

IMHO - installing a dedicated level 2 charger just for an i8 is not worth it...

[nevin]

I got a quote from my electrician to do it for $500.00

[evanevery]

Ran a few calculations...

The Industry standard charging rate for a 120V wall charger is 1.4 KW. Accordingly, here are the times to charge a COMPLETELY DEPLETED i8 from the 120V wall charger:

- Pre-2019 i8 (7.1 KWHr) = 5.0 Hrs

- 2019 i8 (11.7 KWHr) = 8.4 Hrs

So, if you are doing overnight charging (as most folks do), you don't really need a Level 2 (220V) charger. Especially, if you have a pre-2019 i8...

[ChiTownM]

Originally Posted by evanevery

Ran a few calculations...

The Industry standard charging rate for a 120V wall charger is 1.4 KW. Accordingly, here are the times to charge a COMPLETELY DEPLETED i8 from the 120V wall charger:

- Pre-2019 i8 (7.1 KWHr) = 5.0 Hrs

- 2019 i8 (11.7 KWHr) = 8.4 Hrs

So, if you are doing overnight charging (as most folks do), you don't really need a Level 2 (220V) charger. Especially, if you have a pre-2019 i8...

I can also confirm that assessment, not needed. Have been charging overnight for nearly 4 years and it is all well in any season.

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by ChiTownM

I can also confirm that assessment, not needed. Have been charging overnight for nearly 4 years and it is all well in any season.

Also, the i8's max charging rate is limited (by the car) to 3.7KW. It won't use the full power of a 32A (7.7KW) or 40A (9.6KW) Level-2 charger in any case.

With a Level-2 charger limited to 3.7KW, charging a FULLY DEPLETED i8 will take the following times:

- Pre-2019 i8 (7.1 KWHr) = 1.9 Hrs (vs 5.0 Hrs at 120V)

- 2019 i8 (11.7 KWHr) = 3.2 Hrs (vs 8.4 Hrs at 120V)