[jtangm04]

Looking into getting a Pacifica Hybrid. I'm trying to get an overall estimate to install a charger in my garage and the electrician asked what amperage does the Pacifica hybrid use. Does anyone know this answer? Couldn't find it anywhere on the Pacifica hybrid reviews or Chrysler's site. When I asked a dealership I got dead silence. Also I live in the Chicago area. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good electrician?

Thanks!

 

[telecam]

I would highly recommend the JuiceBox 40A from eMotorwerks. Very interesting concept, you get cash if you opt for charging during low demand hours but it's totally your choice, you can also force it to go for the quick 2-hr charge... It's a smart charger you can control from your phone app and is also a much cheaper option than the 2K Mopar fast charger. Best is probably to install it as plug-in to a standard 220V 14-50 receptacle so, you can take it with you to other location. Installation specs are as follows:

For the JuiceBox 40 plug in (standard)

You will need the following:

A 2-pole, 50A breaker
A NEMA 14-50 receptacle ( NEMA 14-50R)
#6AWG copper wire with 3 conductors and a ground. If single conductor THHN wire is used, the ground may be #10AWG per NEC 250.122 calculations
Note: the neutral wire is not used, but may need to be present in the receptacle to be to code.
If for an outdoor installation, please add the following:
A NEMA 14-50R outdoor enclosure
Shade for the JuiceBox so it is not in direct sun, exceeding the 90°C mark.

 

[toelke]

Looking into getting a Pacifica Hybrid. I'm trying to get an overall estimate to install a charger in my garage and the electrician asked what amperage does the Pacifica hybrid use. Does anyone know this answer? Couldn't find it anywhere on the Pacifica hybrid reviews or Chrysler's site. When I asked a dealership I got dead silence. Also I live in the Chicago area. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good electrician?

Thanks!

I went with openevse:

https://store.openevse.com/collections/frontpage/products/40a-charging-station-powered-by-openevse

You can have the electrician wire a NEMA 14-50 plug recepticle with 50A dedicated 240V circuit. That will be sufficient for most chargers.
I think the one from Chrysler may be a 30A/220V (6600W) charger - which would only need a 40A circuit.
But that's probably a more expensive option than a 3rd-party like OpenEVSE (or even GE or others)

I would still go with a 50A circuit.
1> If you have the wire in place for 50A circuit it's really easy to go down to 40A if needed.
If you have wire in place for 40A circuit you have to install new wire to go up to 50A.(and possibly new conduit - since you're in Chicago, you probably need conduit)
2> A higher-powered EVSE will automatically negotiate with the car for the highest power each can do - so it won't do more than 30A if that's all the Pacifica can handle. And if your friend comes over with his Volt or Tesla or whatever it can potentially charge his car faster.
3> price of 50A breaker vs. 40A breaker and price for larger wire is going to be small ($10? $20? depends on length of the wire) Savings from going with OpenEVSE should be much larger.

 

[xema]

Anyone know for sure if the JuiceBox 40A from eMotorwerks will work with the Pacifica Hybrid? I tried looking up the Mopar charging unit, but was unable to find it.

Edit: Is there any reason someone would need the 75A version?

 

[telecam]

Yes, it will absolutely work. I don't think there would be any benefits in choosing the 75A model. JuiceBox is a great product, it's a connected charger and I find the JuiceNet power management quite interesting. They claim you actually get paid to charge your car, yet would have to see this works in the real world...

 

[volt779]

I'll probably go with a pair of Clipper Creek HCS-40 JuiceNet chargers. The Mopar charger is simply a rebranded Aerovironment charger - which is good but a fairly basic unit.

We'll have to charge two cars at the same time (or sequentially) when we get the Pacifica so thinking of going with two Juiceboxes run off a single circuit (the one I already have). The CC JuiceNet can charge both cars at the same time at lower rate or one car at the higher amp and then charge the second car after that. I'm on a solar/time of use rate plan here in CA so charging both cars at off-peak times is essential to making the economics of an electric car work.

Clipper Creek chargers are rock solid and are made in the USA so that's a great bonus.

Xema, can's see why 75A version would be useful for the Pacifica but could become useful if you got a full EV at some point.

 

[generaltso]

Has anyone tried a ChargePoint home charger?

EVSE | Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations - ChargePoint

 

[volt779]

We've got one. It's a nice unit - well made. We've used it every day since the spring of 2011 and still going strong.

 

[pr0t0s]

Do you end up using the wifi remote charging capability on the chargepoint app. Some online forums suggest that wifi is unnecessary as the onboard battery electroncs (& mobile apps for the cars) allow control of the remote charging anyways. Seems a valid thought given only eMotorwerks Juicebox and Chargepoint have wifi while others don't. If wifi was such a need (and car electronics was not sufficient) then others would have geared up with wifi and apps to meet market need?

Terribly confused on whether to go for wifi EVSE or not!

 

[pr0t0s]

I gathered that juicebox is not UL! very basic for an electronics/electrical product. My utility is offering rebates for EVSEs but excluding Juicebox for that reason.

 

[generaltso]

I can't figure out what would make somebody buy the Juicebox over the Chargepoint, except maybe the higher amperage availability with the Juicebox. What am I missing?

 

[telecam]

Charge point is looking good. How long is cord?

 

[generaltso]

Charge point is looking good. How long is cord?

You can choose between an 18' or a 25' cord.

 

[toelke]

I can't figure out what would make somebody buy the Juicebox over the Chargepoint, except maybe the higher amperage availability with the Juicebox. What am I missing?

Why would you go with either over OpenEVSE?

Chargepoint: $650 for 32A (18' cable)
Juicebox: $500 for 40A (24' cable)
OpenEVSE: $480 for 40A (18' cable) But you can catch a sale on them; and you can do the assembly yourself and save more if you're comfortable with that. I went with the fully assembled and it cost $407; $438 with tax and shipping.

Also with OpenEVSE I have the reassurance that I don't have to worry about it being unsupported in a few years. Because the entire design is documented there are many people who have it and are tinkerers who will help keep it working for many years even if the company I bought from goes bankrupt.

 

[generaltso]

Why would you go with either over OpenEVSE?

I can't say that I know much (anything) about OpenEVSE. Does it connect to the Internet like the others?

 

[volt779]

Do you end up using the wifi remote charging capability on the chargepoint app. Some online forums suggest that wifi is unnecessary as the onboard battery electroncs (& mobile apps for the cars) allow control of the remote charging anyways. Seems a valid thought given only eMotorwerks Juicebox and Chargepoint have wifi while others don't. If wifi was such a need (and car electronics was not sufficient) then others would have geared up with wifi and apps to meet market need?

Terribly confused on whether to go for wifi EVSE or not!

Our ChargePoint included wifi for four years and frankly, didn't use it much at all since our Volt allows for the scheduling of charging (and I believe the Pacifica will as well). Since we charge at night, getting updates/notifications of any issues is not terribly helpful for a home charger. Haven't missed the connectivity at all.

That being said, since I'll have two electric cars charging on the same circuit, connectivity may be more useful, which is why I'll likely go with the Clipper Creek w/ Juice Net or the Chargepoint dual plug charger, both of which are connected.

FWIW, my dad has a GE wattstation for his Volt and he loves it. It is one solidly built unit - and looks fantastic too. Installation cost him approximately $250.

 

[generaltso]

The reason I started looking at ChargePoint is that a commercial ChargePoint station was installed at my place of employment. I would plug in there as much as possible to take advantage of the free electricity, and I'm thinking it would be nice to have my work and home charging stats all in the same app.

 

[toelke]

I can't say that I know much (anything) about OpenEVSE. Does it connect to the Internet like the others?

It looks like you can add that on.
But I don't plan to.
I expect to use the Pacifica's software (and phone app) to do most any scheduling or anything.
Since openevse is open hardware and software, I think you could easily get it to communicate with a second unit so that they don't go over 40A combined.

 

[TechnikGirl]

Considering a home charger & install prior to year end to take advantage of the Tax Credit set to expire year end. We have just decided to give the Hybrid a whirl, our first MiniVan and first Hybrid anything vehicle, heck it's our first car that makes better than mid 20's mpg! Do you all think it's worth while to spend the $800 or so between charger and install, then minus the 30% tax credit for the Pacifica PHEV as the van has built in 110v charging? We have multiple local public chargers near by the retail stores & gym we frequent, and I figured we can just recharge ever evening when it's parked over night. Thus get a full charge in 10 to 12 hours. Only benefit I see is getting a full charge faster during the day, in between trips, and the cool factor of having a charging station at home Any input?!

 

[generaltso]

We have multiple local public chargers near by the retail stores & gym we frequent

Are these public chargers free? If not, it will be cheaper to charge at home. The more you charge at home, the more likely it will be to find the convenience in charging quickly.