16 amp level 2 charging

I'd like to put in a 220V charging outlet for my Bolt but I don't want to spend as much as it would take (perhaps $1,500) to have installed a 32 amp station. I can easily install a 20 amp 240V circuit and get a 16 amp charging cord like the AeroVironment TurboCord or equivalent. It would provide half the charging rate of the 32 amp charging station but still provide 2-3 times the rate as the supplied 120 cord, and enough to meet my needs. My question is will the on-board Bolt charger drop down to drawing just the 16 amp capacity of the cord, or will it still try draw 32 amps exceeding the cord and circuit capacity, or does the cord actually control the current draw at just 16 amps? This might sound like a dump question but I haven't been able to find a definitive enough answer to the to the question. All these charge cords like the AeroVironment TurboCord say they're compatible with the Bolt but nothing specifically addresses how the difference between their 16 amp output capacity and the Bolt's 32 amp charging capacity is handled. Your feedback will be appreciated.

djhodny said:

My question is will the on-board Bolt charger drop down to drawing just the 16 amp capacity of the cord, or will it still try draw 32 amps exceeding the cord and circuit capacity, or does the cord actually control the current draw at just 16 amps?

Click to expand...

The cord has a signal that tells the car how much current it can draw. The charger in the car should not draw more than the cord advertises.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J1772

BTW you can charge at 240V 12A using the OEM cord with an adapter.

Thanks to both of you for replying. That answers my question. Globcanvas, I had read somewhere that the OEM cord would indeed charge at 240V but I thought a small modification needed to be made inside. If that's not true but that it would work with just an adapter, do you know what kind of an adapter?

With some EVSEs you can set the maximum charging level. Mine offers 16a, 24a, or 32a at 240v.

I've read that the OEM charger will provide 12 amps at 240v.

I have the AV TurboCord with me at all times and I use it when I have access to only a 240v outlet:

http://www.mychevybolt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6875&p=23959#p23959

I charge at home at 20 amps with a Clipper Creek LCP-25p and believe me both of these options far exceed my expectations compared to my six months of charging at 120v 12 amps!

djhodny said:

I had read somewhere that the OEM cord would indeed charge at 240V but I thought a small modification needed to be made inside. If that's not true but that it would work with just an adapter, do you know what kind of an adapter?

Click to expand...

According to this detailed thread, no internal modification needed:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?218442-2016-Volt-120v-EVSE-is-L1-L2-Conversion-Capable

djhodny said:

Thanks to both of you for replying. That answers my question. Globcanvas, I had read somewhere that the OEM cord would indeed charge at 240V but I thought a small modification needed to be made inside. If that's not true but that it would work with just an adapter, do you know what kind of an adapter?

Click to expand...

The OEM cord works at 240v and 12A perfectly without modification. I made an adapter with Amazon parts for ~$15 or you can buy one for $65. The key is to never use the adapter for anything else.
http://www.kawal.net/volt adapter.htm

https://www.etsy.com/listing/384390...TdRftULEhkdN45imG_oc8_XU6v7LNhCCfIaArvO8P8HAQ

Zoomit said:

The key is to never use the adapter for anything else.

Click to expand...

It gives a whole new meaning to the word: TOAST! hahahahaha :lol:

Yes, if you make (or buy) a 240->120V pigtail, it should be clearly marked with a non-removable tag : "do NOT use this cord - for EV only" *and* leave it plugged permanently into the EVSE. A pigtail cord like that is SEVERELY dangerous and should be very conspicuously marked.

Zoomit said:

I made an adapter with Amazon parts for ~$15 or you can buy one for $65. The key is to never use the adapter for anything else.
http://www.kawal.net/volt adapter.htm

Click to expand...

I just did this myself...
Works fine...

I figure this way, if my current EVSE dies, I can use this one as a backup while I shop for a replacement.

I also considered making one with an RV adapter, for possibly charging on the road if needed..
But I am holding off on that..
I just kept doing the math.
12amps 120v is about 4 miles per hour. 12amps at 240v is about 8 miles per hour.
That means, if I am in need of a charge to get somewhere, I would need about 7 hours to get 50 miles or so...

So, I'm thinking if I think I might ever need that, a higher amperage portable might be a better option, if unfortunately much more expensive..

We'll see tho, I might do it anyway, just for fun.. ;-)

desiv

I too followed the information given in this thread. A million thanks to those sharing the information.

The OEM EVSE at 220V pulls 12 Amps; that's 2.6 kW. Come home at 6:00 pm with 30% charge, and leave the next day at 8:00 am. With 14 hours of charging, you'll add 36 kWh. That's 60% of the battery charge. You'll leave with 90% the next day. That's pretty useful.