A guide to choosing the level 2 home charger

You probably want to install a Level 2 charging station at home if you're considering purchasing an electric car. Although you could charge your EV at Level 1 (using a conventional 120-volt wall outlet), Level 2 chargers are faster and more useful for the majority of drivers.

They provide enough voltage to charge your vehicle in a few hours, albeit they aren't as strong as the DC fast chargers you'll find at certain public charging stations. Additionally, you can plan to charge periods during off-peak hours to save money on your electricity bill and keep track of the level of power in your battery using an EV charging app.

It's no surprise that there is now a vast market option for electric car charging given the quickly growing electric vehicle industry and the growing number of manufacturers providing all-electric and hybrid vehicles. There are a lot of wonderful home-based choices available, even though you may have previously believed that effective and efficient charging solutions could only be found at public charging stations. After understanding this, purchasers may be asking where to get home charging stations for electric vehicles. In this post, we'll try to show you where to do so.

Which kind of charger do I require?

You should be aware of the many types of EV home chargers available and which sort will work best for you before visiting any of the stores we mention below. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging stations are the three main categories.

• The first is a 120V system that plugs directly into your home's standard wall outlets.

• The second is a 240V charger that charges your car more quickly.

• Since the third is a very expensive and powerful version that is best suited for commercial channels, we will exclude it from this post.

Now let's talk about where you can get level 1 and level 2 home charging stations. The greatest site to acquire high-quality products is PIWIN ENERGY.

A Level 2 Charger: What Is It?

• Standard wall outlets provide 120 volts of energy at up to 20 amps, which is sufficient to run the majority of home appliances but not quite enough to charge an electric vehicle battery.
• You may charge your electric car or plug-in hybrid using 240 volts of electricity at up to 50 amps at a Level 2 charging station. You may need to contact an electrician to install the Level 2 wall charger since they need a 240-volt outlet.

• Home EV chargers may cost between $500 and $1,000. However, if you reside in a certain area, you can qualify for a tax break or other advantages.
• The majority of level 2 home chargers are compact enough to fit in a garage or covered parking space, and some types are even impervious to weather and appropriate for outdoor usage.
• You simply need a charging wire in addition to everything else. For Level 2 charging, the majority of electric vehicle models utilize the SAE J1772 connection type, however, Tesla cars have their connector type, therefore you'll need an adaptor to use a charger that isn't a Tesla.
• As soon as your electric vehicle charger is installed, you won't need to leave your driveway to charge your car.

Your EV's Best Level 2 Charger

Although the majority of level 2 home chargers have a similar style, there are a few variations to watch out for. Depending on your budget, desired charging speed, and available space, you may choose the finest Level 2 charger for your needs.

Some home EV chargers need to be hardwired into the wall, while others may be plugged directly into a 240-volt outlet (assuming you have one). Another factor to think about is ampacity; although some level 2 home chargers have a set amount of ampacity, others can fluctuate between 16 amps, 30 amps, and even 50 amps for quicker charging.

What Makes a Perfect Charger?

Those who haven't yet purchased an EV charger should read this section. If so, go to the next action.

As I've already said, charging at home has a lot of advantages. There are a few KEY factors to consider while choosing the RIGHT charger. You'll have the greatest experience with your purchase if you bear these points in mind.

Cord Size

Where you install your charger will determine this portion. Although not usually, cord lengths are often relatively comparable. Once you've located the mounting place, measure the distance using a tape measure between the charger and the location of the vehicle's charging port. The longer the rope, the better, albeit this estimate may just be "rough."

Amperage

If you go overboard, you risk wasting a lot of money here. EVs have a maximum amperage rating (maximum). Consider the 2013 Chevy Volt, which had a 3.3kWh maximum charging speed rating. Since the vehicle is limited to 3.3kWh, it would be useless to spend more for a charger that can provide up to 6.6kWh. The price discrepancies might range from $50 to $100. (16amp VS 32amp). Just get what you need right now unless you intend to purchase a car that can handle the increased amperage.

Circuit Type

The raw wires for a charging system may come with a specific wall connection (such as NEMA 14-50), or you may be able to hardwire them straight into a breaker box.

Compatible with apps

If you want to spend a lot of money, invest in a charger that supports apps. Nowadays, our phones are used for everything, right? Support for apps is offered by businesses like PIWIN ENERGY. You can monitor your energy use, remaining charge %, charging date, and charging times with these applications.

Steps for Installing an electric car charger

It's time to start learning how to set up an electric vehicle charger. I've listed below each action required to go from A to Z.

• Kill the power: It's essential to turn off the electricity to all of the terminals in the breaker box before beginning any kind of work. The master switch on your breaker box should be turned on. Cut the electricity at the meter if any HOT wires are still in use.
• Locate the location where you'll install a 40 to 50-amp breaker switch after turning off the electricity (depending on how much your charger requires).
• The next step is to install your charger hub. Decide where you want to put your charger. As wiring becomes SO MUCH EASIER, try placing it next to the breaker box.
• Fourth Hook-up: Attach the charging hub with three 6-gauge cables. The primary cover that protects the charger isolated from the elements must be unscrewed. Inside the charger, firmly fasten the positive, negative, and ground wires. Organize everything, then attach the charger to the wall.
• Tidy up your wiring, then run cables to the breaker box. Depending on how near the charger is to the breaker box, the challenge will vary. Doing something well is important, so don't cut corners. Running the cables into the breaker box location via the wall will help you hide them. Instead of going behind the wall, you may use PVC flex tubing, which is better but less attractive (see local code requirements).
• Connecting to the breaker in position #6: It's time to complete the connections. You ought should only be using three wires at this point. Three wires: a ground, a positive, and a negative. Directly connect the ground wire to the breaker box's grounding area. The positive and negative wires should then be routed to the breaker switch. Check for secure connections and NO exposed or loose wiring.
• Verify connections and turn on the power: at this point, you ought to have three reliable connecting cables. The need of ensuring sure all cables are correctly secured cannot be emphasized enough. Flip the ON switch to restart the breaker box after you've meticulously followed the instructions.
• Screw the breaker panel cover back on: Now that your charger is turned ON and operating properly, do as instructed in step eight. Keep the cover ON at all times.

For most EV drivers, level 2 charging stations are the best option.

Level 2 chargers are preferable to other charging methods because of their utility and convenience while balancing speed, affordability, and comfort. They also provide EV drivers the ability to bypass standing in line at public charging stations and waiting for hours for a Level 1 charger to recharge their battery.

When drivers plug in at night when they return home, their EV is ready to go the next morning. The benefits over other billing methods include:

The fact that your EV charging solution is located in your house makes it very handy.

Working around your schedule and saving time, plug it in when you come home so that your battery will charge as you sleep. As a consequence, you use less time than you would while filling up a regular vehicle.

You don't need to go to a public charging station and wait for your car to charge, which saves you money and time. Additionally, the cost is up to 30% less than what you would pay for public charging, and the whole amount is disclosed upfront.

Conclusion

For EV drivers, PIWIN ENERGY makes home charging installation simpler. Over 150,000 Level 2 charging stations have been installed by the PIWIN ENERGY Certified Installer Network countrywide, and they are prepared to provide you with white-glove service. To get started, submit some photographs and information about your house to get a free, no-obligation price quote. You will be happy with PIWIN ENERGY services and goods, so don't worry.