[Sukhinov]

I set 8 ampers current limit for charging. Using regular 220 volt power outlet to charge. And measured that Volt consumes 11.6 ampers. Is it normal?

(using non-original charging device)

 

[kunigit]

The 8 amp setting is only for L1 charging. L2 charging should be 12 amp (or higher? I'm using the gen2 stock EVSE L2 adapter mod).

 

[Sukhinov]

What is L1 and L2 charging?

 

[kunigit]

What is L1 and L2 charging?

Level 1 is standard US voltage - 110-120VAC, Level 2 is 220-240VAC.

 

[Sukhinov]

So when charging from 220, my current setting is simply ignored?

 

[freshcut]

Yes, the 8/12 setting only applies to charging with a standard house wall outlet (L1) and factory charging EVSE unit. If you're using a 220V EVSE, such as a home charging station or public charging the 8/12A setting does not apply and will accept up to the full 13-15A that the Volt is capable of accepting.

Edit: sorry, didn't realize you were in an area where 120V isn't available. In that case, the 8/12A option only applies to the US and other areas that use lower voltages. If 220 is your standard voltage you will always charge at the vehicles maximum rate.

 

[kunigit]

Yes, in the US, not all residential wiring can take 12 amps continuous safely, so they default Level 1 charging to 8 amps. In the US, all 240VAC wiring should be rated to safely draw 12 amps continuously, so the car defaults to 12 amps. I'm not sure if some EVSE chargers are able to negotiate a lower amperage, but I believe the car will use the maximum available amperage reported by the charger.

 

[canehdian]

So when charging from 220, my current setting is simply ignored?

Correct.
The power would need to be reduced from the EVSE (cord) side. When charging 200V+ it ignores the car computer setting and listens to what the EVSE says is max power available and they work out the optimum power flow between the two computers.

 

[Sukhinov]

Thanks. Now I understand.

By the way, I made a mistake in initial post. I measured 13.6 ampers, not 11.6.

 

[telveer]

The 8A/12A setting in the car applies only if the incoming voltage is ~110V. For L2 (220V), this setting is ignored, and the power draw is either limited by the EVSE or the Volt (3.3kW/15A at 220V), whichever is lower.

In your case, it looks like your EVSE maxes out at 12A on 220V (~2.6kW). As long as the wiring/electrics supports this, you are good.