[scottf200]

TD;LR - discovered a well built L2 charger being sold on ebay and seller provided addl details. Son is purchasing.
Obviously do your own DD (Due Diligence)

The SPX Voltec charger died that I purchased about the same times as our 2011 Volt was given to our son for his 2012 Volt. This lasted perhaps longer than I suspected based on reviews and other threads. The fuses were checked and were OK so it was not that simple fix. OpenEVSE kit was one option this new option seemed better.

Several months ago I stayed at an AirBNB that had a charger I had not seen before. I stayed because it had a Volt in one of the pictures on the AirBNB site ads and after contacting the owner he said I could park and charge inside the attached building. The L2 J1772 charger worked well for our needs (Driving Tesla X in eastern TN).

Here is the charger on ebay from the Georgia seller. I looked closely at the writing on the wires and found them/spec online. Seller answered my questions in reasonable detail. Wanted to pass this along.

His reply to my questions:

jadaniell:

We have not tried to open or copy design ideas from other EVSE products. The few cases of where we have seen the insides of other products I have been shocked or saddened at some of the poor construction.

a) Can you provide an idea of the components?
Mars is a good vendor supplying the HVAC industry with transformers and 40A contactors for longer than EVSEs have been around. That volume market drives the costs down.
We design our own microprocessor control electronics that could use most any vendors chips. Zilog has made SOC products as long as Intel. Microchip is another first class vendor.
Southwire is based right here in Georgia but is a world-class supplier of wire.

b) do you have to open the product up to switch amperage?
Yes. Maximum amps is reported from the EVSE to the car and is used by the car to decide which charging rate to use. Maximum amps is usually related to EVSE capacity, supply wire size, breaker size, panel capacity, etc., and is usually determined at install time. If you see it differently I would love to hear your ideas.

Our components are UL listed. If we were to have the completed unit UL approved we would not have to change it, but we estimate it would add at least $100K to the admin cost, and another $50K every time we changed it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112511852975?ul_noapp=true $249 + $18 shipping as of this writing.

EV Level 2 Car Charging Station 32A, 240VAC, 7.7Kw
J1772 plug with 25-foot Cable to car
Great for Electric vehicles and Plug-in Hybrids alike
Includes 4-foot Power Cable & NEMA 14-50 Plug
Can be easily hard-wired
Charges 6 times faster than basic car chargers! [Note I don't know what this is based on unless it is some cars shipped L1 120v chargers at lower amps like 8 or whatever]
Best car charging station for the lowest price in its class!
It works with all electric and hybrid vehicles on the road today. Uses universal J1772 plug.

This EVSE charge station comes with:
A 32-amp 25-foot vehicle cable with J1772 Plug
6" x 6" x 4" NEMA enclosure for weather-proof and water-resistant usage
Includes 4 heavy duty mounting tabs
Use for Hard-wire mount or use power cable with NEMA plug

Product Description
The EV POWER PLUG product is ready to work with all EVs on the road today.
For the smart buyer this is a great deal!!!!
Internal configuration Options allows Max Amps to be set to 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, or 32 Amps!
If your car uses a J1772 plug then this is the charge station you need!
The EV POWER PLUG station is just 6" x 6" x 4" and weighs about 15lbs with cable/plug.
NEMA Indoor and Outdoor rated
Ready to ship!
3-YEAR WARRANTY parts and labor for any product defects. Warranty does not cover uninstall/reinstall expenses.

 

[Dune]

Very interesting find and thanks for sharing. The vendor has excellent ebay reviews for this charger.

Please keep us updated once your son has used the unit as I am interested in maybe purchasing one.

 

[scottf200]

Very interesting find and thanks for sharing. The vendor has excellent ebay reviews for this charger.

Please keep us updated once your son has used the unit as I am interested in maybe purchasing one.

I was talking to my son about this over the weekend. He has been very happy with it.

 

[jayoldschool]

Sounds like it is just a Dousida which is available directly from the manufacturer for less.

 

[lagagnon]

OpenEVSE units are NOTHING like the Dousida.

Dousida's are very simple all in one systems made in China and good for only 16A. I have not taken one apart to check the component or construction quality.

OpenEVSE units on the other hand are made in the USA, usable up to 40A, and I can attest to very high quality components and waterproofing.

You get what you pay for...

 

[scottf200]

Sounds like it is just a Dousida which is available directly from the manufacturer for less.

I don't think they are comparable even on the basic specs. The person I contacted responded with the quality of the components as well.

Via-Top Post: 32A, 240VAC, 7.7Kw -- future usage beyond Volt/Bolt
You-Dousida: 16A, 240VAC, 3.8Kw

 

[jayoldschool]

They make more than the 16a L2:

http://www.e-zencar.net/product/evse-32a/

EVSE adjustable: 6A 8A 10A 13A 16A 20A 32A

Sound more like it now?

 

[scottf200]

They make more than the 16a L2: http://www.e-zencar.net/product/evse-32a/
EVSE adjustable: 6A 8A 10A 13A 16A 20A 32A
Sound more like it now?

Thanks for the link. Sounds better. I would wonder about the quality of components they are using especially important if you are drawing more amperage (heat, resistance, etc).

Where do you see model numbers and prices for all their products? I only saw the 16A one in a google search I did and found one on Amazon.

It is nice they give the workers fans. See picture/other_info: http://www.e-zencar.net/about-us/

 

[Steverino]

ebay: "This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available."

 

[jayoldschool]

Scott, I found the site last year when someone here linked to the Nissan site where the Duosida was discussed. I bought the 16a directly from them, and it shipped quickly right to my house. I believe that ChrisTX has disassembled one and detailed that the components are good, and larger gauge than the L1 Volt EVSEs that are L2 capable.

I'm not trying to sell anyone on them, I just have one, it works, and they are very reasonably priced. The company was good to work with, and they will customize for you. I know where it is made, and I know that it isn't certified. I know that some people are not ok with either of those things. However, our Volt charges daily on the L2 16A without issues. I don't worry about the house side, because I did it. Breaker, wiring, and plug. I let the car worry about the charging, and the cheap EVSE the switching.

 

[scottf200]

ebay: "This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available."

Via this page the last sale was just 2 days ago. I wonder if he is just taking off the holidays from this side business.
https://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=jadaniell

Wait. Just found this: "Our store is closed while we move to a larger facility. Existing orders will still be processed. We will still handle email and support." here: http://stores.ebay.com/jadaniell/

... I'm not trying to sell anyone on them, I just have one, it works, and they are very reasonably priced. The company was good to work with, and they will customize for you. I know where it is made, and I know that it isn't certified....

I completely understand. Thanks for sharing.

 

[[email protected]]

Wait. Are these the same guys (and they have now set up their own website?) https://store.openevse.com/collecti...nced-40a-charging-station-powered-by-openevse

 

[scottf200]

Wait. Are these the same guys (and they have now set up their own website?) https://store.openevse.com/collecti...nced-40a-charging-station-powered-by-openevse

No, different company/group.

The ebay seller (item my son bought) is selling them again: http://stores.ebay.com/jadaniell/

My son just replaced this the 'GM' one that died a few months back (was mine from 2011) ... so he did not have wiring large enough to support 32A. Maybe a project for us when I visit him in my 'new-to-me' Model X. Of course, the last time I charged there we just plugged into his clothe dryer plug

 

[samotlietuvis]

Wait. Are these the same guys (and they have now set up their own website?) https://store.openevse.com/collecti...nced-40a-charging-station-powered-by-openevse

No they are not. I have both. OpenEVSE is better and more expensive, but the eBay model is well built. The eBay model uses off the shelf components - very simple but functional. Both units can adjust pilot current level. The eBay charger cord is not as good.