[njintau_fsd]

Hi all:

Just got me a 2013 Chevy Volt with the works and loving every minute of driving it!

Wanted to say hi plus, I have a few questions too.

First off, sorry if this has been asked a billion times but...uh... where can I get an OEM EVSE? When I bought the car from Carmax and took it home, I found that the EVSE that came with the car doesn't work (power light stays green, warning light keeps flashing red). Thankfully, they're willing to pay for a new one but the problem is, I'm not able to find one! Every dealership I've called and every dealership site I've visited either say its backordered or discontinued. Is it still possible to get an OEM EVSE? If yes, where? If no, what's a good alternative?

Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

[Steverino]

Any model year will work. You don't need a 2013 EVSE. Green with flashing red means a fault was detected. It may be your electric line, not the EVSE.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?15259-Voltec-120v-and-240v-Hang-Tags

 

[TheBlueFlash]

Also, depending on your mileage, the charger is covered under the 8yr/100k mile Voltec warranty, any Chevy dealer should be able to repair/replace at no charge if the fault lies with the charger and not your home's wiring.

 

[njintau_fsd]

Any model year will work. You don't need a 2013 EVSE. Green with flashing red means a fault was detected. It may be your electric line, not the EVSE.

Ah. Now, what does a "Fault Detected" actually entail? Is it an issue of improper wiring or a lack of ground? Would this happen if the wires for the outlet I used are the improper gauge?

 

[njintau_fsd]

By the way, would a 2015 Volt charger work with a 2013? How about a 2016/17?

 

[Sean-a-Tron]

Welcome to the Cult of Volt. Here're your robes and kool-aid (Don't drink it yet).

If the dealer is willing to pay for a replacement EVSE, Clipper Creek is the company that made the one for the Volt. You can find similar ones here. If you have 240V circuits available in your parking area, I'd recommend getting a Level 2 charger. They cost a little bit more but can significantly lower charging times and slightly improve charging efficiency. Check Amazon for some more affordable L2 EVSE's.

You can also try the Voltec Warranty through GM, but you may have to wait a while to get a replacement.

PS: The Volt changes at a max of 12 amps on Level 1 and 14 amps (3.3kw) on Level 2. Though still recommend getting the highest power EVSE available in case you get another EV in the future.

 

[hellsop]

By the way, would a 2015 Volt charger work with a 2013? How about a 2016/17?

Yes and Yes. J1772 is a standard and all such devices interoperate.

 

[hellsop]

Ah. Now, what does a "Fault Detected" actually entail? Is it an issue of improper wiring or a lack of ground? Would this happen if the wires for the outlet I used are the improper gauge?

EVSEs detect ground faults, and the voltage sag that comes from overloading wiring/fuses/circuit breakers, and will often trip turning an overload faster than the circuit breaker will.

 

[Fred_B]

For a direct replacement of the OEM Level 1 charger, I would order one of these:

https://store.clippercreek.com/residential/pcs-15-portable-ev-charging-station

While you are looking at that, note that a Level 2 charger (240V) can be had for the same price, although it may not be able to be carried in the car. Actually I rarely use my OEM L1 charger that I keep in the car. Maybe if I go on a out of town trip and happen to find an available 120V outlet, but this has happened only a few times in the last 3-1/2 years. 99.99% of my charging is from a Clipper Creek (Level 2, 240V) LCS-20 permanently mounted inside the garage.

If you already have 240V in your garage (assuming you have a garage), I would get the LCS-20 and just submit the receipt to Carmax. Have the page printed out that shows the LCS20 is the same price as the Level 1 OEM-equivalent charger just in case. If you have a garage, and have or are willing to run a 240V line to the garage, a permanently mounted L2 EVSE is going to be a better solution than an L1 EVSE that you have to keep storing and replacing in the car every time. Remember, you don't NEED to carry an EVSE in the car if you rarely use it - just carry a few gallons of gas in the tank.

2013 Viridian Joule
Premium Trim Package
Enhanced Safety Package 1 & 2

 

[njintau_fsd]

Thanks for all the replies everybody!

Turns out it wasn't my EVSE at all but my house; I guess I can't be that surprised given that it was built in the 50s lol. So I had an electrician set up a 120V dedicated/grounded outlet and that EVSE started working like a charm. But, thankfully, Carmax will still be getting me a new charger so I decided to go for the Clipper Creek PCS-15 EVSE. At least this way, I'll have another one as a backup in case the one I have does conk out on me.