New here with some stupid questions

[Maybe Going EV]

What is your familiarity with home electrical panels? It is rarely the case that a level 2 charger can't be added to a home electrical system. It's not impossible but it is something that is frequently misunderstood, which is totally understandable.

The reason people keep coming back to a 240V charger is because we can't imagine living without one. I relieved on 120V for a couple weeks before my charger was installed and it was a bad experience. The charger greatly improves the utility of the truck in most instances.

When we began talking about getting a lightning probably 4 months ago now, I had an electrician I know come look, and his comment was that to add a charger to the house, we would have to lose something else, perhaps our hot tub was his suggestion. The wife and I laughed so hard, because the hot tub would be the last thing we get rid of.
I would sell the stove before the hot tub.
Maybe another electrian would have a different opinion, but that was his.
We do have some baseboard heaters that we never use, that could go I guess.
But it still seems like a 120 outlet should charge the battery, especially when it will regularly sit for days at a time undriven.
Last year we put 17,139 kms on our Ram 1500 total. Some of that was a trip, where we would have to charge an EV many times away from home anyway, and burnt many tanks of gas in our Ram. That trip was almost 3,000 kms, over 19 days.

Sponsored

 

[RickKeen]

When we began talking about getting a lightning probably 4 months ago now, I had an electrician I know come look, and his comment was that to add a charger to the house, we would have to lose something else, perhaps our hot tub was his suggestion. The wife and I laughed so hard, because the hot tub would be the last thing we get rid of.
I would sell the stove before the hot tub.
Maybe another electrian would have a different opinion, but that was his.
We do have some baseboard heaters that we never use, that could go I guess.
But it still seems like a 120 outlet should charge the battery, especially when it will regularly sit for days at a time undriven.
Last year we put 17,139 kms on our Ram 1500 total. Some of that was a trip, where we would have to charge an EV many times away from home anyway, and burnt many tanks of gas in our Ram. That trip was almost 3,000 kms, over 19 days.

Take a look at the Emporia charger. It works with the Emporia load sensing tool and throttles down the charging when other heavy loads are detected (like the hot tub). It might take a bit longer to charge if your hot tub heater is cycling on a lot in the winter, but it might be a really good option for those who cannot easily upgrade their electrical service.

https://shop.emporiaenergy.com/prod...MIsvqklrHciAMV61gPAh0kdA38EAAYASAAEgLUGvD_BwE

 

[Henry Ford]

But it still seems like a 120 outlet should charge the battery, especially when it will regularly sit for days at a time undriven.

You will be disappointed in your truck if you try to get by with a 120V charger. If you are unable or unwilling to use 240V I strongly suggest not buying an EV.

 

[Maybe Going EV]

Wife has arranged for a demo truck next week for 24 hours.
She wants one, so wants to see how well it does being plugged into 120 in our garage over night.

 

[potato]

Wife has arranged for a demo truck next week for 24 hours.
She wants one, so wants to see how well it does being plugged into 120 in our garage over night.

I'd expect about 1% an hour or maybe a little less. I'm sure you will love driving it... charging, I'm not quite as sure lol. You did say you had 240 in the shop, just inconvenient to get to? Maybe that can be your fallback plan if you really need a better charge rate some time.

 

[RickLightning]

Wife has arranged for a demo truck next week for 24 hours.
She wants one, so wants to see how well it does being plugged into 120 in our garage over night.

Math.

It will add 1.1kW per hour of charging. You can't get more, or less.

On an ER, that is 1.1/131=0.84% of battery. On an SR it is 1.1/98=1.1%.

At roughly 1.8 miles per kWh, maybe 2.4 locally, do the math.

 

[John Becker]

Generally speaking, 120 V would be adequate for my needs. I always have the option to drive ICE when needed.
I read somewhere that 240 V is more efficient. The efficiency difference can't be anywhere near the cost of running a 240 V line to my garage. But I did it anyway.
Regardless, I charge at the lowest setting (16 Amps) and only to 60% most days.

 

[Mashedtators]

Wife has arranged for a demo truck next week for 24 hours.
She wants one, so wants to see how well it does being plugged into 120 in our garage over night.

I averaged 1.5-2.5km per hour on a 20amp plug before I installed my level two charger.

 

[Zprime29]

120v is adequate for low usage IF and only IF you live in a mild weather climate. I rarely get under 40F here, so if I where only driving once or twice a week then 120v would be fine. Since you live in a very cold climate, 240v is a must or your battery and range will suffer badly in the winter. I would get another electrician out there, ask for one who is familiar with EV's. The Emporia option is a fantastic one as well, great company.

Sponsored