Surprise call today the P8 has come in. Now scrabbling to find a charge box. Wait for the ChargePoint to come back in stock or go with a juice box? I’m also seeing a post here and there about just a hardwire connection (i.e. no charger box just direct connection to nema wall outlet). Is this even a possibility?
Google EV chargers and do a bit of reading on best rated chargers.
You don't need a box.
I use this listed charger. Available on Amazon, top rated, and much cheaper than ChargePoint.
MUSTART Level 2 Portable EV Charger (240 Volt, 25ft Cable, 40 Amp), Electric Vehicle Charger Plug-in EV Charging Station with NEMA 14-50P (Update Version
It might be worthwhile to keep in mind that the Mustart, like other so-called "chargers" (and ChargePoint is one of them) are not chargers, but devices that supply power to the car in a safe, regulated manner. The actual charger is already built in the car (11kW), for which Volvo provides the perfect cable (nearly 15 feet long) in the car - all the safety and regulation protocols are handled by this cable and it will take advantage of the maximum rate the car can accept (48A at 240V). So, buying something like the Mustart device is a personal choice, based on your situation/preference, and not really required if the car's 15' cable car can reach your 14-50P box. One end of this cable can permanently stay plugged in the garage's 14-50P box, while the other end with the J1772 connector gets connected to the car as needed, with the charge settings done in the car's console display.
OTOH, I think something like the Mustart with its longer 25' cable could be a good thing to have and keep in the car just in case you're in a bind out there where there's a 14-50P plug available for a Recharge.
It might be worthwhile to keep in mind that the Mustart, like other so-called "chargers" (and ChargePoint is one of them) are not chargers, but devices that supply power to the car in a safe, regulated manner. The actual charger is already built in the car (11kW), for which Volvo provides the perfect cable (nearly 15 feet long) in the car - all the safety and regulation protocols are handled by this cable and it will take advantage of the maximum rate the car can accept (48A at 240V). So, buying something like the Mustart device is a personal choice, based on your situation/preference, and not really required if the car's 15' cable car can reach your 14-50P box. One end of this cable can permanently stay plugged in the garage's 14-50P box, while the other end with the J1772 connector gets connected to the car as needed, with the charge settings done in the car's console display.
OTOH, I think something like the Mustart with its longer 25' cable could be a good thing to have and keep in the car just in case you're in a bind out there where there's a 14-50P plug available for a Recharge.
The maximum charge rate the car can accept is controlled in the vehicle settings. But, the maximum charge,(current), that can be delivered is dependent on the cable. Not all chargers are capable of delivering a 40 amp charge rate.
The cable in the Volvo is not necessarily capable of the 48 Amp max charge rate. The Volvo site is not clear, but does state, "The charging cable can consume between 10A and 16A from the wall socket, depending on the current limitations in the charging cable. "
The Mustart charges is specifically rated to deliver 40 AMPs if using a 50 AMP circuit. Many chargers are rated at only 26 AMP regardless of the power supply.
My question is, "Are you certain that the Volvo supplied cable is capable of the 40 AMP charge rate if on a 50 AMP circuit?"
Also, many people equate chargers with the device that supplies the current. You are correct stating that the vehicle does indeed have the software and hardware interface to the batteries, but that does not supply the electrical current.
My comment would be that the term "charger" has become synonymous with the device that supplies as a conduit from the home socket to the electrical power input of the car. It is not just an extension cord, but does contain software and hardware that monitors the current and establishes feedback to the car to confirm a safe connection. It is a charging interface.
The cable in the Volvo is not necessarily capable of the 48 Amp max charge rate. The Volvo site is not clear, but does state, "The charging cable can consume between 10A and 16A from the wall socket, depending on the current limitations in the charging cable. "
My question is, "Are you certain that the Volvo supplied cable is capable of the 40 AMP charge rate if on a 50 AMP circuit?"
From the XC40 Owners Manual:
Charge cable Updated 11/9/2020
The charging cable and its control module are used to charge the vehicle's high-voltage battery.
Only use the charging cable provided with your vehicle or a replacement cable purchased from a Volvo retailer.
Communique from my Volvo dealer regarding the included cable:
So from the dealer's official communique, the cable is rated to safely supply 40A to the car, which would require a 50A breaker at the power panel.
I was also informed by one of the Volvo technicians that there is no reason to not use the cable on a 48A setting on a 60A breaker, because as the Owners Manual states, "To help ensure the vehicle's high-voltage battery is reliably charged each time it is connected, charging is stopped if the temperature in the charging cable becomes too high and reaches a critical limit." There are no other related warnings/caveats specific to the use of the cable in the Owners Manual.
Personally, I definitely plan to use the supplied cable on a 40A circuit at home, which should be more than sufficient to fully charge the battery during the off-peak hours overnight.
The Volvo site is not clear, but does state, "The charging cable can consume between 10A and 16A from the wall socket, depending on the current limitations in the charging cable. "
Installation completed today, connected to WIFI. Purchased unit directly from ChargePoint about 3 weeks ago, arrived 5 days later.
NEMA 14-50 plug, 50 Amps
The unit flashes in "White" while the indicators on the left side remains inactive
Once the ChargePoint app is selected with "Home Charger" AND sync with WIFI, the unit turns "Green" while one of the side indicator with wifi icon turns "green" as well
What is the difference between @MMK install and @dtaylor89 install? I'm not sure what scenario you'd need "additional safety switch if we decide to reuse the circuit later in garage" ?
I'm starting to get electrician estimates for this and just wasn't sure about the difference. I'm going to need the circuit to run to the wall in my garage that is opposite of the wall where the breaker box is. I hope the ChargePoint Home Flex units come back in stock soon.
What is the difference between @MMK install and @dtaylor89 install? I'm not sure what scenario you'd need "additional safety switch if we decide to reuse the circuit later in garage" ?
I'm starting to get electrician estimates for this and just wasn't sure about the difference. I'm going to need the circuit to run to the wall in my garage that is opposite of the wall where the breaker box is. I hope the ChargePoint Home Flex units come back in stock soon.
The safety switch in my setup is overkill and unique to my household needs. A husband may want to in future kidnap circuit for woodworking B we do have a whole house generator and wanted a way to kill power to ChargePoint without having to go into basement for breaker.
Installing a NEMA 14-50outlet gives you most flexibility but limits you to 40a usable to charge with. Hardwire on a 60a breaker gets you 48a usable to charge with which maxes out the 11kWH the car can accept on L2 charging.
Ditto on Dtaylor89’s description of 1) his installation of safety switch 2) wall plug-in vs hard-wire amp output
Like yours, The new car is also on the opposite side of the breaker but I decided to have Contractor provide plug-in availability on BOTH sides of the wall anyway for 1) future convenience 2) flexibility of use 3) should future house owner has 2 EVs since the cost to do so it’s just a tad more. Attached pictures you’ll see the exposed tubes snaking up the ceiling across and down - since it’s just a garage, exposed pipes add some character to it !
This is the first time I am charging my car. It is at 55% and I have it set to charge to 90%. It is at 39A and 9.8kw. That seem to be the max as it is a 40A unit. It is now 12:30pm. It's telling me the charge will be complete at 1:00am. Does it really take 12 hours to charge 35%?
This is the first time I am charging my car. It is at 55% and I have it set to charge to 90%. It is at 39A and 9.8kw. That seem to be the max as it is a 40A unit. It is now 12:30pm. It's telling me the charge will be complete at 1:00am. Does it really take 12 hours to charge 35%?
The car has a functional 75kWh battery capacity. Actual capacity is 78kWh, but use is restricted to 75kWh.
If there is 50% battery capacity, that gives about 32.5 kWh. At a charge of 10kw, it should take about 5 hours. This is because the last 10% of charge is decreased to prevent heating issues.
Charging to 80% is quicker. The final 10% on a 100% charge is exceedingly slow.
If your showing 12 hours for a charge of 35%, your charging unit may not be providing the amperage.
Charging time for a Volvo XC40
The table below shows the estimated time to charge your XC40 from empty to full. For rapid charging, we show the time to charge from 20% - 80%, as charging tends to slow outside this range to protect the battery.
Thanks for the info. I drove it and started charging an hour ago. I was at 40% and after an hour I am at 52%. So it looks like it will take about 3 1\2 hours to get to 80%. That makes sense. It's at 22 mi/hr, 39A. Just not sure why the car says charging will be complete at 2am. I'll check again in a few hours.
Thanks for the info. I drove it and started charging an hour ago. I was at 40% and after an hour I am at 52%. So it looks like it will take about 3 1\2 hours to get to 80%. That makes sense. It's at 22 mi/hr, 39A. Just not sure why the car says charging will be complete at 2am. I'll check again in a few hours.
Thank you for looking into it. Math hurts my head ! So similarly, I have a 50Amp (which would max at 40 Amp charging, and a wall unit of max 13 kwh. To give or take, it's comparable to your 39A and 9-11 kw charge. Having all that said, as I'm reading and learning from all, I'm trying to "round up" to a "... 10% for each hour...." given the home specs I have now.
FYI, I got to 80% in about 3 1/2 hours. About 10% an hour. I can live with that. I just got nervous when the dashboard said charging would be completed at 1am. I'm charging up to 90% now. Lets see how much longer than an hour it takes for that 10%.
FYI, I got to 80% in about 3 1/2 hours. About 10% an hour. I can live with that. I just got nervous when the dashboard said charging would be completed at 1am. I'm charging up to 90% now. Lets see how much longer than an hour it takes for that 10%.
Awesome, yes I’m curious too how much longer the rest of 10% to 90% would take ! Now I can use a “quick math” in my head of “give or take 10% an hour” - that’s good enough for me.
Awesome, yes I’m curious too how much longer the rest of 10% to 90% would take ! Now I can use a “quick math” in my head of “give or take 10% an hour” - that’s good enough for me.
Lost track of exact time but I believe it took 50 minutes to get to 88%. So about the same time as when battery is low. BTW, I love driving this car. Just don't feel comfortable yet with the idea of no gas. I plan on a 6 hour drive next week and I don't think I'll be taking this car.
Your feedback is most helpful on the “give or take” charging estimation.
-I’m driving a T4 loaner till the next batch comes in due to 19” rims. That’s like Jun/Jul timeframe. I also figured perhaps by then the rest of known software fixes would be done with. However there Another thread here say they got the 19” and at Port so now I’m asking sales guy to cross check
- I hear you on the lack of comfort. This would be my first EV, so I’m prepping for “just plug in after work like IPhone..”. My concern on long trips is the lack of supercharger infrastructure. I’d loaded EVGo and ChargePoint (there are other apps too) where you can filter locations for super chargers. So similarly probably won’t take care for long distances unless there’s super chargers along the way ! Surprisingly Harley dealerships have them due to their first EV bike. Will be curious to hear your trip if you decide on that long drive !
The safety switch in my setup is overkill and unique to my household needs. A husband may want to in future kidnap circuit for woodworking B we do have a whole house generator and wanted a way to kill power to ChargePoint without having to go into basement for breaker.
Installing a NEMA 14-50outlet gives you most flexibility but limits you to 40a usable to charge with. Hardwire on a 60a breaker gets you 48a usable to charge with which maxes out the 11kWH the car can accept on L2 charging.
@dtaylor89 - thank you for the detailed info, It has been super helpful! We are going to do a hardwired installation of the Chargepoint charger to an existing but unused 60a breaker. Am I correct in reading that if our plan is to hardwire, there is no difference in which model "plug" we get from Chargepoint? For hardwiring, the plug configuration is moot, correct?
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