Will you be installing a Level 2 charger?

[cadblu]

I apologize for beating the proverbial dead horse, but once again I implore anyone looking into installing a level 2 charger at home to check with their utility company regarding incentives. We got a ChargePoint Home Flex for a whopping $1, shipped to our door, by shopping on our utility's marketplace and using their incentive.

Tangent: also got a smart thermostat for $20.

That's a great deal, but I thought the Slate truck comes with a Level 2 charger. All you need is to do is plug it into a NEMA 14-50 240 V dedicated outlet. But I agree Wi-Fi access is a desirable option. I wonder if the supplied charger has Wi-Fi access.

 

[Dorbiman]

That's a great deal, but I thought the Slate truck comes with a Level 2 charger. All you need is to do is plug it into a NEMA 14-50 240 V dedicated outlet.

I'm a bit wary about it. It appears to be the Lectron unit listed on their website, which they state is only a level 1. Even if it is a combined level 1/level 2 charger, I'll still keep it in the truck as a backup. The home unit is hardwired, which is a much better option in my opinion.

 

[cadblu]

Agreed, except the only possible drawback I see is that you need to use the 3rd party ChargePoint app to setup charging schedules and monitor progress instead of the embedded Slate charging app. Although highly unlikely, using a 3rd party charging app that's not fully tested with a Slate could get dicey if a problem develops. Especially if you need to seek assistance with the warranty. Personally, I would wait until Slate expressly approves the ChargePoint system and just use the supplied cable until that point.

 

[AKrietzer]

I'm a bit wary about it. It appears to be the Lectron unit listed on their website, which they state is only a level 1. Even if it is a combined level 1/level 2 charger, I'll still keep it in the truck as a backup. The home unit is hardwired, which is a much better option in my opinion.

I was wondering about the charge cord Slate shows and says is included. It only has a 120 volt plug. Is there another 240 volt plug that is also included but not shown? Maybe an end you can change but not shown. You can't get level 2 charging from 120 volt, correct? Slate says everything is included for level 1 and level 2 charging. I am new to EVs and just try to read all I can to try to understand.

 

[cadblu]

That picture of the charger in the frunk may just be a 'rendering' of the kind of charger we will get. Slate Auto has stated you will get everything you need for both Level 1 and Level 2 charging. I will hold them to that statement. Maybe we need to reach out to Slate for clarity.

 

[Dorbiman]

Agreed, except the only possible drawback I see is that you need to use the 3rd party ChargePoint app to setup charging schedules and monitor progress instead of the embedded Slate charging app. Although highly unlikely, using a 3rd party charging app that's not fully tested with a Slate could get dicey if a problem develops. Especially if you need to seek assistance with the warranty. Personally, I would wait until Slate expressly approves the ChargePoint system and just use the supplied cable until that point.

You don't need to use the ChargePoint app at all. It can be a smart or dumb charger, depending on how you set it up. If the Truck has the option to set up scheduling in vehicle (like our ID4) you do not need to set a schedule in the ChargePoint app at all

 

[Doug T]

You don't need to use the ChargePoint app at all. It can be a smart or dumb charger, depending on how you set it up. If the Truck has the option to set up scheduling in vehicle (like our ID4) you do not need to set a schedule in the ChargePoint app at all

Also, when used as a dumb charger WIFI coverage is not required.

 

[sodamo]

You can also use a local Level 3 charging station as a backup. With the Tesla agreement there is a fair chance there is one relatively close.

Another consideration is off-peak electric rates. I got a level 2 charger in order to save money in the long term.

LOL, currently I’d have to load vehicle on a boat to Honolulu to find a Tesla charger. Probably neither cost effective nor convenient.

 

[cadblu]

I was wondering about the charge cord Slate shows and says is included. It only has a 120 volt plug. Is there another 240 volt plug that is also included but not shown? Maybe an end you can change but not shown. You can't get level 2 charging from 120 volt, correct? Slate says everything is included for level 1 and level 2 charging. I am new to EVs and just try to read all I can to try to understand.

Looks like it’s a separate cable.

LEVEL 2 – APPLIANCE OUTLET

Use the included Slate charging cable • No need to purchase extras • Adds 25 to 40 miles per hour of charge • Full charge in 4-8 hours

 

[zipn]

I was wondering about the charge cord Slate shows and says is included. It only has a 120 volt plug. Is there another 240 volt plug that is also included but not shown? Maybe an end you can change but not shown. You can't get level 2 charging from 120 volt, correct? Slate says everything is included for level 1 and level 2 charging. I am new to EVs and just try to read all I can to try to understand.

Chevy bolt euv came with a single charge cable but with 2 pigtails.. one for 120v level 1 plug and one with a 220 plug for level 2. Swapping the plug and play pigtails on the charge cable let you have both options. The car and charge cable are smart enough to configure based on the voltage you’ve plugged into.

 

[KevinRS]

One consideration on using a "dryer outlet" or similar is that they are not made or rated for continuous use. At the very least it will need to be replaced with a commercial grade or RV type outlet. There are plenty of pictures of melted outlets since people started plugging EVs into them.

If possible I'll get the dryer outlet extended to near where the truck would park, and use a hardwired charger.
Often a dryer outlet will only be 30 amps, and you may need a hardwired charger to be able to set it to limit to 24 amps (giving the 20% cushion needed for continuous)

 

[AKrietzer]

The Level 1 and Level 2 NACS charger may look something like this from Lectron. It has two separate plugs.

 

[E90400K]

Also, when used as a dumb charger WIFI coverage is not required.

That's why I replied "no". The place I will charge my Slate has no cell coverage and my wifi doesn't reach it. But my use case will not require an L2 charger.

 

[cadblu]

Yesterday, I sent a question to Slate via Chat:

Are you including a Level 2 charger / 240V / NEMA 14-50 connector with the Slate truck?

• Yes - all Slates will come with an include charger that will allow for both.
  Jimmy R • 11:20 AM
• I apologize, I re-read your message. The charging cable will only charge via 120V
• JR
  If you have any additional questions, feel free to reply here or call us at 833.HI.SLATE
  Jimmy R • 11:29 AM

I think Slate needs to train their customer service agents. I hope this is not an overall reflection of their sales and support team.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

I have used a NEMA 6-15 adaptor for my Tesla 3 for the past 7 years. Charge rate is 11 miles per hour. Usually enough to top off after a day of driving (60 to 110 miles/day). I plan to use it with the Slate. My point? It's barely level 2, but cheap to install since it does not require heavy duty lines to meet code. Something to consider if you have a long run from your breaker box to your parking spot. Most EV newbies and wanna bees keep thinking about charging as 0 to max and the time it takes. The reality is you are usually charging from 120 to 180 or whatever for the next day.
If you read this far --- You waste so much time with an ICE needing to fill it sometimes twice a week having to look for a gas station, check the price, and waste time pumping the stuff. With an EV you just unplug in the morning and go...more time to waste at Starbucks.