Topic: Seriously though - poxy North American power delivery....

[JacobBlack]

So we have a Bolt in the office this week. I plug it in - I look up the charge time on a regular household outlet - 6.5 km per hour of charge. Apparently it has a 383 km range... that would take 60 hours to charge without an L2. 60 HOURS!


Naturally, I lost my brain at how lame that is, and Michael Bettencourt, Managing Editor and EV enthusiast explained that it's because we have 110v not 220v delivery.

This is also why kettles are uncommon here apparently.

So seriously, what's with that?!

Why did North America choose the world's poxiest power delivery rate?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

North Americans aren't as keen on electrocution in the home. 

Homes are supplied with 240V for bigger loads like dryers and ovens. You just need the right receptacle and breaker installed.

If you really want to know the history:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity#History_of_voltage_and_frequency

TL,DR The Germans and Americans both thought they had the right idea and the other was wrong.

[wing]

http://bfy.tw/AvhX

Because we invented it.

[Solstice2006]

Kettles are uncommon? 

[EV Dan]

Kettles are uncommon?

Australian kettles went the way of the dodo. IIRC it took them twice the time to boil up. 

[Rupert]

Electric kettles are all over the place in spades in Canada. What are you talking abaout? Strangely they don't seem to be around much in California I am told. Like someone said...get the right breaker and outlet....and wire.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

If you were ACTUALLY going to buy an electric car, you would run 220 to your garage or driveway or wherever and install the level II or III charger.

[tenpenny]

I thought electric kettles were a peculiarly Canadian thing, to be honest.

220 is lame, here in Canada, real men have 575/3/60.


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[Ex-airbalancer]

So we have a Bolt in the office this week. I plug it in - I look up the charge time on a regular household outlet - 6.5 km per hour of charge. Apparently it has a 383 km range... that would take 60 hours to charge without an L2. 60 HOURS!


Naturally, I lost my brain at how lame that is, and Michael Bettencourt, Managing Editor and EV enthusiast explained that it's because we have 110v not 220v delivery.

This is also why kettles are uncommon here apparently.

So seriously, what's with that?!

Why did North America choose the world's poxiest power delivery rate?

What does you AC in your office use? 

[EV Dan]

^^^ Holes?

Is there a DCFC (aka fast charger) in the neighborhood? A Chevy dealer might have one.

[ArticSteve]

I thought electric kettles were a peculiarly Canadian thing, to be honest.

220 is lame, here in Canada, real men have 575/3/60.


Sent from my Vic20 using Java Moose

Compared to the US they are.  Americans aren't black tea drinkers.  Visit any US supermarket, large or small, high end/low end, the black tea selection is brutal to non existent.   You mention "tea" in the States and 100% of the time it's comprehended as ICE TEA!

US Border Control has no issues with Canadian tourists bringing in their own tea PLUS a kettle.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

So I guess that once they (the Americans) dumped all that tea into Boston Harbour, Britain never bothered to send any more.  Ever.

[Ex-airbalancer]

http://www.electrical-online.com/how_to_convert_an_outlet_or_receptacle_from_120v_to_240v/   

[Great_Big_Abyss]

http://www.electrical-online.com/how_to_convert_an_outlet_or_receptacle_from_120v_to_240v/   

Is it okay to use a wire that was designed for 120/10A in a circuit with 240/10A?  I'm guessing yes, because it's the amperage that determines the gauge of wire required, right?

[Ex-airbalancer]

http://www.electrical-online.com/how_to_convert_an_outlet_or_receptacle_from_120v_to_240v/   

Is it okay to use a wire that was designed for 120/10A in a circuit with 240/10A?  I'm guessing yes, because it's the amperage that determines the gauge of wire required, right?

it would depend on the size of the wire , but our resident electrical member  can answer that , hopefull with a chart or even better a pie chart 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

#14 NMD-90 (Romex) is rated for 300V and 15A, so switching it from 120V/15A to 240V/15A circuit isn't an issue.

Just make sure to put some black electrical tape over the white conductor in the panel and in the receptacle box to make sure anyone else who goes in there is aware that there are two hots.



Closest thing I could find for a relevant chart. 

[rrocket]

We only use an electric kettle.  Heats up significantly quicker than our traditional old one we used on the gas stove.  I mean..it's not even close the new electric one is so fast.

[mmret]

#14 NMD-90 (Romex) is rated for 300V and 15A, so switching it from 120V/15A to 240V/15A circuit isn't an issue.

Just make sure to put some black electrical tape over the white conductor in the panel and in the receptacle box to make sure anyone else who goes in there is aware that there are two hots.



Closest thing I could find for a relevant chart. 

The guys who did my house have a few spots where the black wire ended up getting painted white.

It made me a bit irate.

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[me_2]

... Americans aren't black tea drinkers.  Visit any US supermarket, large or small, high end/low end, the black tea selection is brutal to non existent.   You mention "tea" in the States and 100% of the time it's comprehended as ICE TEA!

I was in WI this week. The guy at the table next to me in restaurant ordered a tea and the lady asked him "hot or iced"?

[me_2]

So we have a Bolt in the office this week. I plug it in - I look up the charge time on a regular household outlet - 6.5 km per hour of charge. Apparently it has a 383 km range... that would take 60 hours to charge without an L2. 60 HOURS!


Naturally, I lost my brain at how lame that is, and Michael Bettencourt, Managing Editor and EV enthusiast explained that it's because we have 110v not 220v delivery.

This is also why kettles are uncommon here apparently.

So seriously, what's with that?!

Why did North America choose the world's poxiest power delivery rate?

By default, the L1 (120Vac) EVSE would recharge at the lower rate (8A), you have to change it manually to (12A) if your electric installation is safe at the higher 12A rate.
 
An EVSE is considered a continuous charge, consult your master electrician for details.
 
If you're serious about EV, your electrician can instal a weatherproof NEMA 14-50 receptacle outside for "future use" 240VVac EVSE, either for:
a) 32A EVSE J1772 with a 14-50 plug example http://suncountryhighway.com/en/Item/ChargerStore#!/EV40PR-EV-Charger/p/72267179/category=11322254
b) 40A Tesla Home charger (use the same 14-50 oven plug) https://www.tesla.com/en_CA/support/home-charging-installation
c) Find the closest local DCFC with CCS combo or CHAdeMO with tool like https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/94233