CHAdeMO Questions

[JoeS]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone experienced any issues when charging our i-MiEV using commercial Level 3 EVSEs here in the US? I haven't, and mine has worked flawlessly with both Blink and NRG eVgo.

This UK article brought this to mind: https://speakev.com/threads/unreliable-ecotricity-chademo-charging-with-i-miev-ion.1072/

Completely unrelated to this, does anyone know if there is a minimum dc current that needs to be provided via the CHAdeMO port for the i-MiEV to accept a charge, and is anyone aware of any differences in implementation of CHAdeMO between our i-MiEV and the Leaf?

[PV1]

Theoretically, CHAdeMO simply needs the proper handshake between car and charger to engage the contactor.

The i-MiEV (at least in Japan) is able to discharge through the CHAdeMO port, running equipment such as V2G or the MiEV Power Box. Mitsubishi has a V2G system in place at their headquarters. It combines solar, grid, a few dedicated i-MiEV batteries, and 6 CHAdeMO plugs for the fleet to plug into. The cars serve as extra battery capacity for the building, but can also charge from the system. I'm not sure if the LEAF has the same capabilities software-wise, but I don't see why not. Nissan is doing the same experiments.

To answer your original question, I've only used QC once and had no issues. The main issue is whether or not the quick charger even works, and if it does, the cars seem to charge.

[pbui19]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone experienced any issues when charging our i-MiEV using commercial Level 3 EVSEs here in the US? I haven't, and mine has worked flawlessly with both Blink and NRG eVgo.

This UK article brought this to mind: https://speakev.com/threads/unreliable-ecotricity-chademo-charging-with-i-miev-ion.1072/

Only used QC a few times, once as a test to see if it works, but didn't need charge. The 2nd time, I noticed that the rate was low but I think because the battery was "cold". It was a short 2 miles drive in the morning.

Yesterday, in warm SoCal, the QC started at ~30+kw at about 50% SOC, then tapered to ~10kw approaching 80%. The Miev stopped the charge at 81%, but restarted upon pressing the charger "Start" button, again at around 10kw. But I stopped at 83% SOC, didn't want to push it. The whole time duration was ~20 minutes, enough time to dust the car and shake out the carpet etc...

This was at a LAWater Utility building, it was free access.

[jray3]

I use CHAdeMO frequently, but have never been able to go much past 80% SOC in a single session, unlike the LEAFs that regularly camp out for a 100% charge on Blink DCFC stations. Given Joe's discovery, I'll take the time sometime soon to wait around and watch to see if the disconnect happens when amps fall to 5 or less.

Among the litany of Blink shortcomings, I have noticed that the second head is no longer reliable. They designed the stations to allow a second car to plug in and order up a charge that would commence as soon as the first car finishes. That has failed the last few times I've tried, meaning that I have to swipe my card and go through the touchscreen menu again.

[JoeS]

Yesterday, in warm SoCal, the QC started at ~30+kw at about 50% SOC, then tapered to ~10kw approaching 80%. The Miev stopped the charge at 81%, but restarted upon pressing the charger "Start" button, again at around 10kw. But I stopped at 83% SOC, didn't want to push it. The whole time duration was ~20 minutes...

Using 360v*5A = 1800W is the end charge power level at which the car tells CHAdeMO to stop and won't allow charging below this. Guess we then have to switch over to J1772 to fully top up the car. Using my EVSEUpgraded Mitsu unit I've charged mine at 120v*6A = 720W all the way to 100%, and it continued charging/balancing as it tapered down after that until it shut off.

The CHAdeMO chargers I had used all stopped at exactly 80%SoC (told to me by both the CHAdeMO display and CaniOn). I thought that the charger itself was programmed to do that, and not the car.

In addition to the stopping at 83% that pbui19 saw, has anyone else seen a power level lower than 1800W or any higher SoC when using CHAdeMO?

[PV1]

I replugged the charger after a stop at 82% and was able to reach 98.5% before it shut down. The lowest current reading I have a picture or video of is 10 amps, around 93%.

I heard Fuji quick chargers will go straight to full charge and not make the stop at 80%.

[tigger19687]

I replugged the charger after a stop at 82% and was able to reach 98.5% before it shut down. The lowest current reading I have a picture or video of is 10 amps, around 93%.
.

Was that a free charger ?
Or did you have to pay again when you re-connected ?

Just curious as the QC chargers here mostly are pay (that I would use to go to Cape Cod) at the Nissan dealers.

[PV1]

It was a free charger. You probably would have to pay for another session to get the last 20% since (at least on Eaton units) it was a complete unplug, replug, and start a new charge session. If you are paying for time instead of per kWh or per session, that last 20% is more expensive than the first 80%.

[pbui19]

In addition to the stopping at 83% that pbui19 saw, has anyone else seen a power level lower than 1800W or any higher SoC when using CHAdeMO?

I didn't unplug, just push the start button again, because i recall reading on this forum about restarting so I thought to try it. It looks like it would have continue to charge beyond 83%, it was still drawing ~30A @3xx vdc, don't recall exact number.

I pushed "stop" to end the charging. I didn't hesitate to experiment especially with a free access.

[1pk]

My car stops charging at 82% every time. Both of the ones I use are operated by Greenlots.

Pete