Instavolt 120kw 400v chargers

[CrossTComingSoon]

I'm sure I got told some guff when ordering about the 150kw DC thing only being useful if you use those 400v chargers "on the continent" and not in the UK

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[BigBob]

They lied…always check the data plate!!

Probably a stupid question, but i notice the input voltage is 400v. Is that relevant to the 400 vs 800 question?

 

[simcity]

Probably a stupid question, but i notice the input voltage is 400v. Is that relevant to the 400 vs 800 question?

That's standard 3-phase 415V AC mains connection.

 

[simcity]

If my grade 2 maths is correct - if I plug in my (400V only) Tesla on that Instavolt the maximum charge rate will be an absolute best case of 80 kW, as the charger is current limited to 200A on the CCS2 port.

If I plug in my Taycan in and get say 115 kW like @CrossTComingSoon did - then it has to be connected at 800V - purely because the unit is current limited to 200A.

It simply cant be putting out 115 kW at 400V. Its impossible - it would be pushing out close to 290 amps when its only rated for a max of 200A

QED

 

[kempez]

nice @simcity ??

A lot of the UK charging infrastructure is built on 800v, or variable rate as shown on the plaque, from my understanding. However, there are still chargers built in 400v, including a lot of Tesla chargers which we’re all hoping will all be opened up to us at some point. So in essence you will be ok without the option of the 150kW converter, but it gives you options of faster charging if you do get it. Is that worth the (pretty small imo), premium of the option? Your own call I guess. But I think it is (was!).

 

[simcity]

nice @simcity ??

A lot of the UK charging infrastructure is built on 800v, or variable rate as shown on the plaque, from my understanding. However, there are still chargers built in 400v, including a lot of Tesla chargers which we’re all hoping will all be opened up to us at some point. So in essence you will be ok without the option of the 150kW converter, but it gives you options of faster charging if you do get it. Is that worth the (pretty small imo), premium of the option? Your own call I guess. But I think it is (was!).

Yes sireee...

Personally with EV's - Porsche or whatever - tick all the charging related options folks - its the fudging Wild West out there still in public charger land and you may as well not close yourself off for a few hundred squid - especially with a 100K car.

 

[BigBob]

If my grade 2 maths is correct - if I plug in my (400V only) Tesla on that Instavolt the maximum charge rate will be an absolute best case of 80 kW, as the charger is current limited to 200A on the CCS2 port.

If I plug in my Taycan in and get say 115 kW like @CrossTComingSoon did - then it has to be connected at 800V - purely because the unit is current limited to 200A.

It simply cant be putting out 115 kW at 400V. Its impossible - it would be pushing out close to 290 amps when its only rated for a max of 200A

QED

You went to maths camp didn't you?

Pretty sure i didn't learn that. Or would it have been in physics, where i also didn't learn it!!

 

[W1NGE]

Still alive. I should clarify. There's nothing in "my Porsche" spec sheets other than the following as optional in first picture and standard in second.

Thanks for sharing.

Base assumption is that you have a Turbo Cross Turismo.

The first picture lists standard equipment on all UK cars - DAB, heat pump and so on - so this doesn't really help clarify.

The second picture also lists standard features too - matrix lights being standard on the Turbo - again doesn't help to clarify.

Do you happen to have the original Porsche Code for your build and willing to share?

Can you specify the location of the EVSE you used?

 

[captainlk]

Can you specify the location of the EVSE you used?

They confirmed on page 2 it was at Costa Stafford - https://www.zap-map.com/location/ablgvuv/

 

[W1NGE]

If my grade 2 maths is correct - if I plug in my (400V only) Tesla on that Instavolt the maximum charge rate will be an absolute best case of 80 kW, as the charger is current limited to 200A on the CCS2 port.

If I plug in my Taycan in and get say 115 kW like @CrossTComingSoon did - then it has to be connected at 800V - purely because the unit is current limited to 200A.

It simply cant be putting out 115 kW at 400V. Its impossible - it would be pushing out close to 290 amps when its only rated for a max of 200A

QED

400v Tesla's charge up to 250kW so that theory may not work out too well.

Not a Tesla owner but read a little.

 

[simcity]

400v Tesla's charge up to 250kW so that theory may not work out too well.

Not a Tesla owner but read a little.

Different amperage outputs on the SuC’s.

This is the cabinet from the v2 “150kW” units at Marks Tey (Colchester). You can see the much higher current rating as opposed to the 120 kW Instavolt unit.

I can get a shot of a v3 (250 kW) unit when I’m next charging at one.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Different amperage outputs on the SuC’s.

This is the cabinet from the v2 “150kW” units at Marks Tey (Colchester). You can see the much higher current rating as opposed to the 120 kW Instavolt unit.

I can get a shot of a v3 (250 kW) unit when I’m next charging at one.

The problem with this one is that input of 480V at 192A = 92kW. If that is the maximum input then that will also be the maximum output. I don’t see how that charger can do 135 kW. I must be missing something

 

[simcity]

The problem with this one is that input of 480V at 192A = 92kW. If that is the maximum input then that will also be the maximum output. I don’t see how that charger can do 135 kW. I must be missing something

It’s current per phase on the input and will be at the nominal upper AC voltage range with a 0,94 power factor:

You can cheat slightly by using an online 3-phase power, current etc. calculator like this:
https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/kW_to_Amp_Calculator.html


Calculation with line to line voltage
The phase current I in amps (A) is equal to 1000 times the power P in kilowatts (kW), divided by square root of 3 times the power factor PF times the line to line RMS voltage VL-L in volts (V):

I(A) = 1000 × P(kW) / (√3 × PF × VL-L(V))

AC power is always trickier to calculate, as you need to consider real and imaginary components. Make assumptions that the phases are balanced etc.

DC power is easy, it’s just V x A.

 

[W1NGE]

It’s current per phase on the input and will be at the nominal upper AC voltage range with a 0,94 power factor:

You can cheat slightly by using an online 3-phase power, current etc. calculator like this:
https://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/kW_to_Amp_Calculator.html


Calculation with line to line voltage
The phase current I in amps (A) is equal to 1000 times the power P in kilowatts (kW), divided by square root of 3 times the power factor PF times the line to line RMS voltage VL-L in volts (V):

I(A) = 1000 × P(kW) / (√3 × PF × VL-L(V))

AC power is always trickier to calculate, as you need to consider real and imaginary components. Make assumptions that the phases are balanced etc.

DC power is easy, it’s just V x A.

Does this help? BYD 120kW 200A spec sheet.

If we could only get the accurate build of the Taycan used we'd have our answer - 115lW at 600(ish) V. Any higher would have dropped off.

 

[simcity]

Does this help? BYD 120kW 200A spec sheet.

If we could only get the accurate build of the Taycan used we'd have our answer - 115lW at 600(ish) V. Any higher would have dropped off.

Nice digging ? but I think you're reading the current curve (blue) rather than power curve (orange)....the current drops off as expected. The unit delivers full power once its current draw is allowed to drop from its max. rated. Again expected.

So backs up what I've been saying - this is a multi-voltage unit capable of 800V (and beyond as we can see). Not a fixed 400V unit.

A Tesla could only pull approx. 80 kW in ideal conditions from this Instavolt unit, given it's a 400V DC charging car.

A Porsche that's pulling 115 kW must be doing it at nominally 800V or thereabouts - given we know it's an 800V architecture. Its not going to magically drop to 600V.

The Porsche 150kW on-board DC-DC converter (booster) option is a red herring on this Instavolt scenario. It makes no odds.

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