Need Advice: Best EV Charger for Harsh Climates

[gryphon99]

I sure could use some advice here. I need to install an outdoor charger at a house that is right on the beach. I'm in North Carolina in the US. Everything rusts out here instantly as it's humid and the salt air is brutal.

Does anyone recommend a charger that can handle being outside in this climate on a regular basis and not rust out or corrode? The house is on stilts so there is no option for a garage install. It would however be under the house.

I saw the Grizzl-E chargers but I don't know anything about that brand. I have a hardwired ChargePoint at the other house and that works perfectly.

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[daveo4EV]

enphase (formerly clippercreek) ruggedized EVSE's - no question.

https://enphase.com/store/ev-charge...ippercreek-hcs-50pr-ev-charger-nema-6-50-plug

these chargers are all over the place at CA state parks - they've been outside with no shelter for _YEARS_ - they "just work".

they have NEMA 14-50, 6-50, and hardwired versions of all their chargers.

 

[gryphon99]

enphase (formerly clippercreek) ruggedized EVSE's - no question.

https://enphase.com/store/ev-charge...ippercreek-hcs-50pr-ev-charger-nema-6-50-plug

these chargers are all over the place at CA state parks - they've been outside with no shelter for _YEARS_ - they "just work".

they have NEMA 14-50, 6-50, and hardwired versions of all their chargers.

This is great, thanks for the recommendation. Do you think hardwired or plug-in would be better? My initial thought was hardwired but it's also almost $300 more

 

[daveo4EV]

This is great, thanks for the recommendation. Do you think hardwired or plug-in would be better? My initial thought was hardwired but it's also almost $300 more

given the environment hardwired - cost is cheap vs years of service - 60/80 amps if you can - 50 is fine - but again do it once

 

[jvincent]

I sure could use some advice here. I need to install an outdoor charger at a house that is right on the beach. I'm in North Carolina in the US. Everything rusts out here instantly as it's humid and the salt air is brutal.

Does anyone recommend a charger that can handle being outside in this climate on a regular basis and not rust out or corrode? The house is on stilts so there is no option for a garage install. It would however be under the house.

I saw the Grizzl-E chargers but I don't know anything about that brand. I have a hardwired ChargePoint at the other house and that works perfectly.

For what it's worth, I have a Grizzl-E Classic and no complaints. Very rugged NEMA 4 aluminum enclosure and IP67 rated. Plug and cable quality on the Grizzl-E are fantastic. Only $349 with and 3 year warranty (electrician can hardwire at installation easily enough). With optional 5 year warranty the cost is $449. That Clipper Creek is crazy money for an EVSE. I'd give the Grizzl-E a go at $349. You can buy 2 of those with 6 years of total warranty for $100 less than one Enphase/Clipper Creek.

 

[gryphon99]

For what it's worth, I have a Grizzl-E Classic and no complaints. Very rugged NEMA 4 aluminum enclosure and IP67 rated. Plug and cable quality on the Grizzl-E are fantastic. Only $349 with and 3 year warranty (electrician can hardwire at installation easily enough). With optional 5 year warranty the cost is $449. That Clipper Creek is crazy money for an EVSE. I'd give the Grizzl-E a go at $349. You can buy 2 of those with 6 years of total warranty for $100 less than one Enphase/Clipper Creek.

May I ask what made you purchase the Grizzl-E? What type of environment do you live in? How long have you had it?

 

[jvincent]

May I ask what made you purchase the Grizzl-E? What type of environment do you live in? How long have you had it?

I can't speak to the salt air environment, but the build is very good. I've had it about a year.

Particular likes: price, simplicity, quality of the cable & plug, captured rubber cap to protect the contacts (in addition to the holster), longer than average power cable for outlet access, small durable all metal box enclosure, and mount is well designed (you can get a lock for exterior use).

Did I mention the price? I mean, seriously, $349 is a great price for this unit. $449 including a 5 year warranty is still almost half the cost of the Enphase/Clipper Creek. It's all you need and should last fine given the quality of the plug and cable and the sealed aluminum enclosure. I can't speak directly to your environment, but I'd bet on the Grizzl-E to last as long as the competition.

 

[gryphon99]

I can't speak to the salt air environment, but the build is very good. I've had it about a year.

Particular likes: price, simplicity, quality of the cable & plug, captured rubber cap to protect the contacts (in addition to the holster), longer than average power cable for outlet access, small durable all metal box enclosure, and mount is well designed (you can get a lock for exterior use).

Did I mention the price? I mean, seriously, $349 is a great price for this unit. $449 including a 5 year warranty is still almost half the cost of the Enphase/Clipper Creek. It's all you need and should last fine given the quality of the plug and cable and the sealed aluminum enclosure. I can't speak directly to your environment, but I'd bet on the Grizzl-E to last as long as the competition.

That is awesome. Thank you! Very helpful insights.

 

[whitex]

I can't speak to the salt air environment, but the build is very good. I've had it about a year.

Particular likes: price, simplicity, quality of the cable & plug, captured rubber cap to protect the contacts (in addition to the holster), longer than average power cable for outlet access, small durable all metal box enclosure, and mount is well designed (you can get a lock for exterior use).

Did I mention the price? I mean, seriously, $349 is a great price for this unit. $449 including a 5 year warranty is still almost half the cost of the Enphase/Clipper Creek. It's all you need and should last fine given the quality of the plug and cable and the sealed aluminum enclosure. I can't speak directly to your environment, but I'd bet on the Grizzl-E to last as long as the competition.

All due respect, your environment in SF Bay Area is very different. For example, do yo know if your cables freeze and become difficult to use as the temps towards 0F or less? How about the enclosure (aluminum you said), or the internal electronics, does it do well in wet, freezing temps? I have no data on the Grizzl-E, just saying your data point is not 100% applicable to winter climates. There is a guy on youtube who actually puts chargers in the freezer to test their cold temp performance, perhaps he tested it?

I'd give the Grizzl-E a go at $349. You can buy 2 of those with 6 years of total warranty for $100 less than one Enphase/Clipper Creek.

It will cost you more than $100 for an electrician to swap it out in 3 years (required if you want continuous 6 years of warranty).

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

Grizzl-e is made in Canada, for Canadian winters. The owner/founder is somewhat .. eccentric, and did a few commercials dunking the unit in a frozen lake and then plugging it in. I think it’ll be fine in NC.

It was on my short list (of 2) because of its support for Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), as well as its looks (minimalistic, but not bland). I went with an Autel in the end, because the latter came with an Ethernet port; the Grizzl-e’s fetching enclosure is apparently diminishing its ability to maintain a WiFi connection (no first hand experience, just repeating online reviews).

 

[whitex]

Grizzl-e is made in Canada, for Canadian winters. The owner/founder is somewhat .. eccentric, and did a few commercials dunking the unit in a frozen lake and then plugging it in.

Dipped all of it in a frozen lake? Unit, cable, J1772 plug?

 

[Jhenson29]

Grizzl-e is made in Canada, for Canadian winters. The owner/founder is somewhat .. eccentric, and did a few commercials dunking the unit in a frozen lake and then plugging it in.

@daveo4EV did you ever try this with the PMCC? Maybe that’s the trick to keeping it cool.

 

[jvincent]

All due respect, your environment in SF Bay Area is very different. For example, do yo know if your cables freeze and become difficult to use as the temps towards 0F or less? How about the enclosure (aluminum you said), or the internal electronics, does it do well in wet, freezing temps? I have no data on the Grizzl-E, just saying your data point is not 100% applicable to winter climates. There is a guy on youtube who actually puts chargers in the freezer to test their cold temp performance, perhaps he tested it?

It will cost you more than $100 for an electrician to swap it out in 3 years (required if you want continuous 6 years of warranty).

OP is in Coastal North Carolina. My advice was based on his situation. Deep frozen cable stiffness will be as much a factor for him as it is for me in Northern California.

I think you are referring to YouTube's State of Charge with Tom Maloughney. I know he tested the Grizzl-E, but I haven't reviewed the result again. I believe it was good, but the cable did become hard to manage after the deep freeze. For me, I like a beefier, more durable cable since it isn't as apt to twist from coiling and uncoiling.

Under the home, out of the direct weather, a Hubbell or Bryant NEMA 14-50 in a weatherproof box would be fine. No cost to swap.

Clipper Creek/Enphase and ChargePoint are charging whatever the market will bear. I won't overpay like that. They are like the electrician that quotes $500 for an outlet for a welder and $1000 for one for a $100,000 EV. Profiteering pure and simple.

 

[whitex]

Clipper Creek/Enphase and ChargePoint are charging whatever the market will bear. I won't overpay like that. They are like the electrician that quotes $500 for an outlet for a welder and $1000 for one for a $100,000 EV. Profiteering pure and simple.

I promise you the price you paid for the Taycan is what the market will bear, rather than some modest profit on cost. Do you use Apple devices?

 

[jvincent]

It was on my short list (of 2) because of its support for Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), as well as its looks (minimalistic, but not bland). I went with an Autel in the end, because the latter came with an Ethernet port; the Grizzl-e’s fetching enclosure is apparently diminishing its ability to maintain a WiFi connection (no first hand experience, just repeating online reviews).

I have heard the same and would definitely steer clear of the Grizzl-E "Smart" units. They seem to be problematic both in hardware and software. Autel is a good choice and a good value.

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