Nema Cables Question

[SaratogaLefty]

I currently have a 2018 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid which I bought new. I have a 240 volt connection in my garage and my Panamera charges very quickly using the NEMA 14-50 cable it came with. I am looking at two different Taycans (a 2021 4S and a 2020 Turbo. The 4S has a NEMA 6-30 cable and the Turbo has a 14-30 cable. I really don't understand the differences. Does it make much difference with cable I use? Charging time impact? I'm thinking maybe I keep the 14-50 cable and sell the Panamera with the cable that comes with the Taycan I choose? Your advice greatly appreciated.

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[KensingtonPark]

It can make a difference, but there is no reason that this minor piece of equipment should dictate your choice of car. While I am not familiar with the Panamera, there is no reason that you can’t simply charge with the device you use with the Panamera. I still haven’t cracked open the case that contains the charging equipment for my Taycan. I am just using the same charging equipment that I have used with my past plugin vehicles (Volt, Tesla MS, Volvo XC90). It works just fine.

Get the car you want, and - like you proposed - sell the equipment that you get with the car.

 

[SaratogaLefty]

It can make a difference, but there is no reason that this minor piece of equipment should dictate your choice of car. While I am not familiar with the Panamera, there is no reason that you can’t simply charge with the device you use with the Panamera. I still haven’t cracked open the case that contains the charging equipment for my Taycan. I am just using the same charging equipment that I have used with my past plugin vehicles (Volt, Tesla MS, Volvo XC90). It works just fine.

Well I'm selling the Panamera so I will have to remove the Panamera charging equipment and then install the Taycan stuff. I believe the Taycan Mobile Charger Connect module has features that the one that came with the Panamera didn't have (e.g. the ability to limit amount of charge and be more specific about start time, etc.).

 

[snstevens]

The Taycan 4S and Turbo both should come with two connectors for the PMCC - one that is NEMA 14-50 (4 prong) plug compatible, and one that is NEMA 6-50 (3 prong) plug compatible. You can also use plug adapters to connect either of these plug types to 240V sources of varying sorts (e.g., RV Park connectors, Dryer connectors, etc.)

For a more definitive discussion of charging with both Porsche and non-Porsche chargers, read @daveo4EV's great article at this link. Dave has other articles about charging in other threads throughout this forum including Charging Opinions from a Long-time EV User that are very helpful.

 

[snstevens]

Well I'm selling the Panamera so I will have to remove the Panamera charging equipment and then install the Taycan stuff. I believe the Taycan Mobile Charger Connect module has features that the one that came with the Panamera didn't have (e.g. the ability to limit amount of charge and be more specific about start time, etc.).

The ability to specify Start Time and Charge Limits is part of the Taycan PCM system, and not charger specific. At the same time the programming of the Charge Limit, and Start Time are confusing. See this video for information on how to program charging in the PCM, and a recent post by @tconrad is also helpful.

There are two things your charger needs to have - 1) The right plug type (J1772), and 2) 240V service with 40 Amp capability (if possible). This will allow you to achieve ~10% increase in State of Charge (SOC) every hour you are charging.

 

[daveo4EV]

the “stock” Porsche chargers for North America come with two “supply cables” for NEMA plugs

1. NEMA 5-15 (normal household 120 volts) - super super slow charging really need something better, but it can work for 20-30 miles range over night.
2. NEMA 50 amp _OR_ 30 amp cable depending on what you order:
   1. [STANDARD - DEFAULT] - NEMA 14-50 is the DEFAULT _IF_ you do nothing - you will get a NEMA 14-50 supply cable
   2. $0 option at time of order - NEMA 6-50
   3. $0 option at time of order - NEMA 14-30
   4. $0 option at time of order - NEMA 6-30

you can pick one cable from any of the 4 options for $0 at time of order.

which is the “right one”? - that depends on your home and it’s ability to handle a 50 amp or 30 amp 240 volt circuit - consult with your local bonded/licenced electrician.

what should you tell your electrician you want? Probably a NEMA 14-50?

what should you order if you already have a 240 volt circuit in the garage? what ever cable above matches what you already have installed!

what should you do if you already have an EV charger? See if the dealer will lower hte price of your Taycan and just use the EV charger you already have!!!

 

[daveo4EV]

all authors have their personal favorite works - and to date this is my personal best effort on the subject of EV charging…YMMV and I welcome feedback if I’m wrong…

https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/t...age…for-those-that-wish-to-over-do-it-….2343/

 

[Kingske]

The Taycan 4S and Turbo both should come with two connectors for the PMCC - one that is NEMA 14-50 (4 prong) plug compatible, and one that is NEMA 6-50 (3 prong) plug compatible. You can also use plug adapters to connect either of these plug types to 240V sources of varying sorts (e.g., RV Park connectors, Dryer connectors, etc.)

For a more definitive discussion of charging with both Porsche and non-Porsche chargers, read @daveo4EV's great article at this link. Dave has other articles about charging in other threads throughout this forum including Charging Opinions from a Long-time EV User that are very helpful.

@daveo4EV is the Champion of Chargers.

 

[JimBob]

all authors have their personal favorite works - and to date this is my personal best effort on the subject of EV charging…YMMV and I welcome feedback if I’m wrong…

https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/t...age…for-those-that-wish-to-over-do-it-….2343/

This is one of those threads that is so useful and practicable that it should be a sticky.

 

[SaratogaLefty]

the “stock” Porsche chargers for North America come with two “supply cables” for NEMA plugs

1. NEMA 5-15 (normal household 120 volts) - super super slow charging really need something better, but it can work for 20-30 miles range over night.
2. NEMA 50 amp _OR_ 30 amp cable depending on what you order:
   1. [STANDARD - DEFAULT] - NEMA 14-50 is the DEFAULT _IF_ you do nothing - you will get a NEMA 14-50 supply cable
   2. $0 option at time of order - NEMA 6-50
   3. $0 option at time of order - NEMA 14-30
   4. $0 option at time of order - NEMA 6-30

you can pick one cable from any of the 4 options for $0 at time of order.

which is the “right one”? - that depends on your home and it’s ability to handle a 50 amp or 30 amp 240 volt circuit - consult with your local bonded/licenced electrician.

what should you tell your electrician you want? Probably a NEMA 14-50?

what should you order if you already have a 240 volt circuit in the garage? what ever cable above matches what you already have installed!

what should you do if you already have an EV charger? See if the dealer will lower hte price of your Taycan and just use the EV charger you already have!!!

Dave,
Is there any difference between the charging module that I have for the 2018 Panamera vs the charging module that is included with the 2021 Taycan? If the actual charging modules are the same then I could just keep the "old" charging module with the NEMA 14-50 cable and include the new charging module with the NEMA 6-30 cable when I sell the Panamera. Or perhaps I just disconnect the cables from the modules and switch them out? I don't want to do anything dishonest and will tell the buyer of the Panamera if this switch can be done??

 

[daveo4EV]

check the back of the EVSE that came with the Panamera - I believe it will say 7.2 kW - the maximum rate of the “hybrid” porsche chargers is 32 amps - the maximum rate of the Taycan chargers in North America is 9.6 kW - both use NEMA 14-50 plugs - but hybrid ones don’t maximize the circuit capacitdy since the Hybrids can only charge at 7.2 kW.

both will function, but the hybrid one might be slower due to it’s amp limit.

if both are 9.6 kW they are identical.

however once you have a full EV you sometimes want to have a charger with you on the road so you can charge if you can find plugs - this is less critical for a hybrid - so having a 2nd charger would allow you to have a “stationary” one at home and one for the road.

 

[Miwa]

If your old charger is 14-50, and the new one is 6-30, then you aren't going to get more than what the 6-30 plug will do, even if the newer charger is more capable.

If the plugs are interchangeable, then sure go ahead and put the 14-50 on the new EVSE. (If they physically can switch, then they'll work). You're not being dishonest to the new buyer, because it's immediately obvious that a 6-30 plug goes with a 30A (24A continuous) circuit max.

If Porsche will sell you a 14-50 adapter cheaper than you can buy a new 50A EVSE, *and* you care about the difference between 7.2kW and 9.6kW, you can always do that upgrade.

 

[SaratogaLefty]

Here are two photos of my Porsche Charging Module. As someone mentioned above, I can remove the upper end of the power cord that goes into my 14-50 NEMA plug and plug in the 6-30 NEMA cord and then give that configuration to the new buyer making him aware I have made the switch.
My Panamera E-Hybrid does have the 7.2Kw Onboard charger installed in the car but I don't see anything on the back of the Charging Module that indicates whether it is 7.2Kw or 9.6Kw??
Also, I just noticed when removing the charging module to photo the back that I have been charging at 50% vs 100%. Just wondering if you guys use 50% or 100% when you charge?

 

[daveo4EV]

Here are two photos of my Porsche Charging Module. As someone mentioned above, I can remove the upper end of the power cord that goes into my 14-50 NEMA plug and plug in the 6-30 NEMA cord and then give that configuration to the new buyer making him aware I have made the switch.
My Panamera E-Hybrid does have the 7.2Kw Onboard charger installed in the car but I don't see anything on the back of the Charging Module that indicates whether it is 7.2Kw or 9.6Kw??
Also, I just noticed when removing the charging module to photo the back that I have been charging at 50% vs 100%. Just wondering if you guys use 50% or 100% when you charge?

this is a 30 amp charger (not a 40 amp charger) - it's clearly labeled on the back as 30 amps

240 volts * 30 amps = 7,200 watts or 7.2 kiloWatts

9.6 kW requires 40 amps @ 240V plugged into a NEMA 14-50/6-50 outlet in North America

from the picture above…

a Taycan (and most/all EV's) will charge just fine from this EVSE - they will all be limited to 7.2 kW the maximum amount of power that will be provided by this EVSE…(or 3.6 kW if you have the 50% button pressed)…

Taycan's maximum charge rate is 11 kw in North American (although there are scattered reports of Porsche clamping down max charge rate to 9.6 kW)

Macan EV would charge at 7.2 kW plugged into this EVSE…
Cayenne EV would charge at 7.2 kW plugged into this EVSE…

 

[Taycan4S_UK]

Different manufactures using different ports these days is crazy - it's like the USB days.

UK and EU use a standard port Type 2 AC and CCS Combo 2 (CCS2) for DC charging. I would assume no matter the type there is an adaptor for it.

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