looking for a level 1 backup charger for 2018 Honda Claity plug-in hybrid

ZS007 said:

I have a level 1 Honda OEM charger but I am looking for another as a backup charger for my 2018 Honda Claity plug-in hybrid. I have found a lot of chargers on line (ebay etc) but would like to find out if anyone had any good recommendations. I need to make sure the charger is really reliable and would not cause any harm to the internal charging circuitry or the hybrid battery. Looking forward to your response. Thank you.

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Very few people buy level 1 chargers, most buy level 2, so it may be hard to get recommendations. However many companies make both level 1 and level 2 chargers so what you can do is read people's comments about their level 2 chargers in forums like this or in Amazon reviews for example, and those reviews would give you a general idea about the quality of chargers the company makes. Also some companies make level 2 chargers that come with an adapter for level 1 so they can be used for both.

I'd get a Duosida EVSE with the 110v pigtail option. This way you can charge L1 or L2 from any 20 amp circuit.

2002 said:

Very few people buy level 1 chargers, most buy level 2, so it may be hard to get recommendations. However many companies make both level 1 and level 2 chargers so what you can do is read people's comments about their level 2 chargers in forums like this or in Amazon reviews for example, and those reviews would give you a general idea about the quality of chargers the company makes. Also some companies make level 2 chargers that come with an adapter for level 1 so they can be used for both.

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I bought the Amazon's DuoSida dual voltage travel charger and it works like a champ.

For travel, I take the dual voltage charger so no matter where I am, as long as there is 110 or 220V I can charge the car.
On the road I can charge 110V using the hotel room's power, at RV/camp sites where they have 220V I can use that (with pigtail adapter).
At my parent's home on a rural farm, they have 220V for their welders, compressors & hydraulics so I am good to charge the car in 1/3 the time.

The advantage of the DuoSida is that it can pull more current out of a standard 110V outlet, cutting charge time compared to the stock Honda L1 charger.

Here's a video on mine:

I have the Zencar level 2 240V, 16A that also comes with a level 1 connector to plug into a standard 120V outlet. I use it mostly for level 2 charging at home in the garage but have also used the level 1 connector a few times. Had it over a year with no problems. I think I paid $200 on Amazon.

In addition to a L1 charger I carry a 40 ft three wire 10 gauge all weather UL listed extension cable. This has allowed me to plug into more hotel outlets than I can count. (I always get permission first.) Interesting tidbit - avoid newer hotels if you're looking for overnight charging. The older ones tend to have more external outlets.

obermd said:

In addition to a L1 charger I carry a 40 ft three wire 10 gauge all weather UL listed extension cable. This has allowed me to plug into more hotel outlets than I can count. (I always get permission first.) Interesting tidbit - avoid newer hotels if you're looking for overnight charging. The older ones tend to have more external outlets.

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Do you normally ask them if there is an outlet that you can use or do you find an available outlet first then ask them if you can use it? How far do you typically have to run the cord, I realize it all depends and each situation is different but I'm guessing sometimes it involves traipsing through bushes and ivy to reach the outlet, other times it's easier to get to. How often do you have to run the cord across a sidewalk or other areas where people will likely be walking?

2002 said:

Do you normally ask them if there is an outlet that you can use or do you find an available outlet first then ask them if you can use it? How far do you typically have to run the cord, I realize it all depends and each situation is different but I'm guessing sometimes it involves traipsing through bushes and ivy to reach the outlet, other times it's easier to get to. How often do you have to run the cord across a sidewalk or other areas where people will likely be walking?

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If I don't see one out in plain sight I ask. I'll only run the cord across a walkway if it is a direct line (not an angle) but that was one time at the very end of the walkway (last spot in the isle). The cord is bright yellow so it's visible even in low light levels. I also ensure there's plenty of slack so if someone does snag it with their foot it won't trip them immediately or yank it out of the car or outlet.