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I have called Honda and talked with a couple of CS agents there and they only find/surmise that the original recharge cord is just for 120 volt (level 1) charging. Even though mention is made about the same cars sold in Europe where they only have 240 volt systems and also the heavy cord seems to be just as heavy or more so than the ones that are for sale to handle the 240 volts. I have also sent an e-mail to Honda to see if an engineer will post a response to this on line somewhere to answer officially along with the specifics as to WHY NOT use this original recharge cord for 240 volts. Is this a legal "scared-de-cat" reaction on Honda's part here to answer this simple question to eliminate the confusion among Clarity owners that would like to start using 240 volt and 2 1/2 hour recharge time without paying $400 or more for a "quote" 240 volt recharge cord that is no heavier than the original one? Somebody here have a conclusive answer to this?

 

[2002]

I have called Honda and talked with a couple of CS agents there and they only find/surmise that the original recharge cord is just for 120 volt (level 1) charging. Even though mention is made about the same cars sold in Europe where they only have 240 volt systems and also the heavy cord seems to be just as heavy or more so than the ones that are for sale to handle the 240 volts. I have also sent an e-mail to Honda to see if an engineer will post a response to this on line somewhere to answer officially along with the specifics as to WHY NOT use this original recharge cord for 240 volts. Is this a legal "scared-de-cat" reaction on Honda's part here to answer this simple question to eliminate the confusion among Clarity owners that would like to start using 240 volt and 2 1/2 hour recharge time without paying $400 or more for a "quote" 240 volt recharge cord that is no heavier than the original one? Somebody here have a conclusive answer to this?

The only answer that you are going to get from anyone at Honda is what is stated on the EVSE itself, 110V to 120V. If in fact the EVSE is identical, Honda could have done like some other EVSE manufacturers have done and provided a EVSE with a 240V connector, along with an adapter from the 240V plug to 120V plug. As far as I know that is the only legal way they could have provided an EVSE rated to work with both 120V and 240V. They chose not to do so either because they are not identical, or because they wanted to save a few bucks in the cost of the adapter and also testing and certification for using it for both voltages. Only Honda can conclusively answer the question which of those two it is, but I highly doubt if you will get an answer from them about it other than the standard canned answer that the EVSE is only rated for 110-120V.

 

[Rob43]

I have called Honda and talked with a couple of CS agents there and they only find/surmise that the original recharge cord is just for 120 volt (level 1) charging. Even though mention is made about the same cars sold in Europe where they only have 240 volt systems and also the heavy cord seems to be just as heavy or more so than the ones that are for sale to handle the 240 volts. I have also sent an e-mail to Honda to see if an engineer will post a response to this on line somewhere to answer officially along with the specifics as to WHY NOT use this original recharge cord for 240 volts. Is this a legal "scared-de-cat" reaction on Honda's part here to answer this simple question to eliminate the confusion among Clarity owners that would like to start using 240 volt and 2 1/2 hour recharge time without paying $400 or more for a "quote" 240 volt recharge cord that is no heavier than the original one? Somebody here have a conclusive answer to this?

Yep, I agree with what 2002 told you.


Honda, BMW, Chevy, Nissan & so on..... Will only tell you what they originally designed the car (and the EVSE) for. Any deviation from anything in the user manual will be met with the answer "NO".


At this point you are on your own, you have two simple ways that you can proceed:

1) Believe what I have mapped out for you including ALL of the different success stories with their pictures & testimonials.

2) Don't believe any of this and just buy a $200 to $500 dollar EVSE unit.


Good luck,
Rob43

 

[4sallypat]

There is a thread showing you how to modify the OEM L1 into a L2 for $20 but I am afraid of violating warranties, causing a fire and having the insurance company deny coverage due to my "cheapness".

I bought a used L2 charger on Craigslist for $100 and happy with that !

 

[mowcowbell]

Been using my OEM EVSE at 240 volts without any issues... but you won't get 2.5 hours recharge time... it's more like 5.5 hours since the amps is still ~11 amps, just the voltage doubled.

 

[Rob43]

There is a thread showing you how to modify the OEM L1 into a L2 for $20 but I am afraid of violating warranties, causing a fire and having the insurance company deny coverage due to my "cheapness".

I bought a used L2 charger on Craigslist for $100 and happy with that !

Fear is the mind killer...



Rob43

 

[obermd]

The biggest wear item on the OEM EVSE is the plug. Repeated insertions and removals of the plug (wall end) is a known issue with all EVSEs. For this reason I actually purchased an additional L1/L2 EVSE. I leave my EVSE plugged in all the time and carry one in the car.

 

[Rob43]

^ Yep, they're a bigger wear problem than most people realize.

I occasionally inspect any plug that gets more usage or is seeing amperage that's closer to the 80% rule. Plugs with copper/brass that look dull or dirty get a little sandpaper until they look clean for their best connection.



Rob43

 

[Tourist]

I know about electricity. But I also know about lawsuits and liability. You will not get any answers from Honda people. It would be prohibited by their corporate lawyers.
It's all interesting; I am sorry a level 2 was not included in my purchase; I'll deal with that because I have all night to charge for the next day's 40-mile run.
I have already learned that the value of this car lies with your driving habits and needs.
But the subject is tempting and very interesting since I have an unused electric dryer outlet available should my needs change...

 

[ClarityDave]

I know about electricity. But I also know about lawsuits and liability. You will not get any answers from Honda people. It would be prohibited by their corporate lawyers.
It's all interesting; I am sorry a level 2 was not included in my purchase; I'll deal with that because I have all night to charge for the next day's 40-mile run.
I have already learned that the value of this car lies with your driving habits and needs.
But the subject is tempting and very interesting since I have an unused electric dryer outlet available should my needs change...

Just my personal thought on this. You should have no fear of lawsuits or liability. The EVSE is obviously designed to do 240V. I have been using this technique with a Chrysler EVSE now for 2-1/2 years and it works great. Charges either of my PHEVs in 5-6 hours instead of 10-12 hours. In reality, a Level 2 was included with your purchase because that’s what the EVSE becomes when you plug it into 240v.