Blink Level 2 Residential Charging Station
EVSE installation to be one week prior to vehicle delivery
We got a phone call this morning from Sun West Electric, one of the Southern California contractors hired by the EV Project to install electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE – or charging docks) in the region. On March 1st, Sun West Electric had contacted us regarding the potential installation of the EVSE. As they had not done a site survey, they asked for some pictures of our electric panel, which we took with our phone and emailed them to a specified address, and had heard nothing back until now. With the impending delivery of our LEAF, we were just about to call to check on the status of the EVSE installation. Sun West Electric beat us to the phone.
Apparently the photographs provided adequate information to make their decision, as today’s phone call was to schedule the installation. Shawn (we are unsure of the spelling), asked us if they could come out next week, and being unsure of our schedule we asked to check it and return the call. We were offered several days next week (the 22nd, 23rd, or 25th). After reviewing our schedule we opted for Friday, March 25th. The plan is for Sun West Electric to show up around 7:00 AM, and Shawn stated that the typical installation runs from around 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM – or roughly seven hours. Also, since we opted to accept the San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) experimental electric vehicle (EV) rate, this would necessitate the installation of a second power meter. Our understanding is that Sun West Electric provides the socket and SDG&E provides the meter. But because of the second meter installation, there is a requirement for an EVSE inspection ( we presume by SDG&E – we didn’t ask). Shawn reiterated that with our vehicle being scheduled to arrive at the dealership on March 29, they wanted to get the installation done prior to that. The EVSE inspection was scheduled for Monday, March 28.
This is the second time that Shawn has said that our vehicle would be at the dealership on March 29. We assume that she is getting this information from Nissan corporate. When we checked in with our dealer at the beginning of March, he thought that the LEAF may be in even sooner, but we have heard nothing more on that front. While we are excited about the possibility of driving our new LEAF soon, we have much to do in preparation (selling a 2002 Nissan Sentra and cleaning out the garage being atop the list). Because of our needed preparations, we really don’t want the LEAF to arrive any sooner. Just to see what our LEAF dashboard had to say, we did check in and found that it currently stands at week of March 29. It looks like we better get started on cleaning out the garage.
Congrats!! The electrical contractor for my installation is charging me $200.00 because I do not want any exposed piping inside or outside the garage. You may want to reach an understanding about exposed piping with the contractor.
Thanks for the info stanley. I will keep that in mind when the installation occurs.
Hey guys: I want the 2nd SDG&E meter. Should I call SD&GE or someone to make arrangements for this? The only contact I’ve had so far is the email from Ecotality, which was for my acceptance and electronic signing of the contract. I’ve heard nothing yet from SDG&E. My delivery date is still “month of May”.
Thanks
Neil, I don’t recall the sequence of events, but I believe I was called by the installation evse subcontractor first, then by SDG&E. You could probably go back and read my posts and it should be there. Also, don’t expect to hear anything from anyone until you get a “week of …” indication, if I recall correctly.
Ernie,
Congratulation! We are living vicariously through your posts.
Although the Leaf dashboard has been showing an April 2011 delivery date, I checked just for the heck of it. Surprise, I have a deliver date of the week of April 14th and CARWINGS is active. I have a VIN so I know the car is alive. I was certain that I would not see my car for months with the catastrophe in Japan. I now have to start cleaning the garage, but I have a little more time than you do.
John
John – thanks for your comments! 🙂 Congratulations on the “week of …” announcement. Things will likely start happening now regarding evse installation and coordination with your local utility.