SAE J1772 Revised Oct2012

[bwilson4web]

Hi,

So I bought the SAE paper and learned about a new-to-me, "DC Level 1" charger: http://www.sae.org/smartgrid/chargingspeeds.pdf

This one reuses the normal AC power pins, 1 and 2, for DC power up to 80A. So I thought I'd check but so far, Mr. Google has not found a definitive statement of what charge levels are support for my BMW i3-REx:

• Level 1 AC - comes with it
• Level 2 AC - public and what I've installed at home, 30-31 A maximum current
• Level 1 DC - reuses the AC lines for DC power, just learned about it
• Level 2 DC - the SAE combo socket is obvious, not tested in my car, yet

Other than sending a note to BMW, is there a source listing the charging modes supported?

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

[jadnashuanh]

I'd be surprised if the i3 used the DC level 1 mode. Anything's possible, I suppose. It would be messy trying to extract the signaling information that is normally on those pins if it also had high current DCV going through it. The pin size on that also seems to be a bit small for that level of voltage and current. I have not read of any public CCS systems that support it, and at 80A max, the average residence wouldn't support the power load, either. For best efficiency with a DCV power supply, it's easier to start with higher voltage than is normally in a residence.

One reason why BMW delayed selling the i3 in the USA until it did was for that standard to become stabilized, and that only happened in late 2013, so what you're reading in 2012 may not have made the final cut.