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Best Level 2 charger for Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid?

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Hey everyone! I recently joined the minivan club with a new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, and I’m absolutely loving the EV mode for my daily school runs and errands. However, I’m quickly realizing that the standard Level 1 charger that came with the van just isn't cutting it. Waiting 12 to 14 hours for a full charge on a standard 120V outlet is tough, especially when I want to top it off between trips to stay off gas as much as possible.

I’m looking to install a Level 2 home station to take full advantage of the Pacifica’s 6.6 kW onboard charger. I’ve been doing some research and I'm a bit torn between the popular 'smart' chargers like the ChargePoint Home Flex and the more rugged, 'dumb' chargers like the Grizzl-E. Since the Pacifica has a relatively small 16 kWh battery compared to full EVs, I’m wondering if I really need all the bells and whistles of an app, or if I should just focus on something durable for my unheated garage.

I’m planning on having a NEMA 14-50 outlet installed soon, so I'd prefer a plug-in unit over a hardwired one. For those of you who have been driving a PacHy for a while, which charger have you found to be the most reliable? Do you think the smart features are actually useful for tracking charging costs with this specific van?


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I have spent quite a bit of time analyzing different charging setups and, unfortunately, my experience with the smart chargers has been pretty disappointing. I had several issues where the software handshake between the charger and the van would fail, which meant the charging session never even started. It is simply not as good as expected when you're paying a premium for those extra features. The Pacifica already has its own internal scheduling system, so having a second layer of software in the charger often causes more conflicts than benefits. For a technical assessment of your specific situation, are you looking for a unit that provides detailed energy logs for utility rebate purposes, or is your main priority just finding the most durable hardware for an unheated garage? Also, what is your specific budget for the unit itself?


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Congrats on joining the PacHy club!! Honestly, jumping to Level 2 is the best move you can make. That 2-hour recharge time basically turns it into a brand new van. Since the onboard charger is capped at 6.6 kW, any standard 32-amp or 40-amp unit will max it out easily. Tbh, the "smart" features are cool for looking at graphs and stuff, but the PacHy internal scheduling can be a bit finicky sometimes, so having a reliable hardware unit is often the way to go. Wait, before you pull the trigger on a specific model, what's the Wi-Fi signal like in your garage? If it's spotty, those smart features won't even work half the time and you're basically paying for tech you can't use. Also, are you planning on potentially getting a full BEV (battery electric vehicle) down the road, or are you strictly looking for something that fits the Pacifica's needs right now? That might change whether you want to over-spec the amperage for the future or just keep things simple today.


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