Iβm still using the standard level 1 cable that came with my Outlander PHEV, but the charging times are just too slow. I'm looking to upgrade to a faster Level 2 setup or a higher-quality portable cable. Does anyone have specific brand recommendations that play nice with the Mitsubishi system? Looking for something durable and under $400. What are you guys using at home?
Oh man, I totally feel u on the slow charging times. When I first got my Outlander, I thought the level 1 cable would be fine, but waiting 12+ hours for a full charge was honestly such a drag... unfortunately, I had a pretty bad experience with a cheap "no-name" unit I found online that actually melted its plug after a few weeks. Seriously, don't skimp on safety cuz these things pull a lot of power!!
For your situation, I'd suggest looking into the Lectron Level 2 EV Charger (16 Amp, 240V, NEMA 6-20 Plug). It's durable, stays well under ur $400 budget, and cuts that charging time down to about 3.5-4 hours. It plays nice with the Mitsubishi system, but honestly, you gotta make sure your home's wiring is up to code first. I highkey recommend having a professional electrician install the 240V outlet. Better safe than sorry, right? gl with the upgrade!! 👍
> I'm looking to upgrade to a faster Level 2 setup or a higher-quality portable cable.
Sooo I actually went through this exact same thing last year. Honestly, I bought a super cheap one first and it literally melted the plug... sooo scary. For ur situation, I think the Schumacher SC1455 Level 2 EV Charger is basically the best value. I paid about $200 for mine and it cut my charging time down to like 4 hours compared to the 13+ I was getting before. It's kinda basic looking but it's UL rated which is huge for safety. Idk if u have a 240v outlet yet, but if u dont, factor that cost in too cuz that can be pricey!! Good luck dude.
Sooo I went through this last year when I first got my Outlander. Basically, level 1 charging feels like watching paint dry, it literally takes forever to get a full battery! Since the Outlander's onboard charger is kinda limited anyway, you don't actually need a super expensive 40-amp setup to see a massive difference.
I was pretty worried about spending too much, but I found that a solid 16-amp or 32-amp portable cable is the sweet spot. I ended up getting the Grizzl-E Classic Level 2 EV Charger for my garage because it's built like a tank, but for something portable and budget-friendly, I've been really happy with the Megear Level 2 EV Charger 16 Amp. It cut my charging time down from like 13 hours to under 4 hours!! Honestly, just making sure the plug fits a NEMA 6-20 or 14-50 outlet is the main thing. It's been such a game changer for my morning commutes, no complaints at all so far. gl with the upgrade tho!
> Iβm still using the standard level 1 cable that came with my Outlander PHEV, but the charging times are just too slow. It seems like the consensus here is that level 1 is basically like watching paint dry and the main thing is to avoid the cheap no-name stuff to prevent any fire hazards. Everyone is pointing toward solid 16-amp or 240v options to get those 4-hour charge times. I am pretty new to this but I actually tried to do the electrical work myself because the professional quotes were honestly super high and I wanted to see if I could handle it. I spent a ton of time researching NEMA outlets and wire gauges because I wanted to make sure my house wiring wouldnt get too hot while the car was pulling power all night. I mean I was pretty nervous opening up the main panel but I managed to find a spot for a new double-pole breaker and ran the conduit myself. It was a huge learning curve tho and I kept second guessing if the wire was thick enough for the run length. Does anyone else do their own garage wiring or is it usually better to just bite the bullet and hire someone to make sure it is totally up to code?
Respectfully, I'd actually suggest a different approachβdon't just grab the cheapest portable option. Safety is HUGE with PHEVs, especially since no-name cables without UL certification can literally melt ur outlet. Since the Outlander peaks at 16A anyway, Iβd go for:
β’ Grizzl-E Classic Level 2 EV Charger 16/24/32/40 Amp - It's built like a tank, UL-listed, and fits ur budget.
β’ Webasto Go Dual Voltage Portable EV Charger - Honestly the gold standard for safety and reliability.
Stay safe! 👍