Can I Slow Down My EV's Charge?

[stargate6t2]

So I'm getting a new MINI SE next month and I'm freaking out about charging it in my condo garage. The only option is a 15A circuit, and I need a long charger cable to reach the car. The Level 1 charger I found is 16A, which sounds risky on a 15A circuit. Can I trick the car into charging slower so it doesn't overload the circuit? I only need a little charge each night, so hopefully, it'll be okay. Any advice from fellow MINI owners?

 

[Bert002]

I've used the included charger with a 12-amp extension cord for a couple of years without any issues.

 

[Zeke]

So I'm getting a new MINI SE next month and I'm freaking out about charging it in my condo garage. The only option is a 15A circuit, and I need a long charger cable to reach the car. The Level 1 charger I found is 16A, which sounds risky on a 15A circuit. Can I trick the car into charging slower so it doesn't overload the circuit? I only need a little charge each night, so hopefully, it'll be okay. Any advice from fellow MINI owners?

The cable can only handle so much power, but how much power it uses depends on the load (like how fast you're charging). So, it's best to use a cable that can handle a lot of power, especially if it's a long cable.

The Mini's charger has three settings: Max, Reduced, and Low. The Low setting is for normal home plugs (like the 240V, 13A plugs in the UK) and uses about 2 kW of power.

You could also use the normal home charger that comes with the Mini and a weatherproof extension cable.

 

[ZeroECooper]

The Mini determines how many amps it pulls, not the cable. The cable just needs to handle the load.

 

[Edward_Kenway]

I was in a similar situation with my condo's 15A circuit. From what I've learned, it's crucial not to exceed 80% of the circuit's capacity for continuous loads, meaning you should aim for a 12A draw on a 15A circuit. The MINI SE allows you to adjust the charging current directly from the car's settings. By navigating to 'My MINI' > 'Plan charging/climate control' > 'Settings charging current' > 'Level 1 (120V)', you can select 'Reduced' or 'Low' to decrease the charging rate. This adjustment should help prevent overloading your circuit. Hope this helps!

 

[EVBattSucker]

So I'm getting a new MINI SE next month and I'm freaking out about charging it in my condo garage. The only option is a 15A circuit, and I need a long charger cable to reach the car. The Level 1 charger I found is 16A, which sounds risky on a 15A circuit. Can I trick the car into charging slower so it doesn't overload the circuit? I only need a little charge each night, so hopefully, it'll be okay. Any advice from fellow MINI owners?

Congrats on the new MINI SE! I wouldn’t risk the 16A charger on a 15A circuit, it’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. You can try slowing the charge in the car settings, but an electrician might be your best friend here. Better to keep things safe and sound