[brian]

Ok, not the car, but the charging station. Hey, at least it's something!

I was a bit shocked at how it came packaged from EVConnect, however, because it was basically thrown in a cardboard box and sent off. No wrapping on the main unit - just the cord had a plastic sleeve on it. The head unit was a bit scuffed and very dusty. If it wasn't for the plastic sleeve on the cord I'd think this was a used unit that they sent me.

The unit and cord are surprisingly light. Hard to imagine how this thing cost $800 + $50 shipping.

Anyway, I took photos of the whole thing and posted them on my site:

FISKER CHARGING STATION PHOTOS

-Brian

 

[doug]

Does the cover come off easily? Maybe you could take some photos of the inside before you install it. Then you can see what you're getting for your 800 bucks.

 

[brian]

I didn't try. I didn't see an obvious way to do it, but I only briefly looked at it. I'll take another look later this evening.

-Brian

 

[brian]

So, the silver panels on the side are just stuck on with Velcro. Under that are the screws to open it up, but since I don't want to void my warranty I'm not going to touch that. I'll take more photos when the electrician does the install.

I read thru the crumpled instruction manual that was in the box, and according to the manual there is supposed to be a template to use to assist in drilling the mounting holes. No such template was included. Sigh....

-Brian

 

[Fabulist]

They must have ripped the charging unit out of the demo truck after the road show was over. Pretty classy operation, EV-Connect.

I am waiting for an electrician to give me an estimate on the installation of a Blink charger, but I am starting to have serious second thoughts about getting a Level II wall mount charger at all, because the Karma only draws 16A when charging at 240V, which you can actually draw from a 110V connection. So you should be able to use something like this or get an upgrade like this that is currently available for the Nissal Leaf.

The wall mount charger definitely looks a lot cooler, but at $2K after the tax credit, it is still pretty expensive. Of course, if Fisker were to throw the chargers in for free as partial compensation for our long and repeated delays, I would be inclined to get one.

-- Fab.

 

[Fabulist]

Brian:

Did you ever get an installation quote from EVConnect? I just got a quote from a local electrician and they want around $1300 for the installation, of which $850 is labor and materials and the rest is permit-related. Combined with the $1600 for the Blink Charger and Tax, it actually exceeds EVConnect's single price.

Is EVConnect going to honor the $2500 price for you or are they asking for more?

-- Fab.

 

[brian]

Yeah, I forget the exact amount, but I think it was $1300. I have put them on hold for now, however, since I'm not sure if I'm going to be canceling my Karma order or not. Still waiting for the dealer to get their demo so we can see what the real specs on the car are. I can't believe that a week+ after the EPA fiasco Fisker still hasn't provided any proof of their claims.

-Brian

 

[Fabulist]

I can't believe that a week+ after the EPA fiasco Fisker still hasn't provided any proof of their claims.

That is strange, not to mention the complete radio silence from CARB and TUV. Nor is Fisker listed as a brand on the EPA's fueleconomy.gov website. I guess they have been a bit distracted with the faux "sending US DOE money to Finland" crisis.

-- Fab.

 

[Charles Wright]

They must have ripped the charging unit out of the demo truck after the road show was over. Pretty classy operation, EV-Connect.

I am waiting for an electrician to give me an estimate on the installation of a Blink charger, but I am starting to have serious second thoughts about getting a Level II wall mount charger at all, because the Karma only draws 16A when charging at 240V, which you can actually draw from a 110V connection. So you should be able to use something like this or get an upgrade like this that is currently available for the Nissal Leaf.

The wall mount charger definitely looks a lot cooler, but at $2K after the tax credit, it is still pretty expensive. Of course, if Fisker were to throw the chargers in for free as partial compensation for our long and repeated delays, I would be inclined to get one.

-- Fab.

I just ordered my Blink charger today $1395 I have not called my electric yet but will do on Monday.

 

[Fabulist]

I just ordered my Blink charger today $1395 I have not called my electric yet but will do on Monday.

@Charles: I am having mine installed as a plug-in as opposed to permanently wired, like this:

I am hoping this makes future upgrades easier and would also give me the option to take the charger with me if I move out of my current house and the new owner does not want or need it. Something to consider ...

-- Fab.

 

[Dave_Car_Guy]

I am having mine installed as a plug-in as opposed to permanently wired, like this:

@Fab: So, for that type of install, do you just need a dedicated 40 amp fuse leading to that receptacle?
Thanks,
Dave

 

[Fabulist]

I am having mine installed as a plug-in as opposed to permanently wired, like this:

@Fab: So, for that type of install, do you just need a dedicated 40 amp fuse leading to that receptacle?

Yes, and I am told that the plug-in installation is fully code compliant.

-- Fab.

 

[brian]

EVConnect is on their way to install my Fisker charger this morning. Yay!

-Brian

 

[Fabulist]

EVConnect is on their way to install my Fisker charger this morning. Yay!

Excellent! Be sure to post photos post installation.

-- Fab.

 

[brian]

Will do! They're about half way done - taking a lunch break now.

Something I didn't know until today is that the national electric code states that chargers for electric cars cannot be mounted more than 4' above the ground. That's measured from where the connector is, not the bottom of the charging station. The connector on the Fisker charger sits pretty high on the unit, so the entire charger is being mounted pretty darn low - much lower than any sane person would want it. But that's the code, so that's what they have to do.

They're going to use flex conduit for the final stretch of the connection which means that after I get the inspection done I can easily just unbolt the unit from the wall and move it up another foot to where it should be.

-Brian

 

[ct-fiskerbuzz]

Something I didn't know until today is that the national electric code states that chargers for electric cars cannot be mounted more than 4' above the ground. That's measured from where the connector is, not the bottom of the charging station. ...

Ah, those wacky electric codes. I guess the theory is that if the 240 volt circuit is lower to the ground, you won't have dangerous electrons running through your head if something goes wrong. Which is why the 240 volt power from the pole to the house goes over your head.

 

[Fabulist]

Will do! They're about half way done - taking a lunch break now.

Something I didn't know until today is that the national electric code states that chargers for electric cars cannot be mounted more than 4' above the ground. That's measured from where the connector is, not the bottom of the charging station. The connector on the Fisker charger sits pretty high on the unit, so the entire charger is being mounted pretty darn low - much lower than any sane person would want it. But that's the code, so that's what they have to do.

They're going to use flex conduit for the final stretch of the connection which means that after I get the inspection done I can easily just unbolt the unit from the wall and move it up another foot to where it should be.

-Brian

@Brian: I did not know about this rule, but coincidentally, I picked a 2-piece unit where the cable and connector can be mounted low but the base unit can be mounted further up so there does not need to be any shenanigans afterwards.

-- Fab.

 

[brian]

EVConnect just left and my charger is now installed! The full photo gallery of the install process is here:

http://gallery.me.com/pangea#100476

-Brian

 

[Fabulist]

It'a a pretty nice looking unit when it's installed and has all the lights on. Now you have invite your Leaf or Volt owning neighbors to come over for a free charge until the Fisker arrives.

-- Fab.

P.S. Looked like your dog was keeping a close eye on the workers.

 

[brian]

Hah! That's exactly what the installer told me.

-Brian