If you’re a first-time LEAF owner, learning how to charge your car effectively can be a major hassle. Especially considering there are multiple forms of charging, and each one of them comes with a different set of instructions. Today, we’ll look at all you need to know to charge your Nissan LEAF with a level 1 charger effectively. Here’s the quick answer:
Level 1 charging is the slowest form of charging and is available for all model years of the Nissan LEAF. Nissan provides a level 1 15amp EVSE with the purchase of the vehicle. Furthermore, a regular outlet with 110 – 120 volt is all that’s needed to charge the LEAF.
However, that certainly doesn’t answer everything you need to know. In the article below, we’ll jump into how to identify if your Nissan LEAF has a trickle charging option and how to use this step-by-step. We’ll also discuss how long charging takes in less ideal conditions and how much all of this costs. Read on!
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Can Every Nissan LEAF Use A Level 1 Trickle Charger?
Level 1 charging is the standard form of charging that’s available for all model years of the Nissan LEAF. This type of charging is available for all Nissan LEAF because it requires the least amount of voltage, and the equipment that’s needed comes standard with the car.
To level 1 charge your Nissan LEAF, you need a 110 – 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet using the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) provided with the car. The level 1 EVSE is the cable that’s connected to a small electronic box. See the image below for the level 1 EVSE that comes standard with the LEAF.
How To Use A Level 1 Charger With A Nissan LEAF?
We must discuss several situations when charging a Nissan LEAF with a level 1 charger. These are: what type of charger to use, how to start charging, how to finish it, and what to do when charging is cut-off too early. Below, there are instructions for all of this.
What Type Of Charger To Use?
Besides the needed equipment, it’s essential to know what charger type the Nissan LEAF requires for this type of charging. In the case of the LEAF, you have to use an SAE J1772 charger, as pictured below. If you ever need to replace the level 1 EVSE that comes with the LEAF. Make sure the EVSE you buy has this type of charger. Read here everything you need to know about the different charger types a Nissan LEAF uses.
Furthermore, it’s good to know that this charger is also used for level 2 charging the Nissan LEAF. However, in this case, the charger is connected to a level 2 EVSE, which has different specifications. Learn more here about level 2 charging the Nissan LEAF.
You may have heard about other types of chargers as well. These include the CHAdeMO and CCS charger types. It’s good to know that these chargers are used for level 3 charging. Level 3 charging is also possible with some types of Nissan LEAF. However, the SAE J1772 charger types are almost universally used for level 1 and 2 charging.
Start Charging
First, push the P (Park) position switch to place the vehicle in the P (Park) position and apply the parking brake. Then, place the power switch in the OFF position. Charging will not start when the power switch is in the ON position. Then, open the right charge port lid, as shown in the image below.
Then, take out the level 1 EVSE from the rear hatch and connect the electrical plug to the AC 110-120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical outlet. If it is connected, the green light on the EVSE control box indicator light illuminates.
Open the charge port cap and remove the safety cap from the charge connector, as shown in the image below.
Connect the charge connector to the charge port. If it is connected correctly, a beep will sound once. If charging has started or the battery is waiting for the charging timer, a beep will sound twice, and the charging status indicator light display will change.
In the image below, you can see what charge the car has. When all three lights are illuminated and don’t flash, the car is charged at least 80% (80% is ideal for the lifespan of the Li-on battery). When none of the lights are illuminated, the car isn’t charging.
Finish Charging
Ensure that the charge connector lock is not engaged. Press the button on the charge connecter (as displayed in the image below), release the lock and reattach the safety cap. Remove the charge connector from the charge port and the electrical outlet and properly store it. Close the charge port cap. After closing the charge port cap on the charge port, close the charge port lid.
Finally, it’s recommended that you use a commercially available padlock when you charge your car outside to prevent theft. You can secure the padlock on position A as shown in the image below.
If you´re interested in optimally charging your Nissan Leaf, also read this article about seven charging recommendations for the LEAF!
Charging Modes
After or before connecting the Nissan LEAF level 1 charger, you can decide how you want your Nissan LEAF to charge itself.
Immediate Charge
First, there’s the immediate charge switch that looks like the image below. You can push this button after connecting or before connecting the level 1 charger. However, if you do it before, make sure the car is already turned off; otherwise, it doesn’t register. After pressing the button, you have 15 minutes to connect the charger.
Charge Timer
Secondly, you have the option to put timers for when and where your Nissan LEAF should charge itself. You find these timers under ‘EV Settings’ -> ‘Charger Timer1’. Here, you can set the exact time of the day you want the Nissan LEAF to charge.
If your Nissan LEAF has a navigation module, it will also allow you to set the exact days you want the cars to start charging. Furthermore, these modules also have an option in which the Nissan LEAF will only begin charging when the car is connected to a charger at home. If the navigation registers you’re not at home, charging won’t initiate.
The Nissan LEAF will start charging automatically once it registers it’s that time of the day, the vehicle is turned off, it’s at the right location, and it’s connected to a level 1 charger.
How Long Does It Take To Charge A Nissan LEAF With A Level 1 Charger?
Level 1 charging is the slowest form of charging. On average, a Nissan LEAF gains 2 – 5 miles of range for every hour it’s connected to the power grid. However, how fast your LEAF really charges depends on battery temperature and the size of battery your LEAF has.
Let’s assume the battery temperature is average, and you charge 3.5 miles of range every hour. Furthermore, we assume you’re going from 20 – 80% of range. This is what Nissan recommends to improve battery life. Charging from 0 – 100% would increase the charging time exponentially, and it could take up to 2.5 days to charge a LEAF from 0 – 100%.
Battery | Hours (20-80%) |
24kWh | 4.1 |
30kWh | 5.1 |
40kWh | 6.9 |
62kWh | 10.6 |
Other Questions Related To Level 1 Charging For The Nissan Leaf
How Much Does It Cost To Charge A Nissan LEAF This Way?
Typically, level 1 charging happens at home: whenever you charge in public, it’s going to be a level 2 or level 3 charger. So, when you charge at home, you only pay for electricity and not for the use of equipment provided by anyone else. Below, you can see how much a full charge will cost, assuming a price of $0.15 per kW.
Battery | Home |
24kWh | $ 3.60 |
30kWh | $ 4.50 |
40kWh | $ 6.00 |
62kWh | $ 9.30 |
Is It Worth It To Upgrade To A Level 2 Charger For The Nissan Leaf?
As you may have noticed by now, level 1 charging isn’t ideal if you’re going to use the Nissan LEAF every day. Therefore, upgrading to a level 2 charger is typically a great idea. You’ll need to upgrade your EVSE for this and install a 220 – 240 volt line. However, all of this can be done for less than $1,000.
If you get a level 2 charger, you can charge a LEAF in 4 – 11.5 hours from 0 – 100%, depending on your LEAF’s battery size.
Also read: 8 Common Problems Of A Nissan Leaf
Sources
- http://mynissanleaf.ru/docs/manual-nissan-leaf-2011-en.pdf
- https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/nissan/2017-leaf.pdf
- https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/nissan/2022-leaf.pdf
- https://www.myev.com/research/ev-101/what-it
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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