Product Description
The Siemens VersiCharge line of electric vehicle charging equipment is the most versatile, feature rich and easy to use system available to electric vehicle users. The lineup includes amperage control, flexible installation options, and intuitive user controls. The charging station is provided with a mounting bracket and a NEMA 4 enclosure rating for indoor and outdoor use. NEMA 4 ratings provide a water tight enclosure, as opposed to most other manufacturer's NEMA 3R ratings which are only rain resistant. A standard 20 foot cord and J1772 connector, which plugs into all North American electric vehicles, are provided. UL listing provides the highest level of longevity, reliability, and functionality available in the market today.
| List Price: | $995.00 |
| Price: |
$849.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
| as of Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:55:37 GMT ***Remember, deals price on this item for sale just for limited time*** | |
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #13192 in Home Improvement
- Size: Bottom Fed
- Brand: Siemens
- Model: VC30BLKB
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 21.75" h x 10.00" w x 19.25" l,
Features
- Up to 7.2 kW or 30 A Level 2 charging can cut charge time in half versus Level 1
- 20-Feet long cord extends to hard to reach spots and easy delay feature allows car to start charging when you want it to so you can take advantage of non-peak utility rates
- NEMA 4 enclosure is one step better than the NEMA 3R enclosures on the market and can be mounted indoor or outdoor
- Cord and plug included with both rear and bottom fed versions for easy mounting
- New for 2013 Congress has reinstated a 30-Percent tax credit for the purchase and installation of Level 2 EVSE, call your tax expert to learn more
Amazon.com
Siemens’s 30-amp VersiCharge electric vehicle charger is available in two wiring configurations—bottom fed (VC30BLKB) and rear fed (VC30BLKR)—and offers a multitude of easy-to-use features that allow you to effortlessly incorporate energy efficient practices into your everyday life. As technology advances and electric cars become increasingly available on the market, Siemens is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art, versatile battery-charging options to make energy-efficient vehicle use accessible and approachable. With the VersiCharge, you’ll never leave home with a half-charged electric car battery again.
Optimized Installation Options
Not only can the VersiCharge function as a portable charging unit, with a power cord and plug attached so that it can be easily transported between locations, but it comes equipped with a mounting bracket and other hardware for permanent installation at home in your garage, carport, or parking pad. The weatherproof NEMA 4 enclosure, made of 60 percent recycled material with matte finish, is designed to withstand the elements no matter its location.
With two VersiCharge wiring options—bottom fed (VC30BLKB) and rear fed (VC30BLKR) units with interchangeable sealing plugs—multiple configurations are feasible. Either unit can be installed over a suitably sized double-gang receptacle box. The bottom-fed VersiCharge’s plug hangs out of the underside of the unit and is intended for use with a receptacle below it. The plug on the rear-fed VersiCharge is hidden in its back and is meant to be used with an outlet behind the unit to mount flush to the wall. And the included mounting bracket regardless of how far apart your studs are spaced, the included mounting bracket can be used almost anywhere, regardless of how far apart your studs are spaced.
Making Energy Efficiency Easy
The VersiCharge is jam packed with user-friendly features that make it easier than ever to efficiently charge your electric vehicle. The unit’s standard SAE J1771 connector is not only ergonomic for user comfort, but an integrated holster also keeps debris and dust out of the plug for clean and convenient usage. The included 20-foot cord wraps over the top of the enclosure for expedient storage.
Monitor the status of your vehicle’s charge with help from the LED color indication halo that’s visible from across the garage and displays the stage at which your charge stands, from ready to charge to charging to fully charged. Further adjust charging status to specifically fit your schedule with help from the delay timer functionality, which allows you to postpone charging for up to eight hours from the time of plug-in with the press of a button. The VersiCharge begins doing its job as soon as the delay timer has run its course. And regardless of when you choose to charge, the EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) power output can be adjusted to complement the outlet’s capability, ranging in increments from a maximum power setting of 7.2 kW to 1.8 kW. Plus, by delivering adjustable, extended amperage options, the VersiCharge keeps up with evolving electric vehicle technology, helping to future proof compatibility over time.
About Siemens
Founded more than 165 years ago, Siemens is a worldwide industry leader in electronics and electrical engineering, dedicated to innovation, quality, and reliability in the fields of energy, industry, and healthcare. Standing for technological excellence and delivering infrastructure solutions, Siemens is the world’s chief supplier of environmental technologies, with about 40 percent of its total revenue coming from green products and solutions.
What's in the Box
One Siemens 30-amp VersiCharge electric vehicle charger (either bottom fed [VC30BLKB] or rear fed [VC30BLKR]), one mounting bracket, and one color installation manual.
Highlights
- Compatible with all plug-in electric vehicles (SAE J1772 vehicle plug)
- 30-amp, 240-volt Level 2 charging capability cuts charge time in half versus Level 1
- User-friendly installation, design, and functionality
- Flexible wiring options—bottom-fed and rear-fed¬—for flexible configuration
- Dimensions: 16.5 inches by 16.5 inches by 6.5 inches; weighs 21 pounds
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed for quality standards
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful.
By Carlos Malagueña
I purchased the Siemens VC30BLKB bottom feed EV charging station from Amazon. I chose this charger for four reasons. 1) It was capable of delivering up to 30 amps, which makes it somewhat future proof; 2) Unlike most of the other units, it comes with a three year warranty; 3) It comes in a NEMA 4 weatherproof enclosure (even though I am installing it indoors, I think this provides extra protection); 4) At the time I made my purchase, the cost was $200 less than the comparable charger from Leviton (although Amazon has since raised the price by $150).
Prior to receiving the charger, I read the manual on-line and installed a 40 amp dedicated circuit with a NEMA 6-50 female receptacle into my garage. Since my Nissan Leaf is only capable of accepting up to 16 amps, and since the Siemens charger has an internal adjustment to reduce the draw to 15 amps, I was hoping to have been able to use my existing dryer outlet. However, after speaking with Siemens Technical Support, I learned that the unit requires a dedicated 40 amp circuit regardless. I don't see any need to open the charger and perform the voltage adjustment since the charger that is built into the electric vehicle is capable of regulating the power.
Once the receptacle was installed, mounting the charger was very easy. You must find a stud in the wall capable of holding 20 lbs. A mounting bracket with a built-in template is included. The bracket is mounted to the stud with two lag screws. The charger slips into the bracket and is plugged into the receptacle. Once plugged into the wall the charger has an LED to indicate that power is available. Plug the J1772 connector into the car and charging will begin as indicated by a different LED. A third LED indicates if the charger is in a ready state, such as when it has been plugged in but is set to begin charging at a later time. There is a pause button on the Siemens charger, as well as the ability to delay the charging for 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours. This delay could come in handy if you want to charge at certain times, when the price of electricity is lower, or if you want to wait for your battery to cool down for a couple of hours before charging.
The charger is designed so that the cord wraps around it neatly. I look forward to many years of use for this device.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
By JOEKC
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R326WFD7J8U5X [Note: Although I mention a 220v circuit in the video review, it is connected to a 208-240v 40amp double pole breaker.]
We bought the Siemens 30-A Bottom Fed VersiCharge because it fits our lifestyle better than the 110v charger included in the car. I typically use the car in the morning for some errands and my wife uses it for about a 15 mile r/t to work and back in the afternoon. So I usually have a charging window of a couple of hours to top off our 2013 Chevy Volt before it goes out on the road again. The 110v charger would not get it back up to a full charge in time.
Since I did a video review, I'll just mention a few things here I didn't have time to include in the review.
What I like:
Well made, sealed for outdoor use, although I have an inside installation.
Feels sturdy -- the cables are thick and appear well insulated.
Relatively quiet. When you're near it you can hear a faint electrical hum, but unlike some other units reviewed here, there is nothing that would ever bother you. It makes a firm electrical "click" when you plug in into the car (you can hear it in the video review) but nothing like an alarming bang that other devices seem to make.
The large "halo" surrounding the device lets you see the charging status from a considerable distance. This can be disabled if desired.
The charge plug inserts and removes from my Volt firmly, but easily.
What could be better:
The charging plug is somewhat difficult to remove from the holder in the charger. You have to press very firmly on the rubber-covered button and pull it away with some force. This may get better over time.
The wall mounting bracket is plastic! Although it shows no sign of coming loose, hanging a 21 lb. electrical device on this flimsy bracket does not inspire confidence. (The plastic may be due to some requirement related to an outdoor electrical connection, but it should be thicker plastic.)
The device wobbles a bit on the wall because it does not quite fit flush, due to the way the lag bolts go into the bracket. There is only a narrow vertical support, nothing horizontal. Not a big deal and it is on the wall securely.
I feel this charger is somewhat overpriced, especially compared to the one offered by GM, but it also seems to be a better charger. I personally think they are all overpriced.
Summary:
A fine charger with a three-year warranty. If there are any problems I'll update this review, but I expect it to work well for a long time. This is a 4.5 star review, but I'll bump it to 5 because Siemens is a reliable company and the warranty is excellent.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
By York Hong
When I was first in the market for Level 2 EVSE, this product was not released to public yet.
But after few weeks of disappointment with other unit, I decided to give this a try because of few reasons.
1. 30 Amp of current, more future proof but not as much as 32 Amp of some unit
2. The unit has NEMA 6-50 plug to the Wall Outlet, so it fits my existing installation
3. The J1772 cable is 20 ft long, a bit longer than many standard 18 ft unit
4. The unit has a nice cable management. You can wrap the cable around the unit and place for J1772 plug in.
5. The price was $250 cheaper compare to other brand, but it is no longer true anymore
6. And as nice surprise, the unit actually comes with Wall Mount Bracket so I didn't have to spend extra.
When I received the unit, the product box was opened and damaged because there was no shipping box.
I can see the contain was dropping out of box during shipping and the UPS worker just tape the box again.
The shipping protection could be a lot better, but thankfully the unit still works so I didn't have to return it.
Once installed, I find the J1772 plug to be a bit stiff and hard to plug/unplug, but few trick solves the issue.
First, because the unique design of the J1772 plug, it doesn't go in like the Nissan EVSE unit.
When insert the J1772 plug, you'll need to give small amount of force to the upward dimension.
Without the upward force, the plug goes in but the J1772 won't clip. The charger indicates it's plug in but won't charge.
Second, try apply some oil or Vaseline to the outside ring of the plug, then plug in and out few times.
This can help smooth the plug friction and make unplug a lot easier.
So with the two thing in mind, the unit work very well.
The cable is thin and light, so it is easy to hang around and carry with me.
The included wall Mount Bracket is also easy to install. We just need two screw into the pole to get it right.
The Power cable to the wall is also a bit longer than the other unit, so it's a lot easier to go into outlet as well.
Overall, I'm happy with the purchase and looks forward to use the unit for a long time.
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