Megear Level 1-2 EV charger review – is it Toyota Level 2 charger?

Megear Level 1-2 EV charger review

Is it worth investment in Megear Level 1-2 EV charger? It comes with control box with LED charge status indicators, which can let you know the relevant charging information, when the error light appears during charging, can stop charging in time. The Megear upgraded version will offer you ground protection, lightning-proof, leakage and overheat protection. IP66 waterproof of connector and IP55 waterproof of control box(please install indoor), UL94V-0 rating flame resistance and overcurrent protection for your safety. Get details in Megear Level 1-2 EV charger review.

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In the box

To start off, when you purchase this EV Charger you receive six individual parts. These parts include a charging plug, a power plug, an adapter, a control box, a charger cord, as well as a hook/dock.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Over-voltage protection prevents overcharging
  • High-quality wire cover material prevents leakage
  • Water-resistant material prevents water damage

Cons

  • Connection issues

Megear Level 1-2 EV charger Specs

  1. Charging plug meet SAE J1772 2010 standard
  2. Control box meet SAE J1772 2010 control principle
  3. Lightning protection
  4. Upgrade ground protection
  5. Output: 3.84KW
  6. Input: 240V, 16A, 60HZ
  7. Over-voltage protection
  8. -22°F to 122°F (Operating temperature)
  9. Protection grade: IP55 of control box, IP66 of connector
  10. Under-voltage protection (self-checking recover)

Compare Megear Level 1-2 EV charger

Megear Gen2 Updated Version Level 2 EV Charger with NEMA 6-20&NEMA 5-15 PlugMegear Gen2 Updated Version Level 2 EV Charger with NEMA 10-30 PlugMegear Gen2 Updated Version Level 2 EV Charger with NEMA 14-50 Plug
Charging LevelLevel 1&2 ChargingLevel 2 ChargingLevel 2 Charging
Max AC Charging Current16 Amp16 Amp16 Amp
Max Power Output240V x 16A = 3.84kW240V x 16A = 3.84kW240V x 16A = 3.84kW
Charger Length25 Feet25 Feet25 Feet
SocketNEMA 6-20&NEMA 5-15NEMA 10-30NEMA 14-50
Circuit Breaker18A18A18A

Megear Level 1-2 EV charger review

Design

Weight‎8.23 pounds
Dimensions‎16.22 x 12.4 x 4.92 inches

Cable length

The cord is not really 25′, more like 21′. It is probably 25′ from the AC plug to the J1772 but if you intend to mount the charger unit then you won’t get a full 25′. But it is long enough for me and it has so far worked fine although in level 1 mode it does not seem to be any faster than the factory supplied charger.

Control box

With the control box, you’re able to set up the charger and to organize all of the inputs and settings. The charger cord is 25-feet, and it allows you to connect your electric vehicle to the EV Charger. Finally, with the hook and dock, you can mount the EV Charger to where you want it set up at.

  • Leakage protection (restart recover)
  • Over voltage under-voltage protection
  • (self-checking recover)
  • Lightning protection
  • Overheat protection

Charge speed

When using a 120V outlet, your electric vehicle will charge at 1.92KW per-hour. That’s quite a bit of energy, for a single-hour. But, if you are using a 240V outlet, your electric vehicle will charge at 3.84KW, and this is around eleven-miles per-hour.

Protection

There is over-voltage protection, and under-voltage protection. This ensures that the voltage being used is always ideal for the EV Charger, and whatever adapter that you are using. If the voltage becomes too low, or too high, then the EV Charger automatically shuts-off. This ensures that your vehicle isn’t damaged by an excessive voltage flowing through it, or a voltage that is far too low.

Compatibility


Toyota Prius Plug-In, Prius Prime, Toyota Rav4 EV
Ford Focus Electric, Ford C-Max Energy, Ford Fusion Energy
Fiat 500e, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, VW eGolf, Kia Soul EV, Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, Honda Fit EV, Honda Clarity
Tesla Model S, 3, and X (*with Tesla supplied adapter)
ZERO motorcycle (2015 and newer with J1772), Brammo motorcycle

2010-2018 Nissan Leaf, Nissan eNV-2000
Chevy Bolt EV, Chevrolet Volt, Chevy Spark
BMW i3 and i8 and BMW x5
Mercedes B Class Electric Drive
Smart Electric Drive, Karma Fisker, Mitsubishi iMiev
Porsche Cayenne S-E, Porsche Panamera S-E
and so on.

Level 1 vs. Level 2

As their names suggest, Level 2 chargers are able to recharge your electrified vehicles quicker than a Level 1 charger. In the most basic sense, Level 1 chargers use a standard power outlet that you can find around your house. They’re typically very slow, giving you around 3 to 4 miles per hour. But that may be enough depending on how much you drive per day, or if you own a PHEV. If you can also plug in while at work, that may be enough to cover you for your daily commute.

For most electric vehicle owners, however, you’ll want a Level 2 charger at home. This often means needing a 240-volt outlet, similar to what an electric dryer or an oven uses. 

How to start charging – Megear Level 1-2 EV charger?

1.Firmly insert the power plug into the outlet

2.Take off the cap and then insert the EV charging connector into your vehicle.

3.The device starts charging automatically while the green CHARGE LED blinks in every 0.5s.

4.Unplug the AC power cord.

5.Press the button and pull the EV charging connector out of the vehicle.

6.Close the cap of the vehicle and then place back the cap of the EV charging connector.

7.Put the portable EV charger into the box.

Alternate of Megear Level 1-2 EV charger

ChargePoint EV Charger

chargepoint ev charger - alternate of Megear Level 1-2 EV charger

Key Features:

  • Energy Star Certified
  • NEMA 3R weatherproof rated
  • Level 2 charger

Key Specifications:

  • Ampere output: 40-50-amp
  • Input Voltage: 240V – NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50
  • Power: 12kW

Compatible with electric cars such as Tesla, Bolt, Nissan, Honda, and others. Also, the charger has been designed with the capacity of providing up to 12kW as it is able to charge your vehicle with up to 40-50-amps when it’s connected to a NEMA 6-50 or NEMA 14-50 240-volt outlet.

If you are looking for a way to charge your car at home, then the ChargePoint EV Charger is one of the models that you should consider.

Among other things, it is synchronized with the ChargePoint app which allows you to schedule charging itineraries. It does this according to electricity rates. It offers flexible control by simply using your smartphone or Alexa to activate this electric vehicle charging station.

The ChargePoint has a compact size and charges electric cars up to 9 times faster than a traditional wall outlet which allows you to add up to 37 miles per hour.

Bosch Level 2 EV Charger

bosch level 2 ev charger

Pros/Well-respected brand, NEMA 3R weather-resistant, sleek design, three-year warranty

Cons/Price

A well-respected brand in the automotive industry, Bosch offers a Level 2 EV charger, but it’s one of the most expensive on the market. It features a compact and sleek design and charges any vehicle meeting the J1772 standard.

This charger can be installed hardwired or as a plug-in with a NEMA 6-50 plug. To protect it from the possibility of overheating is a thermal sensor on the NEMA 6-50 plug.

Bosch’s charging stations are cUL and UL listed and meet or exceed NEC 625, SAE J1772, as well as having a weather-resistant NEMA 3R enclosure for indoor and outdoor use.

It does have an on/off switch for zero energy consumption when it’s not being used, while multi-function LEDs indicate charging and power status.

If ever necessary, you can purchase a replacement charging cord and coupler separately for this charger. Although it’s a bit more expensive than other options on our list, Bosch is an extremely reputable brand and it includes a three-year limited warranty.

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