Despite recent developments in EV charger technology allowing up to a whopping 64 amps of charging power, most EV cars on the market, at least the older ones, are limited to 16 or 32 amps. So even though there are more powerful chargers out there, the 16-amp BougeRV Level-2 Charging Station remains relevant to this day.
Of all of the 16-amp charging stations, does this one belong on your garage wall? Let’s find out.
16 Amps, 3.84-kW Output Power
As we mentioned earlier, 16 amps of charging is not the most powerful and thus will not charge as quickly as some might need. At most, at least based on customer reports, this charger offers anywhere between 11 and 15 miles of travel per hour—much less than what you’d typically find in a level-2 charging station with a higher amp rating.
However, this may not be a bad thing. Older True EVs and most Hybrid EVs are typically capped at around 3.3 kW so investing in a 30-plus amp charging station is a complete waste of time and money. In this case, the BougeRV 16-amp EVSE would be the better, more cost-effective alternative than, say, the ChargePoint Home Flex and even the AmazonBasics.
There’s one thing worth noting here: 16-amp charging has practically been replaced by 30-plus amp EVSEs, so we can’t guarantee that this BougeRV model is futureproof.
SAE J1772 Connector
The BougeRV uses an SAE J1772 connector which has pretty much become the go-to plug for EV makers selling in the United States. This means that this charging station is compatible with most if not all EVs currently on the road, including Tesla cars which typically come with a J1772 adapter.
Additionally, this connector can withstand light rain and splashes of water. No power surges through the cable and pins until commanded to by the EV so dragging the cord and connector outside is safe to do. Just make sure the pins are thoroughly dried before plugging it in.
Level-1 and Level-2 Charging
The BougeRV is a standard plug-and-play EVSE that uses a NEMA 6-20 plug that draws power from a 240V outlet, but it can also turn into a standard Level-1 charger by using the NEMA 5-15 adapter that comes with this kit. Obviously, you’ll get much slower charging by using the adapter which draws power from a 110V outlet, but this also makes this unit compatible with older models and public Level-1 charging spots.
Carry Case Included
While we’re talking about public charging spots, we should also mention that the BougeRV is an extremely portable unit. No hardwiring necessary—just plug it into a receptacle and plug the connector into your EV.
To make matters simpler on the user, BougeRV will throw in a carry case to keep this compact charger safe and sound in the trunk of your car while hitting the open road.
25-foot Cord
One area where many EVSE manufacturers fall short is including a long power cord. Typically, we favor cords of at least 23 feet in length, though it never hurts to go longer. The BougeRV comes with a 25-foot cord to help you maneuver the connector beneath or around your vehicle without accidentally bumping into the car’s body.
The power cord itself is pretty well-built and with proper care should last survive past the 12-month manufacturer warranty. Included with the EVSE unit is a handy mounting bracket to provide a place for the power cord to rest safe and sound off of the floor.
Simple Design
In terms of design, the BougeRV isn’t the most appealing EVSE, at least in our eyes. It also falls short of being a “smart” EVSE due to its lack of Wi-Fi compatibility, real-time output display, and programmable features.
Instead, with the BougeRV, you get a straightforward charging unit with a simplistic digital display showing its current work status—Power, Connected, Charging, Fault. When the corresponding light turns on, you’ll know exactly what the charger is doing but without an idea of how quickly it’s charging or how much longer before your car’s battery reaches max capacity.
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Verdict: Should I Get the BougeRV EV Charger?
Here’s a quick checklist to see whether the BougeRV 16-amp Level-2 EV Charger is the right fit for you and your car. First, your car has a minimum acceptance rate of 3.84 kW. Second, you can live with the much slower charging rate this 16-amp Level-2 charger produces. Third, you don’t need or want a smart EVSE with programmable features and digital readouts.
Fourth and finally, you’re happy with your current EV and don’t plan on upgrading in the near future. If you meet all four of these criteria, then yes, this BougeRV EVSE is the perfect option.
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