patmurphey

The onboard charger draws up to 8 amps current at 120v. My question is: How does any 120v source force more amps through the onboard charger? Am I misunderstanding Ohms law?

dcaf

My understanding is the onboard charger can draw more than 8 amps at 120V. The charger and EVSE both agree to a rate of current they both support, with the EVSE that comes with the Q5e that agreement limits to 8amps. With a different EVSE that agreement could potentially be up to 16amps.

I do not know for sure what the maximum current the onboard charger will take at 120V is, but in other threads in this forum people have said that using non-Audi EVSE they had they had faster higher current charging rates even at Level 1.

As the onboard charger can take just over 30 amps at 240V, my guess is it could take up to 16amps at 120V (assuming the amps are split over two supply lines at 240V vs single line at 120V).

Again, I haven't found any official info from Audi, this is based on what I've see in my other PHEV, and what other Q5e owners have reported in other threads.

Sandroad

I can set the amperage draw over a wide range for both 120V and 240V on my EVSE. I purchased the adjustable EVSE because I use a solar charging station for my Q5e, When the sun is shining, I set it to the max rate and when the Q5e is drawing only from the solar system storage batteries I dial back the amps.

Anyway, using this EVSE, I can confirm the Q5e on-board charger will accept 16A at 120V if the EVSE and outlet (dedicated 20A 120V) are capable of supplying it. So, purchasing a decent Level 1 EVSE capable of supplying 16A at 120V will cut the charging time approximately in half compared to using the Audi Level 1 EVSE. Even a 15A 120V dedicated outlet will charge at 12A with a decent Level 1 EVSE, still a significant improvement over the approximately 8A supplied by the Audi equipment.

None of this is comparable to the huge improvement offered by Level 2 charging, but many folks are limited to Level 1 for practical or financial reasons. Bummer that Audi has such limiting equipment, but great that the vehicle can take advantage of good equipment. Overnight charging using a Level 1 EVSE is definitely a possibility with good equipment

silverm0623

*Update* I received the off brand 120V charger from Amazon ( ) and it's definitely charging quicker from my 120V 20A outlet, but it also tripped the breaker when we plugged in an iron into the laundry room which is on the same breaker. Sales manager said he'll discuss my issues and possibility to subsidize the install of a 240V outlet in my garage with the GM on Monday. Electrician quoted me a little over $500 to install a 240V outlet since it's literally on the opposite side of the circuit breaker so relatively easy for him to do.

DMcDnald

I've been forced to use my Audi EVSE pugged into a 120V plug, since I'm having my driveway repaved and I don't have access to my JuiceBox 40. I seem to be getting around 4% SOC per hour. Better than nothing and good to have it in a pinch.

dcaf

Yeah, it's not great, could have been much more flexible for level 1 charging rates, but I like that it's dual 120/240V (does 240V very well) and as you said in a pinch can plug into just about any 120V outlet in the US. They just went VERY conservative on the 120V current draw.

Radz

We have learned it does take 24 hours ish to fully charge our q5 on our regular 110/120 garage outlet. Decided to move forward with a 240 50 amp in the garage to utilize the provided Audi plug more efficiently. Our subpanel is FAR and complicated so it’s going to cost us around 2k but doing now for multiple reasons and hoping there’s still 30% tax credit in 2022.

* Our question is should we pay extra (like another $700) to not just do 50 amp (to use the 40amp Audi charger) But To install a higher subpanel and have future access to a 70amp wire?

Is the 40 amp Audi provided 240 charger plenty and truly fully charging in 2.5/3 hours and 70 amp would be overkill?

thanks for insight!

DirkM

70A is overkill now but more future proof. Eventually you will have two EVs in your garage (if it is a 2 car garage) and they may be charging at the same time.

dcaf

If you are in for 2K just to get the NEMA 14-50 run for your Audi charger, I would suggest at least seeing what the cost difference is to setup a 70A (or 100A) sub-panel to possibly support dual chargers (if your house is unlikely to be a teardown, think for a possible two electric car future).

I'd also get a dedicated 20A 120 standard outlet installed for a high current household items (like corded shopvacs, leapblowers, lawnmowers, snowblowers, etc...), might as well and it doesn't cost that much more if you already have a subpanel there.

Update: To make the above more clear given your situation with distance to the main breaker I would have, if cost isn't to bad, a new subpanel installed in the garage, that then has the NEMA 14-15 for the audi charger (or other EVSE), a dedicated 120V 20A outlet, and space in the subpanel to support a second level 2 charger in the future.

sQ5Atlanta

When we built our new home in 2019 I had the electrician install 2 60Amp 240 volt outlets in the garage and they cost $350 each. There is also 120 volt outlets by the 240 volt outlets. AND I have yet to buy an electric vehicle, but I'm all about future proofing.