🔌 Grizzl-E Duo: The Ultimate Two-Car EV Charging Solution? ⚡

📝 Living with the Grizzl-E Duo: An EV Family’s Journey

📦 The Great Unboxing

When the Grizzl-E Duo arrived, I was initially surprised by its weight – this thing is built like a Canadian winter is coming. Unboxing felt like revealing a piece of industrial art, though I did spend a few minutes wondering if I needed to hit the gym more or if EV chargers were always this substantial. The included mounting template was a nice touch, even if I did manage to hang it upside down first (pro tip: the arrows pointing up really do mean something).

🔧 Installation Adventures

As someone whose idea of electrical work usually involves changing a light bulb, I was pleasantly surprised by the straightforward installation process. The quick-release mounting bracket is genuinely clever, though I did have a moment of panic when I thought I’d lost the security pin – it was in my mouth, apparently my new favorite temporary storage spot. The NEMA 14-50 plug setup saved me from an expensive electrician visit, though I did end up calling one anyway just to make sure my garage’s electrical service could handle the load. Better safe than sorry!

⚡ First Power Up

Plugging in both our EVs for the first time felt like crossing the streams in Ghostbusters – exciting but slightly nerve-wracking. The power-sharing feature kicked in smoothly, though watching the charging rates adjust in real-time became my new favorite spectator sport for at least a week. My wife now refers to this period as “The Great Charging Obsession of 2024.”

🌧️ Weather Warriors

Living in an area where weather is more of a mood than a forecast, the Grizzl-E’s weather resistance has been thoroughly tested. Rain, snow, that one bizarre hail storm – the charger hasn’t flinched. The cables have remained flexible even in freezing temperatures, unlike my previous charger which turned into something resembling a frozen garden hose.

⚖️ Power Politics

The intelligent power sharing has prevented numerous “charging priority” debates in our household. Though we did have to establish a family protocol after the “But I need to leave earlier tomorrow!” incident of last month. The adjustable amperage settings came in handy when we realized we could charge both cars overnight without upgrading our electrical panel – a discovery that saved us from what our electrician called “wallet surgery.”

📏 Cable Chronicles

The 24-foot cables have turned out to be perfect for our setup, though I did initially create an impressive trip hazard by trying to arrange them in what I thought was an artistic spiral. The cable management system has since saved both my dignity and probably a few bruised shins. The holsters are sturdy enough to survive my occasional fumbled attempts at re-holstering in the dark – it’s like trying to dock a spacecraft sometimes.

🎮 Daily Operation

Day-to-day use is refreshingly simple, although I did spend the first week explaining to visitors that no, this isn’t a time machine, and yes, it’s supposed to look that industrial. The lack of an app initially felt like a downgrade until I realized I actually enjoy not having another notification source in my life. Sometimes simpler really is better.

💡 Power Outage Prowess

During our first power outage, the Grizzl-E’s auto-recovery feature proved its worth. When power returned at 3 AM, both cars resumed charging without any intervention from my sleepy self. Though I did check anyway, stumbling out to the garage in my pajamas just to see those reassuring charging lights. My neighbor probably thinks I’m conducting midnight garage inspections.

🔧 Maintenance Musings

Three months in, and maintenance has consisted of exactly one task: occasionally dusting the unit. No firmware updates to worry about, no connectivity issues to troubleshoot, no app crashes to deal with. It’s refreshingly low-tech in all the right ways, though I sometimes catch myself talking to it anyway – old habits from smart device ownership die hard.

⏰ The Long Haul

After a quarter year of daily use, the Grizzl-E Duo has become the silent guardian of our garage, reliably keeping our EVs charged without drama or fuss. It’s survived a determined spider’s attempts to make it their new home, my questionable parking abilities, and that time I accidentally whacked it with a ladder (don’t ask). The only ongoing challenge? Remembering which car is plugged into which port when I’m leaving early and it’s still dark out.