charging NISSAN LEAF 2012 Workshop Manual

— Do not use if a malfunctionoccurs or if charger has been
damaged in any manner. Return
to a NISSAN certified LEAF deal-
er for replacement.
— The charger contains no user serviceable parts. Do not at-
tempt to repair the charger,
doing so will void your warranty.
CAUTION
. Only charge using a standard 110 -
120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical
outlet (For example do not use an
electric generator) . Failure to do so
may cause charging to fail and could
cause damage to the Li-ion battery
charging equipment due to power
surges.
. NISSAN recommends using genuine
NISSAN charging equipment to
charge the vehicle. Using non-
NISSAN equipment could cause
the Li-ion battery to not charge
correctly and may damage the Li-
ion battery.
. Trickle charging is performed using an AC
110 - 120 volt, 15A dedicated electrical
outlet using the EVSE (Electric Vehicle
Supply Equipment) provided with the vehi-
cle.
. The genuine NISSAN EVSE (Electric Vehi-
cle Supply Equipment) charging equipment or trickle charge cable performs a commu-
nication function with the vehicle before Li-
ion charging starts. If this communication
does not occur because other equipment is
used, the Li-ion battery will not charge.
. Immediate charge, charging timer and re-
mote charge can be performed in the trickle
charge mode. See “Charging timer” and
“Charging related remote function” later in
this section.

NOTE:
To stop charging mid-charge, remove the
charge connector. Charging automatically
stops.
HOW TO QUICK CHARGE (if so
equipped)
Quick charge uses public charging stations (up
to 50 kW of power) to charge the battery in a
short period of time.
WARNING
.Always use a quick charger that is
compatible with the LEAF. Using an
incompatible quick charger may
cause a fire or malfunction resulting
in serious personal injury or death.
. Before starting the quick charge,
carefully read the instructions pro-
vided on the quick charger and
make sure the quick charge con-
nector is properly connected and
locked. Failure to connector or op-
erate the quick charger correctly
could cause damage to the vehicle
or the charging equipment. NOTE:
Quick charging is possible (even several
times a day) if the battery temperature is
not near the red zone. If the battery
temperature reaches the red zone, in order
to protect the battery, quick charging is not
allowed and the power limitation mode
will be triggered.

4. Align*1with the groove of the charge port
and insert the charge connector.
CAUTION
. Be sure to insert the charge con-
nector straight into the quick charge
port right up to the base. Failure to
do so may result in the Li-ion battery
not charging or could cause damage
to the charging equipment.

.When the possible charge time set for the
quick charger is exceeded
NOTE:
. Charging may automatically stop even
if it is not completed.
. If charging stops mid-charge, you can
restart charging by pressing the start
button on the quick charger again.
. The charge connector is locked to the
charge port during charging and can
not be disconnected. Follow the in-
structions on the quick charge equip-
ment to stop charging. Confirm
charging is stopped by looking at the
indicators on the dash. The charge
connector can be disconnected from
the vehicle when charging is stopped.
. When quick charging, the Li-ion battery
charging rate is slower as the percen-
tage available battery charge available
increases.CAUTION
.As the quick charge connector is
heavier in comparison to the other
charge connectors, allowing it to
drop could cause damage to the
vehicle or charge connector or per-
sonal injury. When removing the
connector, be sure to pull it out
straight and as carefully as possible.

EV OverviewEV
ChargingCH
9
Index10

EV Overview
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system ...................................... EV-2
Li-ion battery .......................................................................... EV-2 Driving with a discharged Li-ion battery ................... EV-3
Charging the 12-volt battery ........................................ EV-5
Li-ion battery heater ....................................................... EV-5
High voltage precautions .................................................... EV-7
High-voltage components ............................................. EV-7
Road accident precautions ................................................ EV-8 Emergency shut-off system .......................................... EV-9
EV (Electric Vehicle) characteristics ................................ EV-9
Noise and vibration ...................................................... EV-10
Life with an EV (scene guide) ........................................ EV-10 Charging the Li-ion battery ........................................ EV-10
Before driving your vehicle ........................................ EV-13
Starting your vehicle .................................................... EV-16
Driving the vehicle ........................................................ EV-17 At home after driving ................................................. EV-21
Efficient use of your vehicle ............................................ EV-22 Range ............................................................................ EV-22
Improve driving range ............................................... EV-22
Li-ion battery life ......................................................... EV-23
Li-ion battery maintenance ...................................... EV-24
EV unique information ...................................................... EV-24 Meters and indicators ............................................... EV-24
Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) system .............................................................. EV-27
Electric shift control system .................................... EV-28
Electric parking brake ............................................... EV-28
LED headlight (low beam) ....................................... EV-29
Solar cell module (if so equipped) ........................ EV-29
Driving range button ................................................ EV-29

CHARGING THE 12-VOLT BATTERY
The 12-volt battery is charged automatically
using electricity stored in the Li-ion battery.
When the 12-volt battery is being charged, the
charge status indicator light on the instrument
panel flashes. (except when charging the Li-ion
battery or the power switch is in the READY to
drive position.) See “Charging status indicator
lights” in the “CH. Charging” section.
While vehicle is in use
The Li-ion battery charges the 12-volt battery as
necessary when the power switch is in the
READY to drive position or ON position.
The 12-volt battery is not charged in the
following conditions.
.When the power switch is in ACC position.
. When the power switch is in ON position
and shift position is in the N (Neutal)
position.
While the vehicle is not in use
When the EV (Electric Vehicle) system is off for
an extended time, the 12-volt battery may be
automatically charged for a short period of time
on a regular basis.
LI-ION BATTERY HEATER
CAUTION
The Li-ion battery heater does not
operate if the available Li-ion battery
charge is less than approximately 30%
and the charger is not connected to the
vehicle. To help prevent the Li-ion
battery from freezing, do not leave the
vehicle in an environment if tempera-
tures may go below -48F (-208C) unless
the vehicle is connected to a charger.
The Li-ion battery heater helps to prevent the Li-
ion battery from freezing and helps to prevent
significant reductions in the Li-ion battery output
when the temperature is cold. The Li-ion battery
heater automatically turns on when the Li-ion
battery temperature is approximately -48 F
(-208C) or colder. The Li-ion battery heater
automatically turns off when the Li-ion battery
temperture is approximately 148F (-108C) or
higher.
The Li-ion battery heater uses electrical power
from an external source when a charger is
connected to the vehicle. The Li-ion battery
heater uses electrical power from the Li-ion
battery when the charger is not connected to the vehicle.
NOTE:
.
Connect the charger to the vehicle and
place the power switch in the OFF
position when parking the vehicle if
temperatures may go below -48 F
(-208C) . This provides external power
to the Li-ion battery heater when it
operates and does not discharge the
Li-ion battery.
. The charging status indicator lights
illuminate in a specific pattern when
the Li-ion battery heater operates. The
charging status indicator lights use the
same pattern to indicate 12-volt battery
charging, Climate Ctrl. Timer operation
or Remote Climate Control operation.
The charging status indicator lights do
not change if the Li-ion battery heater
operates at the same time as the above
features. See “Charging status indica-
tor lights” in the “CH. Charging” sec-
tion.
. The Li-ion battery heater uses Li-ion
battery power to operate, even if the
vehicle is connected to a charger when:
EV OverviewEV-5

ion battery is fully charged. Regenera-
tive brake is automatically reduced
when the Li-ion battery is fully charged
to prevent the Li-ion battery from
becoming overcharged. Regenerating
brake is also automatically reduced
when the battery temperature is high/
low (indicated by the red/blue zones
on the Li-ion battery temperature
gauge) to prevent Li-ion battery da-
mage.
. The brake pedal should be used to
slow or stop the vehicle depending on
traffic or road conditions. The vehicle
brakes are not affected by regenerative
brake system operation.
NOISE AND VIBRATION
You might experience the following noise or
vibration as a normal characteristic of this
vehicle.
.Traction motor noise from motor compart-
ment.
. Noise and vibration when releasing and
applying the electric parking brake.
. Water pump and radiator fan noise while
charging. .
Compressor and radiator fan noise when the
Climate Ctrl. Timer or remote climate control
is used.
. Relay operation noise and vibration at start-
up and shut-down of the EV (Electric
Vehicle) system (power switch placed in
the ON and OFF position) .
. Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians
(VSP) .
WARNING
The EV (Electric Vehicle) system uses a
high voltage current. Failure to follow
the proper handling instructions may
cause serious injury or death. Be sure
to read the “CH. Charging” section and
follow the procedures and guidelines
described.
LIFE WITH AN EV (scene guide)

EV OverviewEV
ChargingCH
9
Index10

Charging
Precautions on charging .................................................... CH-2
Types of charge and how to charge the
Li-ion battery ......................................................................... CH-5How to normal charge .................................................. CH-9
How to trickle charge ................................................ CH-11
How to quick charge (if so equipped) .................. CH-16
Charging methods ............................................................ CH-19 Charging timer ............................................................. CH-19 Charging related remote function ......................... CH-25
Charging related indicator lights .................................. CH-26 Charging status indicator lights ............................ CH-26
EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)
control box indicator light ....................................... CH-29
Charging troubleshooting guide ................................... CH-30