Nissan Leaf Budget Battery Upgrade [ZE0, 24kWh-30kWh]

So here it is. Extreme Budget Battery Upgrade. This time my company car, the ZE0 Leaf, gets a fresher 2017 AZE0 30kWh batterypack. This video is not a complete step-by-step video, (there are already great videos on this subject, see EVs Enhanced video for instance) but this video will give you the basic info needed when doing a budget battery upgrade using Dala's CAN-bridge solution.

CAUTION: Always check your local legislation for what certifications are required when handling high voltage (the bright orange bits!). Failure to comply with safety standards could result in serious injury/death. And nobody wants that!

Service plug, incase new battery is missing it (297C1-3NF0A),
Rear-bolts (01125-N0111),
Brackets, if you don't want to drill the old ones (740D0-3NF1A)

Cost breakdown for budget DIY solution
3472€ - 30kWh battery from 2017 Leaf
450€ - CAN-bridge with battery upgrade software
0€ - 36-pin B24 connector (reused salvaged stump)
0€ - HV Heater dummy plug (reused salvage stump)
0€ - Work, free since DIY
+1800€ - Re-sold 24kWh pack for secondlife storage
TOTAL COST: 2122€

[robertpryor]

We need more of this, it's shame for an old EV to go to the junkyard just because it needs a battery.

[dougabbott]

Compare the cost of your upgrade to the cost of Nissan Leaf battery replacement and the difference is massive. There are so many first generation Leafs with failing batteries this is a really good video and I must say your English is also very good, much better than my Finnish.

[ajwitt]

It's great to see how modular simple EVs like the Leaf are. With so little else to go wrong it should be possible to run a Leaf for decades with a battery swap every ten years or so.

[katydid]

Tip, Get heat shrink tubing after you rewrap the newly soldered connector. Slip the tubing over the cables newly soldered connector and shrink with a heat gun. While electrical tape is undoubtly sturdy you can make the job look neater with less chances of things rattling apart if you use heat shrink. It is definitely fiddly but worth the extra effort to prevent the car from accidentally disconnecting when you are using it down the road.

[twoshedsjackson]

I love the "don't throw this in your wheelie bin" sticker on the 300Kg battery pack.

[toyotaboyhatman]

You are a god.. this is the news I've been waiting for to start looking seriously at a used leaf.

[Alan_UK]

Thank you for this video. Always good to see vehicles being kept on the road, especially EVs. I was surprised that the old batteries sold for 1800€ but very helpful to the customer - almost reduced the price by half :)

[refugiopoint]

what a stud, great skills, I've had four Nissan Leafs that were leases, you see very few of them on the road anymore for this very reason, they were the most reliable cars we've ever had, but the batteries folks can continue to rack up miles now that we have videos like this available!

[stevejordan]

2:25 Important safety tip! Always wear goggles to protect your glasses from falling dirt.

Seriously, this is a good idea for those of us who are not naturally endowed with spectacles.

[SilverShadowLWB]

Amazing video. Very well explained and video'd. I don't even own a Leaf, but the topic was of interest since I have an electric vehicle. These are the mechanics of the future. In the old days it was a good find to know a shop who knew Weber carburetors, now we need to find good custom battery shops. Keep up the good work.

[compu]

Amazing the salvage yard just cut through the high voltage cabling. Good thing the contractors work!

[mafitavo]

Thank you for this. If you were here in NZ you’d make a killing. EV “repair” companies are charging from 25k upwards to 40k NZD to replace a battery. But it’s clear now, these companies are just ripping people off. Cheaper to buy a new/used EV than get the battery replaced.

[clarkkent]

Dala you are a LEGEND- so thankful for everything that you do

[PeterFriedland]

Very good job !! My 2012 Leaf is in my shop waiting for rejuvenation .... I’ll have to start trolling junkyards for a wrecked 2017 Leaf

[BrBill]

Thank you so much for all you've done for the rest of the Leaf world.

[kf-davies]

I Like the way you do things .. "Keep it simple but get it done"

[smoothvelvetsinger]

Very good. I would imagine having access to a reasonable battery replacement is the key to having your low maintenance EV run forever.

[ericwalker]

Amazing job! I wish that i had a quick charge port, however without it I do not see such an upgrade as a worthy investment

[Offgridhomestead]

Thanks to your videos I learned how to change out weak modules in my 2012 leaf. And I looking to change out the all modules with better soh ones in the future.

[financialsombrero]

Great job Daniel. When I had this same upgrade I also was able to utilize 12 bars. However, after 2 years it dropped backed down to 11. I hope your 12 bars last longer than mine. Good luck.