Outdoor EVSE overheating? Shelter, covering ideas?

[Frank Pierson`]

And again, everything works perfectly UNLESS the sun is blazing hot, and directly shining on the charger between 10-3pm AND we try charging during that time (which we rarely do anyway).

That would make sense. Breakers have two trip functions. one is near instant with a high overload. the other is a heat trip from a low overload. So you system is working at the max and the breaker is tripping from the added heat of the sun. This means you do not have the max required 125% design in the circuit load. Can you tell us the breaker size and wire size that was used?

 

[Frank Pierson`]

I understand that. I prefer dip switches too.

I just looked at the latest National Electrical Code. Section 625.42 says an adjustable setting EVSE must be fixed in place, and if software controlled, it must be password protected and accessible only to qualified personnel.

You can get free access the National Electrical Code now on their web site.

That is the idea of the code to prevent problems. But over the years I've seen many things that were not to code by both users and other electricians. As well as some manufacturer's. The code committee sets down every 3 years just to review what is discovered and comes back from the field. Remember also, that the US code is not the same as other countries. You'll learn that quick if you work on a lot of foreign machines.

 

[Keith Smith]

Honestly believe you are overthinking this. I would definitely start by standing the charger off the brick an inch or so with a rubber grommet or 4, and a couple of longer screws/bolts. Then build a simple awning 1-2ft wide that sticks out a foot or so and tack it up. You could use shade fabric and 1 piece of 1x2x8 a staple gun and two small hinges to make the whole thing. $10-15 and a kinda fun project for the weekend. If it solves the problem you can dream up something fancier using more robust materials. Use a subdued fabric hang it over the lip maybe 6 to 8 inches. Hinges between the 1x2 strip on the wall and the fabric frame to let it flop down, two short sticks on the side frame to set your angle. Mitre saw or sabre saw to cut the square && angles. Some longish nails screws or corner frames to make the square.

I've seen one of those big wall thermometers at poolside hit well past the 160F final graduation mark (Okay Im in PHX none the less...). We moved it on the same wall about 8 feet and under the porch overhang away from the brutal sun and the afternoon max readings dropped to the 120+ range (With actual temps over 110. It was pretty high up in the porch overhang. it didn't dawn on me to stand it off the stucco wall, I bet that would have gotten me much closer to actual.

Poor mans option:I think standoffs were a great idea and cheap ACE hardware or something. Then just drape a white hand towel over it.

Suggest: Get one of those red beam thermometer guns at harbor freight. Test the temperature at the worst time, drape a towel in the AM lift and test at the same time. Direct sunlight can make metal REALLY hot. The difference between grabbing the 14mm wrench on the sunny side of my driveway for 5 minutes, and the same wrench under the car 5 min is a blister.

Good Luck,

 

[Daniel Kutcher]

Honestly believe you are overthinking this. I would definitely start by standing the charger off the brick an inch or so with a rubber grommet or 4, and a couple of longer screws/bolts. Then build a simple awning 1-2ft wide that sticks out a foot or so and tack it up. You could use shade fabric and 1 piece of 1x2x8 a staple gun and two small hinges to make the whole thing. $10-15 and a kinda fun project for the weekend. If it solves the problem you can dream up something fancier using more robust materials. Use a subdued fabric hang it over the lip maybe 6 to 8 inches. Hinges between the 1x2 strip on the wall and the fabric frame to let it flop down, two short sticks on the side frame to set your angle. Mitre saw or sabre saw to cut the square && angles. Some longish nails screws or corner frames to make the square.

I've seen one of those big wall thermometers at poolside hit well past the 160F final graduation mark (Okay Im in PHX none the less...). We moved it on the same wall about 8 feet and under the porch overhang away from the brutal sun and the afternoon max readings dropped to the 120+ range (With actual temps over 110. It was pretty high up in the porch overhang. it didn't dawn on me to stand it off the stucco wall, I bet that would have gotten me much closer to actual.

Poor mans option:I think standoffs were a great idea and cheap ACE hardware or something. Then just drape a white hand towel over it.

Suggest: Get one of those red beam thermometer guns at harbor freight. Test the temperature at the worst time, drape a towel in the AM lift and test at the same time. Direct sunlight can make metal REALLY hot. The difference between grabbing the 14mm wrench on the sunny side of my driveway for 5 minutes, and the same wrench under the car 5 min is a blister.

Good Luck,

Wait, who’s the one over thinking it now? Lol. Just playing.

All I was hoping for was a few pics of or suggestions for a little covering or awning. I suppose this wasn’t really the right forum. Maybe it’s more of a carpentry/home improvement topic.

 

[Keith Smith]

More around replacing breakers and such, but point taken. Based on your pic, and comment we are on the same page. I'd start with the standoffs and a white towel, check the temps with a temp gun. Again, I know in sunny, hot AZ but it is bizarre what sunlight can do to a metal can. I did an silly temporary awning with 1x2, a small piece of plywood and a cut down shingle over equipment on an inside wiring closet wall/board in a room that had a roof leak (for a client). It's still there but the roof leak is fixed. Water dripped down on the gear and fortunately just tripped the breaker.

In your case some of that outdoor screening fabric you put over a vegetable garden instead of plywood. You obviously want it to breathe, and hang down over enough to block the sun. I'd be willing to bet you could throw up some simple plastic or metal shelf brackets. Since all you want it to block the direct sunlight you could attach the fabric to a stick, put another stick (old broom handle whatever) across the front just lay it over, hold it with a couple of screws or pins. If it gets ratty looking, replace the fabric every year or five.

I found this interesting because I'm building a small block structure on my side driveway to host a 70A panel, and I was concerned for the same reasons you are having issues from direct sunlight. I have (2) EV's and a PHEV, so while my 30A (24A) service in the garage is more than fine for one car, I want two more at the side yard. I've run #4 in conduit over there, now I just have to build the pedestal, and upgrade for house panel which is full of cheaters (tandem breakers) already. I'll try and post something later.