Recommendation for Level 2 charge

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stillk
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 17
  • Views Views 1K
Stillk

Stillk

Member
After almost a year I am having 220 volt outlet installed (50 amp breaker). Because my unattached garage is far from my house I am having the outlet installed on a post near the house. I am looking for suggestions for a level 2 charger. I have been using a Clipper Creek level 1 charger up to this point which has served its purpose. Any input would be appreciated
 
Stillk said:
After almost a year I am having 220 volt outlet installed (50 amp breaker). Because my unattached garage is far from my house I am having the outlet installed on a post near the house. I am looking for suggestions for a level 2 charger. I have been using a Clipper Creek level 1 charger up to this point which has served its purpose. Any input would be appreciated
Click to expand...
I will buy hardwired charger not plug in specially when you outdoors.As you have outlet already I hope you not install cheap Leviton NEMA 14-50 for $15 which I did and after 7 years what happened look at picture .I was lucky was not fire .The only outlet recommend is Hubbell NEMA 14-50 which I have now installed.IMG_1088.webp IMG_1065.webp I use Clipper Creek 32 amps .Buy a charger which can handle 48amps and you need 60 amps breaker. SE is charging at 32 amps .max. But cars with bigger batteries charge at 48 amps.which will be good for 2024 mini SE .
 
Last edited:
When considering the installation of a Level 2 EV charger, the choice of a 220-volt, 50-amp outlet is a critical decision that requires careful consideration. Drawing from my expertise in the field, I would advise the following:

Assess Your Charging Needs: Before committing to a specific outlet, it's important to evaluate your daily driving habits and charging requirements. A 220-volt, 50-amp outlet is well-suited for most residential charging needs, providing a good balance between charging speed and electrical infrastructure requirements.

Check Compatibility: Ensure that the EV charger you're considering is compatible with a 220-volt, 50-amp circuit. Most Level 2 chargers on the market are designed for this specification, but it's always prudent to verify.

Consult a Professional Electrician: Installation of a 220-volt, 50-amp outlet should be performed by a licensed electrician. This is not only for safety and compliance with local electrical codes but also to ensure that your home's electrical system can handle the additional load.

Consider Future-Proofing: Even if your current EV can't utilize the full capacity of a 50-amp charger, future models might. Installing a 50-amp outlet now could save you from having to upgrade your electrical setup later.

Evaluate Your Electrical Panel: Your home's electrical panel must have enough capacity to add a new 50-amp circuit. If your panel is nearly full, you may need to upgrade it, which can be a significant additional cost.

Understand Installation Costs: Be aware that the cost to install a 220-volt, 50-amp outlet can vary widely depending on the complexity of the job and local labor rates. It's wise to get multiple quotes to ensure you're getting a fair price.

Safety First: A 50-amp circuit requires proper wiring and a dedicated breaker. The outlet itself should be installed with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for added safety, particularly if it's located outdoors or in an area where moisture is present.

Permitting and Inspections: In many areas, adding a new 220-volt, 50-amp outlet will require a permit and subsequent inspection to ensure the installation meets local building codes. Skipping this step can lead to issues with insurance and could be a safety hazard.

Consider the Charger's Location: Think about where you'll be parking your EV and where the outlet will be placed. The location should be convenient for charging but also considerate of cord length and the potential need for future EVs in the household.
 
Thank you, @Charle Snoyes. That's all good information. I took all those steps, and over-engineered/over-built my installation with those considerations in mind. My electrician commented that local codes didn't require most of what I'd included, but admired that I wanted to comply with ANSI/NFPA70-2020 (and upcoming 2023). Though the SE draws 32A, my outlet and breaker are rated to 50A, with cabling Ampacity rated to 60A.
 
I converted my Grizzl-E to hardwired on a 50 A circuit (it's actually 240 V, by the way), which is much safer than an outlet, and it was simple to convert. I also "future-proofed" by putting in a 14-50R (like @Rexsio) on a 60 A circuit in a second location. But my new F-150 Lightning can use 80 A, so I have to upgrade to a 100 A circuit for full charging. For now I'm charging my F-150 on my Grizzl-E and my SE is using my new portable J+ Booster 2 on the 14-50 outlet.
 
I have a Chargepoint Home Charger hardwired on a 50A circuit, mainly because that's the one my electric company offered a rebate on. It's worked fine for the most part, but there've been a handful of times where it "crashes" and goes offline for some reason, and I have to reset it by flipping the breaker.

Had an incentive not been offered, I probably would have gone with a J1772 Tesla wall connector: https://www.amazon.com/Tesla-J1772-Wall-Connector-Electric/dp/B0BWSKSTG6.
 
Louis W said:
I have a Chargepoint Home Charger hardwired on a 50A circuit, mainly because that's the one my electric company offered a rebate on. It's worked fine for the most part, but there've been a handful of times where it "crashes" and goes offline for some reason, and I have to reset it by flipping the breaker.
Click to expand...

This is what happened to my Chargepoint last year - it would randomly go offline and the only fix is to cut the power and re-start. According to Chargepoint Tech Support, the WiFi module of my EVSE had failed. If you read Amazon reviews, there are a few of us that experienced this problem. Chargepoint finally replaced my unit under warranty, but it took almost 1.5 months to get it.
 
Puppethead said:
I converted my Grizzl-E to hardwired on a 50 A circuit (it's actually 240 V, by the way), which is much safer than an outlet, and it was simple to convert. I also "future-proofed" by putting in a 14-50R (like @Rexsio) on a 60 A circuit in a second location. But my new F-150 Lightning can use 80 A, so I have to upgrade to a 100 A circuit for full charging. For now I'm charging my F-150 on my Grizzl-E and my SE is using my new portable J+ Booster 2 on the 14-50 outlet.
Click to expand...
I read reviews on J+Booster 2 sound like excellent unit and design in Switzerland not in CHN. My Clipper Creek specialy when was check in manufacturer recently should last me next 7 years and is build in CA.
 
Rexsio said:
I read reviews on J+Booster 2 sound like excellent unit and design in Switzerland not in CHN.
Click to expand...
I wanted a portable EVSE that could do both 120 V and 240 V, ideally up to 40 kW. The J+ Booster 2 seemed better than the MINI offering (which wasn't offered with my 2021 SE), especially once I found a refurbished one for $350 on eBay (sold by the company, Juice Americas).
 
I ran a 60A circuit to my carport and hardwired a 48A EVSE. If I get a second EV, a second EVSE will share that circuit. That should be fine for regular use of two EVs.
I believe the F150s will max out at 80A. But I'd never buy a tank like that. :-p
 
Thank you all for your input. I ordered a Grizzl-E 14-50 charger. The electrician has not started yet but will make sure that he installs a Hubbel rather than a Leviton outlet. At this time I have no power to my garage - underground cable failure - and have to use public chargers - fortunately several in the area are free. Looking forward to have power again and a type 2 charger.
 
I'm on #teamhardwire especially if you need to get a Hubbell NEMA 14-50 + GFCI breaker. The Grizzl-E can be converted to hardwire like Puppethead mentioned.
 
Stillk said:
Thank you all for your input. I ordered a Grizzl-E 14-50 charger. The electrician has not started yet but will make sure that he installs a Hubbel rather than a Leviton outlet. At this time I have no power to my garage - underground cable failure - and have to use public chargers - fortunately several in the area are free. Looking forward to have power again and a type 2 charger.
Click to expand...
Cut of a plug an hard wire IMG_1101.webp
 
I went with the Eaton 5754N based on positive reviews over at TMC. Side by side with the Leviton it looks extra beefy, and has almost double the mass.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top