RV adapter

  • Thread starter Thread starter R P
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 117
  • Views Views 25K
Great news!! I rigged up a dog bone RV adapter and today tested it with my Morec EVSE. And it works!! Below is a description of the parts I used to put it together, and details of the tests I performed.

First I have to thank Fastnf, as I was about to give up on this idea until I saw his post. I learned a lot from his description and pics, and wired mine up the same way. Also thanks to Bugblndr who confirmed for me that the Morec and SimplyWork EVSE's are essentially the same product. I suspect a lot of these similar looking Chinese products are the same, just different brands/sellers and all work at 110 - 240V.

Also found this website that describes how to build an RV adapter (same as what Fastnf described).
http://carcharging.us/adapt/home-made-adapters.php

And here are the parts I bought to put together my adapter. Turned out to be a lot cheaper than buying the Tesla adapter, and a better final product, too, with the dog bone.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HF179N7?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GRTNM2F?ref=em_1p_7_ti&ref_=pe_27542510_431345250
Here's a pic of the final product.
View attachment 6274

Did 3 tests, Minimum, Reduced (middle setting) and Maximum on the car settings.
Minimum: EVSE displayed 19.1A/113.1V and car charged at 2.2 kW.
Reduced: EVSE 28.1A/112.2V and car at 3.3 kW.
Maximum: EVSE 30.9A/111.9V and car at 3.7 kW.

First test at lowest L2 car setting.
View attachment 6275
View attachment 6276

2nd test at middle setting.
View attachment 6277
View attachment 6278

Final test at full maximum car setting.
View attachment 6279
View attachment 6280
Thanks for that, see you at the campground ! :)
 
Well, if I had that a couple months ago, could have drove to Stewart in my EV instead of our ICE car. Maybe next year...
 
Great news!! I rigged up a dog bone RV adapter and today tested it with my Morec EVSE. And it works!! Below is a description of the parts I used to put it together, and details of the tests I performed.

First I have to thank Fastnf, as I was about to give up on this idea until I saw his post. I learned a lot from his description and pics, and wired mine up the same way. Also thanks to Bugblndr who confirmed for me that the Morec and SimplyWork EVSE's are essentially the same product. I suspect a lot of these similar looking Chinese products are the same, just different brands/sellers and all work at 110 - 240V.



Glad it worked out for you. Its always nice to have backup option for quicker charging than a 12 amp 115 volt charger.
 
Last edited:
Great news!! I rigged up a dog bone RV adapter and today tested it with my Morec EVSE. And it works!! Below is a description of the parts I used to put it together, and details of the tests I performed.

First I have to thank Fastnf, as I was about to give up on this idea until I saw his post. I learned a lot from his description and pics, and wired mine up the same way. Also thanks to Bugblndr who confirmed for me that the Morec and SimplyWork EVSE's are essentially the same product. I suspect a lot of these similar looking Chinese products are the same, just different brands/sellers and all work at 110 - 240V.

Good stuff. I got a female Nema 14-50 plug and was going to wire up a 120V male on the other end. Now that I see the minimum is 19A, I won't even bother trying. My thought was to carry the one cable and use it wherever but at 19A, it's gonna pop circuit breakers everywhere I'd try to use it. If I'm ever going to visit a trailer park though, I'll be ready.
 
Good stuff. I got a female Nema 14-50 plug and was going to wire up a 120V male on the other end. Now that I see the minimum is 19A, I won't even bother trying. My thought was to carry the one cable and use it wherever but at 19A, it's gonna pop circuit breakers everywhere I'd try to use it. If I'm ever going to visit a trailer park though, I'll be ready.
Yeah, quite a jump up from the max 12A L1 granny cable to the lowest setting of L2. I found it curious, too, that my EVSE watt loads (amps X Volts) was always lower than the cars kV charging rate. I would have expected the opposite. Seems like the Morec (or car charger) is very efficient, to the point of pulling extra watts out of the air,... haha.
 
Apparently we can charge at Level 2 speeds just with our OEM granny cables, incl at 240V. Didn't know that... Look at the EVdoubler, works with our Kona and other Hyundai's, but not all other EVs.
https://evdoctor4earth1.weebly.com/


That's really interesting. I have run my level 2 on 120 volt and it works well. I hadn't thought of going the other way with my level 1. I made an adapter like this for other purposes. I will have to give it a try on my level 1. These adapters are simple to make if your familiar with electricity. All you need is 2 120 volt plugs and a 120volt receptacle and the appropriate 12 gauge wire. I think I will make one today and try it. I will update. The trick on the double plug is finding two out lets which are on separate legs of a 240 volt of the system, or using a 240 volt outlet. I like the 2 plug solution as every panel has 240 volt available it just a matter of running extension cords to the appropriate outlets. I may also incorporate a voltage display to help with the determining the voltage then it just a matter of plugging in one side and trying other outlets till you get a 240 volt reading.
 
Y'all have perused this, yes? A "combiner" was the first bit of
EVSE support gear I threw together, before even buying the car.
The granny box is also quite happy on 240V.

_H*
 
That's really interesting. I have run my level 2 on 120 volt and it works well. I hadn't thought of going the other way with my level 1. I made an adapter like this for other purposes. I will have to give it a try on my level 1. These adapters are simple to make if your familiar with electricity. All you need is 2 120 volt plugs and a 120volt receptacle and the appropriate 12 gauge wire. I think I will make one today and try it. I will update. The trick on the double plug is finding two out lets which are on separate legs of a 240 volt of the system, or using a 240 volt outlet. I like the 2 plug solution as every panel has 240 volt available it just a matter of running extension cords to the appropriate outlets. I may also incorporate a voltage display to help with the determining the voltage then it just a matter of plugging in one side and trying other outlets till you get a 240 volt reading.
Yeah, if this works, don't even need to even buy an EVSE for Level 2 speeds home charging. Wish I would have known that before I bought mine. Could have saved $500 bucks.
 
Y'all have perused this, yes? A "combiner" was the first bit of
EVSE support gear I threw together, before even buying the car.
The granny box is also quite happy on 240V.

Thanks for the Info. Your set up for using a level 2 charger I was curious about using the stock Hyundai level 1 charger at level 2 rates

Yeah, if this works, don't even need to even buy an EVSE for Level 2 speeds home charging. Wish I would have known that before I bought mine. Could have saved $500 bucks.

Yes it does work I just built one out of parts I had in the garage. My car is now charging on my Hyundai stock level one charger at 2.8 kw. These would be great for any one who can't install a 240 volt circuit for whatever reason plus no extra charger is needed. The parts if you bought them would be about 15-20 bucks. For those of you who prefer ul listed device here is a link to one that is ul listed. It 's expensive but if you don't have to buy a level 2 charger it pays for it self. https://www.quick220.com/-A220-15D.html

Nice for use at rentals or traveling.

Here are some shot of the one I built and the Kona charging on it. Oh by the way it still is adjusted under the 120 volt portion of the charging levels on the main screen. Apparently the evse just tells the Kona the voltage it is using it doesn't actually measure whats coming in. That said Bluelink does show it charging a 240 volt. My 220 v level 2 on 120 volts is just the opposite.

IMG_2826.webp IMG_2833.webp IMG_2818.webp IMG_2819.webp
.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2821.webp
    IMG_2821.webp
    27.8 KB · Views: 19
Last edited:
So, is 2.8kW the highest rate you can get with this method?

Yes 2.88kw is the maximum. This is determined by the 12 amp maximum of the stock Hyundai level 1 charger charger. 12amps x 240 volts =2880 watts However if you had two 20 amp circuits which would run at 16 amps continuous and an EVSE that allowed higher amps such as a level 2 you could then get 16 x240 or 3.840 kw.

Take a look at hobbits post below mine there is a link to his page with more information if you want higher charge rates using a level 2 charger with a combiner.
 
Well, I have an EVSE for use at home, if I ever need it (so far not). But at least I know I can also use it with an RV adapter at 120V as we discussed before on this thread.

I thought maybe you could put higher amps through the OEM charger, but I guess not.
 
I am amazed how much the price has dropped on EVSEs since I bought mine just 4 months ago. In hindsight, I should have waited, since I have not needed it yet with all the free charging here.

Here is another one that I just came across (Amazon keeps sending me "deals"). Less than $400 CAD, does L1 (110 V) or 32A L2, and also has adjustable current (8, 12, 16, or default 32A).
https://www.amazon.ca/BougeRV-Porta...07R3WHY3X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pl_foot_top?ie=UTF8
Is there one like this in the U.S. Store?
 
Thank you to all of the very knowledgeable posters on the forum. I'm a complete newbie but have some understanding of basic electrics. But I have a challenge.
We have a 2019 Kona Limited and just the granny charger. It's my wife's car. Her max range is pretty good on a full charge but obviously with winter weather it can be reduced. Occasionally she works about 100miles away and the boss there just installed a NEMA 14-50 outlet for his Tesla.
Reading through this forum I know that the Kona EVSE can be used at 240 volts but maxes out at 12 amps. I thought I read in one post that the minimum Amps from a 14-50 outlet would be 19+ so I was wondering if someone would be able to advise if we were to purchase a 14-50 to 5-15 (I think thats right?) adapter would it run at 240v or 120v and would the current flow be too high and fry the EVSE. She wants to top up for a couple of hours just to get over the hump so to speak for the a safe return trip and there are no commercial charging stations nearby where she could leave the car.

https://www.amazon.com/Parkworld-88...712d&pd_rd_wg=NqYJD&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d

Many thanks in advance for your help.
 
EVSEs are programmed for a maximum current so if it's 12 amps then you must plug it into a supply that can provide at least that amount. Plugging it into anything more does not mean the EVSE will take advantage, as it has no way of knowing.

When charging commences the EV reads the signal from the EVSE (the duty cycle of a 1kHz square wave representing current) and interprets that to know the maximum it can pull through the EVSE. The Kona can pull up to around 32 amps if allowed to by the EVSE. Supply voltage has no bearing on all this other than the simple advantage that doubling voltage to 240V doubles charging power. It seems that some, if not most 120VAC EVSEs can handle 240VAC, even if they do not have regulatory certification at that voltage.

If the power supply for some reason could not handle the EVSE's programmed current then a breaker will trip if the EV draws the maximum allowed current, as it most certainly will.

If you want more current than the supplied unit can provide you'll need to purchase a portable EVSE with a higher current setting, or one with adjustable settings. It would be equipped with a plug accommodating the maximum current.
 
Last edited:
Thank you to all of the very knowledgeable posters on the forum. I'm a complete newbie but have some understanding of basic electrics. But I have a challenge.
We have a 2019 Kona Limited and just the granny charger. It's my wife's car. Her max range is pretty good on a full charge but obviously with winter weather it can be reduced. Occasionally she works about 100miles away and the boss there just installed a NEMA 14-50 outlet for his Tesla.
Reading through this forum I know that the Kona EVSE can be used at 240 volts but maxes out at 12 amps. I thought I read in one post that the minimum Amps from a 14-50 outlet would be 19+ so I was wondering if someone would be able to advise if we were to purchase a 14-50 to 5-15 (I think thats right?) adapter would it run at 240v or 120v and would the current flow be too high and fry the EVSE. She wants to top up for a couple of hours just to get over the hump so to speak for the a safe return trip and there are no commercial charging stations nearby where she could leave the car.

https://www.amazon.com/Parkworld-88...712d&pd_rd_wg=NqYJD&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d

Many thanks in advance for your help.

The adapter you show in your post will work but it will only supply 120 volts to the EVSE giving 1.4 kw/hr (5 miles/hr) of charging. This particular adapter takes one hot leg and and one neutral leg from the 14-50 plug and feeds the hot leg and the neutral leg of the 5-15 plug. This is you typical RV style adapter. If you want and EV 240 volt adapter that is different. In the EV case the two hot legs from the 14-50 plug supply the hot leg and the neutral leg of the 5-15 plug. This give 240 volts between the hot and the neutral legs of the 15-15 outlet. Plugging into this adapter will supply 240 volts to the EVSE and will results in 2.8 kw/hr (11 miles hr). As KiwiMe said there will be no issue with it drawing to much current as the EVSE will limit it self to 12 amps.

You can build your own adapter or you can purchase one from an EVSE specialty shop. Note these can only be used with your EVSE that accepts 240 volt. It should never be used as a conventional plug for other appliances. Note that the EV adapters are not Ul approved devises. While I do know that the Kona EVSE works on 240 volt as I and others have tried it, I don't know what the long term reliability of using it on 240 volt is. If you chose use 240 volts on the EVSE you assume that risk. If you go with RV adapter the risk is mitigated. Its your choice.

Here is a link to an EVSE adapter for 240 volt.

https://www.bsaelectronics.com/coll...r-18-30amp-14-50-plug-to-6-20r-socket-adapter

One other option would be to get a 16 amp EVSE with a 14-50 plug. They are fairly inexpensive at $170 and you would then have a back up if your other charger is not working. Also this gives about 3.8kw hr or about 20miles per hr of charging.

Here is a link
https://smile.amazon.com/Beswelgo-Portable-Charger-Electric-Charging/dp/B08HSCN3HD/ref=sr_1_16?crid=27O2SU9WHFLJ0&dchild=1&keywords=16+amp+evse+14-50&qid=1614524412&sprefix=16+amp+EVSE,aps,826&sr=8-16
 
Last edited:
The adapter you show in your post will work but it will only supply 120 volts to the EVSE giving 1.4 kw/hr (5 miles/hr) of charging. This particular adapter takes one hot leg and and one neutral leg from the 14-50 plug and feeds the hot leg and the neutral leg of the 5-15 plug. This is you typical RV style adapter. If you want and EV 240 volt adapter that is different. In the EV case the two hot legs from the 14-50 plug supply the hot leg and the neutral leg of the 5-15 plug. This give 240 volts between the hot and the neutral legs of the 15-15 outlet. Plugging into this adapter will supply 240 volts to the EVSE and will results in 2.8 kw/hr (11 miles hr). As KiwiMe said there will be no issue with it drawing to much current as the EVSE will limit it self to 12 amps.

You can build your own adapter or you can purchase one from an EVSE specialty shop. Note these can only be used with your EVSE that accept 240 volt. It should never be used as a conventional plug for other appliances. Note that the EV adapters are not Ul approved devises. While I do know that the Kona EVSE works on 240 volt as I and others have tried it. I don't know what the long term reliability of using it on 240 volt is. If you chose use 240 volts on the EVSE you assume that risk. If you go with RV adapter the risk is mitigated. Its your choice.

Here is a link to an EVSE adapter for 240 volt.

https://www.bsaelectronics.com/coll...r-18-30amp-14-50-plug-to-6-20r-socket-adapter

One other option would be to get a 16 amp EVSE with a 14-50 plug. They are fairly inexpensive at $170 and you would then have a back up if your other charger is not working. Also this gives about 3.8kw hr or about 20miles per hr of charging.

Here is a link
https://smile.amazon.com/Beswelgo-Portable-Charger-Electric-Charging/dp/B08HSCN3HD/ref=sr_1_16?crid=27O2SU9WHFLJ0&dchild=1&keywords=16+amp+evse+14-50&qid=1614524412&sprefix=16+amp+EVSE,aps,826&sr=8-16

Thank you KiwiMe and Fastnf for the swift responses. Most appreciated.
It's good to be reassured that the granny cable will limit the current flow. I do understand that using the 240V adapter will put the EVSE at risk. We have two as it happens because I have a Prius Prime and have used that one to charge the Kona also but at 120V.

The Beswelgo portable looks interesting as it would solve the problem nicely, but then, knowing me, I'd want to use it at home and although I have a distribution panel in my garage it's wired as two 20A circuits from the main panel and so won't accommodate a 50A breaker to run the 14-50.

We could go with the low cost option and just buy the adapter (thank you for that link too) and I suspect that will be the final solution since my wife has free high speed charging at her regular job and I can get by most days on 26 or so miles I can get from an overnight charge for the Prius.

Thanks again for knowledgeable the help.
 
Back
Top