Temporary Outlet

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Brewer Fan

Brewer Fan

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There is a delay in getting a 50amp gfi breaker in order for my electrician to install L2 in my garage (new code requirement) As a VERY temporary solution instead of just plugging my new 2023 Mini SE into regular outlet, if the cord is long enough, can I plug into dryer outlet without doing anything besides plugging it in. It’s a new house.
 
The plug that comes with the BMW Flexible Fast Charger is a range plug, called a NEMA 14–50P, incompatible with dryer receptacles. The correct plug can be ordered from BMW, but they cost somewhere around $150-$200 each.

I also had trouble sourcing a GFCI breaker (there are some here and at other forums who say it’s ok not to install to code, I don’t share that opinion).
 
SameGuy said:
The plug that comes with the BMW Flexible Fast Charger is a range plug, called a NEMA 14–50P, incompatible with dryer receptacles. The correct plug can be ordered from BMW, but they cost somewhere around $150-$200 each.

I also had trouble sourcing a GFCI breaker (there are some here and at other forums who say it’s ok not to install to code, I don’t share that opinion).
Click to expand...
Thank you….my electrician just told me the same thing. I’ll just be patient and plug into regular outlet until I can get the L2. I can also go somewhere where they have L2…..it’s really just for the first time since I’m about 105 miles from where the dealership is to my house….after I charge up the first time, the L1 should be fine for a few days.
 
Supply chain issues.

No joke. Same with 6/3, all the local trade suppliers kept pushing out their back order dates on me, I only need 16 feet of it. The last time Grainger pushed it again at the end of May to “July 22-August 12,” my car went from status 150 to 193, so I bit the bullet and paid full retail at Lowes, $6.87 a foot — almost double the tradie price!
 
The real question for the OP is: how far is your daily commute/use? I’ve been getting along just fine for the past year on L1. But, I have a short commute.

I also feel much safer. To my knowledge there has never been a BEV fire while L1 charging. All fires have been on L2 or L3.

When me and Minime go out of town, I charge up to 80-90% or so on L3. Or at least enough so I can fill-up overnight on L1.

We have a lot of owners on this board who are convinced that everyone needs L2. So their SE is probably fully charged by midnight even though it simply sits there until morning.

Drink the kool-aid only if your thirsty. Upgrade to L2 only if you need it.


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
Brewer Fan said:
Thank you….my electrician just told me the same thing. I’ll just be patient and plug into regular outlet until I can get the L2. I can also go somewhere where they have L2…..it’s really just for the first time since I’m about 105 miles from where the dealership is to my house….after I charge up the first time, the L1 should be fine for a few days.
Click to expand...
Before I got my L2 I was plugging into the same outlet as my fridge. Because of that I set the car to the lowest amperage it could get. I was getting about 900 W which is good for around 4-5 miles per hour. So if you charge it for 12 hours you’ll gain 50-60 miles.
 
I'm still using the level 1 charger that came with the car and I've had my car almost 2 years.
 
Brewer Fan said:
There is a delay in getting a 50amp gfi breaker in order for my electrician to install L2 in my garage (new code requirement) As a VERY temporary solution instead of just plugging my new 2023 Mini SE into regular outlet, if the cord is long enough, can I plug into dryer outlet without doing anything besides plugging it in. It’s a new house.
Click to expand...
(I work for an electrical supply distributor, I am NOT an electrician)

I don't understand why your electrician couldn't just install a normal 50A breaker temporarily. It's not like the inspector is watching him work and a week without the GFCI breaker shouldn't be an issue (It's not even a requirement in my State yet, they haven't adopted the newer code. It's also dumb since almost all 14-50 plug-in EVSE's have GFCI protection built in.)
 
Yup, agree wholeheartedly. My garage could be considered a “wet location” for much of the winter, but the EVSE has protection, and I won’t be handling the plug needlessly. I just want to future-proof the receptacle’s installation.
 
Try Amazon to find the breaker. I too needed a special breaker to fit my panel. The first electrician that came didn’t have one and called a few places and then gave up. He said with supply chain issues, it could take a year to get it. I do understand the supply chain issues since it’s affecting my manufacturing plant every single day. But a 2 minute Amazon search found exactly what I needed. I think I paid $60 for a part that is normally $20, but I had it in 2 days. Had to call a second electrician to complete the install.
 
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