Level 2 charger, 240 plug or hardwire

[npj01]

Hi all! New to the 4xE club. I’ve been debating on when I get a level 2 charger if I should should have a 240 plug installed or hardwire the charger. This would be going in my garage.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

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[Kfoo]

I just went through this to take advantage of a credit.

I highly advise that you check with your municipality to see if a GFCI outlet is required for the plug. I had a ChargePoint Home Flex plug-in installed and I learned after the fact that a GFCI outlet is required. I went with this charger because it was one of a few that my electric company supported for the credit, but fast forward a couple months and the home flex sometimes trips the breaker, which is annoying. I will probably switch chargers at some point.

The net of my lesson is to figure out the requirements for a plug in your municipality and if you do proceed with a plug and the breaker is required, that you look for a charger which works with the breaker. I still prefer the plug for the flexibility.

 

[BeachNJeep]

I, personally, prefer the plug so I can take it with me and utilize level 2 charging at my destination (I have several family and friends who have L2 chargers at their houses). Plus, if I ever move, I won't have to buy new equipment, just install a plug if there wasn't one.

 

[Bleda2002]

I had them run plugs, ended up having them run 2 at the same time since the box could support it and the only price difference was materials. I now use one for the 4xe and 1 for a welder and eventually hopefully use the 2nd one instead for a JT 4xe.

 

[GMONEY]

In my area a hard wired charger requires permitting(thorough the AHJ) while a NEMA 15-40 does not. Permits was going to be over $600.

I van use the charge cable that comes with my Model Y with a $25 dollar NEMA adapter and get 32A charging. A teslanwall charger was 600 bucks. Overall I saved the$1200 bucks (charger and permit) and just went with the outlet.

Still can charge the car to where I need it every night.

 

[BigMaCro]

I had an existing outlet in my garage, so it was a simple choice for me. I agree this is the most flexible solution.

However, now I've learned that current NEC code does require GFI breaker on these circuits. The problem is that EVSE's perform a test of the ground circuit to verify safety before charging. This test is exactly what the GFI breaker is trying to prevent. The current/duration is supposed to be less than will trip the breaker, but apparently many people report that it happens frequently.

So unfortunately, currently I'd recommend hardwiring EVSE for new installs. Hardwired equipment does not require GFI circuit breakers. Hopefully this will be addressed with future revisions.

 

[tjtv]

In my area a hard wired charger requires permitting(thorough the AHJ) while a NEMA 15-40 does not. Permits was going to be over $600.

I van use the charge cable that comes with my Model Y with a $25 dollar NEMA adapter and get 32A charging. A teslanwall charger was 600 bucks. Overall I saved the$1200 bucks (charger and permit) and just went with the outlet.

Still can charge the car to where I need it every night.

Can you provide a link to this $25 adapter?

 

[GMONEY]

Can you provide a link to this $25 adapter?

It was for my Tesla to change the input from a standard 120 outlet to the 15-40.

Looks like they are 45 bucks now.

Gen 2 NEMA Adapters https://shop.tesla.com/product/gen-2-nema-adapters?sku=1099344-10-D

 

[ND_4XE]

x2 on installing the plug for flexibility.

I installed a 6-50 3-prong receptacle in our garage for a Siemens Level 2 Charger. We share this charger between our 4xe and Pacifica Hybrid.

 

[C.Sco]

It was for my Tesla to change the input from a standard 120 outlet to the 15-40.

Looks like they are 45 bucks now.

Gen 2 NEMA Adapters https://shop.tesla.com/product/gen-2-nema-adapters?sku=1099344-10-D

Isn't the standard 110 outlet only rated for 15 amps though? Can the connection safely handle 40+ amps without burning up?

 

[skeptacular]

NEMA 14-50 plug for sure. Easier to replace a failed charger (I had one that failed). Also easier to switch if/when you need a different style plug. Right now we have the VHS vs Betamax war of CCS/J1772 vs Tesla/NACS (CHADemo is basically dead). Other companies are jumping on the NACS bandwagon so not just a Tesla thing. Personally I don't care what the plug is as long as it works, and it would be nice if they all had the same plug. Anyway, don't hard wire the charger, even if it never fails you may need to change it in the future.

All that said, bi-directional charging looks to be coming sooner rather than later. At that point you'll need a whole different setup anyway.

 

[skeptacular]

Isn't the standard 110 outlet only rated for 15 amps though? Can the connection safely handle 40+ amps without burning up?

You're not going to run 40 amps of charging from a 110v outlet. As you say, only rated for 15 amps plus it's only 110 volts. Also worth noting, going from a 110v level 1 to a 220v level 2 isn't double the charging speed, it's more like 4 or 5 times as fast.

 

[TheBirdie72]

It sounds like the same people that invented ten different cell phone charging cords were also put in charge of the vehicle charging cords… ?

 

[GMONEY]

Isn't the standard 110 outlet only rated for 15 amps though? Can the connection safely handle 40+ amps without burning up?

It's the same cable that comes with the Model Y but this is an adapter to handle different inputs. I charge at 32 Amps 240 Volts with this.

You stabdats charger that came with the Tesla will handle multiple inputs You just need to actual plug.

 

[tjtv]

It was for my Tesla to change the input from a standard 120 outlet to the 15-40.

Looks like they are 45 bucks now.

Gen 2 NEMA Adapters https://shop.tesla.com/product/gen-2-nema-adapters?sku=1099344-10-D

Sorry if I'm not understanding, but don't you then also need an adapter on the other end to convert the Tesla Style(NACS) connector to a J1772 connector that you can plug into the 4xe?

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