Home Wall Charger

[kshtxag]

With EVERY wall mount charger, that's part of the spec/requirement. And also with many or most portables, but not required.

Would be interesting if that is now true. I know that I bought the Emporia because I could not change the rate in either the Tesla Gen2 wall charger or the new Cadillac Lyriq. In the Emporia app, I can change to any amp rate I want, whenever I want, all from my phone. Not all EVSE’s allowed me to do that then, but that was over a year ago - so maybe things have changed since I was shopping.

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[Rivian Owner]

Would be interesting if that is now true. I know that I bought the Emporia because I could not change the rate in either the Tesla Gen2 wall charger or the new Cadillac Lyriq. In the Emporia app, I can change to any amp rate I want, whenever I want, all from my phone. Not all EVSE’s allowed me to do that then, but that was over a year ago - so maybe things have changed since I was shopping.

In a lot of EVSE chargers there are switches you can set to control the rate of charge so you don't exceed the capacity of the circuit or your panel's capacity. With the Emporia software controls the rate of charge. Think of it as software switches. There are still communications between the charger and the vehicle but that doesn't limit the charger's ability to communicate or act as a "smart device" vs a "dumb" device. I like that with Vue in my electrical panels I can monitor all my circuits, load shed to extend the run time of my batteries if the utility power fails (including reducing or shutting off charging in a power failutre), get reporting daily and monthly into Home Assistant about charge rates and consumption for all the circuits in my house, and a whole lot more. For the flexibility I gained the cost was minimal to go with the Emporia solution vs some of the other options on the marke, and since I've had it installed I've added to the original installation. I also have to say their customer support has been above and beyond. I had a part fail outside warranty and they still replaced the device at no cost to me, their support is US based and knowledgeable about their products. NO I don't work for them, I'm just very happy with their products.

 

[SwampNut]

They aren't a "dumb" device and they can throttle the rate of charge.

Yes, the EVSEs can all throttle the rate by sending that simple PWM signal, and are dumb devices. The fact that they added wifi and an app is just frosting; the EVSE itself is still a very dumb device with ultra simple signaling.

I could not change the rate in either the Tesla Gen2 wall charger

Definitely can, I've installed two of them.

https://www.tesla.com/support/charging/wall-connector/power-management

With the Emporia software controls the rate of charge.

It's a legal requirement that a circuit has to be sized to 125% of whatever the EVSE can put out at maximum. Therefore, as a practical matter, all mounted EVSEs include switches or a coded installer setting to set that, so you can use existing, smaller circuits. This is both in the NEC and UL. The end user software control CANNOT be the limiter for this legal requirement. Software control can only go DOWN from the fixed limit.

 

[rfkxyz]

I've started sifting through reviews of "best EVSE" to get sense of what to look for when the time comes. Since I have 2x NIMA 14-50 outlets in my garage, I'll want to use them and have the ability to move the EVSE around.

One big instigator of debate is the orientation of the 14-50 wall plug and cable. While different approaches can be "Code" it seems that ground-up orientation is often considered better for EVSE use in garage/outside in case the plug somehow (?) separates a bit from the outlet- better to expose the ground plug at the top.

Also often considered better is for the outlet-to-EVSE cable to have enough length to drop from the wall plug then arc back up towards the EVSE, vs. a tighter/direct connect. For example, looking at EVIQO for plug and cable -

Also developing a personal preference for a connector holster that's physically separate from the EVSE and also covers up the connection itself - apparently dust & debris can collect in there w/ upwards orientation and no cover over it -

Opinions & experiences?

 

[Thebandit]

I've started sifting through reviews of "best EVSE" to get sense of what to look for when the time comes. Since I have 2x NIMA 14-50 outlets in my garage, I'll want to use them and have the ability to move the EVSE around.

One big instigator of debate is the orientation of the 14-50 wall plug and cable. While different approaches can be "Code" it seems that ground-up orientation is often considered better for EVSE use in garage/outside in case the plug somehow (?) separates a bit from the outlet- better to expose the ground plug at the top.

Also often considered better is for the outlet-to-EVSE cable to have enough length to drop from the wall plug then arc back up towards the EVSE, vs. a tighter/direct connect. For example, looking at EVIQO for plug and cable -

Also developing a personal preference for a connector holster that's physically separate from the EVSE and also covers up the connection itself - apparently dust & debris can collect in there w/ upwards orientation and no cover over it -

Opinions & experiences?

I would advise strongly against regularly unplugging from a 14-50 outlet. That wears down the contacts and the mechanical contact mechanisms inside. They're not really made for that.

Strongly suggest just hardwiring an EVSE to the existing junction box containing the 14-50 receptacle. If you need a charger at the other sometimes, just use a portable charger.

 

[rfkxyz]

I would advise strongly against regularly unplugging from a 14-50 outlet. That wears down the contacts and the mechanical contact mechanisms inside. They're not really made for that.

Agreed - it wouldn't be a recurring thing - wife gets new car, houseguests, etc. and I swap spots. Or EVSE tech somehow advances so I want a new one, easy to rip & replace, etc.

Also worth noting if you use a wall plug then limited to 50/40, whereas hardwired can provide more output & faster charging.

 

[NinjaWrap]

I’ve had my Tesla wall connector in my driveway in the sun, rain and snow for 10 years now. It’s just a great product and not clunky looking.

 

[ElGuano]

Also developing a personal preference for a connector holster that's physically separate from the EVSE and also covers up the connection itself - apparently dust & debris can collect in there w/ upwards orientation and no cover over it -

Opinions & experiences?

Yes to both. I got a cheap holster similar to the one in the picture, and mounted it outside (the EVSE is inside), and the cable passes under the garage door. That way, the handle stays where I actually want it, and it "plugs into" the holster so it's protected from rain/spray.

 

[Jeremy3292]

There’s no better option or price than the Tesla wall connector.

 

[Thebandit]

There’s no better option or price than the Tesla wall connector.

Bro what lol. It's good but it's $535.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Bro what lol. It's good but it's $535.

Well damn it was $450 like 2 weeks ago lol

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