Electrical wiring for charger

[Jay]

Hello folks. I am in the process of getting home constructed and its time to select electrical options. The builder is basically giving these 4 options. I am not sure which one I need to select. Please advise based on your experi3nces.

Car charger* (circuit/no connection; 50a; aluminum)
Car charger* (circuit/no connection; 50a; copper)
Car charger* (circuit/no connection; 70a; aluminum)
Car charger* (circuit/no connection; 70a; copper)

Please note that the copper options are Ridiculously expensive. Between 3000 to 4000. While the Aluminium options are around 1000$.

Whats the significance of copper vs Aluminium.

Thanks in advance

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[jjswan33]

What gauge wire are they proposing for these options? I'm no expert but for example the Rivian charger (or Chargepoint Home Flex) that can take advantage of larger circuit size are limited to 6 gauge wire. I think either of those Aluminum options would have to be at least 4 gauge.

 

[redantpile]

Interesting. I did not know aluminium wire was still allowed. You did not say what kind of charger, but the Rivian charger specifically says copper only in the manual. And that would be up to a 60 amp circuit.

 

[JWreck]

I didn’t realize you could still buy a house with aluminum wiring.

Those are weird options IMO. Agreed on the question about what gauge wiring.

We did 60amp / 6 ga / copper direct hardwire. Suggest doing two of them when building, way easier than after the fact.

 

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

Check this thread..





I would expect your electrician, maybe the builder should discuss the pros and cons with you..

 

[Jay]

[/QUOTE]
Lol. That's the same builder?

 

[Cosmacelf]

Is it a custom home or a large builder like Lennar?

Those are really weird options, and no way should anything come to $4000 for a new home construction, that's ridiculous.

First, you want copper. Tell the electrician you want to hardwire a 240V/60A connection. Easiest way for an electrician to do this is to use 6/2 MC cable. Tell him to leave 3' of wire outside the junction box so that you can wire up the EVSE when drywall/paint is done.

If you haven't bought your EVSE yet, I'd recommend the Tesla J1772 one for $550 (https://shop.tesla.com/product/j1772-wall-connector)

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

6AWG copper is what you want. THHN, THWN, or THWN2 are fine.

I'd stay away from aluminum.

 

[SANZC02]

I would not do a run of aluminum for an EV installation as the wire hot/cold cycles will be an issue at some point.

Read Here

Edit:

I would verify with them;

this is probably 90c thhn 6awg wire that maxes at 75 amps, I would have them do this on a 60 amp breaker as it does not need 70 amps currently. This would be my choice

charger* (circuit/no connection; 70a; copper)

This is probably 90c thhn 8 awg that maxes out at 55 amps The cost difference on new construction should not be enough to limit the charge rate selecting this.

Car charger* (circuit/no connection; 50a; copper)

 

[Jay]

Is it a custom home or a large builder like Lennar?

Those are really weird options, and no way should anything come to $4000 for a new home construction, that's ridiculous.

First, you want copper. Tell the electrician you want to hardwire a 240V/60A connection. Easiest way for an electrician to do this is to use 6/2 MC cable. Tell him to leave 3' of wire outside the junction box so that you can wire up the EVSE when drywall/paint is done.

If you haven't bought your EVSE yet, I'd recommend the Tesla J1772 one for $550 (https://shop.tesla.com/product/j1772-wall-connector)

The builder is Taylor Morrison.

I paused my Rivian purchase till the house is completed. But Rivian already dispatched the wall charger

 

[JWreck]

Is it a custom home or a large builder like Lennar?

Those are really weird options, and no way should anything come to $4000 for a new home construction, that's ridiculous.

First, you want copper. Tell the electrician you want to hardwire a 240V/60A connection. Easiest way for an electrician to do this is to use 6/2 MC cable. Tell him to leave 3' of wire outside the junction box so that you can wire up the EVSE when drywall/paint is done.

If you haven't bought your EVSE yet, I'd recommend the Tesla J1772 one for $550 (https://shop.tesla.com/product/j1772-wall-connector)

Yeah $4k for new build is shocking! (Pun not intended)

 

[electruck]

How far is the charger going to be from the panel?

 

[Cosmacelf]

The builder is Taylor Morrison.

I paused my Rivian purchase till the house is completed. But Rivian already dispatched the wall charger

Tell your builder that you are posting exactly how much they are (over) charging for a routine circuit installation on social media. Maybe they won't overcharge you as much if you do that.

The Rivian charger is fine, its what I also have. I prefer the Tesla one though (I have both).

 

[technerd]

$4k is absolutely insane. I know things are more expensive now, but I ran 75' of 6/3 copper wire to my garage, with a commercial grade outlet for less than $700 in materials back in January.

 

[SparkyR1t]

The only place you should even consider aluminum wire is the utility service feed to your meter on the house. They will typically use aluminum either underground or overhead.

Your prices quoted seem high unless we are 150’ from your main panel to the garage

I personally would have a 100 amp subpanel In the garage and then you can branch out easily from that panel to automobile wall connectors

Thats what I have and I load share twoTesla wall connectors set for 48amp each one for the Tesla and th other for the Rivian or whatever the future may bring
Good luck

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