Sponsored
HOME CHARGER OPTIONS
- Thread starter MainLineRiv
- Start date
- Watchers 12
Kaiju
Well-Known Member
Hmm. Personally I'd tell you to get the circuit set up. Something that you'll get by on right now would be very easily upset if something changed, or if you had to deal with charging a second vehicle. Also if they ever get V2H working, you'd be able to take advantage of that, which I'd wager the portable charger would never be able to handle. Also being able to run your 240V panel is a godsend in that situation but I digress.
I'd also tell you to put the biggest wire possible and not to skimp on including the neutral even if it isn't used, because if you wind up needing it 10 or 15 years down the road you'd be looking at having to do it all over again. The extra cost of materials is basically bupkis to the labor.
Maybe the price isn't right but I'd also argue it's not as far off the mark as it seems. I had to spend about $1000 on just materials for my 14-50 plug setup, but then had to eat another $3000 in panel upgrades because my main breaker box couldn't physically fit the extra breaker (which was actually a code violation that someone got away with, but that became my problem). Depending on your local municipal codes, it might have to include building permit fees, a city inspector, installing a breaker box or disconnect in your garage and doing code updates to parts of your system, which is something you trip over with grandfathering rules.
Basically if you modify an old setup (like say adding a new circuit), you wind up having to make whatever changes are needed to bring the system up to current code. That can have a lot of hidden costs, so if you get details on what the $3000 is that can be helpful. But in the end, regardless of what you do in detail, I'd probably still suggest you get a better charger setup because I have a feeling that putting that kind of demand on a 120V circuit will wind up failing you at some point.
While a hardwired charger is the best solution, having a simple 14-50 plug on a 50A circuit is also probably a good middle ground if you want to use the portable charger at max rate. Or just want the simplicity of being able to swap chargers out easily. Just get a hubbell HBL9450 or a Bryant 9450FR (which is the same thing) because it's way more heavy duty than your home depot special and they're labeled these days for EV use.
I'd also tell you to put the biggest wire possible and not to skimp on including the neutral even if it isn't used, because if you wind up needing it 10 or 15 years down the road you'd be looking at having to do it all over again. The extra cost of materials is basically bupkis to the labor.
Maybe the price isn't right but I'd also argue it's not as far off the mark as it seems. I had to spend about $1000 on just materials for my 14-50 plug setup, but then had to eat another $3000 in panel upgrades because my main breaker box couldn't physically fit the extra breaker (which was actually a code violation that someone got away with, but that became my problem). Depending on your local municipal codes, it might have to include building permit fees, a city inspector, installing a breaker box or disconnect in your garage and doing code updates to parts of your system, which is something you trip over with grandfathering rules.
Basically if you modify an old setup (like say adding a new circuit), you wind up having to make whatever changes are needed to bring the system up to current code. That can have a lot of hidden costs, so if you get details on what the $3000 is that can be helpful. But in the end, regardless of what you do in detail, I'd probably still suggest you get a better charger setup because I have a feeling that putting that kind of demand on a 120V circuit will wind up failing you at some point.
While a hardwired charger is the best solution, having a simple 14-50 plug on a 50A circuit is also probably a good middle ground if you want to use the portable charger at max rate. Or just want the simplicity of being able to swap chargers out easily. Just get a hubbell HBL9450 or a Bryant 9450FR (which is the same thing) because it's way more heavy duty than your home depot special and they're labeled these days for EV use.
OP
OP
MainLineRiv
Member
- First Name
- John
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2024
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 20
- Reaction score
- 9
- Location
- Newtown Square, PA
- Vehicles
- 2023 Rivian R1T, 2023 Corvette Stingray, 2019 Jaguar F-Pace, 2018 Jeep Wrangler
- Occupation
- Investment Banker
- Thread starter
- #33
Just to close the loop, I had this done today (convert dedicated 20A 120V outlet to 250V). I set the Rivian to charge at 18A. It was a negligible cost and I’m now charging at 3.8kW and 7-8 miles an hour. Both figures 2.5x faster than before. Perfect for my needs, thanks for the recommendation.
narmstrong79
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Nick
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2022
- Threads
- 62
- Messages
- 864
- Reaction score
- 1,205
- Location
- New Hampshire
- Website
- www.youtube.com
- Vehicles
- 2024 Rivian R1S Performance Dual Motor Standard+
- Occupation
- Marketing
This one is well priced, and has a hardwire or plug option.
https://amzn.to/4hlIuBe
The best one it typically this one
https://amzn.to/3PLHA5r
SwampNut
Well-Known Member
I ran with a plug-in portable EVSE for many years, zero issues, I wouldn't waste the money on a mounted unit. I got a free Rivian wall charger and installed it. It's far less reliable than the portables I used to use.
Sponsored
