Preparing my home for an EV charger... advice.

[CampfireWisdom]

Friends,

I've been hanging out in these forums for some time now and I am getting closer to pulling the trigger on my own Rivian R1T. That being said, I am a renter and I need to prepare our home to have a charger installed. I got a buddy who is going to come and check out our panel (home was built in 1985) and see what we need to do to get it ready. Then, I will pitch it to our landlord and see if he will help me split the cost. Wish me luck.

Anywho...

From previous threads, I have gleaned the following information.

1. I would be wise to install a NEMA 14-50, as I am a renter. That way if we move away, there is nothing to uninstall.
2. The best port is a Hubbell 9450A, durable and high quality.
3. I need to have 6 ga. THHN wiring installed for optimum safety and performance.

Are there any other things I need to consider as I am undergoing this process. Please advise if you haven an opinion.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Greg

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[pointless]

Sounds like a great plan. You should be good to go with a properly installed 15-40R.

 

[Supratachophobia]

Friends,

I've been hanging out in these forums for some time now and I am getting closer to pulling the trigger on my own Rivian R1T. That being said, I am a renter and I need to prepare our home to have a charger installed. I got a buddy who is going to come and check out our panel (home was built in 1985) and see what we need to do to get it ready. Then, I will pitch it to our landlord and see if he will help me split the cost. Wish me luck.

Anywho...

From previous threads, I have gleaned the following information.

1. I would be wise to install a NEMA 14-50, as I am a renter. That way if we move away, there is nothing to uninstall.
2. The best port is a Hubbell 9450A, durable and high quality.
3. I need to have 6 ga. THHN wiring installed for optimum safety and performance.

Are there any other things I need to consider as I am undergoing this process. Please advise if you haven an opinion.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

Greg

I would just add that you should go ahead and run the neutral wire even though a level 2 charger won't need it. Because it's an outlet, a reasonable person would expect the neutral to be there .

And make sure you go through the extra effort of running the wires in conduit (3/4" PVC) and not use some type of direct burial cable. Pay attention to the NEC code for "wet environment" or similar wording.

Make sure you aren't letting the charge cable drop over a sidewalk and cause a tripping hazard.

 

[savethemanual]

I work with home builders & architects upfront to help them meet local energy code and other certifications, adding the pre-wiring or even an outlet ready to go in the garage for a future level 2 charger is something I always have to recommend...it's never on their radar!

 

[ndmiller]

Use a licensed & bonded Electrician and the landlord should be thrilled you're upgrading the property.

I did the 14-50 outlet for a Chargepoint Flex in our home, but now that it's been over 5 years I may upgrade to a hardwired as the charging speed is higher hardwired. We now have 2 vehicles so in a crunch more speed is a good thing.

 

[Time2Roll]

3. I need to have 6 ga. THHN wiring installed for optimum safety and performance.

I believe THHN needs to be in conduit. This is great if conduit is needed. Otherwise just running through the wall is easier with standard NM-B. (romex)

Yes #6 unless the distance is excessive may push it to #4. The electrician will know.

Since this is a rental I would only use a licensed contractor with a permitted inspection.

 

[BigSkies]

Look into incentives available in your area as well, including state, local, and utility incentives. They're not always well advertised. Some incentives may come with requirements on what you install.

Be sure to also look and incentives for landlords, as that will be relevant to your situation.

 

[CampfireWisdom]

Thanks, everyone.

I plan on using my buddy who is a licensed electrician. Thanks for the great feedback on the conduit, neutral and wiring. Sadly, we don’t qualify for SCE discounts on the outlet.

It’s getting exciting over here… a new adventure awaits.

Greg

 

[Aardvark]

Both options are code compliant.
- 6 AWG can be run as individual wires through conduit, or
- 6 AWG NM-B can be run through wall cavities and attic.
NM-B should never be run through conduit.
Your best option is the conduit run. It's easier, cheaper, and your landlord will appreciate not punching through drywall, or disrupting insulation in the attic.
One other critical item not mentioned is the need for a load analysis to make sure you don't overload the panel. Do you have 200 amp service to the house? I've inspected mid-1980s homes that were only built with 100 amp service. 200 amp was not the "standard" then that it is today.
Your electrician will do this, and in many jurisdictions, it's required to pull a permit.
It's a great move to go the quality NEMA 14-50 route. When it's time to move, you can unplug your wall mounted EVSE and take it with you. If you plan to just use the 14-50 mobile charger, you may want to invest in a second cable so you can keep one in the car and one plugged in the garage. Even a high quality Hubbell receptacle is not designed for constant plugging and unplugging. Doing so can lead to premature failure.
But most importantly, enjoy your new Rivian!!

 

[Rade]

Just a note, I tried using my home L2 charger with just the standard electric plug (no more than 8AMPS). It's kept popping the breakers for the garage circuits, even when I turned the energy use down to the minimum (4AMPS). Part of that were all of the stuff I got on that circuit (secondary refrigerator, etc.). Installed the NEMA 14-50 on a dedicated 50AMP circuit and never had an issue since. I also have a NEMA 14-15 splitter on the outlet to charge two EV's.

 

[rjcrowder]

Both options are code compliant.
- 6 AWG can be run as individual wires through conduit, or
- 6 AWG NM-B can be run through wall cavities and attic.
NM-B should never be run through conduit.
Your best option is the conduit run. It's easier, cheaper, and your landlord will appreciate not punching through drywall, or disrupting insulation in the attic.
One other critical item not mentioned is the need for a load analysis to make sure you don't overload the panel. Do you have 209 amp service to the house? I've inspected mid-1980s homes that were only built with 100 amp service. 200 amp was not the "standard" then that it is today.
Your electrician will do this, and in many jurisdictions, it's required to pull a permit.
It's a great move to go the quality NEMA 14-50 route. When it's time to move, you can unplug your wall mounted EVSE and take it with you. If you plan to just use the 14-50 mobile charger, you may want to invest in a second cable so you can keep one in the car and one plugged in the garage. Even a high quality Hubbell receptacle is not designed for constant lugging and unplugging. Doing so can lead to premature failure.
But most importantly, enjoy your new Rivian!!

It's my understanding that 6 AWG NM-B is not allowed for a 60 amp (breaker) circuit direct wired to your charger - which would have a continuous 48 amp load. It's fine for a 50 amp breaker wired to an NEMA 14-50 outlet in which case the charger would draw a continuous 42 amp load. 6 AWG THNN (individual wires) through conduit IS allowed for a continuous 48 amp load (direct wire).

That said - I think this is more of a technicality with US code. In fact, I believe it is allowed on Canadian code. As a result, a lot of electricians actually run 6 AWG NM-B for direct wire. I don't know if it's because they don't understand the code or because they think it's silly. You'll also find that the connection lugs on some chargers won't even accept 4 AWG wire. With all of that in mind (and don't take this as advice for anyone else) I ran 6 AWG NM-B across my basement and through one wall.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I don't know if I missed it, but make sure you have your landlord's permission before installing the outlet. You could get in trouble if the landlord decides they don't want that outlet and you put it in without permission.

 

[SwampNut]

Before any of the other planning, I'd do the math on your needs. We ran our first EV from a 120v outlet for a short time, that was passable but pushing it. Then I got an adapter to connect to an existing 240v 30a, and that was far more than enough. You may have no need to go to a much more expensive 240v 50a. Even 240/20 is very fast relative to most peoples' driving needs.

 

[JeffC]

If you can find a 2025 R1T in inventory with your desired configuration then it comes with a charger that works on 120v (Level 1) and 240 V (level 2). I brought my R1T home on Friday and charged my truck 6% in 16 hours. Saturday I want out and bought $65 worth of parts and spent an hour to install a NEMA 14-50 outlet and charged 12% in 3 hours.

On another note, since you mentioned you are renting - if your landlord pays the electric bill or if it is a multi unit building with shared electrical service then you landlord may want you to install a sub-meter.

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