Suggestions for secondary 14-50 charger?

[RexRemus]

One last question - I am seeing that it seems the code has been updated that ANY outlet in a garage now needs to be GFCI protected. I have also seen where people say GFCI causes problems with EV charging...

So if I get a 50A GFCI breaker put in... am I going to have to deal with constant faults when trying to charge? What are people's experience with this?

Thanks!

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[sub]

My vote would be to use the Rivian mobile on your home 14-50 plug, and buy Tesla's mobile charger (and a tesla-to-J1772 adapter which you will want anyway in case you come across a level-2 charger with a Tesla cable) to keep in your truck.

Tesla's mobile charger is less expensive and more compact than Rivian's mobile charger, and it isn't limited to just 14-50 and 5-15 outlets like Rivian's is.

Tesla has pigtails 8 different types of outlets for their mobile charger. If the goal is to be able to plug in at any random outlet you come across, Tesla's charger is the clear winner.

https://shop.tesla.com/product/mobile-connector
https://shop.tesla.com/product/gen-2-nema-adapters
https://shop.tesla.com/product/nema-adapter-bundle (if you want to buy them all)

And if Tesla's 8 pigtails aren't enough, this company has 18 pigtails for Tesla's mobile charger to add even more types of outlets to your arsenal. With both Tesla's and these 3rd party pigtails, the capacity of the outlet is automatically passed on to the vehicle so it won't try to pull more current than is safe.
https://www.evseadapters.com/shop/en/14-adapters-for-tesla-model-3-model-y-model-s-model-x-gen-2

 

[Rickmc]

I bought this one to install at my rental property and had a 14-50 plug put in to plug it into. I used a 50 amp breaker and get the full 40 amps while charging. The mobile charger that comes with the Rivian is maxxed out at 32 amps and I hate unpacking and repacking it everytime I visit the house.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BS1BRMRB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

You can even get 2 RF cards for it so it won't work without the card

 

[Cosmacelf]

One last question - I am seeing that it seems the code has been updated that ANY outlet in a garage now needs to be GFCI protected. I have also seen where people say GFCI causes problems with EV charging...

So if I get a 50A GFCI breaker put in... am I going to have to deal with constant faults when trying to charge? What are people's experience with this?

Thanks!

To be accurate, any outlet that will be used by an EVSE (car charger) needs to be GFCI protected. It is to prevent a shock in case someone who doesn’t have strong fingers tries to pry out the 14-50 receptacle and reaches around the plug to accidentally touch the blades.

Many people don’t bother since a GFCI 50A breaker is like $90 or more vs $10 for a regular breaker.

It should not cause a problem with any EVSE. Having said that, the regular household 120V GFCIs seem to have a lifespan of about 5 years before they start nuisance tripping.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Incidentally, @Rickmc posted a link to an EVSE that uses a 6-50 plug instead of a 14-50 plug. It is slightly cheaper installing a 6-50 plug since it requires one less wire, and, as Rick showed, you can buy EVSEs that use 6-50 plugs. The only reason to use a 14-50 plug is that it can also be used for RV shore power, where 6-50s are really only used for welders.

 

[Rickmc]

Incidentally, @Rickmc posted a link to an EVSE that uses a 6-50 plug instead of a 14-50 plug. It is slightly cheaper installing a 6-50 plug since it requires one less wire, and, as Rick showed, you can buy EVSEs that use 6-50 plugs. The only reason to use a 14-50 plug is that it can also be used for RV shore power, where 6-50s are really only used for welders.

I didn't notice that the link is now only showing the 6-50 plug. The one I purchased was the 14-50 back on prime week July 11th

 

[E-lectric]

I use the Grizzl-E also. Use the basic one and searched for the best deal on line. Very well made and has a bracket to mount on the wall. Would be a simple 2 hole patch to repair the wall after you leave. MT magazine rated it as the most cost effective one to purchase. Hope this helps.

 

[RexRemus]

I use the Grizzl-E also. Use the basic one and searched for the best deal on line. Very well made and has a bracket to mount on the wall. Would be a simple 2 hole patch to repair the wall after you leave. MT magazine rated it as the most cost effective one to purchase. Hope this helps.

I think that's the one I am going to go with depending on how things go with the landlord. if they're willing/prefer to hardwire, I'll just use the Rivian wall charger. if not, I think it'll be the Grizzl-E and I'll personally buy the outlet (Hubbell/Bryant) and the GFCI breaker and have the electrician use those just to avoid any corner cutting.

Thanks to everyone for weighing in!

 

[E-lectric]

I think that's the one I am going to go with depending on how things go with the landlord. if they're willing/prefer to hardwire, I'll just use the Rivian wall charger. if not, I think it'll be the Grizzl-E and I'll personally buy the outlet (Hubbell/Bryant) and the GFCI breaker and have the electrician use those just to avoid any corner cutting.

Thanks to everyone for weighing in!

In addition I have the GFCI breaker and have not had any issues with it. I feel you have done your research and glad that your landlord is going along with it. They benefit now and after you leave.

 

[Count Orlok]

so is this price at amzn too good to be real?

 

[Dark-Fx]

One last question - I am seeing that it seems the code has been updated that ANY outlet in a garage now needs to be GFCI protected. I have also seen where people say GFCI causes problems with EV charging...

So if I get a 50A GFCI breaker put in... am I going to have to deal with constant faults when trying to charge? What are people's experience with this?

Thanks!

GFCI breakers should be less sensitive than the testing that most EVSEs do, so shouldn't be a problem unless there is an actual issue with your equipment or wiring.

 

[RexRemus]

so is this price at amzn too good to be real?

https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Receptacle-Single-49YY93

 

[connoisseurr]

it's not a huge issue, I agree, but all the same, I'd like to just have one IN the vehicle that I don't need to think about, and one waiting for me when I get home.

I have a spare Rivian Mobile Charger for sale. Brand New. You can leave one in the car and one at home.

I'm also about to list a ChargePoint Home Flex EVSE for sale, that can be plugged in or hardwired.

 

[connoisseurr]

One last question - I am seeing that it seems the code has been updated that ANY outlet in a garage now needs to be GFCI protected. I have also seen where people say GFCI causes problems with EV charging...

So if I get a 50A GFCI breaker put in... am I going to have to deal with constant faults when trying to charge? What are people's experience with this?

Thanks!

Most UL-listed chargers have GFCI protection built in, so adding a GFCI-protected circuit can (not will, but can) cause issues with chargers. My local AHJ said a GFCi breaker was not needed if the EVSE has built-in GFCI protection. The caveat to this is should the EVSE ever be removed, and the outlet remains accessible, a GFCI breaker needs to be installed (if being used for other devices like welders, dryers, cooking equipment, etc.)

 

[connoisseurr]

https://www.grainger.com/product/GRAINGER-APPROVED-Receptacle-Single-49YY93

Also consider Zoro. They always have coupon codes for additional savings.

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