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Condo Plug Install

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by AldoON, Feb 3, 2021.

  1. AldoON

    AldoON Member

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    I'm looking into installing a plug in my condo's underground parking spot.

    Likely going to be a 110V level 1 wired to my 100 amp service panel.

    I'm surprised at how many hoops I need to jump through and how expensive the process is!

    First question, anyone here successfully done an install in a condo in Ontario Canada?

    Second question, what were your costs like for a section 98 agreement?
     
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    It might be cheaper in the long run to have that outlet on it's OWN feed with it's own meter.
    If you tie it to your apartment's service, then it might be a complication for the next owner........and the installation cost might be a LOT less.
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Check with your condo management if there’s anything “in the wind” regarding outlets at parking stalls. IIRC our sons place had a program, for a fee they’d install it. Provincial or Federal level governments might be offering incentives??
     
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  4. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Opt for the 120/240 V AC NEMA 14-50 (standard Tesla plug) since you will be spending so much money—it would be a waste of money to have only 120 V, You can connect the OEM charging cable to 240 V with a plug adapter,

    Hire a good contractor and have everything vetted by the condo HOA before any work is done.
     
    #4 Gokhan, Feb 5, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2021
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  5. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Does the condo have a electric vehicle charging policy in place? If it does you will need to follow it as it’s an actual adopted rule.
     
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  6. AldoON

    AldoON Member

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    Yes I've thought of that too. I saw in another forum someone having success this way. Not sure the property management company will be open to that since they have specified that it's required to meter the outlet to my panel... I'm on the first floor and right above my parking spot so hopefully there is a good way to go to my panel. I'll look into a separate metered connection through.

    Why would writing to my existing panel be a problem for future owners?

    Nothing that I'm aware of. I've already reached out to property management and it seems I'm on my own.

    Will also be considering this. Problem is I believe that whatever I do needs to be scalable. If everyone got 240 V chargers there likely wouldn't be enough capacity in the building's electrical system. A level 1 charger is better in this regard.

    When I reach out to contractors I'll see what the price difference is and check if the property management company will allow level 2.

    Nothing in place. If be the first in the building to get a plug.
     
    #6 AldoON, Feb 5, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 5, 2021
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  7. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Not sure what the laws in Canada state but in California they can not restrict the install, but the owner is responsible for all costs and may have to remove the charger when they sell.
     
  8. AldoON

    AldoON Member

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    Similar in Canada. It's a big hassle and you need to get lawyers involved to write up a contract. Basically they legally have to let you do it if you prove it's safe and take responsibility for all costs.
    If you sell, new owner also needs to take responsibility for maintenance costs.

    Overall I'm partially doing it because I think it will improve resell value.
     
  9. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    They are not going to allow this. The common circuits don't have enough capacity for EV charging, tripping circuit breakers and taking garage gate etc. out of commission.
    It won't be a problem at all. On the contrary it will increase your property value and make it more appealing to sell.
    They will have to allow it. At least in California it's required for them by law. Level 1 charging will be obsolete in a few years, probably by next Prius Prime redesign. The difference in cost will be negligible if you only install a plain NEMA 14-50 outlet for now, the only extra cost being the thicker wire gauge for the 50 A circuit as opposed to a 15 A circuit and four wires instead of three for a combined 120/240 V outlet.
     
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  10. AldoON

    AldoON Member

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    Another thing I'm worried about is that I only have a 100 amp service. Anyone here know if a NEMA 14-50 will be too much for it?

    IMG_20210206_080624.jpg IMG_20210206_080614.jpg IMG_20210206_080601.jpg IMG_20210206_080609.jpg
     
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    One would think that wiring to your existing panel would be do-able in your circumstances.
    But going to the main panel might be even easier.
    An electrical contractor who is familiar with the building should know or be able to find out fairly easily.

    It really wouldn't be a "problem" for the next owner, just a small detail that needs attention......like keeping the breaker turned OFF if it won't be used.

    If there is a separate meter, "ownership" of that outlet could be transferred to someone else rather than the occupant of your appartment.

    For people wanting to do this, the biggest obstacle overwhelmingly is the condo association or management.
    In most places, they just don't want to be bothered with it.
     
  12. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Make up your mind. :)

    Unless this is a REALLY OLD building, there probably is plenty of capacity for a few 120 V outlets.

    All of those pictures are just a waste of everybody's time.
    Nobody CAN know without being there.......and being licensed in the field.
     
    #12 sam spade 2, Feb 6, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2021
  13. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    I was referring to common lines vs. a new line from the unit's meter, respectively.

    Tapping to the common-area lines won't happen. They are not designed for EV charging but for lighting etc., and there are also legal HOA challenges to it, as you're dedicating part of a common HOA item (an electric circuit in this case) to a particular unit.
     
    #13 Gokhan, Feb 6, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2021
  14. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    It shouldn't be an issue. Besides, remember that they will bring a new line from the meter. If everyone wants to do the same, which is very unlikely, then they would probably update the building's connection to the power lines, but you don't have to worry about that.
     
  15. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I don't think anybody said anything about "common lines".
    I was referring to running a feed all the way back to a main distribution panel and connecting it in the same fashion as all the other meters are.
     
  16. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    You don't KNOW that either.
    I think it is much more likely that they would just "drop" a new branch circuit from his present breaker box, especially if it is just a 120 V circuit.
     
  17. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    The proper way of doing this is to run a new 120/240 V branch, preferably 50 A, from the unit's meter, not its breaker panel. A 120 V branch, wherever it's run from, is a waste of money unless it can be done very cheaply.
     
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  18. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Unlike that other guy, I can use the door of the service panel to tell you how to add a 50 Amp 240 Volt breaker. <G> (a Prius Prime never needs more than a 20 Amp breaker in case you are conservative)

    Charge your car at night so you minimize A/C use at the same time. I think you can set the timer to Finish at 6 AM, or whatever so you need the least A/C. It should start after 3 AM.
    No electric drying of clothes, that is a big draw. Be sure not to cook on the electric stove while charging.

    The rest of your loads are trivial, (unless you forgot to mention the electric welder in the bedroom) and will not add much load. (how large a draw could the door bell be?) Just do not run A/C if possible, the water heater, the stove, or the dryer after 3 AM until 6 AM. Every other breaker is 15 to 20 amps of 120 volts and heck, it may be dark in your condo at 3 AM, so the lights aren't even a draw.
    All the 20 Amp breakers are in the Kitchen, so if you are not cooking, they are often idle, the fridge is 24/7.

    A/C in your service is 15 Amps, 240 Volts
    The Dryer is 30 Amps, 240 Volts
    The Stove is 40 Amps, 240 Volts
    so not using any two of them at the same time as the charging frees up all the Amps you need.
     
    #18 JimboPalmer, Feb 6, 2021
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2021
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  19. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    According to what, exactly ?
    What's the registration number on your Electrician's license ??
     
  20. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Good post.......except for this.
    The breaker is the easy part.

    Running the line itself can be very hard in some (most?) apartment house configurations.
    What if the lines are required to be in conduit AND the existing runs were poured inside concrete in the walls or floors ??
    Can you also tell that by looking at the door on the panel ?? :)