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Time to buy a charger

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by cigar3tte, Sep 11, 2018.

  1. cigar3tte

    cigar3tte Junior Member

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    Just got a new home and have a 14-30 dryer plug installed in the garage, but I can’t seem to find a level 2 charger using that plug. Is it safe to just get the $200 chargers on Amazon and get an adapter, or should I keep looking for 14-30 chargers (if so, where?)?
     
  2. NR427

    NR427 Member

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    The amazingE evse has the right plug for you and is UL listed.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes it is safe. if they don't make an adapter, just change the outlet to the same as the plug
     
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Don't change the outlet to a plug that could draw more amperage than the wiring is rated for; safety and liability reasons.
    An adapter is fine as long as your are using an EVSE not rated above the outlet.
    You could also buy a hard wired EVSE, and make your own cord and plug for it.
    Or get a Tesla, they have an adapter for nearly every outlet out there.
    Model S/X/3 Gen 2 NEMA Adapters
     
  5. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    Just to clarify, the charger is built inside the car. The box on the wall or pedestal, along with the cord and connector, is a charging station or electric vehicle supply equipment EVSE.

    Is it worth the money to you to increase the rate of charging to 2 hours for a full charge? Will that be a money saver for you or reduce gasoline usage even farther for its own reason? If not, there's no point in buying the charging station.
     
  6. cigar3tte

    cigar3tte Junior Member

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    Thanks all. I’ve ordered the bundle from AmazingE.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all the best!(y)
     
  8. Digloo2

    Digloo2 Active Member

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    You can buy adapters for that, or make your own. I've been messing around with bunch of different things, and finally settled on three components:

    * a 10' dryer cord with a 3-pin 10-30P plug on one end and crimped wire connectors on the other; ($16)
    * an L6-30R receptacle that I put on the other end of the dryer cord; ($16)
    * a SIMBR Generator Cord Adapter that has an L6-30P plug on one end and three normal 120V type receptacles molded into the other end of a 1 ft wire. ($16)

    Total cost: < $50.

    I went with the L6-30 connectors because they're rated for 240V 30A although we only need 12A for this (so an L5-20 or L5-30 would probably work fine as well). These style connectors seem to be popular for welding equipment, and generators used with RVs.

    I also picked up a large electrical box at a recycle store for about $40 and mounted it on my driveway wall, and put the EVSE and plugs inside of it. It locks.

    The Prime's EVSE plugs into it and it works perfectly.