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Am I Being Quoted Too High For My Wall Connector Installation?
- Thread starter GoHawks29
- Start date
TesslaBull
Member
Wow, I got lucky. 50 amp service installed with a 50' run for $350. My (non-Tesla)charger maxes at 40 amps. I have to decide if I want to install a 2nd charger someday for convenience. Will really come in handy if one of the kids ends up with an EV or PHEV.
I'm not a licensed electrician - you should ask this question from the electricians you get quotes on. Overall, anything less than 150amps you are likely going to have to consider upgrading/replacing your panel with a higher amperage panel (at least 200). That said, the specific answer likely depends on your current usage. I have a 200amp panel and was told that while I could install a 50-60amp breaker for a single wall charger - if we ever decided to install a second charger we would have to upgrade to a 300amp panel. We have a 2800sf single family home with an inground pool and at least four larger breakers in our box already - consisting of our HVAC (heat pump/oil backup), electric dryer, electric hot water heater, and a pool heater (electric heat pump), that consists of 40-60amp breakers depending on the appliance.
Thanks for the reply. That’s my understanding also that the electrician do a load panel calculation. I’m considering having it installed in a second home that will be used very little for charging and it has a 100 amp panel. I don’t want to pay the full cost for a panel upgrade considering how little it will be used for charging. So I will charge only at night I’m thinking. But to the OP, not sure if people successfully add another plug without a load calculation?
Existing usage - you'd need to get KW peak from your electric bill for the last 12-16 months, and divide by 240v. Take that number and add the new load you want to include in the panel's rated current multiplied by 1.25. If that is lower than the panel's rated load capacity you are fine. If not you'll need an upgrade.
exxxviii
Member
Need a CT on the service input side then to measure. I don't have any other suggested alternative. It wouldn't be safe to use a 100A panel for a 48A load if it was already at 80A continuous.
Got wall charger installed in Oregon for $930. Cost for permit and 5 ft from panel with 60a breaker. Used what was recommended from Tesla website for electrician. This was cost with my own supplied wall charger. Probably two hundred more than lowest cost electrician that wasn’t on Tesla recommended list.
Your AC breaker is tripped. Off then on, but might be an issue with the AC.
You can easily charge at 32 amps (40 amp circuit). You might get away with 48 amps if you are willing to do planning in regards to dryer and oven operating at the same time as the evse.
Yeah, I took the picture last Spring to show someone when the AC compressor was acting up and tripping the breaker. Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!
Kupe
Member
Midnightsun
Active Member
No problem installing a second charger as long as they are capable of load share such as a Tesla wall connector. They would both be on the same circuit and adjust accordingly to not draw more than the capability of the circuit they are installed on. I have a 200 amp entrance and did just that. My setup is dual tesla wall connectors on a 60 amp circuit which can produce 48a by the charger. If both cars are plugged in at the same time they will charge at only 24a each. Once one is full, the other charger will increase to 48a until it is also full. That was the quick version, amps put out by each wall connector will basically vary but a lot depends on several factors, such as SOC and battery temp. Bottom line is you will only be able to use the full potential of your 60a breaker, no more therefor no problem adding the second charger or even a third one if you so desire. Make sense?
Midnightsun
Active Member
Try Breaker Panel in the app store. This allows you to enter all the info required and customize a virtual panel to keep in your phone. Can add better descriptions to what each breaker covers and comes in handy if some was to trip when away from home as you could tell however may be at home to reset breaker #X by looking at the app from your location. Has a search function so you can easily locate a certain breaker. Have to agree, nothing reasonable fits on those tiny panel labels.
I am in GA as well. I just finished installing the Tesla Wall Charger myself. Here is what I spent on parts.
1. 6 wire : 30 feet / $5 ft = $150 from Ebay
2. 60 amp breaker : $39 at home depot. Make sure to get the correct kind that fits your breaker panel. $18 one was NOT the one.
3. 10 ft x 3 conduit(3/4in) : $30
4. misc stuff : $20-30
I got quoted $800-1300. No way I was going to spend that much.
The hardest part was putting wire thru the conduit...the wire is VERY heavy and tough and can't slide in easily. 1in conduit would work better.
Since you are installing the charger right next to the panel, it should be pretty simple. I watched youtube and learned.
mine was 2500…ran conduit…drilled through concrete wall…took 2 guys…5-6 hours total
included costs of permits…them getting them…
ouch…
got 1500 back from the electric company…so i think they hike it up…
Nice work! Experienced electricians use what I call "Gorilla Snot" to pull wire through conduit. I didn't do it either - cause I'm cheap. It took a little effort but it got done. I think your costs are inline with mine. I went all of 10ft. (less but for round numbers). I paid $70 for 15' of wire, and other items (Conduit, breakers - I needed a tandem and the 60A, etc.) totaled out to $110. Just under $180 after I returned a bag of unused conduit wall clamps to HD.
Last edited:
Eric33432
Member
Download Mike Holt’s electrical tool box and spend the time to do a load calculation.
Mice looking panel!
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