Argelius: 220V may not be available (solved!)

[riceuguy]

Well, cool!

Yeah, the key is to get extension cords designed for RVs, which already use NEMA 14-50 and lots of amps anyway and are designed for long-term, continuous, outdoor use.

 

[FlasherZ]

> I wan't my Tesla so bad, I'm more than willing to go to the Black Market to get my 220V... [Argelius]

Here is how the clueless can facilitate a DIY electrical upgrade:

Great overview. I'll add a couple of points.

* Permits - you usually have to have one of these in advance of starting any work.
* If it is a detached garage, and there is another circuit there for any reason (lights or a garage door opener, e.g.), you will need a subpanel located inside the detached building, as you can't have more than 1 circuit feeding a detached structure from another building.
* If it is a detached garage, you will need 4-wire cable, not 3-wire as you will need to run ground from your service panel. You'll need 2 grounding electrodes 8' long and a continuous length of copper ground wire to bond to the subpanel.
* I prefer sch 40 gray PVC over EMT, but your preference.

- - - Updated - - -

Electrician No. 1 didn't see getting a line to the garage from the house as a problem, so I'm going with him (installation is in a week). Will keep everyone posted of my progress!

This is great. There are lots of options... When I installed my generator, the installer came with a directional boring machine and pulled 2 conduits back under my driveway. You can dig a trench by hand and place conduit, or you can use direct-bury cable. Plenty of ways to get there, sounds like one of your electricians just didn't want to do the job.

 

[neroden]

It is illegal under the NEC to run a second branch circuit to a detached structure from a panel in another building

The "attached" vs. "detached" rules can be a bit weird. In some cases, when the "detached" structure is very close to the house, by far the cheapest thing to do is to get a building permit to attach the garage to the house (when this is legal under the fire code).

 

[strider]

Hmmm. Well, I don't think because one charges less that means they are using "chewing gum and wire". Called two larger electric shops in Austin, to put in simple 14-50 plug in garage (right next to breaker panel). One quoted $1050, other $600, and the last $200. Who was the best priced $200, Licensed Master Electrician (someone who know's what the heck they are doing), 50 perfect reviews on Yelp and a small 3 person company. The big guys just charge too much. He's still making $ at $200, so why $1050 on the other-greed.

I find electricians use "wedding pricing" when dealing w/ EVs. When a new or prospective EV owner calls up and says "I need an outlet for my new electric car." the price goes way up, same as when you call a florist and ask for flowers for a wedding. I always tell people to just ask for the outlet and not tell them it's for an EV. Tell them it's for when your uncle parks his RV in your driveway for the holidays or something. More often than not you'll find the price a lot more reasonable.

 

[texex91]

I find electricians use "wedding pricing" when dealing w/ EVs. When a new or prospective EV owner calls up and says "I need an outlet for my new electric car." the price goes way up, same as when you call a florist and ask for flowers for a wedding. I always tell people to just ask for the outlet and not tell them it's for an EV. Tell them it's for when your uncle parks his RV in your driveway for the holidays or something. More often than not you'll find the price a lot more reasonable.

You forgot the most important part:

"Oh that's great, what kind of EV did you get?"

Brand A- $300
Brand B - $500
Tesla - Ohhh, um $700

 

[FlasherZ]

"Oh that's great, what kind of EV did you get?"

"I took an old refrigerator motor and stuck it in a VW bug."

 

[texex91]

"I took an old refrigerator motor and stuck it in a VW bug."

$100 then...LOL!

 

[brianman]

"I took an old refrigerator motor and stuck it in a VW bug."

"(Oh crap, it's that FlasherZ guy...) Sorry, sir, we're booked up."

 

[Argelius]

A good day: DS made first contact and garage is now electrified

Things are getting closer...

My Delivery Specialist made First Contact today and gave me a delivery date (Oct 21st).

And the electricians installed 220V in my garage.

I'm ready to go!

 

[texex91]

Things are getting closer...

My Delivery Specialist made First Contact today and gave me a delivery date (Oct 21st).

And the electricians installed 220V in my garage.

I'm ready to go!

Oct 21st? When did you confirm?

 

[texex91]

September 1st.

The original delivery appointment was for Oct 18th, but I am out of town that week, so we pushed it to the 21st.

Still fantasizing that it will arrive a week early, but don't know what the track record is for that once the initial delivery appointment is made.

Others have experience with that?

Wow that seems long. I ordered and will have mine within 20 days delivered.

Well, you may be surprised, things could get pushed up--seems to be happening.

 

[ACDriveMotor]

I put in my outlets today. I keep going to the garage and looking at them. Yikes I am anxious for this car!

 

[Cinematechs]

September 1st.

The original delivery appointment was for Oct 18th, but I am out of town that week, so we pushed it to the 21st.

Still fantasizing that it will arrive a week early, but don't know what the track record is for that once the initial delivery appointment is made.

Others have experience with that?

What's your configuration Argelius? You and I seem to be on the same manufacturing pattern. P or P+?

 

[strider]

Things are getting closer...

My Delivery Specialist made First Contact today and gave me a delivery date (Oct 21st).

And the electricians installed 220V in my garage.

I'm ready to go!

Woohoo! So the first electrician came through and all is well?