Fast charging from 120V

[Tdave]

Exactly what I thought. You are the first to ask, Dave.
Let me crunch some numbers.

Any thing to share yet, vfx? I'm actually thinking I could use this starting next month if the price is right. Would it be a new pigtail for the Eberhard style charging cable system? That would be ideal if possible.

 

[vfx]

Ooops!,

I thought with your car out....

Can you PM me?

 

[TEG]

Electric vehicle quick-charge stations | Innovations Commercialization

 

[Kipernicus]

Finding a second out of phase circuit usually takes a long (50' min) 10G extension cord.

Would a 12 gauge extension cord work as well? They seem to be rated for 125V and 15A, and perhaps is not as heavy and cumbersome as 10G.
Finding this out of phase plug does sound like a pain (not to mention big extension cords running all over my in-laws' house). Is there some gadget that can plug into an outlet and tell me what phase it is?

 

[hcsharp]

Would a 12 gauge extension cord work as well? They seem to be rated for 125V and 15A, and perhaps is not as heavy and cumbersome as 10G.
Finding this out of phase plug does sound like a pain (not to mention big extension cords running all over my in-laws' house). Is there some gadget that can plug into an outlet and tell me what phase it is?

I made one of these before I saw this thread (and others on the same subject). I mounted a cheap volt meter in the box so I could see when I found opposite phases. The other thing you have to know is that it doesn't work with GFI outlets because each extension cord is only drawing off one wire per outlet. And as TEG has pointed out in other threads, once you plug in one cord, in some cases one prong of the other cord will be live if you touch it.

I later modified mine by adding a simple switch to the box to change between 120 and 240v. That way if I arrive at my destination and never find 2 opposing phases, I can still charge at 120v using the same device without having to carry a separate solution such as the spare mobile connector.

If Eric no longer wants to make these, I will make one for you for about $300 depending on length and gauge of extension cords. Or show you how I made mine at no charge.

 

[vfx]

There was no interest worth the effort. I basically changed plugs on the Q220 box. Ittells you out of phase lines and worked great about a year and a half or so. Eventually on of the AC cords gave out, then the wall plug gave out and I replaced the home circuit breaker and the Q220 breaker kept tripping. The run was just too long at my home. Would be fine for the travelling EV though. I've upgraded my power now.

 

[tezco]

This company makes a UL-rated device that includes safety interlocks for $195.

Voltage Converter: 220 230 240 Volt Power from 110 115 120 Volt Outlets

 

[bart513]

I am not an electrical engineer or even an electric savvy person. Why not install a NEMA 6-15 outlet which works on a 15 amp circuit and cuts charge time to less than half of the regular 120V charger? You can use the UMC240 with the NEMA 6-15 pigtail, correct?

 

[wcalvin]

Apparently welders use this trick at construction sites.

Checking outlets: run an extension cord to second outlet. Poke voltage tester (one that shows 110, 220, 440 in separate LEDs) leads into nearby outlet and the extension cord female to find the pair with the highest voltage. If it is 110, both outlets are off the same side of the 220 feed line. If you get 220v readings, you may be in business provided that the extension cord can carry the amps without a significant voltage drop. You still have to have a box with a 220 outlet and two 110 inputs, plus a switch or circuit breaker.

And watch out for coils of wire, should you find the two outlets so close together that much of the extension cord stays coiled up: it is now only carrying one side of the line rather than two, and will generate a substantial magnetic field if remaining coiled.