Help! nema 14-50 extension cord through wall to avoid rats

[Tazman]

Hello everyone,

I'm charging my car outside my garage (car won't fit) using a nema 14-50 extension cord. This has worked great, but I live in California where rats are a problem and the gap the cord leaves under the garage (to keep from crushing it) is large enough for rats to squeeze through. I rent the house, so I don't want to invest the 2k to put in a permanent plug (need permits here)

My ideal solution is to install an outlet in the wall with a male connector inside the garage that I can plug the extension cord into and female outside that I can plug the car into. This would probably cost $20 it i could find the right receptacle. Anyone know where I could find something like this or have other ideas?

 

[Az_Rael]

Do your garages up there have vents? Down here in SoCal, garages have vents along the floor of at least one wall to vent gases or whatever from the water heater. You could modify the screen that covers that to let your extension cord through and keep rats out.

Another option might be to get one of those plastic safety covers for cord going across a walkway (used in offices, etc to prevent trip hazards). Run the cord through that and let the garage door close on it. The cord won't be crushed and odds are the gasket at the bottom and the tapered edges of the safety cover will allow the door to close more fully than it is now.

 

[NeverFollow]

There are a lot of thread talking about 14-50 extensions, but basically you want to make a tiny hole in the wall to pass a cord and to install a temporary plug outside which would not permanently be connected.

Maybe this type of receptacle would do the job?
Leviton 55050 50 Amp Surface Mount Receptacle


You may also look at this document:
The Unofficial, Use At Your Own Risk, Blah, Blah Blah, Tesla Home Made Adapter Document

 

[ohmman]

This "adapter" may be helpful:

 

[M0DEL³]

This "adapter" may be helpful:

View attachment 190828

Pretty sure that the "State of California" has determined that adapters of that type cause cancer.

 

[murphyS90D]

Get a piece of wood that is thicker than the cord and the same width as the garage door. Cut a slot in the wood for the cord. Place the wood on the ground under the door and over the cord. When the door is closed there is no path for the varmints. The automatic reverse on the garage door may need to be adjusted to account for the obstruction.

 

[JPUConn]

I've been closing the garage on my UMC cable at several of my destination charging stops while vacationing (including the one I'm
on now). The soft piece at the bottom of the door molds nicely around the cable without and risk of crushing it and no gap for rodents to pass through.

If you do end up witha hole in the wall, be sure to pack it with steel wool to prevent rodents from entering.

 

[JPUConn]

Pics for reference

 

[MGMDaware]

Pics for reference

View attachment 190850 View attachment 190851

Yup, doing the same thing right now while traveling. I put a cardboard box there too to give a little more surface area to lessen the impact, but the rubber bumper is probably sufficient.

 

[idoco]

Is that a vent louver to the left of the garage door? If so just run it through that.

 

[brkaus]

If your putting the connector outside and it's exposed, you would want something that is water proof. Big Box Home stores have RV outlets that could be mounted outside. Then wired to a plug inside with the appropriate wire. Not sure about code hooking up something like this.

GE 50 Amp Temporary RV Power Outlet-U054P - The Home Depot

Another option would be something like this door threshold weatherstrip that is glued to the garage floor under the door. It comes in 10 and 20 ft. Trim it 1/2 in short on the side your cord goes through. As someone else mentioned, may have to adjust the garage door opener travel slightly but that's pretty easy.


https://www.amazon.com/M-D-Building...46&sr=8-11&keywords=garage+door+weather+strip

 

[M5Guy]

Rent a concrete saw (or a masonry blade on an angle grinder), cut a small notch in the concrete, just wide enough for the cord lay inside.

 

[BluestarE3]

Pretty sure that the "State of California" has determined that adapters of that type cause cancer.

Only if you smoke the rats.

 

[Tazman]

Do your garages up there have vents? Down here in SoCal, garages have vents along the floor of at least one wall to vent gases or whatever from the water heater. You could modify the screen that covers that to let your extension cord through and keep rats out.

Another option might be to get one of those plastic safety covers for cord going across a walkway (used in offices, etc to prevent trip hazards). Run the cord through that and let the garage door close on it. The cord won't be crushed and odds are the gasket at the bottom and the tapered edges of the safety cover will allow the door to close more fully than it is now.

View attachment 190824

Thx. I'll check for vents. I actually have a cover like this, but it keeps the garage door too far off the ground

 

[Tazman]

Many excellent ideas. Thank you all! I'm going to keep looking for the perfect receptacle, but maybe a covered pass through is the next best option.

 

[jerry33]

 

[CuriousG]

Why bother with protecting the UMC when you can protect the whole car?

Chinese drivers fashion rat-proof car 'skirts' - BBC News

 

[brkaus]

Rent a concrete saw (or a masonry blade on an angle grinder), cut a small notch in the concrete, just wide enough for the cord lay inside.

I like this idea! Angle grinder and masonry blade would be inexpensive and no messing with the door. Pretty easy to patch/fill later although would leave a scar.

 

[mblakele]

 

[AndreSF]

Not sure if was suggested already, but have you checked out electronic pest repellents? I have a few of those plugged in around the house. Seem to be working...