JPP
Active Member
FWIW, when I had SolarCity do my 16kW PV install last year, and when their SF Bay Area electricians were still doing NEMA 14-50 installs, I had them install 1 in each of 2 2-car garages, even thought we had then (and still have) only 1 EV/Model S. At that time SolarCity was discounting the cost of the NEMA installs, so it was worth doing it then. Fortunately our house is pretty new and has 400A service and multiple sub-panels, plus the panels had room for 2 50A breakers. The cost was to run the NM jacketed cable about 40 feet in 1 garage and 75 feet to the other. Ready for my wife's S in 2015 when her LS goes off lease. Also ready for when Bonnie or anyone else drops by and needs some juice. For me, a no brainer...YMMV.
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If you were lucky enough to be at Bonnie's BBQ, you would have seen how valuable the extra charging capacity was, even with the Roseville Supercharger only a few miles away. As Bonnie noted, the Leaf drivers were VERY glad to see the loaner EVSE and J1772 there (....thanks, Bonnie).
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It's a total waste of money until you have a friend with a Roadster or Model S visiting for the afternoon, needing to top off before heading home, and you want to supply a high power charge. Or you have a bbq with 100+ people, with about half driving EVs, some Leafs with a very short range ... and many need juice just to get home again.
I used my 14-50 for years and it fully served my needs. But after taking friends to different area EVSEs so they could charge while visiting, I went the extra and put in more options. Totally glad I did. And I'll probably put in more options in the next year. Because I'm not the only one who charges at my house. My friends do, too. And I like them to come visit.
If you were lucky enough to be at Bonnie's BBQ, you would have seen how valuable the extra charging capacity was, even with the Roseville Supercharger only a few miles away. As Bonnie noted, the Leaf drivers were VERY glad to see the loaner EVSE and J1772 there (....thanks, Bonnie).