Questions on using an HPWC with Model 3.

[eprosenx]

Lots of good info and suggestions. Thank you. I believe the install (in wall) is 6 gauge. Because we weren’t sure at the time of install on which side of the garage we wanted the EVSE we actually ran the 25 foot section from the 14-50 plug to the EVSE in the form of a 25 foot RV 50 amp extensión cord. To be to code it had to be run in a “vented” conduit. You can actually see it in the very first picture in one of my previous posts in this thread. It was meant as a temporary measure until we determined what would be our long term EV....now determined to be the model 3. The original 14-50 install was like 250 bucks as it was a breaker, 4 feet of cable and a receptacle. We had the 50 amp extension cord as we are RVers.

We are currently at our winter home so can’t get pictures of the panel.

We’ll post what we decide to eventually do.

Thanks again.

Oh right! Canada! I missed that... So I know more about NEC than Canadian code, but mostly the baseline requirements are the same (wire gauges, etc...)

I have never heard of the "vented" conduit thing (though I do see it in Europe). So that may be a Canadian thing.

I am very much anti-extension cord for your permanent installation. More receptacles/plugs is more points for failure. I don't think extension cords are allowed ever for a permanent install in the US.

So I would advise you to either hard wire your 14-50 to the location you want it, OR just hard wire it into a Wall Connector.

P.S. I am curious how you ended up with a Tesla to J1772 adapter? Did you have a Tesla before with some different Tesla provided EVSE and wanted to charge the Leaf? Or you just have it to charge the LEAF off Tesla Destination Chargers (that makes sense).

 

[MorrisonHiker]

First of all, thank you all for your reply’s. Going to focus on this one as I think it is the way we will go.

Certainly getting this “corded connecter” (eg 40 amp EVSE with a 14-50 connecter) is the best compromise. Soooo...

1. Although it mentions it as being for the S or X, this will work on the model 3 at 40 amps right?

I see that they list it for S/X but I dont see any reason it wouldn't work on a 3. I dont have the Corded Connector but I have the Generation 1 UMC, that the Corded Connector is based on, that came with my S's, and I use it on my 3 and get 40amps.

We had a corded mobile connector and sold it to a Model 3 owner. They confirmed that it worked fine and charged the 3 at 40 amps. We've also confirmed that the gen 1 UMC will charge a 3 at 40 amps as well.

 

[Webeevdrivers]

Oh right! Canada! I missed that... So I know more about NEC than Canadian code, but mostly the baseline requirements are the same (wire gauges, etc...)

I have never heard of the "vented" conduit thing (though I do see it in Europe). So that may be a Canadian thing.

I am very much anti-extension cord for your permanent installation. More receptacles/plugs is more points for failure. I don't think extension cords are allowed ever for a permanent install in the US.

So I would advise you to either hard wire your 14-50 to the location you want it, OR just hard wire it into a Wall Connector.

P.S. I am curious how you ended up with a Tesla to J1772 adapter? Did you have a Tesla before with some different Tesla provided EVSE and wanted to charge the Leaf? Or you just have it to charge the LEAF off Tesla Destination Chargers (that makes sense).

Totally agree on the permanent connection not using extension cord but it worked for what we needed it to do. I wouldn't want it to have to carry 40 amps but it did fine at 27 amps. We have a little time before we get our three next year. Ill have our electrician come and take another look at things. If we can we'll go HWC and dedicated 60 amp line. If not we'll go with the permanent 50 amp install and the corded mobile unit.

The Tesla to J1772. We'll we bought it for a few specific routes we drive in the leaf. Specifically three stations that are uniquely Tesla destination chargers. SInce then one of the station owners has purchased one himself that he loans to his clients. Its a winery. So is one of the other sites. Kind of our Sunday drive stress down routine for us. For a while in our valley, wineries were putting in Tesla level chargers as owners didn't realize that only Teslas could use them. Since then some have either switched to or added J1772 or bought adapters (almost as expensive). It is handy although we don't get a ton of use from it. Quite honestly it is a last resort "weapon" for us and we try not to use Tesla resources.

J and A

 

[eprosenx]

Totally agree on the permanent connection not using extension cord but it worked for what we needed it to do. I wouldn't want it to have to carry 40 amps but it did fine at 27 amps. We have a little time before we get our three next year. Ill have our electrician come and take another look at things. If we can we'll go HWC and dedicated 60 amp line. If not we'll go with the permanent 50 amp install and the corded mobile unit.

The Tesla to J1772. We'll we bought it for a few specific routes we drive in the leaf. Specifically three stations that are uniquely Tesla destination chargers. SInce then one of the station owners has purchased one himself that he loans to his clients. Its a winery. So is one of the other sites. Kind of our Sunday drive stress down routine for us. For a while in our valley, wineries were putting in Tesla level chargers as owners didn't realize that only Teslas could use them. Since then some have either switched to or added J1772 or bought adapters (almost as expensive). It is handy although we don't get a ton of use from it. Quite honestly it is a last resort "weapon" for us and we try not to use Tesla resources.

J and A

So just to clarify (to make sure you are aware): You also can totally hook a 50 amp circuit to the Wall Connector (or 40a, or 30a, or 20a, or 15a, etc...) So FWIW, even if your electrician determines 50a is the limit for your 100a panel, the Wall Connector is also still an option. In fact, it is more configurable than a corded mobile connector/UMC Gen 1 since that will always try to draw 40a by default. With the Wall Connector it is a simple rotary dial change (under the faceplate) to reconfigure how much it will let the car pull max. So since you will be paying an electrician either way it sounds like, I think your final decision will come down to aesthetics and flexibility. Cost may be about a wash (note that in 2017 US NEC Article 625 now requires GFCI breakers on all EV receptacles - they are about $100 for 50a - they are NOT required for hard wired EVSE's like the Wall Connector since that functionality is built in and there is no exposed danger point upstream of the EVSE - I don't know what Canada's codes say about this).

As to the Tesla to J1772 connector: I have no issues with non-Tesla's using adapters like that. The reality is the bulk of the cost for a destination charger is going to be borne by the property owner hosting the destination charger in the form of energy costs, install costs, maintenance costs, etc.... Those property owners want Leaf owners money just as much as they want Tesla owners money. They give away "free" power as they expect you are there spending other money with them. ;-)

Good luck!

 

[Webeevdrivers]

So just to clarify (to make sure you are aware): You also can totally hook a 50 amp circuit to the Wall Connector (or 40a, or 30a, or 20a, or 15a, etc...) So FWIW, even if your electrician determines 50a is the limit for your 100a panel, the Wall Connector is also still an option. In fact, it is more configurable than a corded mobile connector/UMC Gen 1 since that will always try to draw 40a by default. With the Wall Connector it is a simple rotary dial change (under the faceplate) to reconfigure how much it will let the car pull max. So since you will be paying an electrician either way it sounds like, I think your final decision will come down to aesthetics and flexibility. Cost may be about a wash (note that in 2017 US NEC Article 625 now requires GFCI breakers on all EV receptacles - they are about $100 for 50a - they are NOT required for hard wired EVSE's like the Wall Connector since that functionality is built in and there is no exposed danger point upstream of the EVSE - I don't know what Canada's codes say about this).

As to the Tesla to J1772 connector: I have no issues with non-Tesla's using adapters like that. The reality is the bulk of the cost for a destination charger is going to be borne by the property owner hosting the destination charger in the form of energy costs, install costs, maintenance costs, etc.... Those property owners want Leaf owners money just as much as they want Tesla owners money. They give away "free" power as they expect you are there spending other money with them. ;-)

Good luck!

Wow. I did not know the HPWC was adjustable. That may be the determining factor. Thanks for the heads up. When we get home I’ll have a sit down with the electrician.

Thanks again.

John and Angela.