Retractable Reel for Charging Cord

[deeri]

While I await delivery of my X 100D in a few weeks, I'm planning the changes needed in the garage to accommodate charging. Installing the charging cord on a wall is not a great option for various reasons. What I'd like to do is mount a reel on the ceiling similar to the way I have an air hose (from a compressor in the attic above the garage) and an electrical extension cord mounted on the ceiling. The cord is pulled down from the reel when needed and then when finished, a slight tug on the cord and it retracts into the reel and out of the way. I plan to use the 20' cord that comes with the Tesla and a socket installed by the electrician in the ceiling to plug the cord in to.

I have been searching for reels that can have a user-supplied cord mounted to them and the best thing I could find costs upwards of $500. I have also read articles that warn about winding the cord around something because of heat dissipation issues.

Has anyone encountered and solved this problem, or have suggestions? A link to a ceiling mountable reel at a reasonable price would be appreciated. I'm not looking for a $20 solution here, I know I may have to spend a few hundred dollars, just would rather avoid $500 if at all possible, not to mention wanting to avoid the risk of setting my garage on fire.

 

[Derek Kessler]

I know it's not exactly what you're looking for, but I went a more budget route with a series of hooks to hang my UMC. Looked hard at a reel-style solution, but couldn't find a good one and also realized how much of a PITA it would be when I want to take the UMC with me (at least once a month).

It's not as visually clean and elegant as I want, but it's functionally elegant enough. Plus no worries about heat from spooling up the cable, as you noted.

 

[McManX]

Exactly what you're looking for I believe:

Overhead Cable Reel Install for the HPWC

 

[deeri]

Exactly what you're looking for I believe:

Overhead Cable Reel Install for the HPWC

Unfortunately, very expensive.

 

[McManX]

Unfortunately, very expensive.

Yes, I forgot how complex it was until after I posted.

 

[arnolddeleon]

I possibly slightly cheaper path is to use tool balancer (example: Tool Balancers, Load Balancers and Spring Balancers by Endo)

 

[Gwgan]

My HPWC is on the wall near the charge port. I hang the cable up and over a cushioned hook so it dangles near the port. It puts the plug a short distance from the port and keeps the cable off the floor. No practical experience yet, but I have tested holding it up to the hook with a bungee to be able to reach over to the future Model 3 parked to the right and still stay off the ground.