Some questions about 14-50 receptacles

[Villainthrpist]

I'm not going to necessarily disagree with you on this, but I do feel that it is better that you know about the issue. After all, if you were to change your mind and decide to live there longer, or it turned out you did store volatile chemicals (paint, solvents, etc...) you might make a different decision.

I appreciate you bringing it my attention.

 

[M3BlueGeorgia]

I'm looking to get a NEMA 14-50 receptacle installed and had a few questions, if anyone can help out. I'm looking to disconnect a wall heater right next to my garage and use that line to power the receptacle. It is powered by a 240V 20A breaker. The heater is the only thing that is on this circuit. I understand 20A is low for charging but it is better than 120v.

1. The Mobile Connector accepts a maximum current of 32A. Does this mean that it can accept lower amperages?
2. I don't know what the gauge is of the wire that is currently being run from the breaker to the wall heater. Is there a chance that the wire is not to spec for the receptacle?
3. The Hubble 14-50 receptacle I am looking at says it's rated for 50A. Do I need a breaker that is also rated for 50A or is it fine that the breaker output is less than the receptacle?

I ordered a wall connector to install in the garage but I am in a rental and the electrician quoted me $1k to disconnect the wall heater and run about 25ft of wire through wire track into the garage and connect the WC. I'm only going to be in this place for another year & 1/2 so the cost didn't seem to make sense, only to have to pay to get it disconnected when I leave and the set up again at my next residence.

First recommendation is to get a 6-20 adapter from Tesla and use the existing outlet and see if that's good enough.

Unless you have a long daily commute, it's probably all you need. Good for about 13 mph

 

[Rocky_H]

First recommendation is to get a 6-20 adapter from Tesla and use the existing outlet and see if that's good enough.

Sooo you just skipped reading the thread? There is no existing outlet, and the wall connector is already installed now.

 

[Eric33432]

Is that to electrical code anywhere? To do that, you would have to convert the white neutral wire to a hot wire and use the unshielded ground wire as neutral. It would work electrically, but I wouldn’t confess to anyone that I did that.

I realize this has been covered above, and OP already has the wall connector installed, but I write the below for others that may come across this.

Tesla mobile connector or wall connector do not require neutral.

It is common for appliances that are strictly 240 volt, like the Tesla connectors, to use two conductor, with ground, cable.

Also, if you can it is a really good idea to repurpose a dedicated 120 volt garage outlet to a NEMA 6-15 (15 amp circuit with 14 AWG wire) or NEMA 6-20 (20 amp circuit with 12 AWG wire). Wish I had thought of that.

But be damned sure that 120 volt outlet in the garage is a dedicated outlet (no other outlets on the same circuit). And be sure to install a 2 pole 15 or 20 amp (as appropriate for the wire size) GFCI breaker for this circuit.

Best to have electrician do this, but you may need to ask an electrician if something like this can be done.

 

[Eric33432]

You can use various adapters and you can get a 50A extension cord. The cord is very heavy, it’s similar to a garden hose in diameter. Mine I think is 30 feet. Then one can add various adapters to the end. I have an adapter that goes to a modern clothes dryer outlet. With the extension and the adapter I can charge from a 240V household dryer outlet. I believe I get 15 or so miles of charge per hour that way, but it’s been a while.

I realize this has already been covered, and the OP already has installed a TWC, but I post this for anyone who may have a similar situation that comes across this.

You will not be happy charging from 120 volts unless you drive just a little.

If your apartment has a dryer, consider using that. Just don't use the dryer at the same time you charge the car.

You can get an adapter cable from Amazon:

3 Pin Dryer outlet:

Amazon.com

4 Pin Dryer outlet:

Amazon.com

I use the dryer outlet at a vacation property I go to. If the dryer is out of reach from your car using the 20 foot long Tesla Mobile Connector, you can get the correct size extension cord from Amazon (only need a 30 amp extension cord, which is still a heavy cord) with the correct plug (some dryer outlets are 3 pin and some are 4 pin), and use that with the Tesla mobile connector. You would order the correct Tesla adapter -- NEMA 10-30 for the 3 pin or the NEMA 14-30 for the 4 pin dryer outlet.

NEMA Adapter Bundle

Maximize your charging options with the NEMA Adapter Bundle. Simply attach the appropriate adapter to your Mobile Connector, plug into the corresponding outlet and begin charging. With all seven Gen 2 NEMA Adapters in one convenient storage bag, you can charge at any available outlet, at home or...

shop.tesla.com

Edit: I would only do the above for temporary or occasional use; it is not something that would be good for a permanent situation.

 

[exxxviii]

Tesla mobile connector or wall connector do not require neutral.

Yep, this was pretty thoroughly discussed about 40 posts ago….

As were all the OP’s constraints and available circuits. He has very limited options, so the thread focused on best available options within the available options.

 

[Eric33432]

Yep, this was pretty thoroughly discussed about 40 posts ago….

As were all the OP’s constraints and available circuits. He has very limited options, so the thread focused on best available options within the available options.

Right, but others may come across this and be able to use some of the ideas I and others have suggested.

 

[exxxviii]

Right, but others may come across this and be able to use some of the ideas I and others have suggested.

Or they’ll read the prior 50 posts. This was an interesting use case and discussion. The OP got the circuit installed and has been charging for a week.

 

[Eric33432]

Or they’ll read the prior 50 posts. This was an interesting use case and discussion. The OP got the circuit installed and has been charging for a week.

I give up. Not worth the negativity.

 

[ai4px]

I'm looking to get a NEMA 14-50 receptacle installed and had a few questions, if anyone can help out. I'm looking to disconnect a wall heater right next to my garage and use that line to power the receptacle. It is powered by a 240V 20A breaker. The heater is the only thing that is on this circuit. I understand 20A is low for charging but it is better than 120v.

1. The Mobile Connector accepts a maximum current of 32A. Does this mean that it can accept lower amperages?
2. I don't know what the gauge is of the wire that is currently being run from the breaker to the wall heater. Is there a chance that the wire is not to spec for the receptacle?
3. The Hubble 14-50 receptacle I am looking at says it's rated for 50A. Do I need a breaker that is also rated for 50A or is it fine that the breaker output is less than the receptacle?

I ordered a wall connector to install in the garage but I am in a rental and the electrician quoted me $1k to disconnect the wall heater and run about 25ft of wire through wire track into the garage and connect the WC. I'm only going to be in this place for another year & 1/2 so the cost didn't seem to make sense, only to have to pay to get it disconnected when I leave and the set up again at my next residence.

You can turn the maximum charge rate down on the screen of Tesla and it will remember that setting at that location.

You can also buy a NMEA 6-20 plug and the mobile charger will force the car to lower amps.

 

[SageBrush]

You can turn the maximum charge rate down on the screen of Tesla and it will remember that setting at that location.

My Bold. I strongly suggest NOT relying on the car for this. Settings can be forgotten or lost or changed. Get the Tesla adapter, it is cheap insurance against damage and fire.

 

[Rocky_H]

My Bold. I strongly suggest NOT relying on the car for this. Settings can be forgotten or lost or changed. Get the Tesla adapter, it is cheap insurance against damage and fire.

And this is not too unusual that the car will be off with its GPS location. I've had this a few times in the last few months where I got home and pulled into my driveway and was wondering why it didn't auto-open my garage door. The skies were thick and rainy and overcast, so the car wasn't getting a good GPS signal and thought my car was a block or two away in my neighborhood. And it also didn't use my lowered amp setting because of that.