RCEV13
Active member
Last weekend I installed a GE Wattstation. I purchased the unit from Lowe's after they matched Home Depot's price: $849.99.
I went the owner-builder permit route which costs: $366 (1 new receptacle, 1 electric car charging station).
I ran 4 individual #8 wires (red, black, white, green) through a bonded, earthed (to grounding rod), 35ft metal conduit running on the outside base of the house down the driveway. You can't run NM (indoor romex wire) down an outdoor metal conduit. I also discovered that a NEMA 6-50 plug does not require a Neutral (white) wire. The GE Wattstation manual states that a neutral wire is required, but that is only if you are hard wiring the unit (you have the option). I used the plug-in option.
I wired it up, dropped in a new 40amp breaker for the dedicated EVSE line, and powered up the EVSE. On start up the unit momentarily flashes green, then orange, then lights up the LED ring. When plugging in the car there is a loud-ish click of a relay in the EVSE at the start and a similar click upon completion.
I also built a locking wood cabinet to protect it and the outlet from weather, children, and energy thieves. It took me the entire weekend to do the install.
Total Cost: $1274.65 + Permits ( $366) = $1640.65
Best electrician estimate for an end-of-driveway install was $1000 + $250 to handle the permit process + the permit cost + the EVSE cost (+tax) is about $2600 + cost of building a custom cabinet ($500?).
I probably saved around $1500. But I worked about 20hrs on it....so my time = $75/hr. So maybe I didn't really save anything, but I learned a lot.
So far the Wattstation works just fine.
The End.
I went the owner-builder permit route which costs: $366 (1 new receptacle, 1 electric car charging station).
I ran 4 individual #8 wires (red, black, white, green) through a bonded, earthed (to grounding rod), 35ft metal conduit running on the outside base of the house down the driveway. You can't run NM (indoor romex wire) down an outdoor metal conduit. I also discovered that a NEMA 6-50 plug does not require a Neutral (white) wire. The GE Wattstation manual states that a neutral wire is required, but that is only if you are hard wiring the unit (you have the option). I used the plug-in option.
I wired it up, dropped in a new 40amp breaker for the dedicated EVSE line, and powered up the EVSE. On start up the unit momentarily flashes green, then orange, then lights up the LED ring. When plugging in the car there is a loud-ish click of a relay in the EVSE at the start and a similar click upon completion.
I also built a locking wood cabinet to protect it and the outlet from weather, children, and energy thieves. It took me the entire weekend to do the install.
Total Cost: $1274.65 + Permits ( $366) = $1640.65
Best electrician estimate for an end-of-driveway install was $1000 + $250 to handle the permit process + the permit cost + the EVSE cost (+tax) is about $2600 + cost of building a custom cabinet ($500?).
I probably saved around $1500. But I worked about 20hrs on it....so my time = $75/hr. So maybe I didn't really save anything, but I learned a lot.
So far the Wattstation works just fine.
The End.