240v extension cord?

Fellow Leafers,

I have a 30amp 240v outlet in the basement, and for the times that I need a quicker charge, I was thinking of upgrading my L1 110v charger from Nissan to support both 120 and 240. However, since I rent, I cant simply start doing electrical work to extend the dryer 240v outlet in the basement.

I could however keep a 50ft 240v extension cord around, plus one end in the dryer outlet, the other end in the upgraded Nissan charger, and in theory that could work when I need it.

Questions...
Reading this... http://www.mynissanleaf.com/wiki/index.php?title=EVSE's_(Electric_Vehicle_Supply_Equipment" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false it says that I need an extension cord with
As such, if used with an extension cord, the extension should also have at least 12 AWG conductors.

Given this cord will simply be on the ground for 50 ft between a dry basement and the garage - thoughts? Anyone else out there doing that?

Other question - some are also rated by amps. The circuit is rated for 30amp - whats the charger rated at? Note I was thinking of this place for the upgrade http://evseupgrade.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
In addition, if anyone has recommendations on what to buy. let me know.

ahh, I answered one question already...

from the website...
In addition to the auto-switching power supply, the plug on the EVSE is upgraded to a NEMA L6-20 twist lock connector. This allows the ability to have multiple adapters that positively lock to the EVSE's plug and won't pull out. This makes the charging operation much safer, and along with the twist-lock function, almost all L6-20 receptacles are built much better (safer) than standard residential 120v outlets. Adapters that connect to the L6-20 can then be added by the owner at any time, allowing use on almost any receptacle type. The custom upgrade service retains safety features of the original design while substantially increasing utility and functionality. The standard upgraded unit will charge at 12 amps on 240v which is twice as fast as 120v and 87% of the maximum capability of the Leaf. We are now also offering a revision 2 software upgrade that will allow the full LEAF level 2 charge capability (16 amps) when used on 240v. (NOTE: See FAQ below if you have a Mitsubishi or Toyota EVSE) This revision 2 upgrade is optional and adds $48 to the cost of the basic upgrade. We stand behind our work, with a one-year warranty on the upgrade and all parts used.

Yes, evseupgrade.com is the place to go for upgrading your supplied EVSE.

As to an extension cord, you will need either a custom made cord, or adapters. Contact the folks at evseupgrade.com and see if they will give you some ideas. It is a good outfit with many happy customers, including me.

L6-20 50' extension cord $89 http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?id=14863

Then you just need a 30 amp to L6-20 adapter. Does your outlet have 3 pins or 4?

smkettner said:

L6-20 50' extension cord $89 http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?id=14863

Then you just need a 30 amp to L6-20 adapter. Does your outlet have 3 pins or 4?

Click to expand...

Yes, of course, that's it.
Now go here: http://www.evseadapters.com

One of the primary purposes of an EVSE is to protect the user by ensuring that power is only flowing when there is a safe connection to a vehicle. This is why the "wall end" of the EVSE is so short. It's deliberate, to minimize the area where live wires are present. Using a 50 foot extension cord undoes that level of protection.

It is something to consider.

A 50' L6-20 extension cord should be safe if you're careful. Make sure that the twist-lock plugs are securely engaged. If the cord is too long, do not coil it, but lay it out so that heat cannot build up. For at least the first hour of use, carefully monitor it for excessive heat, especially at the connectors.

You may want to get the rev.1 upgrade to limit to 12 amps to be extra safe.

I built a 25' extension cord using 12-3 cable and L6-20 ends bought from Home Depot. When charging at 16 amps, the cable and ends gets noticeably warm but not just. The ends are no warmer than the cable so I believe the screw connections are secure.

Though it probably not necessary, I always unplug the EVSE from the cord when I'm not charging.

Remember to always plug the EVSE into the wall before plugging into the car and always unplug form the car before from the wall.

smkettner said:

L6-20 50' extension cord $89 http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?id=14863

Then you just need a 30 amp to L6-20 adapter. Does your outlet have 3 pins or 4?

Click to expand...

After looking closely at the plug for the dryer - looks like a NEMA 10-50

So.. three pins

Looks like you need the NEMA 10 modified adapter from: http://www.evseadapters.com/products.php

When you do the evseupgrade mod, do order the 120v adapter so that you can use your EVSE at most any common 120 volt outlet. $25 is a fair price for it.

Rev 1 at 12 Amps? Rev 2 at 16 Amps? Either should work with your proposed set-up, but with that long of an extension, I personally would go for 12 Amps. It's a bit slower, but unless you need the fastest possible, it should be just fine. Unless you plan on regularly using max range, six or so hour charges at 240 volts, 12 Amps will be common.

Including shipping, you are probably right around $450. Add another $39 for a NEMA 14 adapter, and you should be able to charge from most 240 volt sources.

tkutter said:

After looking closely at the plug for the dryer - looks like a NEMA 10-50

So.. three pins

Click to expand...

You might want to look again. If it's really a dryer socket, it's much more likely to be a 10-30. Anyway, if you get the one from http://www.evseadapters.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; you can have it made so it fits either one.

10-50 would be rare. Probably 10-30 with three pins including the "L" ground pin. It should be marked right on the outlet.

The above adapter link is well priced. Or you can make your own. Or buy the plug end at Home Depot and lop off the extension cord end.

10-30 plug http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?id=13937

L6-20 connector & cord http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?id=21463

And yes I have bought a bunch from these guys. Make sure you get everything in one order to save shipping. Better quality stuff than Home Depot etc IMO.

There is also a custom cord configurator to have it all premade.

BTW I recommend R2 at 16 amps. I did R1 and it works fine but in hindsight should have gone R2.

Very rare to find a 15 amp 240v outlet. Most are 30+ and a few 20amp in the wild.

A related, but different question: does anyone make an EVSE extender cord for the vehicle end of the EVSE? I do L-1 charging with my Leaf, and now we are getting a Prius PHEV. The EVSE isn't going to reach the Prius as well as the Leaf, and I don't want to have the EVSE "box" outside the garage, so the logical solution would be a 15-20' EVSE cord with a J1772 nozzle on one end and an appropriate socket on the other, to extend the EVSE's reach for L-1 charging. failing this I'll probably install an outdoor L-2 charging station, which would charge twice as fast, but be 10X as hard to implement...

Rush has one at TucsonEV:
http://tucsonev.com/J1772Extension.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



$280 for a 20 footer. Longer for $2.50 a foot.

-Phil

LeftieBiker said:

Prius PHEV.

Click to expand...

Isn't the PiP's usable battery only 3.5kWh?

Can you just charge it in 3.5 hours on L1, using an easily obtainable and inexpensive AWG12 extension cord from a second wall outlet to the EVSE?

Berlino said:

LeftieBiker said:

Prius PHEV.

Click to expand...

Isn't the PiP's usable battery only 3.5kWh?

Can you just charge it in 3.5 hours on L1, using an easily obtainable and inexpensive AWG12 extension cord from a second wall outlet to the EVSE?

Click to expand...

Yes, but I don't want either EVSE to be plugged in and sitting outdoors. The Leaf's EVSE has the "box" in the garage and only the weatherproof cord going to the car is located outside. Even that is sheltered by an overhang.

You can make one yourself. I made a 35 foot L6-30 extension cord using a 300 volt 30 AMP stranded wire 10/3; 10 gauge, 3 wires for the 240v 20 AMP EVSE upgrade. I exceeded specs required. The only time you have to worry about heat is when the extension cord will be maxed out by what you are using it for. For example you do not want to use a 50 foot 16/3 cord as an extension for the LEAF charger on 120 because the gauge is too high/ thin wire. You can, but there will be a heat buildup at the wall outlet and at the charger because the extension cord specs are exceeded or maxed out. With a 50 foot 10/3 extension cord however, on 120, there wont be any heat because the extension cord specs exceeds the specs of the charger and the wall outlet on 120.

LeftieBiker said:

A related, but different question: does anyone make an EVSE extender cord for the vehicle end of the EVSE? I do L-1 charging with my Leaf, and now we are getting a Prius PHEV. The EVSE isn't going to reach the Prius as well as the Leaf, and I don't want to have the EVSE "box" outside the garage, so the logical solution would be a 15-20' EVSE cord...

Click to expand...

http://shop.quickchargepower.com/JLONG-40-Amp-J1772-extension-cable-JL40A.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;