EVSE Hardwire to Plug Conversion

I tried searching but perhaps I was typing in the wrong keywords.

I picked up a used AeroVironment AV 30 Amp EVSE RSW30 (for a Fiat, but I think they are all the same for Nissans too) that is hard wired. It didn't come with a separate breaker box, but I hope I have the right product.

I'm currently in a rental with a garage and I wanted to install this in there, but I wanted to install an outlet + plug so if/when I move, I can take it with me. I was wondering if I could convert a hard wire type into a plug in type. If so, what hardware will I need to buy? Thank you so much!

You just need a 50 amp appliance pigtail from your local hardware store and an outlet to match.

Gorge said:

I tried searching but perhaps I was typing in the wrong keywords.

I picked up a used AeroVironment AV 30 Amp EVSE RSW30 (for a Fiat, but I think they are all the same for Nissans too) that is hard wired. It didn't come with a separate breaker box, but I hope I have the right product.

I'm currently in a rental with a garage and I wanted to install this in there, but I wanted to install an outlet + plug so if/when I move, I can take it with me. I was wondering if I could convert a hard wire type into a plug in type. If so, what hardware will I need to buy? Thank you so much!

Click to expand...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-4-ft-4-Wire-50-Amp-Range-Cord-PT500/203416924

I used this plug to convert my Clipper Creek LC-25 from hard-wired to plug:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-30-50-Amp-2-Pole-3-Way-Grounded-Angle-Straight-Blade-Plug-Black-R50-00931-000/202077682

It's also worth noting that you will need a 240V outlet to use most EVSEs. If you are not sure how to do the wiring, do yourself a favor and pay an electrician a few bucks to wire up the plug for you.

While that NEMA 6-30 plug would work, personally I'd use either the Tesla standard NEMA 14-50(the one Flyct linked) or possibly a L6-30 which EVSEupgrade has standardized on. The advantage of going with a L6-30 is they are easy to find in the female end, allowing you to make converter cables to other plug types. My guess is 6-30 might be hard to find in the female variety(other than a outlet which isn't desirable for converter plugs). 14-50 aren't all that east to find in female either but you can purchase pigtails on Amazon for ~$15 that have a 14-50 female and L14-30 male end. Simply cut the L14-30 end off and attach whatever plug you want.
Again the easiest might be the 6-30 plug ~$7 on Amazon and female versions for ~$9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043EZGNA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2FOFVDA67L13W&coliid=I2E2NC5LBJEKEM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095GKC8U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2FOFVDA67L13W&coliid=I14THH5FGINTFF
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PGVZ30/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

jjeff said:

While that NEMA 6-30 plug would work, personally I'd use either the Tesla standard NEMA 14-50(the one Flyct linked) or possibly a L6-30 which EVSEupgrade has standardized on. The advantage of going with a L6-30 is they are easy to find in the female end, allowing you to make converter cables to other plug types. My guess is 6-30 might be hard to find in the female variety(other than a outlet which isn't desirable for converter plugs). 14-50 aren't all that east to find in female either but you can purchase pigtails on Amazon for ~$15 that have a 14-50 female and L14-30 male end. Simply cut the L14-30 end off and attach whatever plug you want.
Again the easiest might be the 6-30 plug ~$7 on Amazon and female versions for ~$9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043EZGNA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2FOFVDA67L13W&coliid=I2E2NC5LBJEKEM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095GKC8U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2FOFVDA67L13W&coliid=I14THH5FGINTFF
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PGVZ30/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Click to expand...

Wouldn't a 6-30 be insufficient since it's rated as a 30 AMP charger, but says max output is 40 amps?

As I recall the load is not supposed to exceed 80% of the rating of the breaker. That's why they spec the 30A EVSE as a 40A circuit. The HD male plug linked above is rated 50A, and can be set up as 6-30 or 6-50 by rotating the blades. If the EVSE doesn't need a neutral a 6-50 outlet and plug should be fine. A 14-50 set would also be fine, and give you the neutral in case you need it for something else in future. 6-30/50 seem to be common for shop use (welders, saws, etc), while 14-30/50 seem standard for household appliances (dryers, ranges, etc). One source of confusion are the older ungrounded 3 wire 10-30/50 outlets, which should no longer be used. The breaker / wiring could reasonably be sized for either 40A or 50A. Your electrician should know how to do that. Even if you decide to put in a 6-50, ideally you should have all 3 (2 hots plus neutral) wires + gnd pulled to the outlet with the neutral capped off in the box in case you need to change to 14-50 in future. Cost difference shouldn't be much, the main cost is the labor.

If you go with a 14-50 outlet you can use the appliance (range) hookup pigtail noted above. For 6-50 you'll need to buy the separate plug posted above, and an appropriately sized length of wire. HD should carry the male and female parts for all of these. I've been looking at them all since putting a 50A 14-50 outlet in the garage and building adapters for my welder, kiln, etc.

Rob

Gorge said:

jjeff said:

While that NEMA 6-30 plug would work, personally I'd use either the Tesla standard NEMA 14-50(the one Flyct linked) or possibly a L6-30 which EVSEupgrade has standardized on. The advantage of going with a L6-30 is they are easy to find in the female end, allowing you to make converter cables to other plug types. My guess is 6-30 might be hard to find in the female variety(other than a outlet which isn't desirable for converter plugs). 14-50 aren't all that east to find in female either but you can purchase pigtails on Amazon for ~$15 that have a 14-50 female and L14-30 male end. Simply cut the L14-30 end off and attach whatever plug you want.
Again the easiest might be the 6-30 plug ~$7 on Amazon and female versions for ~$9
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043EZGNA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2FOFVDA67L13W&coliid=I2E2NC5LBJEKEM
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095GKC8U/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2FOFVDA67L13W&coliid=I14THH5FGINTFF
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PGVZ30/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Click to expand...

Wouldn't a 6-30 be insufficient since it's rated as a 30 AMP charger, but says max output is 40 amps?

Click to expand...

Yes a 6-30 would work but I'd really suggest the L6-30 as they are much easier to find the female ends for any converter cables. I guess if you never have the need to make converter cables the regular 6-30 would work but again EVSEupgrade has kind of standardized on the L6-30 and I personally like the locking plugs vs the non locking but I guess it's up to you.
Oh and BTW the nice pigtails I had ordered in the past for the 14-50 plugs seem to be no longer available on Amazon, instead replaced by similar ones for triple the price :shock: In heindsite I kind of wish I had wired my Juicebox EVSE for L6-30 instead of the extremely large 14-50(Tesla standard) range plug.

jjeff said:

In heindsite I kind of wish I had wired my Juicebox EVSE for L6-30 instead of the extremely large 14-50(Tesla standard) range plug.

Click to expand...

I like the huge plug -- it says "there's potentially a ridiculous amount of electricity here, so be careful".

A 30a plug/receptacle will not do the job, folks. His EVSE is 30a, and needs at least a 40a circuit. Use a 6-50 or a 14-50, whichever you prefer.

davewill said:

A 30a plug/receptacle will not do the job, folks. His EVSE is 30a, and needs at least a 40a circuit. Use a 6-50 or a 14-50, whichever you prefer.

Click to expand...

Dave is spot on! A 6-50 pigtail is nearly impossible to find so cheapest solution is14-50 on a 40 amp circuit using #8 wire or 50 amp on #6 wire. Also make sure to use a cord grip when entering the AV.

If for some reason you really want 6-50 you can make your own cord using parts from HD. The plug was linked above, and they sell SOOW cord by the foot. They should have both 6 and 8 gauge 4 conductor. You can get 3 conductor, but I don't think HD has it by the foot. You might be able to find it online though, but with shipping it might end up the same cost. I would think 8 gauge would be fine for the EVSE power cord.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-By-the-Foot-8-4-Black-Stranded-Cu-SOOW-Cord-55809399/204725138

Generally I think 14-50 is the way to go though. That's what I ended up using anyway, even though I have a welder with with a 6-50 plug. Since Tesla has adopted 14-50, and a lot of RVs (and consequently RV Parks) now use 14-50, there seems to be a lot of momentum there.

Rob

Thanks everyone. A lot of the terminology is foreign to me, so I guess I'll hire an electrician to do it. Anyone recommend an electrician in the Los Angeles area?