Using Extension Cord with 110V Charger

I know the manual says not to use an extension cord with the 110V charging unit. I assume the reason is that owners might not use a heavy-duty enough cable and Nissan doesn't want to be liable.

Does anyone know why exactly the manual says this?

Is anyone using an extension cord with no problem?

If I use a heavy duty extension cord, should I have any problems?

Thanks!

I've used an extension cord with no problem.

skeezix said:

I know the manual says not to use an extension cord with the 110V charging unit. I assume the reason is that owners might not use a heavy-duty enough cable and Nissan doesn't want to be liable.

Does anyone know why exactly the manual says this?

Is anyone using an extension cord with no problem?

If I use a heavy duty extension cord, should I have any problems?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Multiple reasons.

- One purpose of the EVSE is to protect you from a live circuit, shorts, arcing, etc.. This is why the wall-plug end of the EVSE is so short. It's not just to be aggravating. That length of cable is always "hot". If you use an extension cord, instead of 6 inches of cord right next to the plug, you suddenly have a 10, 25, 50 foot length of "hot" cable snaking along the ground waiting to be nicked, cut, crushed, shorted, etc...

- An extension cord introduces another set of contacts of unknown quality, which is another opportunity for overheating, water intrusion, shock, etc...

- This is a high-draw application and the user may or may not be familiar with the necessary wire gauge to handle the current for a given cord length, or how to properly handle excess cord -- adds up to risk of overheating and fire.

skeezix said:

I know the manual says not to use an extension cord with the 110V charging unit. I assume the reason is that owners might not use a heavy-duty enough cable and Nissan doesn't want to be liable.
Does anyone know why exactly the manual says this?
Is anyone using an extension cord with no problem?

Click to expand...

My car always has an extension cord packed into the back compartment. It sits right next to the http://www.evseupgrade.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The cord has L6-20 twist lock ends on it with a very heavy oil resistant cord.

You never know when there is going to be a Suburban parked in your way.

I used a 6' cord for the first 5 months continuous on 120v... #14 wire appliance cord.

I have used 50' and 100' extention cords with #12 wire for extended periods (3+ hours) with no issues. That is both 120v & 240v 12 amps.

Just don't leave the cord coiled up.

I use a 25' 12/3 cord frequently with my L1 charger. Never warm and no issues. Its a high grade water/oil resistant cord I custom made. No issues. I have the same thing modified for my L2 charger if I need to take it with me, on 220/240V still no issues...as the car only pulls 12-16amps (from what we have learned) No issues again.

mazdaboi said:

I use a 25' 12/3 cord frequently with my L1 charger. Never warm and no issues. Its a high grade water/oil resistant cord I custom made. No issues. I have the same thing modified for my L2 charger if I need to take it with me, on 220/240V still no issues...as the car only pulls 12-16amps (from what we have learned) No issues again.

Click to expand...

I used a heavy duty 12 gauge cord 15ft...no problems. No heat like the previous smaller gauge extension I was previously using.

Re: http://www.evseupgrade.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How long is that extension cord? It is not listed on the site.

ILETRIC said:

Re: http://www.evseupgrade.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How long is that extension cord? It is not listed on the site.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you are referring to. The EVSE has a 25 foot cord, with about 12 inches between the box and the wall plug, as the electrical code specifies. The adapter that plugs into a standard 120v 15A outlet (NEMA 5-15P) and accepts (L6-20R) the nominally 240v 20A plug on the EVSE is a bit less than 2 feet long. This is not an extension cord, which would be a cord with matching type connectors on both ends. (i.e. one where it would be physically possible to plug one end of the cord into the other.)

Ray