GroundLoop
Posts: 1725
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 9:31 pm

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in

That short cord is a real pain, as most of the "found" public outlets are worn and lacking in 'grip'.
Hanging a big box off the plug is just dumb. And it's not like I can carry around a masonry drill and mount hooks/shelves/screws/bungies to support the EVSE.

I can't see any reason at all why a good 12ga 1-foot or 2-foot extension cord would add risk. Indeed, the prongs are usually exposed just by hanging the swinging mass from them -- a cord that allows the box to sit on the ground would be safer.

Seriously:
http://amzn.com/B000BQU576
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trentr
Posts: 305
Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 12:10 am
Delivery Date: 16 Apr 2011
Location: Silicon Valley

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in

FIXED:

A rubber bungee from home depot and a couple of cable ties did the trick. No more cord stress, also makes a great handle for the EVSE. :D

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2011 Blue SL+QC
smkettner
Posts: 7501
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:13 pm
Delivery Date: 26 Feb 2014
Location: Orange County, CA

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in

jcesare wrote:
smkettner wrote:
jcesare wrote:I bought one of these in Blue Ocean
http://www.lowes.com/pd_242113-66906-UT ... 50%2527%2B
I was thinking more like this one:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... wBEPMCMAg#
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I went with a 50 ft. cord and I keep it in the hatch, just in case. You never know when you might need the extra length.
I bought one like this at Home Depot. 90 degree plug is perfect. Cord drops straight down and the Nissan supplied EVSE brick sits nicely under the workbench. Yes the appliance cord is 6' and #14 wire. Barely warm after four hours charging. Excellent IMO. And much safer IMO than the stubby pigtail plug. Whoever came up with that idea to keep the power cord so short made a terrible mistake. Should have been a 5' to 6' cord to allow for garage plugs at 4' above the floor.
1 bar lost at 21,451 miles, 16 months.
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planet4ever
Posts: 4674
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 9:53 pm
Delivery Date: 02 May 2011
Leaf Number: 1537
Location: Morgan Hill, CA, south of San Jose

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in - FIXED

So, smkettner, what happens when your chisel slips and, wouldn't you know it, jabs into that wire hanging down? There are no safety protections between the wall plug and the EVSE. That's why the standards folks insist it should be short. trentr has a safer solution.
End of April 2013: Traded my 2011 SL for a 2013 S with charge pkg.
smkettner
Posts: 7501
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:13 pm
Delivery Date: 26 Feb 2014
Location: Orange County, CA

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in - FIXED

Same hazard as ANY cord. Why is an EV cord suddenly a big issue?
It has the same protection as every other cord in the house, garage, shop, factory etc. It is called a circuit breaker.
And it is plugged into a GFI outlet. How much more protection does the brick really give?

Chisel slip is just FUD.

I believe the only potential issue is if flammable gasses would accumulate and the relay caused ignition. Possibly it should be 18" above the garage floor same as the water heater. I will accept the risk on this issue.
1 bar lost at 21,451 miles, 16 months.
2 bar lost at 35,339 miles, 25 months.
LEAF traded at 45,400 miles for a RAV4-EV
RAV4 traded in for I-Pace Dec 2018
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garygid
Posts: 12469
Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:10 am
Delivery Date: 29 Mar 2011
Leaf Number: 000855
Location: Laguna Hills, Orange Co, CA

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in - FIXED

Looks like the cover on the box is installed upside down, with the two cutouts (for exiting cords) on the top instead of the bottom.
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smkettner
Posts: 7501
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:13 pm
Delivery Date: 26 Feb 2014
Location: Orange County, CA

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in - FIXED

garygid wrote:Looks like the cover on the box is installed upside down, with the two cutouts (for exiting cords) on the top instead of the bottom.
I would be curious if the door even closed with that honking replacement style plug that comes on the end of these things.
1 bar lost at 21,451 miles, 16 months.
2 bar lost at 35,339 miles, 25 months.
LEAF traded at 45,400 miles for a RAV4-EV
RAV4 traded in for I-Pace Dec 2018
wwhitney
Posts: 871
Joined: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:10 am
Delivery Date: 01 Apr 2011
Location: Berkeley, CA

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in

Ingineer wrote:And by the way, if you are using our upgraded EVSE and you want to be absolutely safe: Where the EVSE calls for an in-wall receptacle, a 50 amp, 240 volt, 3- or 4-wire wall plug configuration is required, along with a minimum 40 amp 2-pole breaker.
Why do you say a 40 amp circuit is required for your upgraded EVSE that draws at most 12 amps?

Thanks,
Wayne
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Ingineer
Posts: 2741
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:09 pm
Delivery Date: 13 Jul 2011
Leaf Number: 6969
Location: Berkeley, California
Contact: Website

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in

wwhitney wrote:
Ingineer wrote:And by the way, if you are using our upgraded EVSE and you want to be absolutely safe: Where the EVSE calls for an in-wall receptacle, a 50 amp, 240 volt, 3- or 4-wire wall plug configuration is required, along with a minimum 40 amp 2-pole breaker.
Why do you say a 40 amp circuit is required for your upgraded EVSE that draws at most 12 amps?

Thanks,
Wayne
Obviously it isn't required to use our upgrade, only a 20A L6-20 is needed. We were discussing the requirements for other EVSE's. Though I clearly mis-wrote that, and accidentally left out the "not". I'll go back and correct it.

If you are going to install any other Level-2 EVSE currently on the market, you need the 40a requirement, and the upgraded unit will work fine in that outlet.

-Phil
Easily Learn Electricity HERE! - - - - Website: http://evseupgrade.com/[/size] - - - - Like us on Facebook: EVSE Upgrade
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Ingineer
Posts: 2741
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:09 pm
Delivery Date: 13 Jul 2011
Leaf Number: 6969
Location: Berkeley, California
Contact: Website

Re: Included EVSE hanging when plugged-in

DarkStar wrote:Since J1772 compliance is based on those testing requirements, you can't really change the design without needing to retest again. Also, since 305 mm equals 12 inches it really is a draw either way... :D
The point is, the SAE J1772 standard doesn't require the 305mm cord length, only that it be a maximum of 305mm from the receptacle when conducting the radiated immunity test. There is no other language regarding cord length in the SAE standard, only NEC article 625 which states:

Code: Select all

Article 25-17: Cable.  The electric vehicle supply equipment cable shall be Type EV, EVJ, EVE, EVJE. EVT, or EVJT flexible cable as specified in Article 400 and Table 400-4.  Ampacities shall be as specified in Table 400-5(A) for No. 10 and smaller and Table 400-5(8) for No. 8 and larger.  The overall length of the cable shall not exceed 25 ft (7.63m).  Other cable types and assemblies listed as being suitable the purpose, including optional hybrid communications, signal, and optical fiber cables, shall be permitted.
and:

Code: Select all

Article 625-22: Personnel Protection System.  The electric vehicle supply equipment shall have a listed system of protection against electric shock of personnel.  The personnel protection system shall be composed of listed personnel protection devices and constructional features.  Where cord- and plug-connected electric vehicle supply equipment is used, the interrupting device of a listed personnel protection system shall be provided and shall be an integral part of the attachment plug or shall be located in the power supply cable not more than 12 in. from the attachment plug.
People are spewing standards, rules, recommendations, etc. I'm just trying to make sure the facts are straight and clear. Also: Where enforcement isn't in play, intent still matters.

-Phil
Easily Learn Electricity HERE! - - - - Website: http://evseupgrade.com/[/size] - - - - Like us on Facebook: EVSE Upgrade

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