Upgraded EVSE and adapters in original bag

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arnolddeleon

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
125
Location
Cupertino, CA
I have an upgraded EVSE plus a basic set of adapters that all fit in the original case.


Two cases with charging goodies by arnolddeleon, on Flickr

This is the contents of the main case


Contents by arnolddeleon, on Flickr

The small case holds a multimeter ($15 on Amazon). I could have found a smaller meter and fit into the original case but I had the small case handy already. If I get bored I might file down the ground pin on the 10-30 adapter to make a 10-30/50 adapter. For now I kept the 50A ground blade in the small case. The small padlock is luggage lock that I already had, I don't expect it to stop a determined person.


Contents of the little case by arnolddeleon, on Flickr


The full set of pictures showing where it lives in the car and each part being packed back into the case.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arnolddeleon/sets/72157627434383990/

arnold
 
Have you tested this on a 10-30 outlet?
I have a 10-30 outlet my dryer is attached to in my garage. I am hoping to get an upgraded EVSE and charge off of it but was concerned that the lack of a proper ground would prevent charging.

Thanks!
Mike
 
mdvb747 said:
Have you tested this on a 10-30 outlet?
I have a 10-30 outlet my dryer is attached to in my garage. I am hoping to get an upgraded EVSE and charge off of it but was concerned that the lack of a proper ground would prevent charging.
Yep! I've done it with no problem at all. The only difference between a neutral and a ground on a dedicated outlet is how the appliance uses it. Both are connected to ground at the breaker panel. You should have no problem at all.
 
davewill said:
mdvb747 said:
Have you tested this on a 10-30 outlet?
I have a 10-30 outlet my dryer is attached to in my garage. I am hoping to get an upgraded EVSE and charge off of it but was concerned that the lack of a proper ground would prevent charging.
Yep! I've done it with no problem at all. The only difference between a neutral and a ground on a dedicated outlet is how the appliance uses it. Both are connected to ground at the breaker panel. You should have no problem at all.

Same here. No problem charging off my 10-30 dryer outlet.
 
davewill said:
The only difference between a neutral and a ground on a dedicated outlet is how the appliance uses it. Both are connected to ground at the breaker panel.
This is probably true if that dedicated outlet is connected to the main panel. However if the dryer outlet is fed from a subpanel there may be other loads on the subpanel that draw current through the common neutral back to the main panel. This might put voltage spikes on the neutral which could make it unsuitable as an equipment ground. Many years ago I worked in a building where the neutrals and grounds got mixed up in a subpanel. It would blow RS232 line drivers in computers connected to that subpanel when the big copy machine, also connected to that subpanel, generated a big turn-on spike. After separating the grounds and neutrals properly at the subpanel, the problem went away.

I'm not sure I'd risk my EVSE by connecting it to a 10-30 on a subpanel, but it should work fine if the 10-30 is fed from a dedicated circuit on the main panel.
 
mdvb747 said:
Have you tested this on a 10-30 outlet?
I have a 10-30 outlet my dryer is attached to in my garage. I am hoping to get an upgraded EVSE and charge off of it but was concerned that the lack of a proper ground would prevent charging.

Thanks!
Mike

This is precisely the setup in my garage which I've been using for 2 months now with no problem at all.
 
tps said:
davewill said:
The only difference between a neutral and a ground on a dedicated outlet is how the appliance uses it. Both are connected to ground at the breaker panel.
This is probably true if that dedicated outlet is connected to the main panel. However if the dryer outlet is fed from a subpanel there may be other loads on the subpanel that draw current through the common neutral back to the main panel.
While I am sure this configuration is out there, it has never been legal under the NEC. The now obsolete permission for ungrounded dryer outlets required the branch circuit to originate at the main panel.

Cheers, Wayne
 
Here are the sources:

15' L6-20 extension cords is from: http://www.stayonline.com/nema-20-amp-l" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... -208v.aspx

Multimeter is http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3320-Auto-R" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 025&sr=8-2

L6-20R to 5-15P is http://www.americord.com/5-15p-to-5-15r-locking.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (equivalent can be ordered from evseupgrade.com when placing your order)

L6-20R to 6-50P is http://www.americord.com/6-50p-to-6-20r-locking.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 10-30P and 14-30/50 adapters I made by using a 5-15P to L6-20R adapter and chopping the 5-15P end off (it cost the same as buying an L6-20R and wiring it myself and I got a molded connector out of the deal) and attaching the appropriate plug ends. You also order a L6-20R with a pigtail from evseupgrade.com when you place your order for the upgrade. I bought my plugs at Lowes. Similar plugs:

10-30: http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-287-T-Pow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 25&sr=8-12

14-30/50: http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-275-T-Pow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... 01&sr=1-17

Omit the neutral pin on the 14-30/50 plug and you get plug that will fit 14-20/30/50/60 receptacles.

I have heard of people grinding the 30A L-shaped ground/neutral pin on the 10-30 plug to make it fit both 10-30 and 10-50 receptacles. I have not done that yet.

arnold
 
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