I currently own two electric vehicles and usually charge using a 120V outlet in my garage, which suffices for my 35-mile daily commute, however my wife needs a level 2 daily for her commute. Ideally, a Level 2 charger would be more efficient for us both, but installing one is not an option for me as I live in condo that I own on the second floor with a 75amp sub panel that I cannot upgrade without upgrading every other unit in the 4 person building (poor design). To address this, I have implemented a solution involving a ‘Dryer Buddy’ device. This allows me to use the 240V 30amp NEMA 10-30 plug that my dryer uses with a Level 2 charger and I charge our cars when needed at 240v 24amps. To connect my car, I plug a level 2 charger into the dryer buddy, then using a 60-foot Lectron brand J1772 extension cable (see photo) (not a regular extension cord) that I connect to the level 2 charger, which I run down the stairs (see photo link), through the door leading to my private garage (see photo in link), and into my vehicle. It’s not ideal and we have to step over it when using the hallway, but it works and I charge to 80% by morning. The system works efficiently without any cables overheating, but managing the lengthy cable is troublesome and the Lectron cable is heavy, and it requires keeping the door leading into my garage slightly open, which lets in cold air and possibly pests or heat in during the summer time. I have contemplated installing a doggy door to remedy this and run the cable through the pet door so I can close the door all the way, but it might detract from the home’s appearance. Installing a 240v outlet in my garage is not an option unfortunately. I’m wondering if there is something I can temporarily place and remove each time when we keep the door ajar like some sort of thick foam or maybe a removable thick curtain that is airtight to block any wind that comes through while allowing the cable to run between the ajar door and door frame? Is there a better idea overall than this setup in general? I wish there was a way to get an extension from the dryer buddy plug upstairs into my garage. I have the ability to physically run cables through my crawl space above the dryer into the garage, but I’m not sure that would be safe or a fire risk. Do you have any recommendations for improving this setup? I need to replace in the photo leading to the garage as its old and dirty, but I’d rather not cut holes in it if I don’t have to.
Your assumptions about the ability to add loads to your panel are based on believing that an EV charge station is a dumb load like a space heater. That is incorrect. EVEMS exists and works.
So if it’s physically possible to run a cable from the panel and tandem up an extra breaker in there, you can just add a 50A breaker and 50A wire with a cat5e cable, and go out to a hardwired Wallbox Pulsar Plus with the accessory power monitor in the panel. Program that to limit EV charge rate so the total service load does not exceed 30A. And that’s it, the EV charge station will automatically adjust to stay well within service limits. Most of the night the house loads are very tiny, and so you’re rocking almost the entire 30A.
Why 30A? NEC Table 220.84.
If it’s impossible to reach the panel with wires, then do a Simple Switch on the dryer circuit, the difference between a SimpleSwitch and a Dryerbuddy is the SimpleSwitch is designed to be hard-wired, and it’s also UL Listed so your insurance company will pay. Then you run proper in-wall wiring to TWO EV station locations. Obtain two hardwired wall mount stations that support Power Sharing, such as Wallbox (needs a data cable between them) or Tesla Universal Wall Connector (uses radio). Configure those for Power Sharing for 24A. Now both cars will charge at once, splitting the 24A dynamically based on draw. When one car finishes, the other gets the works.
Agree with all this, just adding that the grizzl-e duo is another option for a charger/evse you could place in your garage in the “simple switch” scenario.
Oh sure! That’s a good choice for two EVs if the cords will reach.
Thank you this is really good information but my question is is this something that electrician installed because I would not know how to do it
Then you gotta find an electrician who speaks EVEMS. The manufacturers of that kit (Wallbox and Emporia) have referral services.
If you just pick J random electrician (and God help you if you use Internet search, because those search results are all manipulated to put you into middlemen and scammers)… then yeah, they’ll think you’re delusional.
I called several random electricians who didn’t even think it was legal to install the simple switch. They thought I was nuts.
I have contemplated installing a doggy door to remedy this and run the cable through the pet door so I can close the door all the way, but it might detract from the home’s appearance. Installing a 240v outlet in my garage is not an option unfortunately.
doggy door in the door in the pic? when you move, replace the door (for appearance).
CAT doors, just make one corner a “flap”
https://www.kittykornerdoor.com/
INTRODUCING KITTY KORNER™ AN ALL-NEW CAT DOOR CONVERSION KIT
I have the ability to physically run cables through my crawl space above the dryer into the garage, but I’m not sure that would be safe or a fire risk
proper rated extension cable would be fine… you could do conduit too
…get an electrician to come out.
Get an electrician to come out and add a transfer switch. The switch can switch between two circuits. Now you can add a new dedicated circuit. You can place it at the dryer or next to your panel.
Don’t run extension cords inside walls or crawl spaces.
Perhaps convert the existing dryer receptacle into a feeder and run appropriately sized romex from there to an outlet in the garage, along with a replacement dryer receptacle.
Run that idea past your local code book, though.
Just be aware if something does happen and you end up with an electrical fire, first and foremost this is an exit path that will be blocked. Secondly, your insurance could deny you because running a cord through a wall, door or doorway is against most electrical/fire codes.
Why did you waste money goblin-rigging on all that crud together instead of asking us? We would’ve given you a much better plan that your insurance wouldn’t rage over. Now you have all that sunk cost, I can’t imagine you’ll want to change horses now.
What’s the plan lol
I’ve heard something one time in relation to something else not-EV but I think it fits here: The doggy door would sorta “show intent” to your insurance company that you wanted to simplify your regular sidestepping of electric code rules, you’ve officially made it part of your life.
I’m not saying it’s real inherently dangerous if you’re mindful (not an electrician) it’s just something like that would make me nervous if had a new electric shaver catch fire 4 rooms away and my insurance sees the doggy door, “he’s some diy cowboy, probably rewired that shaver too”