14-30 charging options

ThetaGod

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I am taking delivery in the next 3-10 days. My situation is that I’m only going to have a 14-30 port available (normal 120 available as well) and I am renting where I am not able to make any changes while I am here. What is the best option for me for 14-30 chargers/adapters to buy? One post here seemed to think a 14-30 adapter wouldn’t be suitable since it may not work with Ford charger, so I’m not sure if I should go that route. It doesn’t seem there is an official Ford adapter either. I don’t want to buy an expensive 3rd party 14-30 charger if I don’t have to go that route, but maybe I do?

I will be driving enough where I don’t think 120v will keep up and don’t want to top off at a public station since I almost always come back home.
Many thanks for any help and opinions.
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MattG

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Your best bet is probably to just buy a new corded mobile connector that already has that plug on it. If you search Amazon for “ev charger 14-30” you’ll find some. Not as expensive as the hardwired chargers you see discussed more often.
 

generaltso

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Purchasing a lower amperage EVSE is really your only option if you want to use that 14-30 outlet. An adapter won’t work with the Ford mobile charger because there’s no way to tell the charger or the car to pull less than 32 amps, so it will trip the 30 amp breaker. If they add the ability to step down the amperage in an OTA update, an adapter would be feasible.
 

shutterbug

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I am taking delivery in the next 3-10 days. My situation is that I’m only going to have a 14-30 port available (normal 120 available as well) and I am renting where I am not able to make any changes while I am here. What is the best option for me for 14-30 chargers/adapters to buy? One post here seemed to think a 14-30 adapter wouldn’t be suitable since it may not work with Ford charger, so I’m not sure if I should go that route. It doesn’t seem there is an official Ford adapter either. I don’t want to buy an expensive 3rd party 14-30 charger if I don’t have to go that route, but maybe I do?

I will be driving enough where I don’t think 120v will keep up and don’t want to top off at a public station since I almost always come back home.
Many thanks for any help and opinions.
One example:
https://store.clippercreek.com/lcs-30p-nema-14-30
Stay away from units that aren't UL certified. Amazon is full of them.
 

VegStang

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Looks like the new home we purchased with a “Level 2 ready charger plug” ends up having only a 30 amp plug (10 ga wire.) I asked Jon the walkthrough if the outlet was actually worked for 40 amps, but so much for that assurance. Looks like clipper creek will be the best option, or pay the premium for a 1050 or better outlet/charging system. I don’t hold out much hope for an OTA update to give us adjustable charging.
 


cdiv

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The ChargePoint, Wallbox, and Grizzl-E all have adjustable charge rates... but none are sold with a 30 A plug, so they'll have to be hardwired or maybe you can replace the plug.
 

MachGT

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The clippercreek above is a great made in 'murica, but expensive option. Any 24 Amp charger will solve your problem for a 30amp circuit. Anything more will either trip the breaker, or worse, start an electrical fire. Splitvolt makes a 24amp charger that will even work on a 3-wire dryer plug (NEMA 10-30).
 
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RickMachE

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Looks like the new home we purchased with a “Level 2 ready charger plug” ends up having only a 30 amp plug (10 ga wire.) I asked Jon the walkthrough if the outlet was actually worked for 40 amps, but so much for that assurance. Looks like clipper creek will be the best option, or pay the premium for a 1050 or better outlet/charging system. I don’t hold out much hope for an OTA update to give us adjustable charging.
Verify the breaker is 30amps, not 40.

You could also change the outlet, but you'd want clear labeling stating it should not be used over 24 amps. Or, as stated, hardwire.

JuiceBox is also adjustable in the app, and much easier than ChargePoint. Also available as a hardwired version, and currently on sale.
 

Mach-Lee

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Looks like the new home we purchased with a “Level 2 ready charger plug” ends up having only a 30 amp plug (10 ga wire.) I asked Jon the walkthrough if the outlet was actually worked for 40 amps, but so much for that assurance. Looks like clipper creek will be the best option, or pay the premium for a 1050 or better outlet/charging system. I don’t hold out much hope for an OTA update to give us adjustable charging.
That sucks, "EV ready" is defined by the International Code Council to mean a minimum 40A 208/240V circuit. I would have a discussion with your builder about your outlet not meeting the minimum spec, it could be a local code violation. Palo Alto requires a 50A circuit in their municipal code for new houses. The way I'm reading the code that means 8 gauge wires in 1" conduit, with a 50A breaker and outlet.

10 gauge wire can only have a 30A breaker and is limited to 24A for EV charging.
 
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VegStang

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I should have specified new home to me, not newly built home. I negotiated with the sellers, they are going to pay ½ of the charger cost and pay for the reconfiguring of the main panel to accommodate the 30 amp plug that was disconnected. As you noted the code calls for 40 amp, and I could have pressed for the $2k install of a 40/50/60 amp line, but as the non-continent deal (silicon valley) was done over a month ago I settled for 30/24 & the clipper creek. The Grizzl-E Classic or mini is tempting though, or the Open EVSE.

That sucks, "EV ready" is defined by the International Code Council to mean a minimum 40A 208/240V circuit. I would have a discussion with your builder about your outlet not meeting the minimum spec, it could be a local code violation. Palo Alto requires a 50A circuit in their municipal code for new houses. The way I'm reading the code that means 8 gauge wires in 1" conduit, with a 50A breaker and outlet.

10 gauge wire can only have a 30A breaker and is limited to 24A for EV charging.
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