Shopping for a Home Charger

[dbsb3233]

Mine showed up today! Now I just need to find an electrician at a fair price.

Oh, and my Mach-e. ?

One more comment on the Grizzl-E... The Amazon description for this said "regular cable". If this is the regular cable, I'd hate to see the heavy one! This sucker is hefty. They sure didn't skimp on cable quality.

It's my first charger so I have nothing to compare it to in person (only pictures and videos). Maybe they're all this way. But feels like this thing could hold up for decades.

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[macchiaz-o]

One more comment on the Grizzl-E... The Amazon description for this said "regular cable". If this is the regular cable, I'd hate to see the heavy one! This sucker is hefty. They sure didn't skimp on cable quality.

I think the thick cable is what you get in order to achieve the 24' length in a flexible cord that handles 40A continuously at 240V without getting too hot. I'm guessing the Ford Connected Charging Station cable is just as thick or possibly thicker.

The premium cable remains more flexible in cold climates than the standard cable, which will be stiffer especially as it gets further below freezing. I assume this is mainly for people who install the charger outdoors and in below freezing temperatures.

There used to be a good explainer and video about this on the grizzl-e.com site. But now that's gone. This might be due to product changes. Previously, the unit with the premium cable included a more premium level of handle. Now they all include the same handle.

This is what the other handle looked like:

 

[jhalkias]

I think it’s been mentioned on here, but there could be a federal tax rebate for installing a EVSE. May be best to do it before 2021, as that deduction is set to expire.

Yup. 30% credit.

 

[DaveRuns]

Yup. 30% credit.

Nice! I'll take it! Considering it's probably going to cost me about $2,000 for the installation--every little bit helps.

 

[zhackwyatt]

I think it’s been mentioned on here, but there could be a federal tax rebate for installing a EVSE. May be best to do it before 2021, as that deduction is set to expire.

Yeah it's the lesser known credit so it's worth repeating.

To be clear I expect car delivery this year and I may end up moving up my EVSE install to next month.

 

[dbsb3233]

Nice! I'll take it! Considering it's probably going to cost me about $2,000 for the installation--every little bit helps.

I put the IRS link in the first post of this tread. $1000 max, but I think that refers to the tax credit, not the purchase/install total.

 

[jhalkias]

Another question about wiring . . . I want to be prepared for whatever charging station I end up deciding to buy, but I want to wait on buying it at this point until I either know when the car is coming, or by the end of the year for the tax credit.
Am I correct that if I have an electrician do the wiring, and install the junction box that once I make that decision I can either put a NEMA plug in the junction box (for a plug in station) or hardwire a station right to the box? Seems logical.

 

[macchiaz-o]

I'm not an electrician. But that sounds kosher to me.

 

[janitorjim]

I'm not an electrician. But that sounds kosher to me.

this video might give you thought on what needs to be done but always best to consult with an electrician. Just ask them to come and give you estimate then ask the question.

 

[dbsb3233]

Another question about wiring . . . I want to be prepared for whatever charging station I end up deciding to buy, but I want to wait on buying it at this point until I either know when the car is coming, or by the end of the year for the tax credit.
Am I correct that if I have an electrician do the wiring, and install the junction box that once I make that decision I can either put a NEMA plug in the junction box (for a plug in station) or hardwire a station right to the box? Seems logical.

Yes. But to hardwire a charger later, or to install an outlet later, you're talking another electrician hire.

I'd probably suggest a NEMA 14-50 install now as part of the job. That'll handle the Ford Mobile Charger that comes with the car, and a host of other 3rd party chargers, without another electrician hire later. And if you do decide to hardwire later, it's an easy outlet disconnect/swap for the electrician then.

Plus you get 30% tax break on the outlet cost by doing that as part of the 2020 work.

BTW, they make junction boxes with a 14-15 outlet built right in. That might be a good fit if you might decide to switch to hardwire later.

 

[jhalkias]

Yes. But to hardwire a charger later, or to install an outlet later, you're talking another electrician hire.

I'd probably suggest a NEMA 14-50 install now as part of the job. That'll handle the Ford Mobile Charger that comes with the car, and a host of other 3rd party chargers, without another electrician hire later. And if you do decide to hardwire later, it's an easy outlet disconnect/swap for the electrician then.

Yes, that makes sense, but I have a much if higher level of confidence doing that swap or hardwire myself from the junction box if I decide on hardwire. The part I am skittish about doing myself is making sure what capacity I have in the panel, and the wiring from the the panel to the junction box. Once the wires are where I need them, I’m not too concerned about the changing of a plug to hardwire connection, but having the outlet already there is a good idea.

 

[dbsb3233]

Yes, that makes sense, but I have a much if higher level of confidence doing that swap or hardwire myself from the junction box if I decide on hardwire. The part I am skittish about doing myself is making sure what capacity I have in the panel, and the wiring from the the panel to the junction box. Once the wires are where I need them, I’m not too concerned about the changing of a plug to hardwire connection, but having the outlet already there is a good idea.

Probably wouldn't cost much more (especially with 30% tax break on it) to just do the outlet now, then you're all done with electrical if you decide you really don't need a hardwired charger. I really can't imagine many situations anyone would need a hardwire 48A charger. The Grizzl-E and others do 40A from a NEMA 14-50.

A 40A charger should add 26 miles each hour.

 

[jhalkias]

Probably wouldn't cost much more (especially with 30% tax break on it) to just do the outlet now, then you're all done with electrical if you decide you really don't need a hardwired charger. I really can't imagine many situations anyone would need a hardwire 48A charger. The Grizzl-E and others do 40A from a NEMA 14-50.

A 40A charger should add 26 miles each hour.

What I cannot seem to find out is if the "Ford Connected Charger" that Ford is selling can be hard wire or plug. I have not decided which one I want to buy yet . . . I like the Grizzl-E, but I want the option of going with Ford's charger if I decide to go that route.

 

[RyZt]

What I cannot seem to find out is if the "Ford Connected Charger" that Ford is selling can be hard wire or plug. I have not decided which one I want to buy yet . . . I like the Grizzl-E, but I want the option of going with Ford's charger if I decide to go that route.

That one is 48A. Anything above 40A (excluding) requires hard wire.

 

[hybrid2bev]

What I cannot seem to find out is if the "Ford Connected Charger" that Ford is selling can be hard wire or plug. I have not decided which one I want to buy yet . . . I like the Grizzl-E, but I want the option of going with Ford's charger if I decide to go that route.

Yes, I also believe the Ford Connected Charging Station is hardwired only, because its up to 48 amps (60 amp breaker).

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