Advice Needed: 110 plug will not fit in outlet enclosure

[Gullwingdmc]

I’m hoping someone on here with electrical experience will know what the best option is for my charging situation at work.

My company has a few outside outlets that they let employees use for their cars. Originally they were for diesel block heaters, but now they are used for EVs. I didn’t bother over the summer, but now with winter range lower I figured why not.

The problem is the right angle plug on the Ford Mobile charger doesn’t fit in the electrical box enclosure (see pic). The outlet would need to be flipped 180° and I don’t see the company doing that.

So my options are,
- Buy a 110 EVSE that has a straight plug. (Lectron 16 amp)
- Buy a 20amp rated short extension cord.

Thoughts?

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[BMT1071]

I’m hoping someone on here with electrical experience will know what the best option is for my charging situation at work.

My company has a few outside outlets that they let employees use for their cars. Originally they were for diesel block heaters, but now they are used for EVs. I didn’t bother over the summer, but now with winter range lower I figured why not.

The problem is the right angle plug on the Ford Mobile charger doesn’t fit in the electrical box enclosure (see pic). The outlet would need to be flipped 180° and I don’t see the company doing that.

So my options are,
- Buy a 110 EVSE that has a straight plug. (Lectron 16 amp)
- Buy a 20amp rated short extension cord.

Thoughts?

What if you remove the knockout on the side of the box?

 

[Gullwingdmc]

What if you remove the knockout on the side of the box?

It’s on the wrong side. The way the mobile charger cord bends I would need a knockout on the left side and there isn’t one.

 

[BMT1071]

It’s on the wrong side. The way the mobile charger cord bends I would need a knockout on the left side and there isn’t one.

Can you flip the box 180° without getting in trouble?

 

[hawkeye3point1]

It is only pulling 12 amps, so any decent extension cord will do. Shortest you have is best.

 

[Brussam]

For a free charger outlet, buy the extension cord.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

Can you flip the box 180° without getting in trouble?

Not really. They contract out any electrical work. They don’t want anyone in house doing it.

 

[RickMachE]

Keep in mind that you will gain 3 summer miles per hour.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

Keep in mind that you will gain 3 summer miles per hour.

Yeah, I more want to use it for preconditioning. Anything’s better than nothing.

 

[mkhuffman]

I third the motion for an extension cord. Cheap, easy, done.

 

[Xlch59]

Get a one foot extension cord. It would take an electrician (me) two minutes to flip a GFCI hot.

 

[Skip Towne]

That is an In Use outlet cover. If you want to comply with the NEC you'll want to be able to close the cover with whatever plug you use is installed. While you might be casual with code compliance on such details at home, many commercial locations take compliance seriously (or should do so). A short extension cord would work. They sell 12-18" flex exrensions for such a use, keeping the Ford conection to cord off the ground, out of puddles etc.

But one minor consideration if range is an issue. the ford unit is designed for a 15/20 amp circuit and will only draw 12 amps (about 3 miles of range per hour), That receptacle is a 20 amp circuit (assuming it was wired professionally) and could support your proposed Lectron 16 amp charger - which could give you 4 miles per hour!!! wahoo!!! I might not pay for a charger for that, but you could if you wanted ;-))

 

[ChasingCoral]

https://smile.amazon.com/FIRMERST-1...62&sprefix=heavy+duty+3-prong,aps,457&sr=8-36

 

[Gullwingdmc]

Get a one foot extension cord. It would take an electrician (me) two minutes to flip a GFCI hot.

Oh ya, I’m not an electrician and I could flip it easy (not hot). I just know they won’t want to change anything.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

If you want to comply with the NEC you'll want to be able to close the cover with whatever plug you use is installed.

Ya I would like to get one that allows me to close the cover completely.

I have clips to hold the end and the mobile charge on the fence so it’s off the ground too.

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