14-50 Nema Extension Cord Safe With Mobile Charger?

[ricksta6]

I'm visiting my parents in a couple weeks and thinking the easiest method for charging at their place will be to use their electric dryer outlet. The laundry is slightly too far for Ford's Mobile Charger to reach, so I was thinking of trying to find an extension cord for it. Is there anything to consider or be concerned about with doing this?

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[Maquis]

Do you know for sure what their dryer circuit is rated? Most are only 30A which would be insufficient for the FMC.

 

[generaltso]

Dryers don’t usually use a 14-50 outlet because they’re typically on a 30A circuit. You can’t use the Ford Mobile Charger with that. An electric stove usually uses a 14-50 outlet.

 

[ponydsp]

https://www.primecom.tech/products/...rage-adjustable-10amp-16amp-20amp-24amp-32amp

I actually got this, the 14-30 50’ one, when I visit my parents next month. Just make sure you set it to 24 amps on the EVSE.

 

[JamieGeek]

This will work too, J1772 extension cord:

 

[P. T. Magoo]

https://www.primecom.tech/products/...rage-adjustable-10amp-16amp-20amp-24amp-32amp

I actually got this, the 14-30 50’ one, when I visit my parents next month. Just make sure you set it to 24 amps on the EVSE.

Yep, this, or any EVSE that looks like it would travel well and can be configured to 24 amps.

In your situation, I'd demount my Grizzle-E dumb charger from the wall, set the DIP switches for 24 amps, and use an extension cord if it won't reach the parents' dryer outlet. Make sure the extension cord is rated for at least the amps you'll be drawing, better yet rated for the amps you'll be drawing plus 20% for safety, do 28.8 amps in this case (round up to 30).

You may also need an adapter from the dryer's 30-amp pin configuration, to a 14-50 configuration, but those can be found on Amazon or eBay with a little research.

 

[NewGuy]

This will work too, J1772 extension cord:

which one do you have? Is it in daily use?

 

[RickMachE]

I'm visiting my parents in a couple weeks and thinking the easiest method for charging at their place will be to use their electric dryer outlet. The laundry is slightly too far for Ford's Mobile Charger to reach, so I was thinking of trying to find an extension cord for it. Is there anything to consider or be concerned about with doing this?

Do NOT use the Ford Mobile charger with a normal 30amp dryer outlet.

 

[Mach-Lee]

You can't plug it into a dryer outlet, it's a different outlet and only rated for 30A. You need an outlet on a 40A or 50A breaker to use the mobile charger.

 

[JamieGeek]

which one do you have? Is it in daily use?

The one I got isn't available anymore (I got it a few years ago prior to the Mach-E so I could charge up at campgrounds--Mach-E is my 4th plugin and 3rd BEV).
this Lectron one (Amazon) is comparable.

It lives in the Mach-E's trunk and only comes out when required (like pictured: I couldn't use our driveway as they we're re-cementing the curb or at campgrounds where the 14-50 is too far away for one of my EVSE's to reach).

Like here, I needed just about 6 more feet LOL

Campgrounds kind of frown at you parking your EV/PHEV on the grass close to the outlets so you can charge...or so I've been told LOL.

I do try to keep the current down when using it. I think the most current I've run through that extension is 30 amps (when at a campground I use a Clipper Creek LCS-25P that runs at 20 amps).

 

[Mache65]

I do not think most of the cords are rated for 50amp continuous draw.

RV 50amp extension cords using at below 40amp charging speed will be best solution, in my opinion

 

[nashbrydges]

Granted this is from a Canadian retailer but this worked very well for me. It is ETL Listed and certified for 50A. When I used this before my EVSE was installed, had no problems with ends or wire itself getting too warm.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/energizer-50a-extension-cord-25-ft-0401858p.html

 

[generaltso]

Granted this is from a Canadian retailer but this worked very well for me. It is ETL Listed and certified for 50A. When I used this before my EVSE was installed, had no problems with ends or wire itself getting too warm.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/energizer-50a-extension-cord-25-ft-0401858p.html

If you're going to spend that much, you're better off getting a J1772 extension cable for more versatility.

 

[nashbrydges]

If you're going to spend that much, you're better off getting a J1772 extension cable for more versatility.

That may be true in the US but in Canada, at the time I was looking (May 2022), J1772 extension cables were all around $300+. The 14-50 extension also gives me a little flexibility to use for other purposes if needed.

 

[MyLittlePony2022]

Lets talk about current draw and use of power cords. You need to determine the current draw and the length to determine the correct extension cord. The longer the cord, with the same current draw, the larger the diameter of the conductor. Using an undersized conductor will cause resistance (heat) and risk melting the cord. Worst case, you cause a fire.

The "standard" J1772 cord is has a set length, for most reputable manufacture's, at less than 25 feet. This is to prevent overheating. There are cords that are longer, but they "should" be upsizing the conductor size to do this. If you use a standard conductor size J1772 and add an extension of the same conductor size to it, you are essentially increasing the length of the cord (with the constant current) without upsizing the conductor. Good luck!

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