Extension Cable for charging in apartment?

[Matt The Gamer]

I'd talk to them about installing a NEMA 14-50R outlet. Much cheaper and less "threatening" to their sensibilities.

That'll be my plan. And like someone else mentioned, I might need to get it metered. At that point, I'd rather they install chargers so I don't run the risk of someone trying to use my space when I'm not home.

Also, wow your order moved fast! Anything special that might've helped move it along? I ordered mine late January, confirmed by Ford on 1/23, priority 10 (if that matters). I hope mine moves as quickly as yours did.

Is moving an option?

I just moved and I'm all settled lol ?.

One potential issue that has not been discussed is a metering point. If your garage stall does not have metered power then I would assume you would have to also get an electric meter installed. And if you did you certainly would want to ensure no one else used it! I think that may jack up the cost quite a bit. Just something you would need to know as you look down this path.

That's a good point. Thankfully, I don't think that'd be an issue as there is only one space adjacent to mine, to the left, and it's not an EV (currently). So if they do install a meter linked to my current one, maybe I could just install a padlocked cover over it or something so no one can plug anything into it when I'm not home ?.

Sounds like trying to convince them to install their own chargers is the better go to route right now. Since it'd would all be on their dime and there's no risk to me. But I will discuss all these options with them. Time to try and reach out to all EV owners at my place now..

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[rcechinel]

Would you consider paying for the improvement work to have a dedicated charger installed at your parking space/garage? If so, float this idea with the complex. You can ask for the contact info of their preferred electrician and request a quote to see what that might be like.

I always wondered about how to charge the electricity to my unit, if the charger is outside the unit. I keep thinking that someone must create a system where you "type in" your unit and the HOA includes it in your monthly bill or whatever. This must be a big EV impediment for highly populated cities. I heard that for Indians, for example, is a big deal.

 

[Ride_the_lightning]

Most of this has been said but:

- Overnight charging with an extension cable if any kind is a fire waiting to happen. I would argue the 120V cable is even less safe in this regard, because many apartment outlets are old, not wired properly (I.e back stabbed with #14), and likely daisy chained to other outlets increasing the likelihood of a loose connection somewhere.

- That dryer outlet isn’t designed to be plugged and unplugged a lot. Over time it will wear out and could cause a fire from a loose connection. Once in a while is probably fine (but I wouldn’t do it while I sleep).

I really feel for people in apartments, but at the moment there aren’t great options. If it were me, I would use the 6.6kw chargers at WalMart and Sams Club once or twice a week. Or use an extension cable on Saturday morning while you are there to monitor it.

 

[RickMachE]

I'd add that an apartment management company likely won't like a long extension cord running out to a car in the parking lot (different than an extension cord on an outlet in the parking lot). Nor across a sidewalk.

Many years ago we lived in a snowbelt city. I had an engine block heater, and ran a long extension cord from my balcony down to my Jeep. That lasted a few days before I got a letter telling me that it had to be removed. They also told me I could not back into the parking space, as exhaust could damage the sidewalk or landscaping. I told them I was a volunteer firefighter and was parking that way in case a call came in. Their response was "well, ok, but it you ever leave the fire department you can't do that anymore".

Keep in mind that in optimum conditions, the 120v charger may add almost 3 miles of range per hour. Add in a long extension cord of the proper gauge, and cold temperatures, and that's going to take a nose dive. If your commute is minimal, you'll want to compare that to hitting a level 2 charger in town on the weekend (you could get 20+ miles of range in an hour while shopping).

 

[ChasingCoral]

While I await my Mach E to arrive, I've been trying to come up with ways to charge it in my current apartment, as the property lacks EV chargers and isn't very keen on getting some added, despite my discussions with some of the managers (they implied the parent company doesn't want to shell out the money to get the infrastructure installed anywhere on the property despite electrical runs everywhere). So I've been looking into extension cables to make it possible. I'm fortunate to live in an area where there are numerous public chargers, EA and other brands, very close to my home. But I'd still like to charge at home when I can.

Does anyone have any J1772 extension cables that might work for my scenario? I seriously lucked out when I started paying extra for a reserved parking space that is right near the door from our parking garage, and that my apartment is the closest unit to said door, so a cable seems like a good possibility. However, I want a cable that either A) is long enough that the entirety of the cable sans the male end of the cable be in my unit, to help alleivate any tampering with it or B) has some kind of lock system to prevent people from trying to tamper with it. The people in my complex are very nice and I doubt anyone would cable try and unplug a big cable in the hallway, but still.

I found this charger extension, that is 40'. Right next to my front door is my washer and dryer, with the dryer's 240V outlet easily accessible. I measure about 36' in total, including some drops and height needed for the plug and charger on the car. Idea is that I plug the Mobile Charger into my dryer's outlet when I get home from work, leave the charger in my apartment, and then plug the extension into the charger (leave the charger male end/extension female end in the unit), run the extension the entirety of my run and into the car.

But hoping other's here have better ideas. I also made a really crude mock up of the layout from my apartment front foyer to my car's parking space if it helps!

@JamieGeek has experience with J-1772 extension cables.

 

[macchiaz-o]

I always wondered about how to charge the electricity to my unit, if the charger is outside the unit. I keep thinking that someone must create a system where you "type in" your unit and the HOA includes it in your monthly bill or whatever. This must be a big EV impediment for highly populated cities. I heard that for Indians, for example, is a big deal.

Companies like ChargePoint sell Internet-connected, metered EVSEs to property owners like apartments and shopping plazas. The property owner decides how much to charge per minute and/or kilowatt hour. The vendor (e.g. ChargePoint) provides an app or access card and acts as the billing proxy between customers and property owners.

It's a pretty good way to do it when spaces are shared between multiple tenants or guests.

 

[AlpaChino]

I've used this j1772 extension with the Ford mobile charging a lot and have not had a single issue. It locks in place and feels just as secure as any other j1772 cable I've used.

I use this when visiting my parents and need a full charge before returning home. No level 3 infrastructure between ft. Wayne and Indianapolis. I also carry it with me all times in the frunk, should I need to plug into a level 2 that is iced.

LEFANEV 40A 20 Feet EV Charger... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VWWDMNV?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[vinny2487]

I would not use an extension cord of any kind. As some have already mentioned, it's a fire hazard waiting to happen while also causing a tripping hazard for pedestrians. If the apartment management doesn't budge on installing a 14-50 outlet, your next best bet is to find a public Level 2 charger in a shopping center.

Also, do you commute to work? If you do, you can also discuss with your employer about installing some Level 2 chargers. It may be a long shot but it's worth a try.

 

[JamieGeek]

While I await my Mach E to arrive, I've been trying to come up with ways to charge it in my current apartment, as the property lacks EV chargers and isn't very keen on getting some added, despite my discussions with some of the managers (they implied the parent company doesn't want to shell out the money to get the infrastructure installed anywhere on the property despite electrical runs everywhere). So I've been looking into extension cables to make it possible. I'm fortunate to live in an area where there are numerous public chargers, EA and other brands, very close to my home. But I'd still like to charge at home when I can.

Does anyone have any J1772 extension cables that might work for my scenario? I seriously lucked out when I started paying extra for a reserved parking space that is right near the door from our parking garage, and that my apartment is the closest unit to said door, so a cable seems like a good possibility. However, I want a cable that either A) is long enough that the entirety of the cable sans the male end of the cable be in my unit, to help alleivate any tampering with it or B) has some kind of lock system to prevent people from trying to tamper with it. The people in my complex are very nice and I doubt anyone would cable try and unplug a big cable in the hallway, but still.

I found this charger extension, that is 40'. Right next to my front door is my washer and dryer, with the dryer's 240V outlet easily accessible. I measure about 36' in total, including some drops and height needed for the plug and charger on the car. Idea is that I plug the Mobile Charger into my dryer's outlet when I get home from work, leave the charger in my apartment, and then plug the extension into the charger (leave the charger male end/extension female end in the unit), run the extension the entirety of my run and into the car.

But hoping other's here have better ideas. I also made a really crude mock up of the layout from my apartment front foyer to my car's parking space if it helps!

Most of this has been said but:

- Overnight charging with an extension cable if any kind is a fire waiting to happen. I would argue the 120V cable is even less safe in this regard, because many apartment outlets are old, not wired properly (I.e back stabbed with #14), and likely daisy chained to other outlets increasing the likelihood of a loose connection somewhere.

- That dryer outlet isn’t designed to be plugged and unplugged a lot. Over time it will wear out and could cause a fire from a loose connection. Once in a while is probably fine (but I wouldn’t do it while I sleep).

I really feel for people in apartments, but at the moment there aren’t great options. If it were me, I would use the 6.6kw chargers at WalMart and Sams Club once or twice a week. Or use an extension cable on Saturday morning while you are there to monitor it.

The J1772 extension cables are designed for the current and thus aren't a fire waiting to happen.

Especially since you can get an EVSE with lower current if you're concerned. I've had a 40ft J1772 extension cable similar to the one OP linked above and have used it on all four of my plugins since 2013.

I typically only run about 20 amps through it. At that current it doesn't get warm at all. (In the above pic of the Bolt I was running 30 amps through it.)

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

That'll be my plan. And like someone else mentioned, I might need to get it metered. At that point, I'd rather they install chargers so I don't run the risk of someone trying to use my space when I'm not home.

I wouldn't mention metering to them, but be ready if they bring it up.
Another idea: My utility will work with apartment complexes, businesses, etc., to get a discounted set of metered EV chargers installed (just like you might see at a Walmart). You maybe want to check what kinds of incentives your utility and EVSE manufacturers are offering for places like this. They all want this to become more common...

Also, wow your order moved fast! Anything special that might've helped move it along? I ordered mine late January, confirmed by Ford on 1/23, priority 10 (if that matters). I hope mine moves as quickly as yours did.

I don't know if I did anything special.
Live in a conservative place were few people are buying EVs?
Order from the only dealer within 2 hours who is authorized to sell EVs?
Be the first to put in an order with that dealer?
Put in an F-150 Lightning reservation with the same dealer (also the first)?
Order the least popular and most simple of the Mustangs Mach-Es?
Order with no extras?

I really don't know. We're looking at 21 weeks, 2 days from order if it comes in when they say it will. The expected delivery was 20+ weeks. I had mentally prepared for 28 weeks.

Good luck to us all!

 

[Ride_the_lightning]

The J1772 extension cables are designed for the current and thus aren't a fire waiting to happen.

Especially since you can get an EVSE with lower current if you're concerned. I've had a 40ft J1772 extension cable similar to the one OP linked above and have used it on all four of my plugins since 2013.

I typically only run about 20 amps through it. At that current it doesn't get warm at all. (In the above pic of the Bolt I was running 30 amps through it.)

I’m not talking about the J1772 extension itself being a fire hazard. I’m talking about the outlet inside his apartment (either the dryer or 120V). Both are likely to be old and I wouldn’t feel comfortable running max current through them overnight without inspecting them first.

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