Seeking L2 Charger Install Advice......

[mkhuffman]

Howdy Everyone,

Just wanted to provide a quick update. I did take a picture of my outside boxes (one on each side of my house), but do not have access to post them from work. I'll get them uploaded wither later tonight, or Friday evening. However, what I assume is the "main" box has four double-barrel switches in it, with some labeled 30 and 60, which I assume is the amp rating? One of the four marked with a 60 is listed as a "spare." So if I am tracking with what I have learned here, that tells me that I have a 60amp breaker available, which would be perfect for a Lvl 2 charger. So the only complication would be getting it run from that side of my house, into the garage. I'll get the pics uploaded soon as I can. Thanks again for all of your time!

Rich

I am looking forward to seeing your pictures. It does sound like you have a 60 Amp spare, so that is great news. If that breaker is actually being used, however, you can probably add another 60 Amp circuit in that box. The pictures should confirm that.

Likely all your 240 Volt circuits are coming out of your main breaker box located outside the house, and inside subpanel is used for the 115 Volt circuits.

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[Mach-Lee]

Yeah sounds like your main panel is outside, so they'd have to run a new circuit to the garage from there.

We're still waiting on confirmation of what your main breaker rating is (125A, 150A, 200A, etc)? I want to emphasize just because you have a 60A breaker marked as a spare doesn't mean it's safe to use without overloading your main panel. All the other loads have to be considered.

We should also know if you have electric heat or an electric water heater?

 

[LinkRS]

Yeah sounds like your main panel is outside, so they'd have to run a new circuit to the garage from there.

We're still waiting on confirmation of what your main breaker rating is (125A, 150A, 200A, etc)? I want to emphasize just because you have a 60A breaker marked as a spare doesn't mean it's safe to use without overloading your main panel. All the other loads have to be considered.

We should also know if you have electric heat or an electric water heater?

Hi Mach-Lee,

I have gas water-heater and a gas furnace. My AC is electric however. Can you tell me *how* I can determine what my main breaker rating is? I'll get my pics posted as soon as I can .

Thanks again!

Rich

 

[Maquis]

Hi Mach-Lee,

I have gas water-heater and a gas furnace. My AC is electric however. Can you tell me *how* I can determine what my main breaker rating is? I'll get my pics posted as soon as I can .

Thanks again!

Rich

The code allows up to 6 disconnects, so you may not have a single main. If that’s the case, those 30s and 60s are mains.

Its also possible that breakers for your main panel are no longer available. If so, and you want to install a 15-50 receptacle outlet, you can run the 60A feeder to a small subpanel and put a 50A breaker in it.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Hi Mach-Lee,

I have gas water-heater and a gas furnace. My AC is electric however. Can you tell me *how* I can determine what my main breaker rating is? I'll get my pics posted as soon as I can .

Thanks again!

Rich

It should have a number on it for the amperage like 125, 150, 200 etc. It would be located on your house near the electrical meter, it should be the first thing after the meter.

If you can’t find one after the meter and the first box just has large double-pole breakers going to sub panels, you might not have a main breaker as Maquis said. Then you might have to look at the meter or call your electric company to get the service amperage.

 

[mkhuffman]

The code allows up to 6 disconnects, so you may not have a single main. If that’s the case, those 30s and 60s are mains.

Its also possible that breakers for your main panel are no longer available. If so, and you want to install a 15-50 receptacle outlet, you can run the 60A feeder to a small subpanel and put a 50A breaker in it.

I did a Bing search and there are Crouse-Hinds breakers available that appear to be compatible with his inside sub panel. It is likely the exterior panel is from the same manufacturer, so I think he should be able to find a 60 Amp breaker if he needs one. But the pictures of the outside stuff will help us figure that out.

 

[LinkRS]

Howdy Folks,

Here are the promised pictures. I hope the compression doesn't destroy the detail. I looked, and looked and cannot find anywhere on the house where it describes the amount of power coming too the house. If you add-up all of the breakers in the picture, it is 230Amps in use, with a "spare" 60 Amp one remaining. Thanks again!

 

[mkhuffman]

Howdy Folks,

Here are the promised pictures. I hope the compression doesn't destroy the detail. I looked, and looked and cannot find anywhere on the house where it describes the amount of power coming too the house. If you add-up all of the breakers in the picture, it is 230Amps in use, with a "spare" 60 Amp one remaining. Thanks again!

I would definitely call the power company and find out the current limit of the service line coming in. I guess it could be 300 Amps, but that sounds unusual.

The breaker marked "spare" probably really is a spare because it is turned off. So it looks to me like you can connect your EVSE to that circuit.

The work will be pretty simple unless you want the wire to take a complex route inside your house. If it is a straight shot down an exterior wall and then into the garage, should be very simple. The biggest cost outside of the EVSE will be the 60 Amp wire.

Time to talk call a few electricians I think!

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