EVSE Installer for Orange County, and LA area

I have just talked to Jason Wakefield, and I asked him to call me
back when he is NOT busy doing a job (and actually earning money).

He should call later today (Thursday), I think.
He works out of Placentia, CA 92870.

His web site is www.wakefieldelectric.com but there
is not much there other then contact info.

When I get his permission, I will post more info here.
Hopefully he can become "Our Install Guy".

Thank You. Let us know how it goes and what service and price he is offering. I think we live very close to each other so maybe if he is up to it, he can look at our place as well. Post what day you arrange with him if you get a chance. Very interested in seeing what the price "spread" is on AV vs Local.

I will offer to bring him up to speed on EVSE requirements, hard-wired and plug-in.

He will also need to know something about your choice of Tariffs / Rates with your Public Utility. SCE, DWP, SDG&E, etc are all different, as are local treatments of (and fees for) getting "Job" permits.

If he is honest (we hope so), he will refuse to "cut corners" (like not getting a permit when required).

However, simply putting a socket on (or connecting an EVSE to) a wire that is already in a box might not require a permit.

But, pulling in a breaker and a two-foot wire might require a permit, at least in some areas.

I do not (yet) know if there is a legal "small job" that does not require a permit and inspection.

I have had good service from Ace Electric in OC.
http://aceoc.com/

Although not specifically with evse installation.
If you have the evse on hand it should not be an issue. Or just have the proper outlet installed in the desired location for plug in models.

The difficult part(s) of some installs is:

1. the desire (or need) for a 2nd meter, and how to do that. Once one has the desired configuration, it is not hard to do.

2. an over-loaded service panel that requires a service and panel upgrade. Generally not "difficult", just expensive, especially if trenching for new underground service wires is required.

3. variations to best handle PV grid-feed electrical generation systems. Even the PUs do not have that answer, it seems.

garygid said:

The difficult part(s) of some installs is:

1. the desire (or need) for a 2nd meter, and how to do that. Once one has the desired configuration, it is not hard to do.

2. an over-loaded service panel that requires a service and panel upgrade. Generally not "difficult", just expensive, especially if trenching for new underground service wires is required.

3. variations to best handle PV grid-feed electrical generation systems. Even the PUs do not have that answer, it seems.

Click to expand...

I am in the "needs a second panel" category as ours is full. It is a townhome put fortunately the electrical "doghouse" is on our end of the building and is connected to our garage wall. Has anyone here done the SCE EV evaluation? I think you can have an SCE person come out and do a once over of your electrical system to sort out what you will need for an EV. SCE wants to keep track of EV early adopters from what they say. I need to follow up on that.

A "full" service panel can mean:

1. simply no physical room for additional breakers.
This is generally "easy" to see, but sometimes it looks
like there is sufficient room, but there is not.

In this case, using some "2-for-1" (two "thin" breakers in one slot)
might create the needed space, or a sub-panel might be needed.

2. that the existing loads do not "allow" another big load.
Most "normal" people are not trained to make that judgment.

The second is much harder to deal with, since a service upgrade
may be necessary. If the service upgrade is easy, then a new
panel or new sub-panel might solve the problem.

My panel just has every slot taken. I was also noticing the SCE website claims you will need a second "dedicated" meter if you want the lowest utility rate for EV charging. Guess I better start digging into all this now.

TRONZ,
Panel "full" of breakers is not a show stopper in itself.

Aren't you located near me?
I can come over and look, if you want.

I am driving LEAF in Anaheim Friday (tomorrow) morning.

Your PU is SCE ... and
Considering the tarrifs, your current usage, and future usage,
deciding WHAT to do is the hard part.

Jason Wakefield - just talked to him.
Seems like a nice honest guy, with his contact info at
www.wakefieldelectric.com

If you are looking for a LOW-BALL bid that uses non-trained labor
or does not get the needed permits, then ... do not bother him.
But, call if you are serious about getting some work done, properly.

He appears to want a fair price for honest, competent work.
I got the feeling that, using him, I would get a job done right.

He seems to be an honest guy, in business since 1989, and
trained under his dad before that (usually 5 years training).
He admitted that EV and PV is new to him, but he has
bid a couple of EV jobs, and has another one coming up.

Some are a simple Breaker, Wire, Conect, and Test.
I offered to help "make" an EVSE "tester" for him to use, and
to help him with whatever he needs to learn, as best I can.

Dealing with your future usage and what Tariff you will chose to use
is usually something that a bidder cannot do really well, since he does
not know what your future usage might be. Of course, neither do you.

garygid said:

Jason Wakefield - just talked to him.
Seems like a nice honest guy, with his contact info at
http://www.wakefieldelectric.com

If you are looking for a LOW-BALL bid that uses non-trained labor
or does not get the needed permits, then ... do not bother him.
But, call if you are serious about getting some work done, properly.

He appears to want a fair price for honest, competent work.
I got the feeling that, using him, I would get a job done right.

He seems to be an honest guy, in business since 1989, and
trained under his dad before that (usually 5 years training).
He admitted that EV and PV is new to him, but he has
bid a couple of EV jobs, and has another one coming up.

Some are a simple Breaker, Wire, Conect, and Test.
I offered to help "make" an EVSE "tester" for him to use, and
to help him with whatever he needs to learn, as best I can.

Dealing with your future usage and what Tariff you will chose to use
is usually something that a bidder cannot do really well, since he does
not know what your future usage might be. Of course, neither do you.

Click to expand...

Gary, I might just take you up on that as you seem to be very "current" on the home EVSE thing. I went through the SCE EV website and there is not much info for people that need something done now. I called the SCE EV phone number but it was just an automated system that was reading me info from the website (pretty much word for word). Is SCE the one that needs to install a "second" meter if you go the EV dedicated line route? I did their cost comparison widget and the dedicated line was the best (did not offer the 12-6am rate option though). Enjoy your drive!

my experience with Leviton:

You are now talking to Monique
How can I help you?
Monique: Hello, welcome to Leviton Live Chat. How can I be of service?
You said: I m getting an electric car in a week and need a levele 2 charging station in my home
You said: I have ordered the evr-green charging station evb 22-16a 240 v
You said: how does it work? do I need to install or do other things in addition
Monique: Well actually, you need to install a receptacle, Nema 6-20 & a breaker to go in your panel, plug in and you're ready to go1
You said: do I get an electirican for that? I don't know what a Nema 6-20 is.
Monique: Yes, I would definitely advise an electrician if you are not familiar with electricity.
You said: when you say if I install lthe things you mentioned, how does the evr-green charging station fit into that?
Monique: The charger plugs into the Nema 6-20 receptacle, Leviton EVK02, which will need to be on a dedicated circuit.
You said: is the evr-green thing the only thing I need if the other things you mentioned are installed?
You said: do I need to order the Levition evko2?
You said: is the leviton evko2 the Nema 6-20?
Monique: You will need to order a Pre-wire kit, which will consist of the receptacle, mounting bracket, & a safety cover.
Monique: The mounting bracket will allow you to easily hang your charger on the wall.
You said: isn't that what the evr-green charging station evb 22-16a 240 v is?
Monique: No, that is the charger itself.
You said: this is what your blurb said for the evr-green charging station evb 22-16a 240 v : Leviton introduces our ground-breaking evr-green(TM) Home Charging Station Pre-Wire System.
You said: the picture shows receptacle, mounting bracket, & a safety cover
Monique: Do you remember where you saw this?
You said: http://store.leviton.com/Evr-Green-Installation-Charging-Station-EVB22/dp/B004G6YGBI
Monique: Thank you, ok so I'm looking at what you saw and this is the Pre-wire kit, the charger is sold separately.
You said: that's what I am asking about
You said: do I need to install or do other things in addition
You said: so what is the charger?
Monique: The charger is being released in April, the Pre-wire kit is to prepare your home for the charger.
You said: so you don't have a charger yet
Monique: Yes, we do have a charger and it will be available to the public in May.\
You said: I guess I will cancel my order tfor the Evr-Green-Installation-Charging-Station-
You said: can you send me an email when the charger is available?
Monique: Absolutely, please let me have your email address.
You said: @gmail.com
You said: thank you
Monique: I'd be happy to send you some literature as well on the charger.
Monique: You're welcome.
You said: thank you do you want to send that in the mail?
Monique: I email or mail to you, whichever is easier for you.
You said: mail:

drlesley said:

my experience with Leviton [...snip...]

Click to expand...

Correct, you'll need to buy the EVK02-M from Leviton and have an electrician install it. Then you'll buy the Evr-Green 160 and when it arrives, just unbox it, hang it from the installation kit that was previously installed, and plug it in!