ESVE for older home with 30 amp service

[connorhodges]

This may seem a bit much but I would still go with a 30 amp circuit and 24 amp charging.
Clipper Creek HCS-30 would be perfect.

If you really want to know then turn on everything and measure each circuit with a clamp-on ammeter.
Don't have one? they are inexpensive for just AC so get one.

Do you have?

Electric oven
Double electric oven
electric clothes dryer
electric water heat
electric furnace
Air conditioner, how many tons?
Anything else big? (240v)

Actually the only 240v items we have are just the dryer and 1.5 ton AC. Everything else is gas

[connorhodges]

location location location!!
where are you? In WA State? PSE Customer?

I am in the EXACT same position as you and you might want to go straight to clipper creeks website because they have many more options. I got the same as yours except with an L6-30 p plug (the more likely plug you would have installed at an older home) Ordered it Tues, it arrived yesterday.

my cost after PSE Rebate, fed tax credit, etc. shipping, about minus $120

Clipper Creek small.jpg

Here is a test charge that worked fine...

I'm located in Savannah Georgia. I didn't know any rebates were available. Thanks for the info!!!

[smkettner]

1.5 air should draw about 10 amps running. Dryer probably 12 to 15.

I would still go 30 amp circuit for 24 amp car charging. Worst case you reduce your load or get a gas dryer if you have a stub right there.

If you focus on overnight charging you will have no issues. LCS-25 with 20a charging is fine too if you are overly concerned.

[connorhodges]

1.5 air should draw about 10 amps running. Dryer probably 12 to 15.

I would still go 30 amp circuit for 24 amp car charging. Worst case you reduce your load or get a gas dryer if you have a stub right there.

If you focus on overnight charging you will have no issues. LCS-25 with 20a charging is fine too if you are overly concerned.

Thanks sooo much! Someone from Georgia Power is coming out this week to make changes to the meter for the PEV Rate plan. I'll be sure to ask them questions too.

[smkettner]

Also ask if the existing system can accommodate a larger breaker.
Even an 80 amp would provide a lot of head room.

I recently added a set of air conditioners to a small apartment building. An extra 120 amps was not a concern for the existing system as reviewed by my electrician and the power company.

[4Tiki2]

If the house has an electric dryer, the most cost effective solution would be sharing the dryer outlet with an portable level-2 EVSE by using an automatic switcher available from Ober-ev.com. The car will only charge when the dryer is not running while both are connected. Power monitoring is therefore not necessary. Even when the dryer is in use there's plenty of time for a full charge over night. My neighbor (100Amp service) used it for a while and was very happy. Since he has a 40A breaker for his dryer he decided to go for the integrated EVSE/Autoswitch solution.

[LTLFTcomposite]

FWIW I have a theory with significant improvements in efficiency of various things in recent years like led lights and TV's, linear compressor refrigerators and high seer ACs there may be more available capacity in some homes than you might think. We have 200A service but I've never seen the smart meter read > 6kw (without a car charging).

[SageBrush]

This appears to be a dead thread, but good discussion.
Google says that a 1.5 ton AC draws up to 5200 watts, and an electric clothes dryer 3000. I don't know if there are momentary power surges in those devices. 8200 watts / 240 volts = 35 Amps

[GlennD]

The OpenEVSE and the JuiceBox can be set for any current up to the J1772's current. Thus if you have a 30A dryer outlet you can set them to 24A. 24A is 80% of 30A and it will charge an enhanced Leaf at nearly it's full current.

Clipper Creek makes good EVSE's but they are not adjustable. If GFCI is important to you stay away from the Chinese EVSE'S since most of them skip the GFCI protection.

[jcmachado]

I think this is the one for you.


After a lot of research reading every single forum about EVSE and talking to owners of different EVSEs, I decided to try the OBER products.

I ended up buying the OBER-Charger.

I was going to be thousands of dollars for us to get 240V in our garage, ended up saving more than 80% of total costs and was able to do it myself.

This is the description of the OBER-Charger from their page:

OberCHARGER combines a powerful Level-2 charger
with the OberSWITCHER.
This single box is the most cost effective solution
? if you don’t have or want a separate EVSE.
Charges most EV in 3-4 hours even when dryer is in use.
Length of J-1772 cable and plug: 20ft

Use your regular dryer wall outlet to charge your car.
Plug&Play - just connect your Level-2 charger (EVSE)
and dryer and use both at same time.

Their website is [url]ober-ev.com[/url]

I got good reviews from friends in Europe, I think they are just starting to sell in the US market. I will post pictures of my install if anyone is interested. Just let me know or ask me any questions.