EVSE Upgrade - Which Adapters to Get?

[RLewisCA]

Well, I'm the proud new owner of an EVSE Upgrade (20A unit), and wow it's so much faster than the 120v I've had to use for the last week!

I already have one adapter for my dryer outlet - a 10-30/10-50. My question is - If I were to get ONE more adapter, which ONE would I be most likely to come across most often? I would not likely be stopping at RV parks, however, I would probably want to charge up at friend's houses using their dryer outlets, and maybe using some of the 240v outlets found at public parks. Other than the 10-30/10-50, what is the most common other type of plug I might find in these situations?

 

[EVDRIVER]

Well, I'm the proud new owner of an EVSE Upgrade (20A unit), and wow it's so much faster than the 120v I've had to use for the last week!

I already have one adapter for my dryer outlet - a 10-30/10-50. My question is - If I were to get ONE more adapter, which ONE would I be most likely to come across most often? I would not likely be stopping at RV parks, however, I would probably want to charge up at friend's houses using their dryer outlets, and maybe using some of the 240v outlets found at public parks. Other than the 10-30/10-50, what is the most common other type of plug I might find in these situations?

14/50 is handy.

 

[davewill]

14-30/50/60

You can get all of those with one adapter by leaving the neutral pin out, which the EVSE doesn't use. 14-30 is the dryer outlet in newer homes. The 14-50 is used for electric ranges, at RV parks, also in shops and garages. With this one and the one you have, you'll cover most situations. After that, maybe the 6-20 which is used for small air conditioners like you find at motels, or the L14-30, used in shops and garages.

 

[smkettner]

+1 for the 14-30,50,60

Otherwise only get what is immediately needed. No reason to stock up just in case.

 

[RLewisCA]

Okay, looks like 14-30/50/60 is the ticket! It should take care of 90%+ of my needs. Thanks everyone!

 

[raghu1111]

I already have one adapter for my dryer outlet - a 10-30/10-50.

Which adapter is this? My dryer outlet says "NEMA 10-30R". I wish evseupgrade.com had better info. FAQ has no mention of this.

 

[TonyWilliams]

It seems like you will have the new and old dryers covered and the RV parks!!!

I'd add a 6-50 for all the welders that might be in garages. If you stay at motels, you'll want one for the motel air conditioner 240v plugs.

 

[smkettner]

I already have one adapter for my dryer outlet - a 10-30/10-50.

Which adapter is this? My dryer outlet says "NEMA 10-30R". I wish evseupgrade.com had better info. FAQ has no mention of this.

The standard EVSE upgrade has a NEMA L6-20p so most adapters have this as the connector. You do have the upgrade right? Or something else? Otherwise you need the 10-30p on the other end. The adapter is referred to 10-30/10-50 because the neutral/ground pin had been modified to fit both.

You want the second one down "NEMA 10 Adapter —from $44"
http://www.evseadapters.com/products.php

 

[planet4ever]

I already have one adapter for my dryer outlet - a 10-30/10-50.

Which adapter is this? My dryer outlet says "NEMA 10-30R". I wish evseupgrade.com had better info. FAQ has no mention of this.

Could you perhaps be confused by the "R"? That just means "receptacle". A 10-30P (plug) has the prongs that fit into 10-30R slots.

Ray

 

[raghu1111]

smkettner, thanks for the link. Exactly what I was looking for. I haven't decided between evupgrade and Clipper Creek LCS-25 yet.

 

[Reddy]

Here's a reference from Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NEMA_simplified_pins.svg

 

[kayakplayer]

I've been feeling very excited since I learned that the Panasonic converts from L1 to L2, and hoping to do this as inexpensively as possible. I'm going to the ReStore near home to see if I can pick up cheap receptacles and a breaker for my panel. I'm going to pull 50' of 2 wire x 10 gauge cable and install a receptacle in the garage wall, but before I do, would an L6-30R or L6-50R work with the L6-20P without an adapter? The diagrams make it look like they might unless spacing varies somehow. If they work, I might put in an L6-30R and 30 Amp breaker since I'm pulling the copper rated for those. They might be fine for a shorter duration like using a table saw or welder, and since the EVSE is only going to draw 16Amps, I'm not worried about the heat building up in the longer cable either way.

 

[smkettner]

^^^^

Go down to Home Depot and see how well a L6-20p fits into a L6-30r connector before you buy

 

[davewill]

... I'm going to pull 50' of 2 wire x 10 gauge cable and install a receptacle in the garage wall, but before I do, would an L6-30R or L6-50R work with the L6-20P without an adapter? The diagrams make it look like they might unless spacing varies somehow. If they work, I might put in an L6-30R and 30 Amp breaker since I'm pulling the copper rated for those. ...

No. If you want to plug in without an adapter, use an L6-20r. Otherwise plan on making an adapter.

 

[dgpcolorado]

... I'm going to pull 50' of 2 wire x 10 gauge cable and install a receptacle in the garage wall, but before I do, would an L6-30R or L6-50R work with the L6-20P without an adapter? The diagrams make it look like they might unless spacing varies somehow. If they work, I might put in an L6-30R and 30 Amp breaker since I'm pulling the copper rated for those. ...

No. If you want to plug in without an adapter, use an L6-20r. Otherwise plan on making an adapter.

I agree. I purchased an L6-30P to L6-20R adapter because a motel I charge at has an L6-30 outlet.

Although the two look similar, the L6-30 plug is larger than the L6-20 plug. (This is necessary to prevent the use of an L6-30 plug in an L6-20 outlet, a safety hazard. Same for L6-50, although my impression is that configuration is no longer used.)

Do put in the heavier gauge wire; you can upgrade the outlet someday if needed.

 

[fooljoe]

Not really an adapter, per se, but the most useful thing I've found to carry with the upgraded EVSE is a quick220 (or homebrew version - see this thread.) I haven't ever found a conveniently located 240v outlet at a friend's (although I'm sure they exist), but you should be able to find two 120v outlets on different legs in almost any house.

 

[kayakplayer]

Our ReStore had some 14-30R's for a receptacle, and a couple of Leviton 14-30/50P plugs for an adapter. The two items cost me $1.57 with tax! Ended up spending about $20 more on the project because of the 3rd current carrying wire at Home Depot. Just need to pick up an L6-20R. Has anyone found a cheap source of L6-20R's?

 

[smkettner]

8' ROJ cord to a moulded L6-20r $20

http://www.stayonline.com/detail.aspx?id=21463

 

[kayakplayer]

Thanks for the tips! I picked up a plug and receptacle for an L6-30 that I'm saving for Phil's DIY 120/240 project. Too cheap to pass up at the ReStore. I also purchased a molded 14-50 plug with 4' of beefy cable for $2.50 yesterday. I think I may make a couple of short adapters out of that cable. Not sure what I could cut the Neutral blade off with since it is so thick. Hack saw and grinder?

 

[Ingineer]

Not sure what I could cut the Neutral blade off with since it is so thick. Hack saw and grinder?

Yes, it's relatively soft metal, so it doesn't take much effort with a hacksaw blade. Cut it flush to the plug body then cover the ugly scar with a piece of electrical tape.

-Phil