Easy Charger for Vacation Home

[gps217]

Recently bought a beach house that my family will use on occasion and as an AirBnb. The garage has a 6-50 receptacle with what I am assuming is a 220v from previous owner. Can anyone recommend a decent level 2 charger for occasional use in this type of property? Want something that will also appeal to guests.

Costco is running a great deal on this JuiceBox, but I will have to have the receptacle converted to 14-50 - which would offset the great price.

https://www.costco.com/juicebox-40-...with-nema,-20-ft-cable.product.100574926.html

Sponsored

 

[daveo4EV]

fixed for $36 - this adapter converts a 6-50 plug to 14-50 female - it's a must have for most EV owners - one for the vacation home and one "in the car" means you can use either a 14-50 or 6-50 when traveling.

NOTE: this adapter will work fine for most ANY/ALL EVSE _EXCEPT_ the juice box being sold/referenced here - Juice box charges require a 120V power source to run the computer/wifi aspect of the charger - so it requires a NEMA 14-50 outlet properly wired with 2 120V hots + neutrual + ground - NEMA 6-50 only provides 2 120V hots + ground - lacking a neutral to run 120V loads…

MOST (all but Juicebox) run flawlessly on either 14-50 or 6-50 - this is because on MOST EVSE's the neutral is a dummy-connector just for plug compatilbity, but the 4th electrical neutral wire/connector is un-used…

https://smile.amazon.com/PLIS-14-50R-Welding-Charger-Adapter/dp/B07TC39LRD/ref=sr_1_8?crid=32OZUWT3O3PD2&keywords=nema+6-50+to+14-50&qid=1665580813&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjU2IiwicXNhIjoiMy4xNCIsInFzcCI6IjIuMjcifQ==&sprefix=neam+6-50+to+14-50,aps,132&sr=8-8

 

[daveo4EV]

$349 - will work fine at your vacation home

https://www.mustartpower.com/collec...rging-station-with-nema-14-50p-update-version

 

[daveo4EV]

as per Tesla/Rivian/Lucid/Porsche if you're swapping plug types (6-50 for 14-50) outlet make sure to get an industrical/commerical grade NEMA outlet like the hubble

https://smile.amazon.com/Straight-R...mzn1.fos.08f69ac3-fd3d-4b88-bca2-8997e41410bb

converting your 6-50 plug to a 14-50 maybe move expensive than you realize if the electrician has to repull wire

a 6-50 plug only has 3 wires - 2 hots + ground
a 14-50 plug has 4 wires - 2 hots + neutral + ground

the 6-50 outlet may only have 3 wires behind it and it could be expensive to "repull" the wire or pull the missing 4th wire

also the Juicebox is one of the RARE EVSE's that requires the neutral since it uses 120V to run the onboard charging electronics/computer

 

[daveo4EV]

I recommend the following EVSE's vs. the Juice box

• $749 - ClipperCreek - 50 amp breaker - 40 amp charge rate - 14-50 _OR_ hardwired - can use adapter
• $749 - ChargePoint Flex - 50 amp breaker - 40 amp charge rate - comes either as 6-50 or 14-50 (doesn't really matter as noted above) - can be hardwired for 48 amps (60 amp breaker)
• $649 - Wallbox - 50 amp breaker - 40 amp charge rate (also 32/40/48 amp adjustable?) - 32/40/48 amp versions - 48 amp version must be hardwired
• $200 - Tesla Corded Charger + required - TeslaTap - 50 amp breaker - 40 amp charge rate (get the Cordedcharger not the 32 amp Tesla Universal Mobile Charger - although the UMC is an excellent 32 amp mobile charger)
  • REQUIRES THIS ITEM: TeslaTap Adapter - but this is a useful item to have for roaming anyways - since it lets you use other peoples/businesses Tesla chargers…
• $400 - Tesla Wall Charger- adjustable up to 48 amps - supports future 2nd charger to shared the circuit - and you can easily wire it the existing 6-50 plug with a $30 6-50 "whip" from any local hardware store - or just hardwire it into the existing plug/junction box.
  • same TeslaTap requirement as listed above
  • requires either hardwire it to the existing 3 wires inside your existing 6-50 outlet (easy job) - or purhcase a NEMA 6-50 power-whip
• $404- Leviton EVSE from Amazon
• $699 -Jbooster - excellent mobile EVSE

here is a list…

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=9.6+kw+evse&crid=33V0D59JR8MC2&sprefix=9.6+kw+evse,aps,143&ref=nb_sb_noss

many many choices - all of them will most likely work with the 6-50 plug you have via a 6-50 to 14-50 adatper or come native with a 6-50 plug.

good luck!
all the above chargers will work flawlessly with a NEMA 6-50 outlet with a simple $35 14-50 adapter…

I'd shy away from the JuiceBox for this particluar setup given the problems that it requires use of the 120V (Hot+Neutral) aspect of a properly wired NEMA 14-50 outlet - unless there is an existing unused 4th wire in your 6-50 outlet it could be a much more involved process to get a 6-50 plug converted to a 14-50 because of the missing neutral wire…of course you can always a swap a 6-50 for 14-50 outlet and not wire up the neutral - but then it would only work for EVSE and would not pass a building code inspection (but is functionally fine for most EVSE's except the juice box).

 

[daveo4EV]

I'd check the wire gauge to the 6-50 outlet - if it's 6 gauge or better - I'd swap the 50 amp breaker for a 60 amp breaker and get a hardwired 60/48 amp charger (ClipperCreek, ChargePoint, Wallbox, Tesla Wall Charger)

_IF_ you want to convert the 6-50 to a 14-50 and the electrician has to pull new wire, then again I'd pull 60/48 amp wire and just get a full 60/48 amp EVSE (hardwired)

NEMA 6-50/14-50 charges at 9.6 kW
60/48 amp hardwired EVSE will charge your Taycan at 11.5 kW

if you have to pull wire - pull higher amp wire and get a 80/60 amp breaker hardwired EVSE and just be done

if you want simple - buy any of the EVSE's listed above and either get a pig-tail adapter (6-50 -> 14-50) or native 6-50 EVSE

 

[daveo4EV]

Recently bought a beach house that my family will use on occasion and as an AirBnb. The garage has a 6-50 receptacle with what I am assuming is a 220v from previous owner. Can anyone recommend a decent level 2 charger for occasional use in this type of property? Want something that will also appeal to guests.

Costco is running a great deal on this JuiceBox, but I will have to have the receptacle converted to 14-50 - which would offset the great price.

https://www.costco.com/juicebox-40-amp-electric-vehicle-charging-station-with-nema,-20-ft-cable.product.100574926.html

hmmm - just noted the airbnb aspect of this - to avoid confusion, "clever" guest, theft, and most importantly potential legal liability I would highly recommend the following

get an electrician to convert the existing plug to a hardwired junctionbox (trival honeslty 100% trivial) and then purchase any of the high quality "hardwired" EVSE's - this will avoid people "messing" with your setup and still provide excellent EV charging

• 1st choice - ClipperCreek would be my 1st choice given it's reputation, compatibility, ruggedness (you can literally beat on them with a baseball bat - there is a video)=
• 2nd choice - WallBox - hardwired…
• 3rd choice - ChargePoint - hardwired…

I love the Tesla Wall Charger - but I'd avoid it because of the whole TeslaTap requirement for your guests (unless they have a Tesla) - but it's a great choice - NOTE: all Tesla owners have a J-1772 adapter provided with their vehicle at time of purchase - so they can use a "normal" EVSE like ClipperCreek/Chargepoint.

I'd also look into a 60/80 amp EVSE (48/64 amp charge rates) as long as you're hardwiring it - it will charge your existing Taycan faster than 9.6 kw, and future EV's are also likely to take advantage of the higher charge rate.

given AirBnB aspect - hardwired, simple, compatible, indestructible EVSE = ClipperCreek - 50/60/80 amp breaker version - consult with your electrician - converting the 6-50 to a hardwired connector is with an EVSE install is 100% trivial - no permit required cause it's an existing 50 amp circuit.

 

[Henke]

What hardwired charger do people recommend? I recently got a quote to upgrade my NEMA socket to the Hubbell one but I think I would rather just go with the hardwire. I believe my utility company is recommending the following hardwire options.

https://store.clippercreek.com/amazing-e-fast-32-hardwired

https://enphase.com/store/ev-chargers/amazinge-fast-40-ev-charger

https://smudenergystore.com/JuiceBox-32-Wi-Fi-Enabled-EV-Charging-Station---32-Amps/P-JCBJBPR32.html

 

[daveo4EV]

What hardwired charger do people recommend? I recently got a quote to upgrade my NEMA socket to the Hubbell one but I think I would rather just go with the hardwire. I believe my utility company is recommending the following hardwire options.

https://store.clippercreek.com/amazing-e-fast-32-hardwired

https://enphase.com/store/ev-chargers/amazinge-fast-40-ev-charger

https://smudenergystore.com/JuiceBox-32-Wi-Fi-Enabled-EV-Charging-Station---32-Amps/P-JCBJBPR32.html

all good

also consider Tesla J-1772
wall box
chargepoint

and if hardwiring consider a 48 amp EVSE with 60 amp breaker - install cost difference between 50 amp and 60 amp circuit should be trivial and charge time is 20% faster for your taycan

 

[Henke]

all good

also consider Tesla J-1772
wall box
chargepoint

and if hardwiring consider a 48 amp EVSE with 60 amp breaker - install cost difference between 50 amp and 60 amp circuit should be trivial and charge time is 20% faster for your taycan

Thanks. I already have a 50 amp breaker for the existing NEMA. I like the idea of the Wifi with the juice box but from what I understand, Clipper creek is very reliable. What do you think? Better to stick with clipper creek?

I’ve noticed with public clipper creek installs, they do not work when a timer is set and assume that won’t be a problem with one of these boxes.

 

[daveo4EV]

Thanks. I already have a 50 amp breaker for the existing NEMA. I like the idea of the Wifi with the juice box but from what I understand, Clipper creek is very reliable. What do you think? Better to stick with clipper creek?

I’ve noticed with public clipper creek installs, they do not work when a timer is set and assume that won’t be a problem with one of these boxes.

clipper creek have a reputation for being super reliable and also a bit pricey - high quality, ugly, functional - bare bones it just always works level of quality.

that being said the others I listed also have great reputations…

I'd let a little price & availability drive my decision and not get too hung up on any particular brand…wifi is not a requirement in my opinion because you control the charging via the vehicle…

other than the Porsche EVSE's we all know and love hardwired 50 amp vs. NEMA 14-50/6-50 50 amp is honestly no safer/less reliable - honestly speaking until Porsche came along there was no known downside to a plug based 50 amp EVSE vs. a hardwired 50 amp EVSE - Porsche has been quite innovative in making that aspect of EV ownership "a thing"…

as long as you don't get the Porsche EVSE it's kinda hard to go wrong with any of the well known choices…

 

[mm767cap]

Question for the experts. I have a NEMA 14-50 socket (not Hubble so would upgrade). I asked an electrician about hard wiring, and he stated it to be a bad idea because there needs to be a quick disconnect, which would be the plug in this case. My electrical panel is far away from the garage, so there isn’t a good option there. I would prefer to hard wire, so wondering if anyone has a good solution for this? Otherwise thinking Juicebox 40 and replacing the 14-50 with a Hubble. Thanks!

 

[Archimedes]

I have the Juicebox 40 hardwired. Love it so far.

 

[HowDoYouChargeIt]

NOTE: this adapter will work fine for most ANY/ALL EVSE _EXCEPT_ the juice box being sold/referenced here - Juice box charges require a 120V power source to run the computer/wifi aspect of the charger - so it requires a NEMA 14-50 outlet properly wired with 2 120V hots + neutrual + ground - NEMA 6-50 only provides 2 120V hots + ground - lacking a neutral to run 120V loads…

MOST (all but Juicebox) run flawlessly on either 14-50 or 6-50 - this is because on MOST EVSE's the neutral is a dummy-connector just for plug compatilbity, but the 4th electrical neutral wire/connector is un-used…

I saw this post and looked more into it as I have a juicebox on order. The info I see suggests it does not need a neutral.

https://support-emobility.enelx.com...00294471-Wiring-and-Installation-Requirements


JuiceBox 40
Charging Station Output (continuous load rating up to) 40A (9.6 kW)
Required Circuit Breaker (must be rated to 125% of the continuous load rating) 2-Pole 50A
Example stations: JuiceBox 40, JuiceBox Pro 40

Plug In Installation

• 2 pole, 50A breaker
• NEMA 14-50 (or NEMA 6-50) receptacle
• For the installation wiring , please have your electrician size the conductors for both rated wire temperature and 125% continuous load. Please refer to both the National Electrical Code (NEC) and your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for any additional requirements.1

For an outdoor installation, please add the following:

• NEMA 14-50R outdoor enclosure
• Shade for the unit (if mounted to the south side of a building) so it is not in direct sun, exceeding the 90°C mark

1 The neutral wire is not used but may need to be present in the receptacle.

Sponsored