mickeymammoth
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2015
- Messages
- 36
So I don't have a driveway or any off street parking. I park on the street in front of my house. There is a sidewalk and median separating my front yard from the street.
Initially, I was charging at a public station 2 blocks away (free!), but it's often in use and I got sick of the hike.
Currently, I am running an extension cord from my 120v outdoor outlet to the car, and plugging in the slow charger there. Where it goes over the sidewalk, I push it into a groove between pavers and put a heavy rubber doormat over it. This works, but takes forever to charge. 30 hours? I have seen other people with engine block heaters hooked up this way, and so far no one has hassled us.
- My plan is to add a 14-50 outlet on the front porch on a 50 amp circuit.
I found these waterproof intermatic outlet covers: http://www.intermatic.com/~/media/intermatic/documentation/weatherproof_products/wp_brochure.pdf?la=en
- Then, I will buy a Jesla to plug in on the porch, and a 40ft Jlong extension cord to run over the sidewalk and plug in at the car.
I'm trying not to draw any attention to the project. I should technically get permits etc. but I worry they wouldn't approve it because "running an extension cord over the sidewalk" can't possibly be a reasonable request. And what other purpose could a 240 volt outlet outside be for? This is all going to cost $1200+ for the electrician, plus $1000 for the Jesla, and $400 for the Jlong. If the city calls us out, we might have to undo the work. Any thoughts?
Questions:
- Is it safe to leave the Jesla plugged in all the time?
- Or should I unplug it between uses, esp in bad weather?
- I'm not sure there are any waterproof covers that will enclose the plug on the jesla?
- Will repeat plugs/unplugs cause problems?
- The J1772 Plug Holder (Wall Mounted) receptacle looks useful; but what kind of wall hanger would you recommend?
I know there are a number of more elegant solutions, all of which involve burying conduit and installing a power post (like http://www.intermatic.com/en/products/weatherproof/specialtycovers/outlet_post). I can't see installing a post on the median as I don't technically own that land and it seems more vulnerable to city interference. I could install a post at the edge of the lawn, but again, that requires digging, and would be more visible to the city than an outlet attached to the house when not in use.
Looking at how other cities do it, Berkeley has (I think) a terrible, convoluted pilot program for median charging stations, but only if you don't have room for off street parking (we have room; just don't want to lose my yard):
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/EVcurbside/
This person installed a public charging station on their curb in Palo Alto, but they jumped though a lot of hoops with the city:
http://projectgreenhome.org/?page_id=17
Technically Boulder supports EVs and has some free public stations, but I've emailed multiple people associated with the program about charging on the street and never heard back. One of the stations has been broken for 6 months or more. So I'm thinking funding is light.
Initially, I was charging at a public station 2 blocks away (free!), but it's often in use and I got sick of the hike.
Currently, I am running an extension cord from my 120v outdoor outlet to the car, and plugging in the slow charger there. Where it goes over the sidewalk, I push it into a groove between pavers and put a heavy rubber doormat over it. This works, but takes forever to charge. 30 hours? I have seen other people with engine block heaters hooked up this way, and so far no one has hassled us.
- My plan is to add a 14-50 outlet on the front porch on a 50 amp circuit.
I found these waterproof intermatic outlet covers: http://www.intermatic.com/~/media/intermatic/documentation/weatherproof_products/wp_brochure.pdf?la=en
- Then, I will buy a Jesla to plug in on the porch, and a 40ft Jlong extension cord to run over the sidewalk and plug in at the car.
I'm trying not to draw any attention to the project. I should technically get permits etc. but I worry they wouldn't approve it because "running an extension cord over the sidewalk" can't possibly be a reasonable request. And what other purpose could a 240 volt outlet outside be for? This is all going to cost $1200+ for the electrician, plus $1000 for the Jesla, and $400 for the Jlong. If the city calls us out, we might have to undo the work. Any thoughts?
Questions:
- Is it safe to leave the Jesla plugged in all the time?
- Or should I unplug it between uses, esp in bad weather?
- I'm not sure there are any waterproof covers that will enclose the plug on the jesla?
- Will repeat plugs/unplugs cause problems?
- The J1772 Plug Holder (Wall Mounted) receptacle looks useful; but what kind of wall hanger would you recommend?
I know there are a number of more elegant solutions, all of which involve burying conduit and installing a power post (like http://www.intermatic.com/en/products/weatherproof/specialtycovers/outlet_post). I can't see installing a post on the median as I don't technically own that land and it seems more vulnerable to city interference. I could install a post at the edge of the lawn, but again, that requires digging, and would be more visible to the city than an outlet attached to the house when not in use.
Looking at how other cities do it, Berkeley has (I think) a terrible, convoluted pilot program for median charging stations, but only if you don't have room for off street parking (we have room; just don't want to lose my yard):
http://www.cityofberkeley.info/EVcurbside/
This person installed a public charging station on their curb in Palo Alto, but they jumped though a lot of hoops with the city:
http://projectgreenhome.org/?page_id=17
Technically Boulder supports EVs and has some free public stations, but I've emailed multiple people associated with the program about charging on the street and never heard back. One of the stations has been broken for 6 months or more. So I'm thinking funding is light.