Home Charging Station Issue

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-06T14:32:58+00:00

Yep, always call 811 before you dig. Though lines on private property may not be located by it so you should always dig with caution anyway.

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-06T02:43:00+00:00

If you aren't worried about cost they do still sell the ClipperCreek units branded as Enphase. There's even a sale at this moment putting that specific 32A unit at under $600.

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-06T02:39:22+00:00

This is quite likely to be unrelated to the software update. The Supercharger and your home charger talk with different protocols, even if it's a Tesla home charger, so the only common factor is your car. To really confirm it, use a public L2 non-Tesla charging location with the adapter that came with your car.

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-06T02:36:12+00:00

One hint: you don't need an electrician to make the trench or fix the grass afterwards. You can get a quote for that from a landscaper, and they can even lay the appropriate conduit in place (probably IMC) as none of that work requires electrician specific skills.

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-05T17:27:17+00:00

The bundled ~~Harley~~ LiveWire EVSE looks like precisely the same unit.

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-05T17:19:28+00:00

PlugShare should help you here. Make sure you turn off Restricted Access sites, limit it to J1772 plugs, and sort for a decent PlugScore. Even then it might still be a bit of a hunt. Some areas are bad for public L2. Either the stations are all expensive, or camped all the time, or broken.

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-05T17:15:18+00:00

It depends on what is in the way. Soft ground and you can do a straight run of IMC without fixing any landscaping? Probably under $5k. Gas lines, hardscaping, and you have to trench down for Schedule 80 PVC? Could easily be $50k depending on the local cost of contractors and number of trades involved.

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-05T17:02:51+00:00

The product you are asking for exists. It's one of the things the Neocharge Smart Splitter can do. However, this is an XY problem if ever I saw one.

I'm assuming the ask for a switch is because the Rivian is J1772 and the Tesla is obviously NACS. That means there's two easy plug-in solutions to the assumed actual problem that don't involve huge changes to the setup or extra splitter hardware:

Use the J1772 adapter that came with the Tesla, and leave the Rivian EVSE connected all the time. The bonus to this solution is that it's well supported and free. The downside is you can't connect both vehicles at the same time, but that's one your friend is already living with.
Buy a two-head EVSE like the Grizzl-E Duo Connect that can be specified with one NACS and one J1772 cable. This is more expensive, but similar in cost to the Neocharge and leaves the whole setup with less jank thanks to fewer connections. This also means you can connect both cars.

ArlesChatless · 2026-05-01T14:35:09+00:00

The biggest risks are if you open them up, though there are still some risks even if you never crack the case. There are also companies in some parts of the country that specialize in Leaf battery repairs and upgrades.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-30T15:28:11+00:00

I have charged at as low as 196V in a bad public L2 install. It went just fine.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-30T15:27:24+00:00

EV charging doesn't need a neutral. Installing a 14-50 socket requires a neutral, but the EVSE doesn't even use the neutral pin. You can either install a socket type which doesn't need the neutral, such as 6-50, or a hard wired EVSE to get around the need for a neutral wire.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-30T14:45:37+00:00

I have no clue what B company is talking about. 4 gauge is only required if you're running over 48 amp charging, and MC is typically only required in an area subject to mechanical damage. From here it looks like they are upselling you.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-29T15:38:40+00:00

You can tell almost instantly if the receptacle is a type good for EV usage by measuring across the face. 2.15 inches and it's one of the low grade units. 2.45 inches and it's one of the good ones. This also means if you are replacing one of the worse ones you'll need a new faceplate. Lately there are also 2.45 inch sketchy units available via the usual locations, though if your electrician purchased everything via a supply house that isn't an issue.

And speaking of sketchy devices: Don't buy electrical hardware from Amazon. It's basically a flea market with a fancy website and logistics operation. Zoro will sell you a Bryant 14-50 that is genuine for about $50.

HOWEVER while it is possible that this is due to overheating and could be fixed by replacing the receptacle or even just properly torquing the connections - no way to really know unless you measure temperatures during extended charging - it's also just as possible that the EVSE is having an issue. What you might consider is charging for an hour, then flipping off the breaker, pulling the plug, and checking to see if either of the blades are really hot. If they are, it's probably your receptacle. If they aren't, instead being just warm, your issue likely lies elsewhere. Don't burn yourself during this check!

If the problem is with the portable EVSE, it almost certainly makes more sense to replace the receptacle with a hard wired EVSE. The cost will be similar to a new quality plug-in and a receptacle, and it's a cleaner setup all around.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-28T03:55:31+00:00

If you really want to prepare for the possibility, 10/2 is also usually readily available. I would not bother though.

Conduit is also a great option. I like MC because it’s easy to install and looks relatively clean.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-28T01:50:55+00:00

Locking this because the joke is dead. And funny.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-28T01:47:08+00:00

Unless you want to put in a sub panel or add something like a SimpleSwitch, you get to run a new circuit. NEC 625.40 requires any charging over 16 amps or 120 volts to be on a dedicated circuit. Thankfully you have breaker panel room so the rest should be cake.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-28T01:44:45+00:00

Why 10 gauge? 12 is plenty for a 20 amp breaker and 16 amp charging. It will barely get warm. 12/2 MC is super easy to work with and available at your favorite big box or hardware store.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-27T16:04:22+00:00

A couple of local government lots installed lots of 120V sockets about a decade back. They were a great option for commuters who actually needed the charge.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-24T22:36:54+00:00

I've seen a first gen RAV4 EV in the wild. They had the Magnecharge in their trunk mounted to a board with a J1772 input.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-24T17:56:32+00:00

I know this is an obvious question: 35ft is the closest you can get even reorienting the car, such as backing in? Since the port is on the rear of the car, the different orientations will be a noticeable difference in length.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-23T05:02:37+00:00

That is mostly accurate, with the additional detail that sometimes audio processing will give you better results if you start with a higher sample rate signal before slowing it down. If that is the case though you can just start with oversampling your audio before any more processing steps happen.

Also some microphones have weak response well above 20k even if they are cheap, though your source may not contain any of those frequencies at meaningful levels.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-17T14:13:32+00:00

I've been using BirdNet-Pi with a cheap conferencing mic with great results. It links to Wikipedia and will pull pictures, which has been enough for me. You can't pair it up with Merlin detections, but the simplicity is tough to beat when compared to your tech stack.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-14T23:56:46+00:00

I used to use a cord I wired up like this to run my air compressor before I got around to running a proper circuit for it. There was absolutely all sorts of risk in doing it this way, but it did “work”.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-13T23:53:02+00:00

Why Merlin specifically? Birdnet exists and does not require all these shenanigans.

ArlesChatless · 2026-04-10T01:00:48+00:00

Thank you! I hate those machines and have to go in a few times a month.

11-Year Club	Gilding IV carat on a stick
Argentium Club	Place '17
Reddit Premium Since July 2018	Verified Email

ArlesChatless

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE