Just INSTALLED: L2 48A EVSE from Amazon - getting prepped for incoming Lightning

[Maquis]

Interesting website. I referenced the wire manufacturers site and got #4 @ 75C. Also I trust the electrician who wired for it at my WA home. He used #2 AL Service Entrance Cable, but would have used #4 CU if I wanted to pay for it.

If I have to go #3, I will need bigger conduit and will have to use ugly ass PVC.

Now I am triple guessing the choice

Branch circuits serving EVSEs must be sized such that they are only loaded to 80%. The 80A FCSP would thus require a 100A circuit to be used at 80A. I wouldn’t expect that going to #3 would require larger conduit. What size are you running?

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[PV2EV]

I have spent so many hours going through different wiring scenerios for my build and still trying to come up with best solutions. My issues is that I have a 120 foot pull with a 20 feet concrete slab in the middle. The slab has a 1.5" conduit with my fireplace starter gas line in it. So I've decide to remove that gas line. "wife doesn't know this yet". The city inspector says the conduit doesn't meet code so I have to put a piece schedule 40 or EMT in that conduit. With conduit generally being in 10 feet sections, the coupler needed to join conduit restricts me down to 1" unless I can find a 20 foot section. With 1" conduit, fill rate only allows 3 conductors of #4 and a #8 ground.

So, I'm thinking of.....
New circuit with a subpanel pulled to my garage. 125ft linear of cable. #4 2L, 1N and a #8 ground. Ran in Conduit of your choice. I will install 20’ of 1” EMT in the concrete slab. (I’m removing the gas line) Because for the flange on Sch 40, I think EMT with a Rain Tight Coupling may be smaller overall diameter. If I could get a 20 ft section of Sch40 I would’nt have to worry about joining them or overall diameter. Let me know your thoughts on the type conduit.



125ft of #4 2L, 1N and a #8 ground

100 or 125 amp GE Sub panel

2- 80 amp GE breakers (for main panel and sub)

70 amp (for future Ford Charge Station Pro)
50 amp GFI ( for NEMA 14-50)
Industrial NEMA 14-50 receptacle ( @ 24”- 30” from sub panel) plus box and plate

In wall junction box for future EVSE ( @ 24” – 30” from sub panel)

Anyone got any bright ideas..

125A subpanel would be the cheapest, but the wire gauge required I think will need more than 1". This is what I am doing at one home: https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...our-deal-with-sunrun.10532/page-4#post-213648

 

[PV2EV]

Branch circuits serving EVSEs must be sized such that they are only loaded to 80%. The 80A FCSP would thus require a 100A circuit to be used at 80A. I wouldn’t expect that going to #3 would require larger conduit. What size are you running?

So I have to derate/overbuild the circuit for EVSE, regardless of the consideration of ampacity (continuous use), bummer. In addition to the electrician input (I may have asked the question wrong), I had also assumed I could treat it like a subpanel and referred to this: https://homeinspectioninsider.com/wire-size-100-amp-electric-service/

Given the above, I need 2x3g, 1x6g and 2x8g (for DC return to HIS is future). I believe that bumps me to 1.25" EMT which I don't trust myself to bend well. Also, the increased cost will push me to Aluminum and PVC to drive down the cost. I have ~100% of a 1000' roll of 4/0 AL leftover from running my irrigation pump, so I might just use that if I can land it in the FCSP.

 

[Carminus]

No, there is no Tesla adapter provided by Ford. You don't need to think if your Tesla charger is faster, merely see what you have it set on.

I already received my lightning lariat er and it did come with an Tesla adapter to use a ford charger on a Tesla not the other away around. If you have a Tesla charger your sol charging the Ford...for now at least

 

[Maquis]

So I have to derate/overbuild the circuit for EVSE, regardless of the consideration of ampacity (continuous use), bummer. In addition to the electrician input (I may have asked the question wrong), I had also assumed I could treat it like a subpanel and referred to this: https://homeinspectioninsider.com/wire-size-100-amp-electric-service/

Given the above, I need 2x3g, 1x6g and 2x8g (for DC return to HIS is future). I believe that bumps me to 1.25" EMT which I don't trust myself to bend well. Also, the increased cost will push me to Aluminum and PVC to drive down the cost. I have ~100% of a 1000' roll of 4/0 AL leftover from running my irrigation pump, so I might just use that if I can land it in the FCSP.

I’d consider a separate run for the DC conductors. That pipe should go to the HIS, not your panel anyway.

That link leaves out some important details. The NEC allows the conductors feeding a sub panel to be rated at 85% of the 100A OCPD, but only if the sub panel feeds a separate structure AND supplies all of the loads in that structure. And that doesn’t apply to branch circuits under any circumstances.

 

[PV2EV]

I’d consider a separate run for the DC conductors. That pipe should go to the HIS, not your panel anyway.

That link leaves out some important details. The NEC allows the conductors feeding a sub panel to be rated at 85% of the 100A OCPD, but only if the sub panel feeds a separate structure AND supplies all of the loads in that structure. And that doesn’t apply to branch circuits under any circumstances.

I thought all wires to the FCSP came from the BDI when installed? I can still fit 2x3g, 1x6g & 2x8g in 1". I do not want to drill through my ICF wall (possibly hitting rebar) twice for the FCSP.

Having to re-think this, I can run the circuits from both subpanels to a NEMA box, then a larger single conduit, then drop to the first EVSE, reducing to the second, and cleaning up the install.

I forgot to treat this like a hungry appliance and derate the circuit, then reinforced that mistake with the sub-panel link.

 

[Firestop]

I thought all wires to the FCSP came from the BDI when installed? I can still fit 2x3g, 1x6g & 2x8g in 1". I do not want to drill through my ICF wall (possibly hitting rebar) twice for the FCSP.

Having to re-think this, I can run the circuits from both subpanels to a NEMA box, then a larger single conduit, then drop to the first EVSE, reducing to the second, and cleaning up the install.

I forgot to treat this like a hungry appliance and derate the circuit, then reinforced that mistake with the sub-panel link.

FYI, my electrician used to work at HP in Corvallis and elsewhere in Hi-tech. He told me that although the NEC may allow AC & DC conductors to run in the same conduit, he advised his “best practices” experience was not to do it. He gave me the option at bid when I was thinking of future-proofing the wiring installation for an eventual HIS install. We decided to hold on the DC conductor install for now until we get more details on the FCSP and the HIS…. Of course, my conduit run is only 26’ and is mostly surface-run. Your install is a little bit more challenging…….

 

[Maquis]

I thought all wires to the FCSP came from the BDI when installed? I can still fit 2x3g, 1x6g & 2x8g in 1". I do not want to drill through my ICF wall (possibly hitting rebar) twice for the FCSP.

Having to re-think this, I can run the circuits from both subpanels to a NEMA box, then a larger single conduit, then drop to the first EVSE, reducing to the second, and cleaning up the install.

I forgot to treat this like a hungry appliance and derate the circuit, then reinforced that mistake with the sub-panel link.

The Aeeexpress diagram doesn’t show any AC going to the EVSE. If it had to come through the BDI, I’d think they’d show that.

Also consider that more than 3 current-carrying conductors in a conduit invokes ampacity derating. You might end up with even larger wires!

 

[PV2EV]

The Aeeexpress diagram doesn’t show any AC going to the EVSE. If it had to come through the BDI, I’d think they’d show that.

Also consider that more than 3 current-carrying conductors in a conduit invokes ampacity derating. You might end up with even larger wires!

Interesting, I had assumed it was both AC & DC, but see in the block diagram just a + & -. I will have to assume the few images that show flextight running from the BDI to the FCSP is only DC. Also, this likely means that you can't charge the truck with the grid down, regardless of your solar output, so not viable for a long term outage. The more we find out, the worse this solution looks.

I am going to have to wait for more info on it, but can at least setup the secondary EVSE location. I may just look for a BDI like solution with a genrator input for Pro Power (like SolArk).

 

[PV2EV]

FYI, my electrician used to work at HP in Corvallis and elsewhere in Hi-tech. He told me that although the NEC may allow AC & DC conductors to run in the same conduit, he advised his “best practices” experience was not to do it. He gave me the option at bid when I was thinking of future-proofing the wiring installation for an eventual HIS install. We decided to hold on the DC conductor install for now until we get more details on the FCSP and the HIS…. Of course, my conduit run is only 26’ and is mostly surface-run. Your install is a little bit more challenging…….

I think only the ICF is hard, and might be the 12" run where I combine AC & DC, keeping them separate otherwise.

The electrician who rouged in my house (from McMinnville) was not properly informed by the GC, doing exactly what I had not wanted. That and plumbing mistakes were the final reason for me to dump him. I had the plumbing redone, and fixed a few things on the wiring, but they left no free spaces in the subpanel, which should not have been signed off. When we learn more I may need you electricians contact info

 

[Firestop]

I think only the ICF is hard, and might be the 12" run where I combine AC & DC, keeping them separate otherwise.

The electrician who rouged in my house (from McMinnville) was not properly informed by the GC, doing exactly what I had not wanted. That and plumbing mistakes were the final reason for me to dump him. I had the plumbing redone, and fixed a few things on the wiring, but they left no free spaces in the subpanel, which should not have been signed off. When we learn more I may need you electricians contact info

Sure..PM me if you want/need the referral….

 

[dirtdiver]

I have spent so many hours going through different wiring scenerios for my build and still trying to come up with best solutions. My issues is that I have a 120 foot pull with a 20 feet concrete slab in the middle. The slab has a 1.5" conduit with my fireplace starter gas line in it. So I've decide to remove that gas line. "wife doesn't know this yet". The city inspector says the conduit doesn't meet code so I have to put a piece schedule 40 or EMT in that conduit. With conduit generally being in 10 feet sections, the coupler needed to join conduit restricts me down to 1" unless I can find a 20 foot section. With 1" conduit, fill rate only allows 3 conductors of #4 and a #8 ground.

So, I'm thinking of.....
New circuit with a subpanel pulled to my garage. 125ft linear of cable. #4 2L, 1N and a #8 ground. Ran in Conduit of your choice. I will install 20’ of 1” EMT in the concrete slab. (I’m removing the gas line) Because for the flange on Sch 40, I think EMT with a Rain Tight Coupling may be smaller overall diameter. If I could get a 20 ft section of Sch40 I would’nt have to worry about joining them or overall diameter. Let me know your thoughts on the type conduit.



125ft of #4 2L, 1N and a #8 ground

100 or 125 amp GE Sub panel

2- 80 amp GE breakers (for main panel and sub)

70 amp (for future Ford Charge Station Pro)
50 amp GFI ( for NEMA 14-50)
Industrial NEMA 14-50 receptacle ( @ 24”- 30” from sub panel) plus box and plate

In wall junction box for future EVSE ( @ 24” – 30” from sub panel)

Anyone got any bright ideas..

You cant punch under the slab with another tunnel? use a water jet to bore a hole?

 

[Tomwilli2025]

You cant punch under the slab with another tunnel? use a water jet to bore a hole?

I could but not sure that I have the budget for that.

 

[metroshot]

$300 install cost by my electrician to install the 48A Emporia charger - total cost $750 including charger:

 

[CRAIGC540]

Anyone getting their EVSE installed in anticipation of their Lightning ?

Delivery tomorrow for a 48A L2 EVSE for my garage - so excited getting antsy for the SR Lightning incoming next month.

Hoping for early delivery as many FB posts showing people getting their Lighting 2-3 weeks earlier than Ford's estimate....

Got my electrician coming in next weekend to help me install the EVSE in my tiny garage.
Charging the Lightning will be just outside the garage.
My wife's PHEV charger is on a separate wall and she parks inside.

My electrician said, since my breaker panel is directly behind the garage wall that I want it installed, there is no need for a sub panel - saving me lots of money!
Just add a breaker, 2 gang outlet hardwire and voila!

Here's my UL listed EVSE for $450 - half the price of Ford's charger....

That's the one I'm getting installed, I have there power monitors and there app is rock solid helping me keep track of my solar production. You should consider getting the power monitors if you have solar. You will be able to charge only when solar is sending power back to your service provider if you choose to.
This is a awesome combination.