Charging at Uncles Shop - NEMA 6-50r

[topher10]

I was visiting relatives for Thanksgiving, and as always, they were curious about the electric truck. My uncle, a retired industrial construction foreman, has a shop with a 240V welder plug. He asked if I could charge there, so we checked it out.

I didn’t plug in immediately because I wanted to do some research, but I had my Grizzl-E Mini Connect 40A with me. The outlet is a NEMA 6-50r (Model 2202) on a 30-amp breaker. My Grizzl-E adapter fits. He wasn't sure about the wiring gauge (unlabeled spare wire), but the run from the breaker box is short (<15ft).

Here are my thoughts/questions:

1. Will it charge? ----- Yes, but limited to 24A (80% rule) due to the 30A breaker. At ~5.7kW, adding 50% battery would take ~12 hours. Handy in a pinch, but maybe not worth it. There is a DCFC about 20 miles away.
2. Can he install a 50A breaker so we can run at 40A? ----- Maybe, but heat is a concern. The current receptacle is likely standard grade; I’d prefer an industrial/EV-rated one (not sure if they make those for NEMA 6-50r). We’d also need to confirm the wiring is at least 6 AWG copper.

He is curious enough that I could see him buying an EV (they live 20 miles from a gas station). For me, having a charging option there would be a plus, and he could also help me install a similar setup at my parents' nearby farmhouse.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

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[B177y]

My thoughts:

1. I would absolutely use the current setup at 24 amps as long as the wire size is verified. Lower the amperage on the charger even more if needed. Get some electricity while you're there, it adds up quickly.

2. You can install anything up to and including a hardwired 80amp EVSE as long as you have the capacity in the panel for a 100 amp circuit. The question of what can you install is only limited by your money and the amount of power available at the property, and how much construction work you are willing to do. If this a shop or barn, running new wire and conduit is easier and generally more accessible/acceptable than wiring in a house.

 

[shelnian]

https://www.amazon.com/Bryant-Electric-9650FR-Straight-Receptacle/dp/B003A2QZKY/

 

[21st Century Truck]

I've used a welding receptacle twice now.

The key is having appropriate adapters.

I got my adapters from ACWorks.com - well made stuff, easy to pack.

 

[chriserx]

I doubt most people would have one available but when the wire size is unknown I use my micrometer and measure it directly, fairly certain they make much cheaper wire gauges with cut out holes too. When tinkering with stuff you'd be surprised how useful a micrometer is.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I have the adapters to go from 6-50R to my Ford Mobile charger and run at 30A at my brother’s house just fine. Zero problems.

If I’m visiting for an afternoon/evening, say for 4 hours, that’s 4 hr * 30 A * 240 V = 27 to 29 kWh.

A recharge of 21% or more while visiting is absolutely worth it.

Even at 24 A, you’re still getting 22 to 23 kWh, or about 18% for a 4-hour visit while do nothing related to the vehicle. It’s weird to me that people think it’s not valuable unless it happens all at once.

 

[Lucky Larry]

I use a 6-50P plug which came wired to my Grizzl-e 40 amp charger. I have a standard Leviton welding receptacle which is rated for 50 Amps, and I have used 6 Gauge wire from my electrical panel to the 6-50P receptacle. The breaker is rated for 50 amps. I haven't had any problems at all with this setup. My truck will pull 39 amps from the charger while charging.

 

[Adventureboy]

I charge on a welder plug regularly. If it has a 30 amp breaker, you should be fine to charge at 24 amps, assuming the wiring is done to code - if you aren't sure, verify the wire is at least 10 AWG. Absolutely verify the wire size before upgrading to a 50A breaker - most likely, the wire is sized for the 30 amp circuit and should not have the breaker replaced with a 50 amp without verifying the wiring is 6 AWG. It should be printed right on the wire - if not a 6-gauge wire has a diameter of approximately 0.162 inches or 4.115 mm.

 

[jwrezz]

I charge at home with a NEMA 6-20 outlet at 16 amps. I go from 90 down to 75 on my daily commute and am back to 90 over nite with about 8 hours on the charger. There's no reason NOT to use free (well, cheap for your relative) electricity as opposed to rates that are more than double at a DCFC.

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