Build a "battery cart" to charge our 2015 PiP?

As a PriusChat 240v adapter / extension cord builder, I'd recommend a 9 AWG extension cord at 150 feet long.

My proposed cord would yield roughly a ~2.35% Loss, this falls within the 3% rule of acceptable extension cord loss. How's your personal DIY skills ? I'd recommend that YOU build it. A guess on cost with you doing things would be roughly ~$160 shipped.

If your plan is to leave it in place, then this will work well. If your plan is to roll this cord out everyday & then when done pull it back in; then I'd reconsider things because that would be a PIA after awhile.

WARNING: Extension Cords | PriusChat


Rob43

 

Can you access a 240 volt outlet ? That would be great if you could, then I'd recommend a 10 AWG extension cord, your loss would be about ~1.46% at 240v using 11.7 amps over 150 ft. BUT, you would REALLY need to implement something like a lock box on the 5-20R end so no one could ever access your 240v cord. Cost is still roughly the same.

EDIT: Based on safety factors & the fact that this is a "Condo", I'm going to recommend a 120v line for your extension cord. There are just too many risk factors here that you might not have control over unlike someone with a single family home on their own private lot. If anyone ever accidentally got a hold of your 120v cord, it would not likely be a problem; but if someone got a hold of your 240v cord, it could be Bad. So after some thought, be safe-ish & go with a 120v cord if you go ahead with any of this.

Rob43

 

The US electrical code is that for extended use, a 15 Amp Breaker should only have 12 Amps running through it. 5.5 hours is certainly extended use. 240 volts wold be the same Amps, but half the time, so you want the same gauge.

 

I agree, 130 feet is WAY too far for an "extension cord".
And that is sure not to fly for very long anyway because YOU won't be paying the bill for the power used.

 

As the links in post #8 point out, if you use existing state law for force this issue, then you are agreeing to pay the power bill.

 

If you plan on building a 10 AWG or better 9 AWG ~130 to ~150 ft long extension cord for 120v operation, send me a PM for a build list.


Rob43

 

No, the current would remain the same, so the wire gauge would also need to be the same. And if you sprang for an L2 EVSE cable and had a 220 outlet for it, the current would actually increase. Rob's adapter would keep you at the original current while letting you charge twice as fast with twice the voltage assuming a 220V outlet is in reach.

Input current on the stock EVSE is 12A. That's because most 120V outlets are 15A and should not be run at more than 80% of capacity, which is 12A.

 

Charging carts are freely available to buy in the UK and Germany.

Breakdown services can have had them for a while now with enough capacity to get you underway.

Larger units can be hired for events and are available both with a cable to run mains power, or as a battery back that is taken away and charged when needed.

I am not allowed to post links as a new member, but any search engine has results aplenty.

Search "mobile EV charging"

 

You should be over that new member limitation now, with five posts.

 

Yeah, I will be now. At that point all the posts were awaiting approval at the same time.

It's quite frustrating - If the posts need approval, then it's just as easy to allow the attachment of a link and approve that link at the same time.

 

Hire an electrician to put an outlet in the garage. Tell the HOA they can stuff it - er, refer to the appropriate CA Code section. No extra insurance should be required for a standard 120v outlet. Most garages have them. Pay for the install by a licensed electrician and the HOA can't stop you. This would likely follow code a bit better than a 150' run of extension cord. That would be more likely to trigger insurance issues, I would think.

 

I don’t think this is quite how it works. The law I mentioned isn’t carte blanche; associations can still require owners to apply for permission and to follow “reasonable restrictions,” including architectural standards. They just can’t have a blanket policy, formal or otherwise, against installation of EV charging equipment.

If just reminding the association of the law doesn’t get things moving, I’d think it would be best to speak with a lawyer familiar with the Davis-Stirling Act, the California condominium law, before resorting to self help. The law allows courts to award a penalty and attorney’s fees to owners who prevail in a lawsuit, but experienced counsel may be able to help convince an association board to go along, without the need for litigation.

The exemption from the insurance requirement (Cal. Civ. Code § 4745(f)(4)) applies only for an “existing . . . power plug [sic].” (I assume “receptacle outlet” was meant.) If an electrician has to install anything new, I think the owner has to provide insurance, which seems fair.