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For instance, in California, it is now law that apartment renters can install EV charging stations (at their own cost). So even those who do not own a house ca

by jlv2 8y ago

For instance, in California, it is now law that apartment renters can install EV charging stations (at their own cost). So even those who do not own a house can charge at home.

deathanatos 8y ago
That seems like it would result in a random hodge-podge of chargers getting installed? At least, until a landlord had enough of it and redid it.
- outworlder 8y ago
  Why does it matter? The actual charger is in the vehicle, the stations are basically only talking to the vehicle and regulating power flow.
- joshlittle 8y ago
  Smart landlords would hopefully require a standard 50A NEMA 14-50R outlet. Those are compatible with almost all EVSEs.
closeparen 8y ago
What would it even mean to install EV charging in a stacker?
joshlittle 8y ago
This rule is a lifesaver. I’m renting a single family home in San Francisco. I drive a Chevrolet Bolt EV. Using a little known SF electrical code that allows DIY electrical work in a fully detached house, I installed a 50-Amp 250v NEMA 14-50 outlet in my garage. I did 50A service for room to upgrade the stock EVSE in the future. My landlord is fine as I’m insured, followed all National Electric Code guidelines and laws. It cost me $100 in parts/wire. I then created a NEMA 14-50P to a NEMA 5-15R adapter to plug the GM stock EVSE in at 250v. It’s a little known fact about the Chevy Bolt that the included EVSE charger supports 250v - by wiring each blade on the NEMA 5-15 plug to a 125v hot lead; then wiring the ground pin to neutral. I then locked the NEMA 5-15 plug/receptacle extension cord in a lockbox clearly labeled. While a normal 40A EVSE Gives 7.2kW, this setup- still limited to 12A due to GM/Clipper Creeks firmware - gives me around 3kWh. That’s perfect for my use. I am not tempted to really upgrade this set up a time soon, but can if I want to. It’s also easy enough to take with me. Total installation of level 2 charging in my San Francisco rental? $150ish. (Please don’t try this at home if you have no idea what you’re doing when it comes to working with electric. this is only informational, not an endorsement!)
- Johnny555 8y ago
  Using a little known SF electrical code that allows DIY electrical work in a fully detached house If you did this in my property, when I found out what you did, you'd be in violation of the lease and paying me to have a licensed electrician out to inspect the work and do anything needed to bring it up to code. I can't imagine why your landlord is ok with a tenant's DIY electrical work, since the landlord is the one on the hook if it goes bad now or in the future.
  - ec109685 8y ago
    They said they were insured, so presumably, the landlord is covered.
    - Johnny555 8y ago
      That's not a safe presumption -- insurance companies can deny a claim based on unlicensed work. So unless the tenant was a professional electrician with his own liability insurance that would cover the work, it's quite possible that the landlord is not covered.
  - Faaak 8y ago
    It's funny how some people seem to be afraid of DIY electrical work. In European countries it's really different. For example, in Switzerland, you can do it yourself, but it must pass the routine inspection. France is even laxer. If you follow most of the most important rules (Fuse, RCCB, cood conduit, proper cable), hardly anything can go wrong. Hell, you can easily destroy a house with a single cigarette, but nobody talks about it.
    - Johnny555 8y ago
      In the USA, the landlord holds the bulk of the responsibility if shoddy electrical work injures or kills someone. While it is certainly possible for an amateur to follow the right procedures and do safe work, it's also possible (and even quite likely) that they don't know everything they need to do, and end up doing something unsafe. While you can easily destroy a house with a cigarette (though many landlords have non-smoking clauses here), a cigarette won't generally burn down the house a year from now after the tenant who did the work is long gone.

by jlv2 8y ago

For instance, in California, it is now law that apartment renters can install EV charging stations (at their own cost). So even those who do not own a house can charge at home.

deathanatos 8y ago

That seems like it would result in a random hodge-podge of chargers getting installed? At least, until a landlord had enough of it and redid it.

outworlder 8y ago
Why does it matter? The actual charger is in the vehicle, the stations are basically only talking to the vehicle and regulating power flow.
joshlittle 8y ago
Smart landlords would hopefully require a standard 50A NEMA 14-50R outlet. Those are compatible with almost all EVSEs.

closeparen 8y ago

What would it even mean to install EV charging in a stacker?

joshlittle 8y ago

This rule is a lifesaver. I’m renting a single family home in San Francisco. I drive a Chevrolet Bolt EV. Using a little known SF electrical code that allows DIY electrical work in a fully detached house, I installed a 50-Amp 250v NEMA 14-50 outlet in my garage. I did 50A service for room to upgrade the stock EVSE in the future. My landlord is fine as I’m insured, followed all National Electric Code guidelines and laws. It cost me $100 in parts/wire. I then created a NEMA 14-50P to a NEMA 5-15R adapter to plug the GM stock EVSE in at 250v. It’s a little known fact about the Chevy Bolt that the included EVSE charger supports 250v - by wiring each blade on the NEMA 5-15 plug to a 125v hot lead; then wiring the ground pin to neutral. I then locked the NEMA 5-15 plug/receptacle extension cord in a lockbox clearly labeled. While a normal 40A EVSE Gives 7.2kW, this setup- still limited to 12A due to GM/Clipper Creeks firmware - gives me around 3kWh. That’s perfect for my use. I am not tempted to really upgrade this set up a time soon, but can if I want to. It’s also easy enough to take with me. Total installation of level 2 charging in my San Francisco rental? $150ish. (Please don’t try this at home if you have no idea what you’re doing when it comes to working with electric. this is only informational, not an endorsement!)

Johnny555 8y ago
Using a little known SF electrical code that allows DIY electrical work in a fully detached house If you did this in my property, when I found out what you did, you'd be in violation of the lease and paying me to have a licensed electrician out to inspect the work and do anything needed to bring it up to code. I can't imagine why your landlord is ok with a tenant's DIY electrical work, since the landlord is the one on the hook if it goes bad now or in the future.
- ec109685 8y ago
  They said they were insured, so presumably, the landlord is covered.
  - Johnny555 8y ago
    That's not a safe presumption -- insurance companies can deny a claim based on unlicensed work. So unless the tenant was a professional electrician with his own liability insurance that would cover the work, it's quite possible that the landlord is not covered.
- Faaak 8y ago
  It's funny how some people seem to be afraid of DIY electrical work. In European countries it's really different. For example, in Switzerland, you can do it yourself, but it must pass the routine inspection. France is even laxer. If you follow most of the most important rules (Fuse, RCCB, cood conduit, proper cable), hardly anything can go wrong. Hell, you can easily destroy a house with a single cigarette, but nobody talks about it.
  - Johnny555 8y ago
    In the USA, the landlord holds the bulk of the responsibility if shoddy electrical work injures or kills someone. While it is certainly possible for an amateur to follow the right procedures and do safe work, it's also possible (and even quite likely) that they don't know everything they need to do, and end up doing something unsafe. While you can easily destroy a house with a cigarette (though many landlords have non-smoking clauses here), a cigarette won't generally burn down the house a year from now after the tenant who did the work is long gone.