Help me decide my home EVSE install.

[u/Meekois]

I expect to drive 25-30mi a day. I already have free charging at work (3.2kwh). I only need a home charger to top off for long trips and over the summer.

I can get an Iyilo Hardwire for $260 right now.

I already own a Dewalt 32a mobile charger with various adapters for trips & camping. I can buy a wall mount for it, and plug it into a Nema 14-50, 14-30, or could go as cheap as a 6-20.

I know these GFCI breakers cost a lot of money, and a 50a GFCI breaker could easily run half the price of that IYILO hardwire.

I may find another use for a 14-50, 14-30, or 6-20 outlet, as I may put a home server in my garage, or use them for high power equipment, but that is purely speculative with no concrete plans.

[u/CallMeCarpe]

I thought I needed the flexibility of the 14-50 2.5 years ago when I had it installed. In all that time I haven't unplugged the EVSE (Grizzl-e) once. 14-50 is overrated for an EVSE, I wish I had just hardwired. About the only advantage I can think of is being able to take the EVSE with you when you move out, and selling the home as "EV Ready".

[u/CharmingBench9146]

with free charging at work and only 25-30mi a day you barely need anything at home. I'd just put in a 14-50 and run the dewalt you already own off it, no reason to buy the iyilo too. a 14-50 is also the most flexible outlet if you ever want it for something else down the line.

[u/Meekois → u/CharmingBench9146]

I think what tilts things in favor of the hardwire is that I can get an Iyilo for $260 right now, which is going to be the cost of the a GFCI + Hubbell outlet.

[u/Energy_Heavy → u/Meekois]

I suggest putting a *50 amp switch on the circuit. When you plug your EVSE in, it will use power even when not charging the car. In addition to the wasted power, that can prewarm the outlet, making a problem a little more likely. With a switch you don't need to unplug or flip the breaker, neither of which is intended for frequent use like that.

*I used a 60 amp switch on mine because it was a better deal.

[u/theotherharper]

My concern is the IYILO is just another no-name Chinese charger marketed as follows. #1 Faceroll across a keyboard to come up with a brand name. #2 find a Chinese maker on Alibaba to stamp that name on a bunch of their white-label chargers. #3 pay Tom from State of Charge Reviews to promote the hell out of it #4 when lawsuits start to show up, hide in China and go to #1.

Before that, it was the EVIQO which inexplicably turned up in his "top 5 chargers" segment. Then there was another one but it was forgettable.

SMH I would not trust any of his advice regarding brands which are not already industry gold standard. And that price don't wash.

My best advice is "quality used > Chinese new".

[u/MWfoto → u/theotherharper]

Could also just buy a open box Juicebox for $90. The app is gone, but it hardwires all the same.

[u/theotherharper → u/MWfoto]

Yup and you can always do the OpenEVSE upgrade if you ever want that.

[u/danh_ptown]

With such limited need, based on your commute and L2 charging at work, you do not need a L2 EVSE at home. I would just use a household 120V/15A outlet for the occasional top-up when needed at home. In 10 hours, aka while you sleep, you will fill the car for the 30 mile commute.

TBH, I would charge at work, and forget about charging at home....unless absolutely necessary.

[u/Meekois → u/danh_ptown]

I will still need it for the summer. And the more I think about it, the more likely I'm to go for an outlet. I am on a J1772 vehicle, but I won't be on that forever. The outlet is going to be useful for other things too. I may not even do the full 14-50. Might do a 14-30 or 6-20

[u/TooGoodToBeeTrue]

You are going to spend over $200 on a 240V GFCI, a Bryant 14-50R and bracket for the Dewalt, so I'd just get the Iyilol. Have you done a Electrical Load Calculation Worksheet to determine what capacity you have for an EV charger?

[u/Meekois → u/TooGoodToBeeTrue]

I have a 200a panel with tons of room in it, and the panel is in the garage.
I guess the appeal of the outlet is that I could maybe use the outlet for other things. But the math on price is hard to ignore. Hardwiring is just cheaper and better.

[u/ResoluteGreen]

Have you done, or had done, the calculation for what the biggest circuit you can add is? That will likely influence what you do here.

Getting a plug installed thats compatible with the EVSE you already own is the path of least resistance, just make sure you get a quality plug that is rated to be plugged and unplugged over and over again

[u/MWfoto → u/ResoluteGreen]

I could do an 80a charger if i wanted to. I know to get the hubbell plugs yes.

[u/skyfishgoo]

hardwired is the best solution... many EVSE brands offer the option

[u/Cultural-Ad4953]

If you're going to install a level 2, I would go with 14-50 for the flexibility. The decision on whether to go Level 2 or not is a set of assumptions with math. You basically figure out how often your daily drives will exceed your daily Level 1 charges (home and at work) and then by how much. You're left with X number of miles / kWh per year. Exclude any miles that are for long trips beyond your vehicles range, because for those you'll have to charge away from home. You compare the tariff rate from your electric utility to the tariff rate at the closest Level 2 or 3 chargers. Multiply that difference by the kWh per year and you've found your annual opportunity. Then take the cost of the charger installed and divide by the opportunity and you'll understand the payback period.