Charging a Rivian from various outlets (tried 120v through the 14-50 mobile charger too)

[rpo]

It's a shame the 5-15 mobile adapter doesn't allow amperage adjustment but it's a safety thing for people who don't know a 5-15 from a 5-20. Using the TT30 to 5-15 adapters stacked is not a bad idea if you can support the plugs for a good connection. Going direct to the bus bar on the pedestal is really gutsy, LOL! Won't be long before EV charging gets banned then.

The TT30 does about 25% charge overnight which is fine. Here's how I use two TT30s. One for the EV into the actual TT30R and a 5-15 adapter for the trailer.

However, it's crossed my mind to wire a 60A BR/QP series breaker to a 14-50R with a ground clamp and throw it in the charge kit. If renting a B&B, just open the panel cover and pop the 60 into spare slots and charge off the panel at whatever the mobile unit will muster. Problem being there's no guarantee on what panel someone will have and dangling wires out the front of the panel are less than optimal.

I used to bring a 50 amp breaker and pop it into a garage panel when visiting family in CA with my Tesla. Worked great. Never trusted the wiring to the garage and would usually dial it down to 24-32 amps though.

Sponsored

 

[SwaziCAR]

@rpo and @HaveBlue :

Thanks for the back-and-forth; it may help me not burn down something someday.

FYI, I did find a wiring diagram for another manufacturer's version of the TT-30P/5-15P to 15-40R adapter. It appears (to me) to be wired in the way you both suggested.

Diagram:

Product: https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Plug-Ad...MBoCQCYQAvD_BwE#exp-productdetails=.questions

Again, thanks!

 

[Reed1T]

My solution is, I had a spare Tesla EVSE and threw that into my Rivian. Beside the Tesla unit, I have the Tesla adaptor pack. Has most of the outlets I will ever need.
I have a J-1772 48amp rated extension cord.

Then I have a regular heavy duty 110-120v extension cord.

And obviously, but should say it just in case, have a Teslatap which has been the most useful tool in my kit. There’s Tesla destination chargers all over the place, and they are usually putting out more then a non-Tesla unit it placed right beside.

Maybe I should throw my old Tesla - Chademo adaptor in there for good measure. But I don’t see it ever coming in handy.

 

[Whale Blubber]

I've really enjoyed reading through this thread, but I fear my Dunning-Kruger level on the topic of daisy-chaining EV adapters is reaching dangerous heights.

 

[HaveBlue]

@rpo and @HaveBlue :

Thanks for the back-and-forth; it may help me not burn down something someday.

FYI, I did find a wiring diagram for another manufacturer's version of the TT-30P/5-15P to 15-40R adapter. It appears (to me) to be wired in the way you both suggested.

Diagram:

Product: https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Plug-Ad...MBoCQCYQAvD_BwE#exp-productdetails=.questions

Again, thanks!

Yes that's the RV version. The EV version would not use the W anywhere but instead would use the X or Y in place of the W on the 120V ends.

 

[seatosummit]

I hadn't seen this thread, and I have to say the geek in me absolutely loves it. The attorney in me absolutely hates it though!

I'm super intrigued by the idea of plugging into a hotel parking lot's lamp post. So many hotels are lacking chargers!

I am curious about this light post option, too. Anybody have a picture of an example?

 

[rpo]

I am curious about this light post option, too. Anybody have a picture of an example?

I really thought I had a pic, but the outlet on the lamp post in a hotel parking lot that I made an adapter for was a 240v 30 amp (L6-30?) receptacle. 80% continuous should have meant 24 amps available, but there was a very concerning amount of voltage sag of 30 volts (probably because the lights were on this circuit too), so I dialed it down to something like 12-14 amps, and it was fine.

 

[seatosummit]

I really thought I had a pic, but the outlet on the lamp post in a hotel parking lot that I made an adapter for was a 240v 30 amp (L6-30?) receptacle. 80% continuous should have meant 24 amps available, but there was a very concerning amount of voltage sag of 30 volts (probably because the lights were on this circuit too), so I dialed it down to something like 12-14 amps, and it was fine.

Interesting, thanks for the info.

Was this an ad hoc cable you made specific to one visit to a particular hotel? Or have you found these types of sockets on lamp posts regularly?

 

[rpo]

Interesting, thanks for the info.

Was this an ad hoc cable you made specific to one visit to a particular hotel? Or have you found these types of sockets on lamp posts regularly?

Yep, I was at this hotel in northern Idaho for a week, and saw the outlet upon arrival. I carry a cheap voltage tester in my EVs and found there was 240v, and then asked the hotel if I could use it to charge. They did not care, so I went to the local hardware store and bought a couple feet of wire and the receptacle/plug and made the adapter on the spot. Used it again at the same hotel a couple more times too in subsequent years too.

 

[seatosummit]

Yep, I was at this hotel in northern Idaho for a week, and saw the outlet upon arrival. I carry a cheap voltage tester in my EVs and found there was 240v, and then asked the hotel if I could use it to charge. They did not care, so I went to the local hardware store and bought a couple feet of wire and the receptacle/plug and made the adapter on the spot. Used it again at the same hotel a couple more times too in subsequent years too.

I see. Sounds like you travel in a similar style to me. I almost always have an assortment of SOOW cables, NEMA 14-50 receptacles, breakers and plugs. Can be very useful if you are willing to spend the time creating the adapter.

I will be on the lookout for outlets on the base of light posts moving forward!

 

[HaveBlue]

Here's a table of the residential Nema plugs. The L series commercial are the round twist lock types.

 

[JamesTiberius]

Hi all, bought this off off Amazon…take two non parallel 120V (non GFI) and connected to make 240V with 14/50 male. Also got the 50amp breaker off of Amazon for added security. Charger is good at 32 Amps!

 

[JamesTiberius]

Here is the rest of the equipment…

 

[rpo]

Hi all, bought this off off Amazon…take two non parallel 120V (non GFI) and connected to make 240V with 14/50 male. Also got the 50amp breaker off of Amazon for added security. Charger is good at 32 Amps!

Just to confirm, you are not trying to pull 32 amps through two 120v outlets, right? That is double (or more) what should be used or you will be flipping breakers or causing more mayhem.

 

[HaveBlue]

Yea but he's got a 50a breaker so all good.

Sponsored