(1st post in these forums)
Just bought an off lease 2014 Volt, and have been pondering 240V EVSE options.
Whilst looking at my 30 year old breaker box and considering options, I was reminded of a long simmering project to put a timer on my electric water heater. And it occurred to me that most of the times when I would want the heater turned off would be good times to charge the car.
Which led me to doing some more detailed research into 240V DPDT timers.
Which led me to a couple quick hits on possible candidate timers.
- the GE 15207 ($25 on amazon)
- the Intermatic GM40AV ($60 on amazon)
Hmmm... No digging into the breaker box, just install the timer near the water heater and wire from the unused half of the timer's DPDT relays to the EVSE.
The part that has me scratching my head is the spec'd ratings of the timer relays.
I'll illustrate with part of the GE unit's specs:
What "kind" of load does the EVSE+Volt charger electronics present?
And that 67% derating is a bit concerning...
Comments? Interesting idea? Total insanity?
Just bought an off lease 2014 Volt, and have been pondering 240V EVSE options.
Whilst looking at my 30 year old breaker box and considering options, I was reminded of a long simmering project to put a timer on my electric water heater. And it occurred to me that most of the times when I would want the heater turned off would be good times to charge the car.
Which led me to doing some more detailed research into 240V DPDT timers.
Which led me to a couple quick hits on possible candidate timers.
- the GE 15207 ($25 on amazon)
- the Intermatic GM40AV ($60 on amazon)
Hmmm... No digging into the breaker box, just install the timer near the water heater and wire from the unused half of the timer's DPDT relays to the EVSE.
The part that has me scratching my head is the spec'd ratings of the timer relays.
I'll illustrate with part of the GE unit's specs:
Now obviously the water heater is a resistive load (in my case 4500W on a 30A circuit).Normally Open Contacts
40A Resistive, 120-277Vac.
30A General Purpose, 120-277Vac.
20A Ballast, 120-277Vac.
5.4A Tungsten, 208-277Vac.
720VA, Pilot Duty, 240-277Vac.
Normally Closed Contacts
30A Resistive, 120-277Vac
15A General Purpose, 120-277Vac
20A Ballast, 120-277Vac
360VA, Pilot, 208-240Vac.
NOTE: If loads are connected to both NC and NO contacts,
both contacts are derated to 67% of the above values.
What "kind" of load does the EVSE+Volt charger electronics present?
And that 67% derating is a bit concerning...
Comments? Interesting idea? Total insanity?