Questions about new 220 volt outlet

MX5 · May 22, 2018

I am getting a quote from an Electrician for a 220 volt outlet in the garage to charge the Volt. I got to thinking, the outlet for the dryer looks totally different from what we plug into now in the garage (110), with angled and flat blades and whatnot. I assume this is so you don't plug a 110 device into the 220 outlet and blow it up, which makes sense, but the thing I plug into the wall on the Volt's OE charger is not gonna fit. What do people do? Are there adapters?

2nd question: once I figure out how to plug in the OE charger, will it just "know" that it's now getting 220 vs. the 110 it's been getting up til now, and start charging faster? I don't see a switch or anything to tell it any different, either on the charger or on the screen in the car....

tacman7 · May 22, 2018

The original charger is 110 only. (There's some mods here to change that but that's another story)

You have to buy a level 2 charger ($3-500) on top of installing outlet.

So you should wait until you have the charger so the electrician could put in the right 220v receptacle.

TSquare · May 22, 2018

Yes, you need an adapter. You have to build it yourself or purchase it from someone that builds it.
CAUTION!!!!! ONLY the OM EVSE that comes with the GEN 2 Volts can be plugged into 240 volts un-modified with an adapter.
From your signature, it seems that you have a Gen 1. DO NOT plug your EVSE into a 240 volt socket.

jcanoe · May 22, 2018

MX5 said:
I am getting a quote from an Electrician for a 220 volt outlet in the garage to charge the Volt. I got to thinking, the outlet for the dryer looks totally different from what we plug into now in the garage (110), with angled and flat blades and whatnot. I assume this is so you don't plug a 110 device into the 220 outlet and blow it up, which makes sense, but the thing I plug into the wall on the Volt's OE charger is not gonna fit. What do people do? Are there adapters?

2nd question: once I figure out how to plug in the OE charger, will it just "know" that it's now getting 220 vs. the 110 it's been getting up til now, and start charging faster? I don't see a switch or anything to tell it any different, either on the charger or on the screen in the car....

If this will be a 220 (really 240V) circuit for charging a Volt then it only needs to be a 20 amp circuit. If your electrical panel has capacity then many would suggest installed a 50 amp circuit, or a 40 amp circuit for use with future plug in vehicles.

If you have the latest EVSE that comes with the Gen 2 Volt (note: this must be the latest version of the factory EVSE, there is a whole forum thread on this subject here.) you can plug this EVSE into a 240V outlet with an adapter cable. The EVSE is able to detect that it is plugged into a 240V power oulet and switch to charge at the higher voltage.

MX5 · May 22, 2018

Oh wow - OK thanks. Yes we have a 2014 with 28k miles, purchased in 2016 with only 72 miles on it as leftover new stock from an outstate Chevy dealer.

My wife and I work in the same building, so we drive the Volt most days. Lately we have started plugging in at work also, boosting our range since we moved a few miles further from work a few months back. That is a 110 outlet so I could just leave the OE charger at work.

Norton · May 22, 2018

Or,, you can open your dusty old billfold a little bit more and have true 3.6 kW L2 charging using that dryer outlet.
AND, in a completely safe manner for <$200 !!

https://smile.amazon.com/Duosida-Po...evse+level+2+charger&refinements=p_89:Duosida

MX5 · May 22, 2018

Norton said:
Or,, you can open your dusty old billfold a little bit more and have true 3.6 kW L2 charging using that dryer outlet.
AND, in a completely safe manner for <$200 !!

https://smile.amazon.com/Duosida-Po...evse+level+2+charger&refinements=p_89:Duosida

Well, the laundry room is near the garage, with just a mudroom/pantry type area in between - I assume the Electrician will know all the options.....

MX5 · May 22, 2018

Norton said:
Or,, you can open your dusty old billfold a little bit more and have true 3.6 kW L2 charging using that dryer outlet.
AND, in a completely safe manner for <$200 !!

https://smile.amazon.com/Duosida-Po...evse+level+2+charger&refinements=p_89:Duosida

Is that charger you linked of decent quality?? Price seems great-

TSquare · May 22, 2018

MX5 said:
Is that charger you linked of decent quality?? Price seems great-

Clipper Creek is the members favorite EVSE. It is American made and very well constructed and has an excellent warranty and customer service.

BAZINGA · May 22, 2018

My 240V/30amp dedicated EVSE circuit I had installed to connect my CC LCS-25 to cost me $518 (parts/labor/permits) by a union contractor.

A buddy dropped by with his Tesla for a show and tell and when we plugged it in to his MS85 the car reported drawing 24amps at a charge rate of 17mph. So even a Tesla could easily be charged with my set up, (17 X 10 = 170 miles over night).

caskConditionedAle · May 22, 2018

MX5 said:
Well, the laundry room is near the garage, with just a mudroom/pantry type area in between - I assume the Electrician will know all the options.....

That is exactly my situation. When I built my adapter for my Gen 2, the cord wouldn't fit under the mudroom door . So I cut a little channel in the door sill, allowing the door to close and keep the garage rodents out of the house while I'm charging.

MX5 · May 22, 2018

caskConditionedAle said:
That is exactly my situation. When I built my adapter for my Gen 2, the cord wouldn't fit under the mudroom door . So I cut a little channel in the door sill, allowing the door to close and keep the garage rodents out of the house while I'm charging.

Nice. So far the only critters in that garage are junebugs. Lots of em if we forget to close the garage door into the night :^|

Guest · May 23, 2018

MX5 said:
Oh wow - OK thanks. Yes we have a 2014 with 28k miles, purchased in 2016 with only 72 miles on it as leftover new stock from an outstate Chevy dealer.

OK, if your EVSE (charge cable) has this label on it like my 2015 does, then you CAN plug it into a 240V outlet for level 2 charging:

The guy in this YouTube video attached a 240V plug onto his and it works great:

Guest · May 29, 2018

Had this new cord with car when I bought it (car used) as original cord was not there. American made $200.
http://https://www.quickchargepower.com/featured-products#&gid=1253969639&pid=1\

Hooked it up to my 20 amp 240V air compressor circuit. Just had to change outlet to twist lock style and change end on compressor cord to the same.

Cable management Wire Electrical wiring Cable Technology

Ghost_5oh · May 30, 2018

MX5 said:
Is that charger you linked of decent quality?? Price seems great-

I use this same evse and it works great.

Guest · May 30, 2018

It's hard to tell from your picture, but the link shows a Duosida or Zencar EVSE, which is NOT American made ---- they are made in China. I have one of these and it works well for my 2015 Volt, but it is made in China, if that's a concern for you.

oldstuff · May 30, 2018

robhouston said:
It's hard to tell from your picture, but the link shows a Duosida or Zencar EVSE, which is NOT American made ---- they are made in China. I have one of these and it works well for my 2015 Volt, but it is made in China, if that's a concern for you.

I would imagine that if you were to dismantle a good old "Made in USA"model you would find that the internals were made in China, Japan or South Korea.

saltsman · Jun 5, 2018

I recommend the TurboCord Duo as it will charge at 120 and 240 as needed and is still portable: http://store.evsolutions.com/aerovi...n-ev-charger-120--240-volt-ul-listed-p28.aspx

If you go this route, the electrician can install a NEMA 6-20 which is pretty easy to run wire for.

Questions about new 220 volt outlet

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