Yeah the wire is already rated at higher than 15amps. It is safe if it is modern wiring. I wouldn’t do it with knob-and-tube, but any solid core 14awg thhn should work at 12 amps continuously. Just use the right extension cord. Hell worst case you could probable just swap the head on a 20amp extension cord to a 15amp head, and never have to worry about the cord at all.
Comment on Don't overthink electric car charging (we should be doing it differently)
ch00f@lemmy.world 5 days agoStandard outlets are rated for 15A. The vehicle is already de-rating by 20% per NEC requirements for any appliance running for more than 3 hours continuously (which is how you get 1800W hair dryers but only 1440W space heaters).
Assuming code was followed for your house wiring, nothing is at risk there.
Then it’s just a matter of buying the right extension cord. Note that the vehicle will refuse to charge if the input voltage drops below a certain level (in my car, I think it’s around 110V).
So you only have to worry about a 10V drop at 12A or 120W of heat dissipation. Assuming all of this happens inside your extension cord, you just need to make sure you don’t coil it up too tightly (or, better, don’t use such a cheap cord).
MrTolkinghoen@lemmy.zip 5 days ago
CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de 4 days ago
Assuming code was followed for your house wiring, nothing is at risk there.
Big assumption, because houses aren’t all on NEC 2014, or 1999. Also assumes the circuit isn’t in use for other things - garage door openers are very convenient and are supposed to be on a reserved circuit, assumes that the connections are tight, and oxidation free.
There are reports of new dryer outlets melting because while they meet code, they aren’t constructed to run full output for 12h+ straight, charging a Silverado. Never mind the 1965 Bakelite outlet in the garage.
I agree with your point in concept but in practice it’s best to get a good electrician to run a new circuit from the box in even somewhat recent construction.
ch00f@lemmy.world 4 days ago
but in practice it’s best to get a good electrician to run a new circuit from the box in even somewhat recent construction
The photo you linked was a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician. Mistakes/freak accidents happen. As I said in another comment, think of how many millions of households use 1440W space heaters indoors and don’t burn down. That’s what TC is advocating here. By and large, it’s completely safe.
femtek@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 days ago
It was installed to code for a dryer, not a car.
ch00f@lemmy.world 4 days ago
That’s the same code.
Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 4 days ago
Right.
As TC has covered this before, consumers are clueless (and cheap) about extension cords.
Also, just because code is/has changed, doesn’t address current homes and also imperfect installs. How often have I seen loose screws on outlets…
No, charging for high current, long charge time items like this should be like any other high current, long-run devices like stoves, dryers, etc, using a dedicated, properly sized circuit.
I don’t want my house burning down because my neighbor was clueless and caught they’re lithium battery on fire.
ch00f@lemmy.world 4 days ago
Right, but people use space heaters all the time inside their homes. This is even less dangerous because people tend not to park their cars on carpet.
If we’re worried about pulling 12A out of a 15A outlet, there is much more to be worried about before we get to cars.