[hallo2022]

I need to overcome 56 ft from my home 240 V 50 amp outlet to my 2018 Chevy Bolt in the driveway

Can I safely connect this charger:

Amazon.com: Lectron 240V-32 Amp, Level 2 EV Charger, with 21ft Long J1772 Charging Cable & NEMA 14-50 Plug : Automotive

to this extension cord:

Amazon.com: Lectron 40ft/12m J1772 Extension Cable Compatible with All J1772 EV Chargers - Flexible Charging for Your Electric Vehicle : Automotive

to be able to charge at level 2?

Or is there a better / cheaper way to do this?

 

[MichBolt]

I need to overcome 56 ft from my home 240 V 50 amp outlet to my 2018 Chevy Bolt in the driveway

Can I safely connect this charger:

Amazon.com: Lectron 240V-32 Amp, Level 2 EV Charger, with 21ft Long J1772 Charging Cable & NEMA 14-50 Plug : Automotive

to this extension cord:

Amazon.com: Lectron 40ft/12m J1772 Extension Cable Compatible with All J1772 EV Chargers - Flexible Charging for Your Electric Vehicle : Automotive

to be able to charge at level 2?

Or is there a better / cheaper way to do this?

It depends on how you define "safely." It's not to code (no extension cords for permanent use) or J-1772 specification (25 ft max). However, it will work.

You'll have to consider why the spec has a 25 ft limitation, and why code generally does not approve of extension cords for "permanent" installations. Then decide for yourself how you will define "safely."

It might be worth getting a quote to have a circuit run to a location closer to where the Bolt is parked.

 

[jefro]

Is it possible to get closer and use 120 volt?

 

[Dark-Fx]

It depends on how you define "safely." It's not to code (no extension cords for permanent use) or J-1772 specification (25 ft max). However, it will work.

You'll have to consider why the spec has a 25 ft limitation, and why code generally does not approve of extension cords for "permanent" installations. Then decide for yourself how you will define "safely."

It might be worth getting a quote to have a circuit run to a location closer to where the Bolt is parked.

J1772 spec limits cable length because of cable management concerns. Being able to disconnect the middle of the cable kind of eliminates that concern.

 

[Passing Lane]

I need to overcome 56 ft from my home 240 V 50 amp outlet to my 2018 Chevy Bolt in the driveway
Or is there a better / cheaper way to do this?

Yes - we have a Mustart level 2 charger which doesn't reach our RV 50 amp plug - so we bought a straight forward 25 foot 50 amp RV extension cord which works fine.
Concerns about extending heavy electrical loads need to take into account the amperage draw - and I think the maximum draw on 240 volts is 36 amps - well within the capabilities of this setup. I agree with others here that it's not supposed to be a permanent solution - but we have used this extension setup for over 20 years with our RVs. Even when drawing a full load (2 air conditioners, microwave, hot water heater) in the trailers, the cord got hotter when sitting in the sun not connected to anything.
We bought one of these to reach our Bolt:

VEVOR 15Ft 50 Amp RV Extension Cord Durable Premium Power Cord RV 26.5mm Wire Diameter Extension Cord Copper Wire RV Cord Power Supply Cable for Trailer Motorhome Camper with Handles : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

VEVOR 15Ft 50 Amp RV Extension Cord Durable Premium Power Cord RV 26.5mm Wire Diameter Extension Cord Copper Wire RV Cord Power Supply Cable for Trailer Motorhome Camper with Handles : Amazon.ca: Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.ca

There are longer ones available of course - whatever length suits your needs.

 

[PeanutMan]

It would cost less than $50 in materials to just move the outlet🤷‍♂️

It does not require much skill, theres only 4 wires to work with and they are all colored. Just turn off the breaker- red to red, black to black etc w/ wire nuts or in the existing box and install a new box 10' closer. Would cost like $500 for an electrician to do it. Then jusr buy a charger with a 50' cord. You'll be in under $1500 even paying someone

 

[jefro]

turn off and TEST for voltage

 

[Vicki37]

I need to overcome 56 ft from my home 240 V 50 amp outlet to my 2018 Chevy Bolt in the driveway

Can I safely connect this charger:

Amazon.com: Lectron 240V-32 Amp, Level 2 EV Charger, with 21ft Long J1772 Charging Cable & NEMA 14-50 Plug : Automotive

to this extension cord:

Amazon.com: Lectron 40ft/12m J1772 Extension Cable Compatible with All J1772 EV Chargers - Flexible Charging for Your Electric Vehicle : Automotive

to be able to charge at level 2?

Or is there a better / cheaper way to do this?

This is the extension cord I use for years, I have a SolarEdge Level 2 charger that doesn’t go all the way to where the car is parked. So I purchased that Amazon extension you linked and works like a charm.

I understand the ‘up to code’ concerns expressed here but to be honest the Bolt Level II charging capacity is so low in amps and is below the rated capacity of the breaker and cables used here making the risk a non issue.

 

[jdunmyer]

Personally, I'd use a 240 volt cord like this:
Amazon.com: CircleCord UL Listed 50 Amp 30 Feet RV/EV Extension Cord, Heavy Duty 6/3+8/1 Gauge STW Wire with Cord Organizer and Storage Bag, NEMA 14-50P Plug Suit for Electric Vehicle and RV Campers : Automotive

However, I wouldn't be too non-cholent about the thing. If the connectors become oxidized, they'll heat up and cause problems. I had that experience with a 30-amp extension cord with my RV. The connectors literally welded themselves together. No fire danger, as they were outside, but I had to replace both connectors. A continuous 32 amp draw demands good, clean, non-oxidized connections throughout.

 

[PeanutMan]

You will get tired of replacing RV extension cords. The wires are not true AWG, the connections burn/ oxidize fast in himid weather. Just do it right.

 

[jmcbrew]

RV extension cords work well. I had a 30' 30 amp extension cord and put 10-30 ends on it. I have actually charged at 32 amps through it just fine, but technically, it should be used at 24 amps. Obviously, it would be ideal to have a 50 amp RV extension. Check Facebook Marketplace and other online sources for used ones. Lots of people getting rid of RV accessories they no longer use.

 

[Kbecker]

Would it help to slather the RV extension cord connectors with dielectric grease? I have no horse in this race, just curious.

 

[obsoperator]

Amazon sells plenty of extension cords. You don't indicate if you have to route the cord through doors or walls, which adds additional safety issues. One intermediate safety measure would be to buy a 30-50 amp rated extension cord, but set the EVSE to charge at 24 amps. I do that because I have low daily mileage and all night to recharge the nights I do so, and I want to baby my battery anyway. My point is that heating of the cord and the connections is proportional to the current drawn. (My plug is right behind the car, in the garage.) If you might get a Tesla, or have a very long commute, you should move the outlet properly.

 

[jefro]

I have mixed feelings about dielectric grease. On one had it should help prevent oxidation and helps thing both put together and pull apart easily. It can also attract dust and dirt. Saying that I did apply it and some silicon spray to my EVSE connector. We used to use it in the Navy to help prevent corrosion.
The proper way to make an outdoor connection is usually in a weatherproof box that is above ground level.
It was mentioned above that a cord is a temporary way to supply power. If you intend to use it on a regular basis then one should make a permanent install.

 

[jmcbrew]

These covers are used for RVs. It's not a "box" in that it doesn't have a bottom. It is a cover that keeps rain/snow off of the connection.

 

[jefro]

I've see some of those that have a post to go into dirt and covers connections.

 

[rgmichel]

QuickChargePOwer.com has the JLONG™ - 40 Amp, J1772 extension cable. I have the 40 ft version, and it works fine. Its has the safety control wires in it. My total run from the breaker box to my garage through the 18 ft of the charger, plus the extension cable is 118 ft, with no resultant problems. I describe this in further detail in another post here.

 

[Sean Nelson]

I suspect that the two biggest reasons that J1772 prohibits the use of extension cords are:

(a) the threat of wear and tear on an exposed cable that may not be as rugged as the one specified for the charger itself, and

(b) the possibility of disconnecting the cord while charging is in progress.

So if you understand those risks and are confident that you can mitigate them, then IMHO an extension cord of sufficient gauge really isn't any different than a wired outlet in terms of charging functionality.

 

[rgmichel]

I suspect that the two biggest reasons that J1772 prohibits the use of extension cords are:
(a) the threat of wear and tear on an exposed cable that may not be as rugged as the one specified for the charger itself, and
(b) the possibility of disconnecting the cord while charging is in progress.
........

I believe there is a control wire in the charge cord to address the disconnection problem and wired with the switch on the J1772 connector. My extension cord has the extra wire necessary, see my comments elsewhere on this BBS. If you buy a regular extension cord, then you don't have the control wire, and so disconnection would be a real problem, because you would be disconnecting possibly during high power transfer, causing sparks, burnt connectors and so on. So... don't buy a regular extension cord. Its a no-no.

 

[Sean Nelson]

I believe there is a control wire in the charge cord to address the disconnection problem and wired with the switch on the J1772 connector.

Yes, of course that's true of a "real" charger extension that uses J1772 connectors, as (presumably) is the ruggedized cable. I was referring to conventional extension cords with a NEMA 5-15 plug and socket.