Charger Installation

[ColinSummers]

My charger is in. Did I win? Am I first?

[ChrisC]

See the front page?

[WopOnTour]

My charger is in. Did I win? Am I first?

To avoid any nastiness or any "time zone" silliness, we'll just call it a draw! LOL
WopOnTour

[Lyle]

I think we're all winners Colin.

Congratulations! Its a great feeling isn't it. I love the charger, it is so much nicer than the old MINI E Clipper Creek model. Do you have a pic of yours?

[the43k]

Couple questions...

1. Is NJ included in any of the free home charging systems? I know NJ is included in the first group of Volt States.
2. What is the recommended wire gauge size for any of these chargers? What would be a better wire gauge for a customer who wanted to be proactive for the next generation of chargers?

[ColinSummers]

69341_815475363675_428085_44702101_3690624_n.jpg

Fifty minutes later this was attached to the wall. Yes, the wall is painted. (It's also plywood, since I'm in a seismic zone, an architect, and always interested in reducing the risk of the buildings going flat. That makes that wall of the 1930s garage a shear panel.)

It was amazing how fast the installers worked. If this was invoiced out at $1,200 then it was two guys for $600/hr. Not quite what my lawyer friends charge, but more than the guys in Detroit are getting to build the Volt.

Now I feel like I am on a countdown until either a) I get the car or b) my head explodes from the anticipation.

[ColinSummers]

The green LEDs look like two eyes.

[Marty]

The Voltec is a 16A charger (20-amp breaker) so 12-ga is adequate. For the 32A chargers (40A breaker), use 8-ga minimum.

[Lyle]

It does look like two eyes and the handle is like a nose and the whole thing a face. It keeps staring at me, asking "where is the Volt?"

Paint. Nice.

[Mike-o-Matic]

Actually, the wire gauge you want to use is a function of both the capacity it needs, and the distance from your breaker panel. The longer the run, the heavier the gauge should be. You should always refer to a good reference table. When in doubt, use the next physically-larger gauge wire (smaller gauge number). Or just hire a pro... beats burnin' down your garage! :-)