Smart Car 240V outlet change to run brewing system.

[T.Benne]

Recently bought a house where the previous owner had a smart car charging in the garage running 240V. From what I can tell it looks to be setup and connected to a different meter outside the house than my existing electrical box that powers the house. The outlet in the garage looks to be NEMA 6-30 and I'd like it setup for the typical 14-30 receptacle. Would this be an easy job I could tackle myself or bite the bullet and dish out what I was quoted to have the pro do it?

 

[MMP126]

May be a better question for an electrical/home improvement forum.

Me personally, I would have a professional do it. Screwed up electrical is pretty close to the top of the list for causes of house fires. Not to say we havent all done some electrical work around the house. That higher voltage just makes me more nervous than just changing a socket or a light switch...just me though.

 

[T.Benne]

Yeah, you're probably right. I was just thinking that it couldn't be that much work to be done and if it were something small I'd try tackling it. Thanks I'll try that forum!

 

[doug293cz]

If the car charging outlet is connected to a separate meter, that strongly implies that there is a special electric rate for car charging. Using the circuit from that meter for your brewery might get you in trouble with the electric company.

Brew on

 

[T.Benne]

Yeah but I'd save a few pennies based in my state. I'll just tell them my car runs on beer, so no one gets upset.

 

[Harleybrew32]

most likely there is no neutral in the box, unless they capped it off and tucked it in the back.
then i would say change it out and if the power company says something, just say my brother or brotherinlaw sometimes stops by and charges his car while he visits

 

[Deadalus]

I don't think the breaker on the line is gfci. You can check that at the panel it would have a tester on it. If it has the tester, which I am doubtful of, the line would likely have a neutral. If you can see the actual line going into the meter for instance, you could maybe read the print on it and determine how many wires are in it. Is there a separate panel from the meter or a just a couple breakers integrated with the meter? I'm curious about the setup I haven't seen a home charging station.

 

[doug293cz]

I don't think the breaker on the line is gfci. You can check that at the panel it would have a tester on it. If it has the tester, which I am doubtful of, the line would likely have a neutral. If you can see the actual line going into the meter for instance, you could maybe read the print on it and determine how many wires are in it. Is there a separate panel from the meter or a just a couple breakers integrated with the meter? I'm curious about the setup I haven't seen a home charging station.

A GFCI does not need a neutral to operate, or for the Test button to work correctly.

Brew on

 

[T.Benne]

The red arrow is what the electric car wires is connected up to that run over to the garage, the blue line runs to my panel inside the house (behind this wall). The car panel box is opened in the 2nd photo and the last is the panel inside my home.

 

[Deadalus]

A GFCI does not need a neutral to operate, or for the Test button to work correctly.

Brew on

I mentioned the tester switch to help him identify whether there is a GFCI breaker he might be able to use. It might have been run that way just to hook it up for future proofing. You're right though.

The second meter draws power through the first one. You'd have to have the meter shut off to work on the car panel, there's no shutoff. I was reading that sometimes those car panels have built in GFI protection but I don't know if you could convert that panel to your use. I thought maybe it was built like a regular panel or subpanel but it's more than just switching in a new breaker. If you can turn the power off in the car panel (says on off but upside down and I can't read the writing), you could open the plug and see if there is a neutral coming in to it. Or turn the power off in that panel and feel the line AFTER the car panel and you might be able to count the wires. Then you might be able to use the line itself but might have to change the panel out.

Your main panel is only 100 amps. That's not particularly large for a modern house, although lights aren't as much a draw these days with LEDs. A kettle with a 5500 watt element is going to pull over 20 amps plus some for the pumps. What's on the 40 amp circuit, an electric stove? No electric water heater? I don't know, might be a lot for the main panel to supply a brewing rig.

You probably do need an electrician for this job though, it's not looking like it will break your way favorably. Good luck I'd be interested in the solution.

 

[T.Benne]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I was doing a little research and came across this adapter, since the garage is already running 240 couldn't I technically just run this adapter and connect my brew system that way? I know 100 amps isn't a lot for the main panel, but if I just have to not run the stove or dryer during brewing thats fine by me. The 40 amp breaker you asked about connects the stove.

 

[doug293cz]

Have you determined if you have GFCI protection in your panel?

Brew on

 

[Harleybrew32]

we call that a Duck or quack quack disconnect, you pull it out and flip it over to disconnect.
after seeing that photo i would say there is no neutral in the outlet.
and those adapters use the ground as a neutral. not very safe around liquids in my book.
how close is your panel to where you brew? may be easier just hooking up a new twist-loc and doubling up on your dryer breaker(just dont do laundry when you brew) and make a long cable to reach your brew stand.

 

[T.Benne]

No GFCI protection in the panel. The panel would be on the opposite side of the home to where the garage is attached.

 

[Harleybrew32]

No GFCI protection in the panel. The panel would be on the opposite side of the home to where the garage is attached.

is it in the basement, is the basement unfinished? you could run a 8-3 romex to the garage install a 2pole gfci breaker you could get a 50amp breaker to protect you and your equipment. that will give you 2 hots a neutral and a ground.