Defective NEMA 14-50 to NEMA 5-15 adapter

454 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by JerryR, 12 d ago

bwilson4web

Discussion Starter · 13 d ago

I ordered an adapter to provide 120 VAC power to a NEMA 14-50, dual-voltage, EVSE and got this mistake:

Both NEMA 14-50 socket receivers go to just one NEMA 5-15 pin ... NO POWER
Center NEMA 14-50 socket receiver, current return, goes to the other NEMA 5-15 pin
Mechanically a good part but electrically, a disaster!

Bob Wilson

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You may want to do a little more research into it. That's not necessarily a bad adapter. The 120v plug doesn't have 240V, so measuring between the two 240V blades is really undefined. If you measure between either side blade and the top blade, you should see 120V.

In some situations, putting 120V on the 240V blades can cause damage to the equipment.

For a Tesla, just order the NEMA 5-15 adapter.

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bwilson4web

Discussion Starter · #3 · 13 d ago

Ed Woodrick said:
You may want to do a little more research into it. That's not necessarily a bad adapter. The 120v plug doesn't have 240V, so measuring between the two 240V blades is really undefined. If you measure between either side blade and the top blade, you should see 120V.

In some situations, putting 120V on the 240V blades can cause damage to the equipment.

For a Tesla, just order the NEMA 5-15 adapter.

A NEMA 14-50 normally has two hots on the opposite, flat insertion sockets with 240 VAC. This is how I've found portable EVSEs configured to use, not the 'current return' and one of the two hot socket slots.

So lets look at the different EVSE design options:

HOT1 and CURRENT RETURN 120 VAC

Works if the adapter and the EVSE use the same two pins. But there is another HOT socket insertion slot. Worse, it puts the load on one side of the house split phase input.

HOT2 and CURRENT RETURN 120 VAC

Works if the adapter and the EVSE use the same two pins. But there is another HOT socket insertion slot. Worse, it puts the load on one side of the house split phase input.

HOT1 and HOT2 120 VAC

The EVSE can use the same socket pins and the dual voltage electronics works on either 240 VAC or 120 VAC. It also balances the house split phase input.

Bob Wilson

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JerryR

· #4 · 12 d ago

bwilson4web said:
I ordered an adapter to provide 120 VAC power to a NEMA 14-50, dual-voltage, EVSE and got this mistake:

Both NEMA 14-50 socket receivers go to just one NEMA 5-15 pin ... NO POWER

Center NEMA 14-50 socket receiver, current return, goes to the other NEMA 5-15 pin

Mechanically a good part but electrically, a disaster!

Bob Wilson

Bob,

That adaptor is designed for a 50 amp RV, not a EV adaptor. It's wired correctly to power an RV.

A 50 AMP RV does not use 240 volts, it just uses 2 separate 120 volt legs in the RV so connecting a single leg to both hots on the 50 amp side will work for for an RV BUT not for an EV.

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Ed Woodrick

· #5 · 12 d ago

I am quite aware of the wiring of the NEMA 14-50 connector and the voltages across the middle flats and the common. And the voltage across the flats is supposed to be 240V, not 120V.
If there EVSEs that do attempt dual voltage conversion across the 240V side, they are doing a hack that isn't recommended and probably not code. If the EVSEs want 120V, they should get it off of the top and either of the side blades, but that's still a bastardization.

If you want 120V or 240V charging, the Tesla mobile connector is relatively cheap and does it correctly, no bastardized "Only can be made in China" adapters required.

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bwilson4web

Discussion Starter · #6 · 12 d ago

It is for my ex-wife and her 2014 BMW i3-REx.

Bob Wilson

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Ed Woodrick

· #7 · 12 d ago

bwilson4web said:
It is for my ex-wife and her 2014 BMW i3-REx.

Bob Wilson

There are still EVSEs that correctly support it. I just looked at Amazon, there are a number of dual-voltage EVSEs, but none, except for a few questionable ones, support the NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 5-15. They use the lower current 240 plugs.
If it is for someone who really doesn't understand what they are doing, then it is MUCH more important that it is done correctly.

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bwilson4web

Discussion Starter · #8 · 12 d ago

Thanks!

Ed Woodrick said:
I just looked at Amazon, there are a number of dual-voltage EVSEs,

I found one candidate for $189.99 that looks promising. With a compatible NEMA 14-50 to NEMA 5-15, it might work. I've asked for access to the Owner's Manual to see if it defaults the current to 10 A at 120 VAC or if it is totally manual. Her previous one was manually set by 'shaking it.'

Bob Wilson

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JerryR

· #9 · 12 d ago (Edited)

bwilson4web said:
current

bwilson4web said:
It is for my ex-wife and her 2014 BMW i3-REx.

Bob Wilson

Bob,

If the BMW uses a standard J1772 plug at the car then most any EV charger should work.

I have a Nissan OEM Charger listed on eBay that I used with my former Leaf. It’s a great EVSE. In fact I’ve been using it with my Tesla with the Tesla J1772 adaptor. It’s made by Panasonic. It will charge with either a 50 amp 240 volt or with the supplied adaptor with a standard 120 V 15 amp outlet.

Edit,
when used with the 120v plug it draws 11.7 amps providing 1.36 kW to the car
when used with the 240 v 50 amp plug it draws 30 amps providing 6.16 kW to the car.

I have it listed for $329 plus $34.99 shipping. If interested send me a PM and we can cut a deal without eBay.

Nissan Leaf EV/EVSE Charger -240v/30 Amps NEMA 14-50 L2 or 120v NEMA 5-15 plug | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nissan Leaf EV/EVSE Charger -240v/30 Amps NEMA 14-50 L2 or 120v NEMA 5-15 plug at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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