How best to run these circuits?

[Mike1903]

The house is about 75 ft x 30 ft, with the longer side running parallel to the street. Looking at the house, the main panel is on the left hand side and the garage and the yard are on the right hand side. I need to put an EV charger in the garage, install a 220V run to the gazebo for radiant heaters and also a connection to hook generator hook into it. The main panel has plenty of room.

Looking for recommendations/suggestions to best run these circuits:
A. Bring a subpanel to the garage and run EV charger, Gazebo heater from there. Run a circuit for generator inlet to the main panel.
B. Run individual circuits from the main panel to the garage/gazebo/generator inlet.

Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[jeepxj]

2 car garage? they make EV chargers that will split a 50a circuit and figure out which car gets what without overloading the supply. some people also may want 2 full 50a circuits there.

the generator has to go back to the main for the interlock to work. so no matter what you're at 2 home runs if you went subpanel. if you're ok with just a 50a service for the EV then i'd just home run all 3 and call it a day.

 

[Mike1903]

2 car garage? they make EV chargers that will split a 50a circuit and figure out which car gets what without overloading the supply. some people also may want 2 full 50a circuits there.

the generator has to go back to the main for the interlock to work. so no matter what you're at 2 home runs if you went subpanel. if you're ok with just a 50a service for the EV then i'd just home run all 3 and call it a day.

thx and you make a good point… it is a 2 car garage and I can see the need for charging two cars in future. EV charger needs to be an 80A circuit to fast charge the massive battery in the upcoming f-150 electric.

 

[jeepxj]

thx and you make a good point… it is a 2 car garage and I can see the need for charging two cars in future. EV charger needs to be an 80A circuit to fast charge the massive battery in the upcoming f-150 electric.

not necessarily. the real gain on the 80a circuit is to backfeed to the transfer switch for backup power if the grid does down. If thats something you're interested in then you absolutely need to home run it back to the main panel. if its not then the math:

50a circuit = 9.6kw.

9.6kw for 12 hours is 115kwh.
9.6kw for 14 hours is 134kwh.

the long range version will have 155kwh capacity.

So even on the big pack a basic 50a circuit will get you nearly a full tank every night. that means leaving every morning at 100% and returning at 15%.

unless you're driving an hour to the job site; using the onboard electrical all day; then driving home I struggle to justify slapping in a 100a service for the F150. but on the other hand overkill never hurt anything.

 

[Mike1903]

not necessarily. the real gain on the 80a circuit is to backfeed to the transfer switch for backup power if the grid does down. If thats something you're interested in then you absolutely need to home run it back to the main panel. if its not then the math:

50a circuit = 9.6kw.

9.6kw for 12 hours is 115kwh.
9.6kw for 14 hours is 134kwh.

the long range version will have 155kwh capacity.

So even on the big pack a basic 50a circuit will get you nearly a full tank every night. that means leaving every morning at 100% and returning at 15%.

unless you're driving an hour to the job site; using the onboard electrical all day; then driving home I struggle to justify slapping in a 100a service for the F150. but on the other hand overkill never hurt anything.

Thx so much for the details. Now that i think more about, i think I only need two circuits. One for the gazebo and one for charging EVs. I just need a way to find to be able to use the 80a circuit for backfeed either via the truck or the generator.

 

[jeepxj]

Thx so much for the details. Now that i think more about, i think I only need two circuits. One for the gazebo and one for charging EVs. I just need a way to find to be able to use the 80a circuit for backfeed either via the truck or the generator.

While that would be ideal I'm not seeing a safe way to do the generator backfeed.

What is stopping you from from putting a generator inlet in by the panel itself and saving the long run?

Reliance Controls 50 Amp Power Inlet Box PB50 - The Home Depot

This 50 Amp power inlet box is designed for outdoor use and can be hardwired directly to a manual transfer switch or transfer panel, eliminating need for cords running through windows or doors. This raintight

www.homedepot.com

will look fine on the exterior by the panel. then you can interlock it on the main like normal.

for the EV/heater then i'd consider putting a 100a subpanel into the garage. from there you've opened up options. in theory down the line you could put in 2 EV chargers and just schedule them to start charging after midnite. then you wont cross over into gazebo heater time.

 

[Mike1903]

While that would be ideal I'm not seeing a safe way to do the generator backfeed.

What is stopping you from from putting a generator inlet in by the panel itself and saving the long run?

Reliance Controls 50 Amp Power Inlet Box PB50 - The Home Depot

This 50 Amp power inlet box is designed for outdoor use and can be hardwired directly to a manual transfer switch or transfer panel, eliminating need for cords running through windows or doors. This raintight

www.homedepot.com

will look fine on the exterior by the panel. then you can interlock it on the main like normal.

for the EV/heater then i'd consider putting a 100a subpanel into the garage. from there you've opened up options. in theory down the line you could put in 2 EV chargers and just schedule them to start charging after midnite. then you wont cross over into gazebo heater time.

The generator is on the opposite side of the house away from the panel. I have two choices for the generator inlet:
- Install it by the panel like you suggested and then carry a 100 ft cable to attach the generator to the inlet.
- Hardwire the generator inlet closer to the generator so that I can use a shorter cable (say 25') to connect generator to the inlet.

It is a choice between dealing with a big cable versus a short cable + hardwired run.

 

[nadogail]

Without pictures or a drawing I am unable to offer a considered opinion.
No matter what plan you choose, someone will have a different opinion.

 

[FMB4]

Sounds like you're running/installing the EV circuits yourself. If so, I recommend that you a hire a professional electrician, or E crew, that has experience with installing EV charging stations.

 

[Mike1903]

Without pictures or a drawing I am unable to offer a considered opinion.
No matter what plan you choose, someone will have a different opinion.

fair point...attach is the rough sketch showing the location of panel, EV, Gazebo and generator.

 

[Mike1903]

Sounds like you're running/installing the EV circuits yourself. If so, I recommend that you a hire a professional electrician, or E crew, that has experience with installing EV charging stations.

I am not installing it myself....planning out my options with other circuits that i need and then, have a Pro install. I am fine running the gazebo/generator hookup myself.