Make your own retractable celling mount EVSE charging cord

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JohnGarland

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2014
Messages
10
Location
Atlanta, Georgia
Here is the retractable celling mount I made for my EVSE. Click the link for pics. http://imgur.com/a/wG4nZ

I got the idea from gm-volt.com/forum member stevengraff. http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?66354-eBay-Ceiling-mounted-EVSE-cord-set/page2

Parts list:
1. ($11) Velcro One Wrap Strap 30 FT. X 1.5-Inch Black (cut into eight 4” sections and one 10” section ) http://www.amazon.com/Velcro-Wrap-Straps-Black-91372/dp/B00404ULFQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404518244&sr=8-3&keywords=one+wrap+velcro Obviously there was alot left over.
2. ($19) VDOMUS Chromed Retractable Clothesline, Laundry Line. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IGSHXO4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3. ($3) Nine 2” wood screws
4. ($1) Nine ¼” washers
5. Total cost = $34 (with lots of leftover velcro one wrap – always handy to have around)

How to – really easy: Cut the Velcro one wrap down to size. Make a small hole in the center of each (I used an x-acto knife). Insert screw into washer (to better distribute the load on the Velcro). Insert screw into Velcro. Screw screw into wall. Wrap Velcro around the cord. Repeat. Note: I made the last piece of Velcro extra long so I could wrap up the excess cord to make it the perfect length, but still be able to easily unwrap it to make it longer if needed.

Mount retractable clothesline to the same joist as the last Velcro wrap. Wrap end of the clothesline line around the EVESE cord and then zip-tie the cord to itself.
Note: Zip-ting it allows you to create slack in the clothesline loop if you want to take the EVSE cord out of the clothesline or move the loop move up and down the EVESE cord so you can position it just right.

The retractable clothesline is not strong enough to lift the EVSE cord and handle on its own. However, the clothesline easily retracts the EVSE cord when you take the weight off the clothesline by lifting the EVSE handle up towards the celling. The clothesline also has enough tension that it will remain in whatever position you leave the EVSE cord in.
Note: To get the clothesline fully retracted I have to hold the EVSE cord on either side of the clothesline when I lift (to take enough weight off the clothesline to allow it to retract fully). However, I don’t need it fully retracted. Even when I only lift the EVSE cord with one hand the bottom of the EVSE cord it high enough for my 5'10" self to walk under. FYI - my garage ceiling is 11ft

Enjoy

FYI: I have a Clipper Creek HCS-40P (NEMA 14-50 plug / 25’ cord / 240 Volt / 30 Amp / $667.44 w/ shipping)
Note: Because NEMA 14-50 plugs are rated at 50 Amps you have to put in 50 Amp wiring and breakers even though the unit only uses 30 Amps.
 
VERY cool. I did something similar, but because I have a shorter cord I did it a different way...I might revert to your method, though.

I ended up attached a strong magnet to my joists in the garage using jbweld (I have a lower ceiling than you), and using a carabiner with a built in magnet that I found at home depot to the end of my cable. That way I can just pull on the handle and it disconnects, and connect to my car. When done, just lift it back up and get it near the magnet it and it does the rest.

The slack in the cable is held by a simple bungie cord.

IMG_0163.jpg


JohnGarland said:
Here is the retractable celling mount I made for my EVSE. Click the link for pics. http://imgur.com/a/wG4nZ

I got the idea from gm-volt.com/forum member stevengraff. http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?66354-eBay-Ceiling-mounted-EVSE-cord-set/page2

Parts list:
1. ($11) Velcro One Wrap Strap 30 FT. X 1.5-Inch Black (cut into eight 4” sections and one 10” section ) http://www.amazon.com/Velcro-Wrap-Straps-Black-91372/dp/B00404ULFQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404518244&sr=8-3&keywords=one+wrap+velcro Obviously there was alot left over.
2. ($19) VDOMUS Chromed Retractable Clothesline, Laundry Line. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IGSHXO4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3. ($3) Nine 2” wood screws
4. ($1) Nine ¼” washers
5. Total cost = $34 (with lots of leftover velcro one wrap – always handy to have around)

How to – really easy: Cut the Velcro one wrap down to size. Make a small hole in the center of each (I used an x-acto knife). Insert screw into washer (to better distribute the load on the Velcro). Insert screw into Velcro. Screw screw into wall. Wrap Velcro around the cord. Repeat. Note: I made the last piece of Velcro extra long so I could wrap up the excess cord to make it the perfect length, but still be able to easily unwrap it to make it longer if needed.

Mount retractable clothesline to the same joist as the last Velcro wrap. Wrap end of the clothesline line around the EVESE cord and then zip-tie the cord to itself.
Note: Zip-ting it allows you to create slack in the clothesline loop if you want to take the EVSE cord out of the clothesline or move the loop move up and down the EVESE cord so you can position it just right.

The retractable clothesline is not strong enough to lift the EVSE cord and handle on its own. However, the clothesline easily retracts the EVSE cord when you take the weight off the clothesline by lifting the EVSE handle up towards the celling. The clothesline also has enough tension that it will remain in whatever position you leave the EVSE cord in.
Note: To get the clothesline fully retracted I have to hold the EVSE cord on either side of the clothesline when I lift (to take enough weight off the clothesline to allow it to retract fully). However, I don’t need it fully retracted. Even when I only lift the EVSE cord with one hand the bottom of the EVSE cord it high enough for my 5'10" self to walk under. FYI - my garage ceiling is 11ft

Enjoy

FYI: I have a Clipper Creek HCS-40P (NEMA 14-50 plug / 25’ cord / 240 Volt / 30 Amp / $667.44 w/ shipping)
Note: Because NEMA 14-50 plugs are rated at 50 Amps you have to put in 50 Amp wiring and breakers even though the unit only uses 30 Amps.
 
Thanks for sharing your pictures. We ordered the same ClipperCreek EVSE and waiting for is arrival. We should look into ordering the items from your list after checking the garage door opener's placement as well as all the things stored in the garage.
 
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