I’m beyond excited to finally have a Ram 1500 REV on order, but I’m realizing I need to get my garage setup ready for that massive battery pack! Since the REV has such a high charging capacity, I’m looking for a Level 2 home charger that can really keep up—ideally something reliable and weather-resistant since my garage can get pretty damp. I’ve been looking at the Emporia and ChargePoint units, but I'm curious if anyone has found specific cable management tools or heavy-duty adapters that work best with the Ram's port placement. Does anyone have a preferred 48-amp charger or specific accessories they’d recommend for a full-size electric truck setup?
ngl, I spent months prepping for a heavy battery like the REV's. I ended up grabbing the Grizzl-E Classic Level 2 EV Charger 40 Amp for under $400 because it's built like a literal tank for damp spots. It doesn't have the fancy apps, but it's cheap and reliable. Honestly, for the cable, just get a heavy-duty Iron Forge Cable 30 Ft Outdoor Extension Cord Reel to keep it off the wet floor. gl!
Honestly, for that massive REV battery, I've been super happy with the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger 48 Amp. It’s basically the best value for a hardwired setup and handles damp garages like a champ.
* **Emporia:** Cheap, solid app, and reliable.
* **ChargePoint:** The ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV Charger 50 Amp is more premium but has a way better cable for cold/damp weather.
Also, definitely grab a Lectron EV Charger Nozzle Holster and Cable Organizer to keep that heavy cord off the floor. GL with the truck!
Quick question before I get into the weeds with technical specs—how far is your panel from where the truck will sit? In my experience, if ur looking to save cash on the install, the distance is actually the biggest cost driver for a 48-amp circuit because of the heavy-gauge wire needed.
Tbh, I’m going to go against the grain a bit here. Everyone jumps for the 48-amp hardwired setups because the REV has that huge battery, but I think people *actually* overspend on the hardware side more than they need to. If you’re trying to keep costs down, you might want to look at the Autel MaxiCharger Home Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger instead of the bigger names mentioned. I've been tracking market prices and it’s pretty much the best bang for your buck right now, especially with its weather rating for damp garages. Also, I'm not totally convinced everyone needs to max out their circuit. Unless you’re draining that massive battery to zero every single day, a 40-amp plug-in setup is often way cheaper to install and still gets the job done overnight. Basically, check your local utility company before buying anything—a lot of them offer massive rebates for specific 'smart' chargers that make the unit nearly free. Just my two cents from watching how these prices fluctuate, but don't feel like you have to spend $600+ just because the truck is a beast.
Basically, as someone who has done a few of these installs, I really gotta emphasize the safety side of a DIY setup for a battery this big. The Ram REV is a total beast, and if you are aiming for that 48-amp max, you absolutely have to hardwire the unit. Most consumer-grade NEMA 14-50 outlets are not actually designed for the extreme thermal stress of pulling that much current for 10 plus hours straight. I went the DIY route myself but was super cautious about heat management. Here is what I used to make sure everything stayed cool and reliable:
Re: "Honestly, for that massive REV battery, I've been..." - yeah, reliability is the only thing that matters with a battery that size. It is actually kinda disappointing how flimsy most of the recommended accessories are once you actually get them in your garage. I had issues with a couple of plastic holsters that just couldnt handle a thick 48-amp cable... total waste of money honestly. If you are doing the DIY thing like I did, here is my take: