What is this electrical thingie sticking up in my yard?

[El_Viajero]

See pics here: https://imgur.com/a/a7hAJpu

and here: https://imgur.com/a/pfPBHeZ

This thing has been sticking out of the ground ever since I moved in. The wood behind it is just a garden box.

It looks like some sort of electrical junction with a mechanism on top for attaching an outdoor light/lightpost. I'm wondering if I could rig it up with an outlet for charging an electric vehicle... like the used Nissan Leaf I'm thinking of buying. I know very little about household wiring, but I'm hoping this will be obvious to others here. Thanks!

[BDWW]

Don't know!

But I would find out. Get yourself a AC voltage detector, and see if it has power*. If it does, try turning off breakers until you find the circuit it's on. Then take it apart and see what's inside.

Most likely just a 110v circuit. So not too useful for an electric vehicle unless you don't already have a standard outlet close.

*Might want to check at night and couple times during the day, sometimes these things can be linked to a timer/light control.

[thedigitalone]

See pics here: https://imgur.com/a/a7hAJpu

and here: https://imgur.com/a/pfPBHeZ

This thing has been sticking out of the ground ever since I moved in. The wood behind it is just a garden box.

It looks like some sort of electrical junction with a mechanism on top for attaching an outdoor light/lightpost. I'm wondering if I could rig it up with an outlet for charging an electric vehicle... like the used Nissan Leaf I'm thinking of buying. I know very little about household wiring, but I'm hoping this will be obvious to others here. Thanks!

It looks like a photocell to me, that is a light level sensor that will turn something on or off depending on the light level outside.

Usually they are connected to floodlights, I've never seen one mounted at the ground level before.  There is probably 110v available in the box.

[BudgetSlasher]

See pics here: https://imgur.com/a/a7hAJpu

and here: https://imgur.com/a/pfPBHeZ

This thing has been sticking out of the ground ever since I moved in. The wood behind it is just a garden box.

It looks like some sort of electrical junction with a mechanism on top for attaching an outdoor light/lightpost. I'm wondering if I could rig it up with an outlet for charging an electric vehicle... like the used Nissan Leaf I'm thinking of buying. I know very little about household wiring, but I'm hoping this will be obvious to others here. Thanks!

I am fairly certain that it is a photo sensor for controlling a outdoor lights (turn flood lights or landscaping lights on at dark). It could also be switched somewhere in the house to turn the lights off.

It will be on a 120v circuit and likely either a 15 or 20 amp breaker. You can convert it to an outlet and code might allow it. But it would only be good for level 1 (slow) charging and if there are other item on the circuit (other outlets, lights, or devices) then lower charging rates/tripping the breaker are possible.

The first thing you would need to do is determine if there is even power to the box; it could have been disconnect long ago.

[El_Viajero]

Thanks, everyone! This is useful information. Were I to rig this up to charge an EV, would putting it on its own circuit be prudent?

[BudgetSlasher]

Thanks, everyone! This is useful information. Were I to rig this up to charge an EV, would putting it on its own circuit be prudent?

Short answer, if it were me, yes I would put in a circuit dedicated to charging the EV; what size circuit will depend on the car and your usage.

The DW and I are about the same phase as you (we are looking for a new car for her and strongly leaning toward an EV).

I would suggest you research charging rates for the Leaf. For our use case we will be putting in a 240v circuit to allow faster charging (between 40-60 amp breaker depending how much the car can accept). A basic 120v 15a circuit could result in a charging rate of ~3 miles per hour (A.K.A. level 1 charging), while a 240v circuit could result in charging rates of up to 30 miles per hour (A.K.A. level 2).

Where we live and the wife's commute level 2 is necessary; her commute it 52 miles round trip (somewhere around 17 hours charging at level one) and the monthly trip to the big city for shopping at places like Trader Joe's is a round trip of 104 miles (somewhere around 35 hours of charging at level 1). Your commute, routine shopping, and available charging circuits will determine what you need to install.

[zolotiyeruki]

It's almost certainly a daylight sensor, to turn lights on at night.  And (assuming the homerun cable hasn't been pulled out) it should have 120V available.

If you put it on its own breaker, please make sure to select the correct size breaker for the wiring.  14 AWG wire -> 15 Amp breaker, 12 AWG -> 20A.

[Wrenchturner]

Depending on the proximity to your electrical box, you might be able to fish heavier wire in and repurpose the box for a higher output receptacle for charging an EV.

[BigMoneyJim]

Agree it's a light sensor. Not sure why it's on the ground and not near a light fixture.

I have a 2014 LEAF. My understanding is that the 110v volt EVSE ("charging cord") takes 16A which would require a 20A breaker and 20A-rated wiring, and nothing else pulling current while it's charging. But don't rely on random internet strangers for such important things; check with an electrician.

[El_Viajero]

But don't rely on random internet strangers for such important things; check with an electrician.

Word. If I actually get a LEAF, I'll probably do exactly this.

[TomTX]

If you have the proper adapter for charging your car, a 3-wire 120V pull can be converted to a 3-wire 240V pull of the same amperage. Just needs to have the neutral labeled as a second hot,  connect appropriately in the breaker box and the charger and/or car capped at the appropriate amperage (20% derate for continuous as noted above).

This would allow a doubling of charging speed without pulling new wire.

[Car Jack]

Go to 1:16.......you have a Teletubbies announcement speaker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVy42rWmFLc

[fixie]

photocell for exterior lighting system is my guess.
-fixie

[phildonnia]

And by the way, electrical codes require outdoor connections to be 18 inches above the ground.