# My car charger can boil water really fast Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INZybkX8tLI Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/INZybkX8tLI Generated: 2025-11-27T19:06:02.119+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The experiment demonstrates that using a custom adapter to plug a 3000W British kettle into a 240V EV charging station results in the kettle drawing approximately 1440W (12A) and taking 4 minutes and 5 seconds to boil one liter of water, which is significantly slower than the kettle's rated performance on standard UK mains. **Key Points:** - The experiment tested a 3000W British kettle connected to a 240V EV charging station using a custom adapter, resulting in a measured draw of only 1440W (12A). - Boiling one liter of water with the British kettle on the EV charger took 4 minutes and 5 seconds. - The British kettle's heating element is designed for 3000W and is internally fused to blow if it gets too hot, which the reduced power prevented. - The custom adapter was built to convert the EV charger's NEMA 14-50 receptacle plug to a British Type G plug, which is not standard for 240V appliances in the US. - A second, cheaper American kettle (1500W) took 3 minutes and 37 seconds to boil water on the EV charger, drawing about 1420W. - The British kettle's heating element showed no signs of moisture leak after the test, but the internal magnesium oxide insulation appeared cracked, which may have been the failure point preventing full power draw. ![Screenshot at 00:04: A wide shot showing the presenter introducing the experiment, holding the British kettle \(left\) and the custom adapter \(right\) that connects the EV charger to the kettle's British plug.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/INZybkX8tLI/00-00-04.png) **Context:** The video explores the feasibility and efficiency of using a Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station, which supplies 240V AC power, to run high-wattage 240V appliances designed for the UK/European market, specifically electric kettles. The presenter constructs a custom adapter to bridge the NEMA 14-50 outlet of the EV charger to a British Type G plug, then tests two different kettles to measure boiling times under these non-standard conditions. ## Detailed Analysis The presenter sets up an experiment to see how fast a high-wattage British kettle boils water when powered by a 240V EV charging station using a custom adapter. The presenter first shows the custom adapter built to convert the NEMA 14-50 plug from the EV charger to a British Type G plug. He notes that British kettles are often rated for 3000W and run on 230V/240V, while US household outlets are limited to 120V and 15A circuits. The 3000W British kettle (Breville) took 4 minutes and 5 seconds to boil one liter of water when connected to the EV charger, drawing only 1440W, suggesting the power was limited by the kettle or adapter, not the charger. Measurements of the kettle’s heating element showed an open circuit (infinite resistance) after the test, indicating the thermal fuse had blown because the element got too hot despite the lower power draw. The presenter then tests a cheaper, 1500W American kettle on the EV charger, which drew about 1420W and boiled water in 3 minutes and 37 seconds. This American kettle's heating element was found to be fully submerged and intact, but the internal thermal fuse blew after two cycles. Finally, the presenter examines the British kettle's heating element, noting the internal magnesium oxide insulation was cracked, which likely caused the internal failure. He concludes that while the setup works, the British kettle is significantly slower than expected due to power limitation, and the American kettle's design is less robust against dry boiling. ### Experiment Setup - Testing a 3000W British kettle on a 240V EV charger using a custom NEMA 14-50 to Type G adapter - The presenter disassembled both kettles to inspect the heating elements after testing. ### British Kettle Test Results - Boiling 1 liter of water took 4 minutes and 5 seconds, drawing only 1440W, significantly underperforming its 3000W rating - The thermal fuse blew after the first test, showing signs of external overheating. ### American Kettle Test Results - A 1500W American kettle boiled water in 3 minutes and 37 seconds, drawing 1420W - The heating element was fully submerged, but the internal thermal fuse blew after two cycles. ### Component Analysis - The British kettle's heating element showed a crack filled with magnesium oxide, suggesting a failure point, while the American kettle's element was intact but the plastic housing was hot. ### Conclusion - The UK kettle's design (element bonded to the base) may be less suited to the fluctuating power draw experienced when using a charger compared to induction cooktops, and the element failure suggests a design flaw that caused the fuse to blow prematurely. ![Screenshot at 00:04: Presenter introduces the experiment, holding the British kettle and the custom adapter.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/INZybkX8tLI/00-00-04.png) ![Screenshot at 00:07: The presenter connects the custom adapter \(which converts the EV charger plug to a UK Type G plug\) to the EV charger.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/INZybkX8tLI/00-00-07.png) ![Screenshot at 00:43: Close-up of the custom adapter showing the NEMA 6-20 receptacle on one side and the British Type G outlet on the other.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/INZybkX8tLI/00-00-43.png) ![Screenshot at 01:10: A power meter shows the British kettle drawing 1465W while heating water.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/INZybkX8tLI/00-01-10.png) ![Screenshot at 01:40: Presenter shows the British kettle plug and discusses its 3000W rating versus the 120V supply.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/INZybkX8tLI/00-01-40.png)