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We’ve been seeing a big shift here in Fort Myers over the past couple of years — more homeowners trading in their gas cars for electric ones. First it was just a few Teslas here and there. Now we’re getting calls from families with two EVs in the garage and no idea how to charge them both.
That’s exactly how this job started. A homeowner off McGregor Boulevard called us up and said, “We just got a Ford Lightning and a Tesla Model Y. Can we charge both cars at the same time without replacing our whole electrical panel?”
Good question. And the short answer is — yes, absolutely. You just need the right setup, smart load management, and clean wiring.
This case study breaks down how we did it, step by step, in a way that worked perfectly for the home, the vehicles, and the Florida heat.
The house was built in the late ’80s — a solid block home, 100-amp service, everything in good shape but clearly never updated for modern electrical demand.
The homeowners were using the charger cord that came with their Tesla, plugged into a standard wall outlet. That meant Level 1 charging — slow as molasses. Overnight, they were lucky to add 30 miles of range.
With two EVs, that just wasn’t going to work. They wanted a setup that could:
Charge both cars overnight,
Stay within the home’s electrical limits,
And not require tearing open walls or upgrading the utility feed.
We’ve seen this situation plenty of times. The key is to balance the available load instead of overpowering the system.
Before we touch anything, we always start with a load calculation.
We tested the home’s panel while major appliances were running — AC, range, dryer, and pool pump. That gave us a clear picture of how much headroom the electrical system actually had.
Turns out, it was pretty tight. Like most older Fort Myers homes, the 100-amp service was already pulling close to its limit during peak hours. Adding two Level 2 chargers on top of that would’ve overloaded the system if we wired them directly.
So instead of going for a full panel upgrade, we went with a dual-port Level 2 charger that could split and manage load automatically.
This way, both cars could charge safely without tripping breakers or overheating wires.
We recommended a JuiceBox 40 Dual-Port Level 2 Charger for this job. It’s built tough, rated for Florida humidity, and smart enough to communicate with both vehicles at once.
The charger draws up to 40 amps total, but it automatically divides that power between the two ports based on what’s plugged in. If only one car’s charging, it gets the full speed. If both are connected, each gets half until one finishes.
It’s simple, automatic, and doesn’t require any rewiring down the road if they upgrade their service later.
We also chose to hardwire the unit instead of using a plug-in setup. That’s our standard in this climate — it’s cleaner, safer, and lasts longer.
We started early, before the heat really kicked in.
The main panel was in the garage, which made things easy. We ran new 6-gauge copper wire through surface-mounted conduit along the wall to the charger location. The line was short and direct — no need to drill through concrete block or run long conduit routes.
We installed a new 50-amp breaker with GFCI protection and labeled it for EV charging. Every connection point was tightened and treated with anti-oxidant compound to prevent corrosion — something we never skip in coastal Florida.
Once the wiring was done, we mounted the charger between the two parking spots so both vehicles could reach it comfortably. Each charging cord had about 25 feet of length, which was more than enough.
The entire installation took about six hours start to finish.
After powering up, we ran a few test cycles.
First, we plugged in the Tesla alone. The charger drew about 38 amps — perfect. Then we plugged in the Ford Lightning alongside it, and the system instantly adjusted, splitting the load evenly at around 20 amps per car.
No voltage drop, no flickering lights, no panel stress. The smart load balancing worked exactly as designed.
By morning, both cars were fully charged — quiet, cool, and clean. The homeowner’s reaction was priceless. He said, “I didn’t realize how easy this could be once it’s done right.”
Every EV installation we do goes through the proper permitting with Lee County. This one passed inspection without a single correction — that’s what happens when the work’s clean and compliant from the start.
We also installed a whole-home surge protector at the same time. Fort Myers storms can be brutal, and it’s not worth risking $1,000+ charging equipment to one good lightning strike.
We always recommend surge protection for any EV setup, especially in Florida.
Here’s what the homeowners ended up with:
Dual-Port Level 2 charger, hardwired and mounted in the garage.
Automatic load balancing, charging both vehicles safely on a 50-amp circuit.
Full overnight charging, no panel upgrade needed.
Future-ready setup, expandable if they decide to increase service later.
Their total out-of-pocket cost? Right around $2,800, including permits, labor, and all materials. Not bad for powering two vehicles every single night.
And the best part — they never have to think about it again. Plug in both cars, go to bed, wake up with full batteries.
If you’ve got (or plan to have) two EVs, a dual-port setup just makes sense. You’ll spend less on installation than doing two separate chargers, and you’ll avoid constant plugging and unplugging.
Plus, it’s future-proof. Whether your next car’s another Tesla or something different, most of these chargers come with universal J1772 connectors or adapter options.
For families, it’s the most practical EV charging solution we install.
What we’ve found doing these jobs around Fort Myers is that the wiring and climate are always the biggest variables.
Older homes need more prep — load testing, grounding, corrosion-proof connections. Newer homes usually have more space in the panel, but we still double-check everything before powering up.
We don’t cut corners. Every connection’s torqued, sealed, and tested under load. Because EV chargers pull steady power for hours, every detail matters.
This Fort Myers project was a perfect example of how smart planning and clean installation can make EV ownership simple — even in an older home.
No panel replacement, no overnight charging worries, and no tangled mess of cords. Just one well-designed dual-port system doing its job quietly.
If you’re planning to add a second EV or you’re tired of sharing one charger, we can help.
👉 Call Coharbor Electric today to schedule your EV charging consultation. We’ll inspect your panel, check your wiring, and design a dual-port Level 2 system that fits your home — safe, reliable, and ready for the Florida climate.
We make charging simple, efficient, and built to last.
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