Newbie ? on Charging at Tesla Charging Stations

Mr.Doug

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Hi, I'm confused.. I'm taking a trip and my destination only has a Tesla Charging station.. My ? is, will my Lectron Tesla Adapter work?
Thanks in Advance..
Doug
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Maquis

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It depends on what type of Tesla station. Need more info.
 

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Google TeslaTap
 


snikt

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Is a Tesla destination charger the same as a Tesla Wall Charger?
Roughly yes, I don't know if they've done this yet but the rumor is the newer generation wall connectors communicate the VIN # as well and could potentially block non-Tesla vehicles
 

TheVirtualTim

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Tesla charging adapters (such as the TeslaTap and Lectron) work at Tesla AC chargers (such as home chargers, destination chargers at businesses, public chargers, and even Tesla mobile chargers).

They DO NOT work at Tesla DC chargers (aka Tesla SuperChargers).

I have the TeslaTap version (they claim to be the original) and it has instructions on the handle (and in the box) that specifically says to:

1. Connect the adapter to the Tesla charge cord FIRST.
2. Connect to your car SECOND.

(oh, and they suggest waiting a few seconds. My instructions say to wait 30 seconds although when I see people demo this they never wait 30 seconds ... but they do wait a few seconds. Apparently something in the adapter gets power from the Tesla charger, wakes up, negotiates, and is then ready to connect to the car.)

Apparently doing it in the right order matters.
 

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Tesla charging adapters (such as the TeslaTap and Lectron) work at Tesla AC chargers (such as home chargers, destination chargers at businesses, public chargers, and even Tesla mobile chargers).

They DO NOT work at Tesla DC chargers (aka Tesla SuperChargers).

I have the TeslaTap version (they claim to be the original) and it has instructions on the handle (and in the box) that specifically says to:

1. Connect the adapter to the Tesla charge cord FIRST.
2. Connect to your car SECOND.

(oh, and they suggest waiting a few seconds. My instructions say to wait 30 seconds although when I see people demo this they never wait 30 seconds ... but they do wait a few seconds. Apparently something in the adapter gets power from the Tesla charger, wakes up, negotiates, and is then ready to connect to the car.)

Apparently doing it in the right order matters.
Do you find that it's really useful having one on hand, or have you found that there are enough L3/L2 chargers around your destinations that you really haven't needed it much?
 

eStang

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Do you find that it's really useful having one on hand, or have you found that there are enough L3/L2 chargers around your destinations that you really haven't needed it much?
I think the answer to this will vary by location, and over time. You should use an app like ABRP, PlugShare or Chargeway to inspect the available chargers along your route a few days before you travel to decide.

That said, in my personal experience I have road-tripped from Chicago to Denver and day tripped around both and never needed to use a Tesla station. IMHO, as long as you are on a commonly traveled route, have the portable charger in the trunk, and allow enough time if you absolutely must use a 110v outlet you will be just fine. And new stations are being added all the time (and I anticipate many more rural stations will pop up as the F-150 Lightning comes to market).
 
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Carsinmyblood

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Curious... Can Teslas charge at EA and other non-Tesla superchargers? Do they have an adapter to use other superchargers?
 

snikt

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Curious... Can Teslas charge at EA and other non-Tesla superchargers? Do they have an adapter to use other superchargers?
There's not really a good CCS adapter (yet), but there is a CHAdeMO adapter you can use to charge at EA. Also some 3rd party stations now include Tesla connectors.

Right now it seems limited to 50KW charging using those adapters
 

benk016

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Curious... Can Teslas charge at EA and other non-Tesla superchargers? Do they have an adapter to use other superchargers?
They can use a Chademo adapter. So they are limited to 50kw charging on a non-tesla fast charger.
 

TheVirtualTim

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Do you find that it's really useful having one on hand, or have you found that there are enough L3/L2 chargers around your destinations that you really haven't needed it much?
Great question! I needed one just a few weeks ago.

I had a death in the family requiring a trip to another state. I found a hotel with charging (two J1172 stations and two Tesla stations). The hotel was having a problem with their J1172.

Turns out the stations were mis-wired. Each station was meant to have it's own breaker, but the electrician wired both J1172's to the same breaker ... so if two EV's charged at the same time it would pop. The other car was an Audi Q6 plug-in hybrid. That was lucky for me because PHEVs don't have big batteries so I figured it would probably be full in an hour or so ... and once the Audi completed it's charge, my car was able to charge.

But the Tesla stations were empty ... if I had the adapter it would have solved the problem.

I had ordered the TeslaTap but unfortunately it didn't arrive in time.

(I had worked out some backup logistics because for all I knew the hotels chargers might be completely taken.)
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