Question about Tesla adapter (AC and DC)

[RyZt]

If the brand matters, let’s constrain the question to Ford DC adapter, latest A2Z DC adapter, latest A2Z AC adapter.

1. If I try to plug Tesla supercharger into an AC adapter, will the plug fit? If so, will it damage my car
2. If I try to plug Tesla AC EVSE into a DC adapter, will the plug fit? If so, will it damage my car?

Context: I want to understand how much risk there is to have both Tesla AC and DC adapter in the car. Sure, the adapters look very different: vastly different size and shape. When my mind is all right, it would be fine. However, my wife often complains that I shutdown my brains when I take time off work and go on vacations. (Well, if I’m not shutting my brain down, what’s the point of taking a rest. ) Therefore, I could see myself making mistakes (due to not paying attention, due to inertia/habit after using one of the two repeatedly, due to both).

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[RickMachE]

If the brand matters, let’s constrain the question to Ford DC adapter, latest A2Z DC adapter, latest A2Z AC adapter.

1. If I try to plug Tesla supercharger into an AC adapter, will the plug fit? If so, will it damage my car
2. If I try to plug Tesla AC EVSE into a DC adapter, will the plug fit? If so, will it damage my car?

Context: I want to understand how much risk there is to have both Tesla AC and DC adapter in the car. Sure, the adapters look different. But it’s easy to make mistakes (due to not paying attention, due to inertia/habit after using one of the two repeatedly, due to both).

1) Yes. It will fit fine. I wouldn't want to know what happens.

2) Yes. It will fit fine. Don't know.

If this is a concern of yours, and you're worried about getting confused, then perhaps using Tesla chargers isn't a good idea.

Write on the case - SUPERCHARGER and HOTEL CHARGER.

 

[AliRafiee]

I don’t think you would cause any damage. They use different pins to charge and the charging won’t even start.

 

[AZBill]

The protocols for AC and DC are not the same, in either case the charging will not start with the wrong adapter plugged in.

The Ford adapter does not even have the AC pins, so it is very safe when connected to a Supercharger or a Destination charger.

Not sure, but I assume Lectron and A2Z also do not connect the DC adapter inputs to the AC pins.

 

[Maquis]

The protocols for AC and DC are not the same, in either case the charging will not start with the wrong adapter plugged in.

The Ford adapter does not even have the AC pins, so it is very safe when connected to a Supercharger or a Destination charger.

Not sure, but I assume Lectron and A2Z also do not connect the DC adapter inputs to the AC pins.

There is only one set of adapter inputs, so the J1772 adapter does indeed connect the adapter input to the car’s AC input. If it was mistakenly used on a supercharger, the DC input would be connected to the car’s AC pins.

But, I think you’re correct, because of the different protocols, the Supercharger would never turn on.

 

[Tampamike]

They’re not shaped the same and easy to tell apart visually. Think “big one - big charger, little one - little charger.” I use both and haven’t confused them. The DC supercharger adapter on the left and the AC destination adapter on the right.

 

[RyZt]

The protocols for AC and DC are not the same, in either case the charging will not start with the wrong adapter plugged in.

Yes. With the protocol, the car knows whether it’s connected to AC or DC before anything is energized. Presumably, the protocol runs on control pins, which are correctly connected regardless of whether I use the right or wrong adapter.

But the question is, does the car or the EVSE/Supercharger know that the Live/Neutral/DC pins are incorrectly connected before the pins are energized?

There is only one set of adapter inputs, so the J1772 adapter does indeed connect the adapter input to the car’s AC input.

 

[RyZt]

They’re not shaped the same and easy to tell apart visually. Think “big one - big charger, little one - little charger.”

I know. They are very different. When my mind is all right, it would be fine. However, my wife often complains that I shutdown my brains when I take time off work and go on vacations. (Well, if I’m not shutting my brain down, what’s the point of taking a rest. )

I worry that I’d do stupid things after a long day. Or that I’d connect one of them out of habit when I come home from a road trip. (Right now, my home charger is J1772, but that might change in a few years, if NACS becomes the de facto US standard.)

Therefore, I want to know whether being absent minded could have disastrous consequences here. And if so, I need to take additional steps to guard against mistakes: for example, by not owning an AC adapter.

 

[RyZt]

@Madtroniks, have you tried using the AC adapter with a Supercharger? Have you tried using the DC adapter with a Tesla EVSE? If so, what happened?

 

[RickMachE]

@Madtroniks, have you tried using the AC adapter with a Supercharger? Have you tried using the DC adapter with a Tesla EVSE? If so, what happened?

He doesn't own a Ford EV...

Why don't you contact A2Z and ask them on Monday?

 

[Madtroniks]

@Madtroniks, have you tried using the AC adapter with a Supercharger? Have you tried using the DC adapter with a Tesla EVSE? If so, what happened?

I have only used the Ford OEM Tesla adapter / A2Z Typhoon DC adapter at a DCFC Tesla Supercharger.

I have only used the A2Z Stellar AC adapter with hotel destination chargers.

 

[Tampamike]

I know. They are very different. When my mind is all right, it would be fine. However, my wife often complains that I shutdown my brains when I take time off work and go on vacations. (Well, if I’m not shutting my brain down, what’s the point of taking a rest. )

I worry that I’d do stupid things after a long day. Or that I’d connect one of them out of habit when I come home from a road trip. (Right now, my home charger is J1772, but that might change in a few years, if NACS becomes the de facto US standard.)

Therefore, I want to know whether being absent minded could have disastrous consequences here. And if so, I need to take additional steps to guard against mistakes: for example, by not owning an AC adapter.

You might just have to figure this one out on your own. I don’t think I can help you any more.

 

[eastern refugee]

I bought the Lexon one several months ago and I use it EXCLUSIVELY over the electrify Americas and all of the rest. I have gone on many road trips. The ONLY problem with the Lectron is that is made of black plastic. As such you have to cover it with a towel in high heat so that it stays cool. Otherwise you will be lucky to get to 60% and then it takes about 30 minutes to cool down. The adapters should have been made out of white plastic to help deflect the heat. I use Tesla exclusively. The reason is utterly simple. Most Tesla stations have between 20-80 chargers. I have yet to wait in line. My charging times start around 140 and level off at about 114. Bottom line is I charge faster and yes it can be more expensive than say EVGO but I am there at most 15 minutes. They are spread out perfectly so I will TOP OFF prior to a big city but then charge once I pass through the major cities. There are sooooo many places to charge. The ONLY real problem is that you need to find a charger where it is on the side and not against the concrete in front. With the charger on the concrete in front you have to take up two spots in order to angle the car close enough to reach. These adapters would have been much more improved if they simply added about a 2 foot cord on the end so that it would be easier to reach. My only fear is that I NEVER leave my car for fear of someone stealing my charger. I will NEVER go back to anything but a Tesla charger on the road. The Tesla app sucks. It does not decrease the mileage as you drive. When I am charging I figure out with the app my next stop and out it into my navigation. Then if I am driving the same route over and over again I save it in navigation. I also joined their CLUB because the rates are far cheaper than if you use ford connect. Yes it is roughly $13 a month but I travel roughly 3-4000 miles a month so I totally depend on Tesla. The GREAT news about Tesla is that they give ZERO free electricity away so buyers HAVE to pay and Tesla charges $1 per minute over the full charge so no one leaves their car charging over the time period. Not sure how that kicks in. I assume it is 109% but no idea. Also with stations of 10-80 you never really have a problem except to find a left handed side or two so that you can angle and piss off other drivers. Tesla drivers avoid you because you are not one. I enjoy this. No one bothers me.

 

[Sikkun]

I know. They are very different. When my mind is all right, it would be fine. However, my wife often complains that I shutdown my brains when I take time off work and go on vacations. (Well, if I’m not shutting my brain down, what’s the point of taking a rest. )

I worry that I’d do stupid things after a long day. Or that I’d connect one of them out of habit when I come home from a road trip. (Right now, my home charger is J1772, but that might change in a few years, if NACS becomes the de facto US standard.)

Therefore, I want to know whether being absent minded could have disastrous consequences here. And if so, I need to take additional steps to guard against mistakes: for example, by not owning an AC adapter.

Have you spent a lot of time worrying about the difference between diesel and gas connectors?

 

[Tampamike]

Have you spent a lot of time worrying about the difference between diesel and gas connectors?

Not any more …

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