Tesla Supercharger Question

[bbulkow]

Do you have any evidence to support this claim?

If anything, I would suggest the A2Z ones are *lower quality* because people have reported the adapter is tight fitting and very difficult to get fully seated. Probably a manufacturing / quality control issue, and A2Z is no doubt trying to crank out as many units as possible right now.

Yes. I own one. It has two temperature monitors to restrict flow if it gets too hot, i believe that is unique. It has an extra mechanical interlock (bottom slide) which must be engaged correctly, which is an extra safety mechanism. It and the Lectron and Ford actually interrupt flow if the interlocks aren't correctly set (unlike some other tested units). I believe the tightness is not a qc issue at all, it is an attempt to make it safer, because a tight fit is better thermal transfer. The fact that a2z sacrifices usability in favor of safety speaks highly of them. Even if it is almost unusable out of the box without watching some videos and fooling with it, it always fails safe. Prioritizing safety over usability is going further than ford or lectron did.

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[DugthePug Dad]

When I first got my MME I was in Southern California and had to go about 350 miles to get home to the Bay Area.

I simply put my home address into the navigation system and it told me where to charge my car on the route.

Some here don’t like the Ford navigator but it will get you to your destination and navigate to charging stations.

each charge took about 40 minutes to get a 80% charge. After 80% the fast chargers throttle down and it takes a long time to get to 90-100%.

I think they do that to get you off of the charger so another can use it.

 

[AliRafiee]

When I first got my MME I was in Southern California and had to go about 350 miles to get home to the Bay Area.

I simply put my home address into the navigation system and it told me where to charge my car on the route.

Some here don’t like the Ford navigator but it will get you to your destination and navigate to charging stations.

each charge took about 40 minutes to get a 80% charge. After 80% the fast chargers throttle down and it takes a long time to get to 90-100%.

I think they do that to get you off of the charger so another can use it.

Past 80% wattage reduction is to preserve the battery.
Apple Maps also sets charging stops in the route.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

@PleasantFields I know there might seem like there is an overwhelming amount of information and that this is much more complicated than just filling up with gas. Well, it is more complicated by comparison but not overly complicated in practice.

I almost never take long road trips nor do I use public DCFC often. But when I do (and have) it was hardly daunting.

Within the responses here is pretty much all the information you need. Read it. Follow it and you'll be fine.

Oh and if you have not already, I suggest using public fast charging before your trip to better understand what to expect.?

 

[Jgg181]

Just completed a 2,700 mile road-trip. Here are some relevant learnings:

1. Obtained NACS adapter from A2Z (they will speed up shipping for an extra fee)https://a2zevshop.com

2. I have Extended battery, but I drive my EV like I drove my ICE, fast…and often, so my full 312 mile range was never 312 miles…usually charged full to 290 via DCFC, both Tesla and Electrify América Fast-chargers.

3. Using Tesla FCs were my preference. I joined their ‘club’ for the month at $13, and that made my Tesla charges cheaper, and more consistent per kWh. Also, Tesla FCs were consistently fast, unlike Electrify America FCs.

4. I have 6(Six)FC-mapping/FC locator apps. I found ABRP(A Better Route Planner) far more useful than all the others for planning charging stops. This app has the ability to take in to account weather, road conditions, and charging frequency preferences(I.e. more stops/less stops).

5. Finally, do know, if using Tesla FCs, pull as far to the right of the chargers as possible, if possible, otherwise, as noted above, you will use 2 spaces due to the current Tesla charger setup. Also, pull as forward and as close to the Tesla FC as you can due to short charging cable.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jgg181]

ABRP SCREENSHOTS

 

[Jgg181]

Just a final note on my roadtrip, mentioned above,
the ambient temp. was approx. 85-95 daily.

 

[Maquis]

After 80% the fast chargers throttle down and it takes a long time to get to 90-100%.

I think they do that to get you off of the charger so another can use it.

The car (not the charge station) throttles the charge rate in the name of battery health.

 

[BPE_MME-P23]

My free NACS adapter isn't scheduled to arrive until October or beyond, so I ordered the Lectron adapter last week since it was in stock and I have a road trip next week. Latest news with these adapters is that the current version (previous was recalled) does not suffer from the hard latch issues of the earlier model. I just tested mine at a local Tesla Supercharger station, and nothing could have been easier. Both the adapter connection to the charge port, nor the NACS to the adapter connection were 'hard' or difficult to get the click nor in removing them after the charge. I immediately got a good blue connection/handshake, and I used the Tesla app since I don't think my car has the Plug&Charge update yet. The app enabled the charger in like 10 seconds, and off it went. Anyway, I think if anyone has a long wait for the free adapter, I recommend the latest Lectron adapter. NACS to CCS Adapter - Vortex Plug - 500A, 1000V — Lectron EV (ev-lectron.com)

 

[PleasantFields]

I want to thank everyone who responded to my post. I have had my Mach E for around 18 months and never used a public charging station. I had only used my 240V charging port at home so I was ignorant and very naive. I now have a much better understanding of the issues and when I eventually undertake my road trip from Maryland to Schroon Lake, I will be better prepared. FYI I did order the free Tesla adapter from Ford just in time (offer expires July 1), but it sounds like I probably don't need it. Once again, thanks for all the great info. It's a lot to digest, but all of it was very much appreciated.

PS: BTW, on a separate problem. My 12V battery recently died, which required the car to be towed to my local dealer to get it replaced. Everything is good, but another learning experience, which could have been avoided.

 

[deibumar]

Here's the answer to the next question you haven't asked yet....
Most likely, you'll need at least 2 adjacent spots to be free in order to charge your MachE at a Tesla SC.
This is because the MachE charge port is drivers-side front, whereas a Tesla charge port is drivers-side rear and they have to back in. The charger you use will block a Tesla from using the adjacent spot. (unless you are able to grab the end spot)
Also, because of cable length, you are going to have pull wayyy forward until your bumper is over the curb and almost touching the dispenser.

I wouldn't recommend taking up two spots if you can avoid it. (That'll just aggravate and stoke the ire of Tesla owners already annoyed their network is opening up.) I've been able to back my MME in and use only one parking spot. Yes, your charge port is on the front instead of the back but the charging cable has been able to reach when I do this.

 

[BPE_MME-P23]

I wouldn't recommend taking up two spots if you can avoid it. (That'll just aggravate and stoke the ire of Tesla owners already annoyed their network is opening up.) I've been able to back my MME in and use only one parking spot. Yes, your charge port is on the front instead of the back but the charging cable has been able to reach when I do this.

How long does a supercharger cable extend? If you back an MME into a charger spot, and the charger itself is behind you, I can't see how it could extend the length of the left side of your car to reach the charge port.

 

[HuntingPudel]

How long does a supercharger cable extend? If you back an MME into a charger spot, and the charger itself is behind you, I can't see how it could extend the length of the left side of your car to reach the charge port.

Unless it’s a pull-through station, no V3 cable will make it. V4s have longer cables but I am unsure as to how much longer since I have not seen one in the flesh. ?‍?

 

[bshaw]

I wouldn't recommend taking up two spots if you can avoid it. (That'll just aggravate and stoke the ire of Tesla owners already annoyed their network is opening up.) I've been able to back my MME in and use only one parking spot. Yes, your charge port is on the front instead of the back but the charging cable has been able to reach when I do this.

Unfortunately two spots is the situation you’ll be in at many Tesla SCs. One place I stopped at, I could have used the end spot, but they blocked it with another curb, maybe to dissuade ICE from encroaching on the area.

Send a pic of where you backed into a spot. I don’t see how it’s even close to possible, unless it was a pull thru spot, which certain stations seem to have 1 sometimes.

 

[RickMachE]

I wouldn't recommend taking up two spots if you can avoid it. (That'll just aggravate and stoke the ire of Tesla owners already annoyed their network is opening up.) I've been able to back my MME in and use only one parking spot. Yes, your charge port is on the front instead of the back but the charging cable has been able to reach when I do this.

You're using V4. It's impossible for a V3 cable to reach backing in. Tesla specifically has called out that we'll need 2 spots, so no one should be concerned about using it. Also, "stoking the ire" is the opposite of nearly everyone's experience so far.

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