Two quick basic road trip questions

[likescookies]

Thinking of taking our Mach-E a little bit out of the way this summer and researching the feasibility. Two questions:

• I found an RV campground where we can rent a spot that offers a reasonable rate for just using the electricity at the spot and none of the other amenities. They say the spot has both 30 and 50 amp service. My assumption is that the 50 amp plug-in must follow one NEMA standard (nobody would want to pull in with the RV and find they can't plug in) and be compatible with the Ford mobile charger that came with the Mach-E. Is that a safe assumption?
• There is a hotel along the way with what appears to be a 9kW Tesla destination charger, which could be handy. However, I believe that the complimentary Tesla adapter that Ford sent me a couple of years ago only works with Superchargers and not destination chargers--that to use the destination charger I'd need a separate adapter. Is that correct?

Thank you for your thoughts.

Sponsored

 

[RickMachE]

Thinking of taking our Mach-E a little bit out of the way this summer and researching the feasibility. Two questions:

• I found an RV campground where we can rent a spot that offers a reasonable rate for just using the electricity at the spot and none of the other amenities. They say the spot has both 30 and 50 amp service. My assumption is that the 50 amp plug-in must follow one NEMA standard (nobody would want to pull in with the RV and find they can't plug in) and be compatible with the Ford mobile charger that came with the Mach-E. Is that a safe assumption?
• There is a hotel along the way with what appears to be a 9kW Tesla destination charger, which could be handy. However, I believe that the complimentary Tesla adapter that Ford sent me a couple of years ago only works with Superchargers and not destination chargers--that to use the destination charger I'd need a separate adapter. Is that correct?

Thank you for your thoughts.

Yes, you need a different adapter. A2Z Stellar is great. Code FORDFORUM.

 

[Triggerhappy007]

Yes, campgrounds should have NEMA 14-50R receptacles.

 

[Dave159]

I would not use a Campground 14-50 receptacle with any charger that pulls more than 32 amps, even less would be safer, if you have one thats adjustable. inspect the receptacle before use and monitor it closly during use, as they are probably not the highest quality and they get plugs inserted and removed quite often.

 

[likescookies]

I would not use a Campground 14-50 receptacle with any charger that pulls more than 32 amps, even less would be safer, if you have one thats adjustable. inspect the receptacle before use and monitor it closly during use, as they are probably not the highest quality and they get plugs inserted and removed quite often.

My understanding is that the Ford mobile charger that came with the car is not adjustable but only pulls 30 amps when plugged into a 50 amp outlet.

 

[RickMachE]

My understanding is that the Ford mobile charger that came with the car is not adjustable but only pulls 30 amps when plugged into a 50 amp outlet.

Actually, it pulls 32amps.

 

[Trielectric]

However, I believe that the complimentary Tesla adapter that Ford sent me a couple of years ago only works with Superchargers and not destination chargers--that to use the destination charger I'd need a separate adapter. Is that correct?

I was told by person working on Tesla destination chargers, that it did not matter what kind of adapter you buy. If your car is not a Tesla, older destination chargers will not talk to other brands of cars.

 

[RickMachE]

I was told by person working on Tesla destination chargers, that it did not matter what kind of adapter you buy. If your car is not a Tesla, older destination chargers will not talk to other brands of cars.

Irrelevant.

A Supercharger adapter never works at a Destination charger.

And, in fact, older Destination Chargers that are not set by the owner to Tesla-Only, work fine.

I have charged on very, very old Tesla Destination chargers that were very slow.

 

[dan_meh]

I was told by person working on Tesla destination chargers, that it did not matter what kind of adapter you buy. If your car is not a Tesla, older destination chargers will not talk to other brands of cars.

I wonder if the person you talked to is confusing a couple of different things.

Yes, it is true that old (version 2) supercharger stations will only charge Teslas. You must use V3 or later superchargers. As Ford owners , we have to use v3 or later because they “talk” CCS. CCS isn’t just a dying plug design in North America, it’s a protocol.

But superchargers aren’t destination chargers.

Destination chargers are just fancy plugs with fancy cords. In fact, they aren’t even technically “chargers.” They are Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). They only deliver power to move the electrons back to their starting position. So there’s no communication like there is at a CCS protocol supercharger. I’m not aware of any requirement to connect a destination charger other than an adapter.

 

[RickMachE]

I wonder if the person you talked to is confusing a couple of different things.

Yes, it is true that old (version 2) supercharger stations will only charge Teslas. You must use V3 or later superchargers. As Ford owners , we have to use v3 or later because they “talk” CCS. CCS isn’t just a dying plug design in North America, it’s a protocol.

But superchargers aren’t destination chargers.

Destination chargers are just fancy plugs with fancy cords. In fact, they aren’t even technically “chargers.” They are Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). They only deliver power to move the electrons back to their starting position. So there’s no communication like there is at a CCS protocol supercharger. I’m not aware of any requirement to connect a destination charger other than an adapter.

In fact, there is communication. Tesla Destination Chargers can be set to Tesla only by the owner.

 

[dan_meh]

In fact, there is communication. Tesla Destination Chargers can be set to Tesla only by the owner.

I didn’t know that. Thanks.

Back to the original “I wonder,” it’s not the version but rather the capricious decisions of the owner. So if the OP (or any of us) is asking a hotel about a Tesla Destination Charger, the question isn’t about versioning but instead about hotel policy.

So two things:

• Get the “destination charger adapter” as others have recommended.
• Call to the hotel. “Hey, hotel (or other place), I’m going to be counting on your charger. Can you tell me if it’s in working order and if you have it locked to Tesla only?” You probably also want to know costs.

 

[T18C97]

Some Tesla destination chargers have a built in J1772 adapter in them so in case you don’t have your own you still might be able to use them. And you probably will need to have the Tesla app on your phone and an accounit set up to activate the charger using the QR code on the left side of the charger.

 

[RickMachE]

Some Tesla destination chargers have a built in J1772 adapter in them so in case you don’t have your own you still might be able to use them. And you probably will need to have the Tesla app on your phone and an accounit set up to activate the charger using the QR code on the left side of the charger.

Never had to activate a Tesla Destination Charger yet, but I guess there are some.

 

[david_quick]

Thinking of taking our Mach-E a little bit out of the way this summer and researching the feasibility. Two questions:

• I found an RV campground where we can rent a spot that offers a reasonable rate for just using the electricity at the spot and none of the other amenities. They say the spot has both 30 and 50 amp service. My assumption is that the 50 amp plug-in must follow one NEMA standard (nobody would want to pull in with the RV and find they can't plug in) and be compatible with the Ford mobile charger that came with the Mach-E. Is that a safe assumption?
• There is a hotel along the way with what appears to be a 9kW Tesla destination charger, which could be handy. However, I believe that the complimentary Tesla adapter that Ford sent me a couple of years ago only works with Superchargers and not destination chargers--that to use the destination charger I'd need a separate adapter. Is that correct?

Thank you for your thoughts.

I just did what you are suggesting though I had a bit of trouble getting close enough to the post. Luckily I bought the extension in the photo for just these situations.

 

[gz3490]

Never had to activate a Tesla Destination Charger yet, but I guess there are some.

I've stayed at a few hotels that have Tesla Destination Chargers, however they are set and are turned on only for those staying at the hotel, the two hotels I prefer along routes to Vegas and NorCal for work must be turned on at the front desk and not available for just anyone, I would definitely double check with the hotel and plugshare to make sure you are not stranded.

Sponsored