Tesla Model 3Y Home Charging Guide

Tesla has recently announced its new Tesla Model called Powerwall 2. The company claims that it can charge a car battery in less than 30 minutes using solar energy. Is it true?

Tesla Model has always been known for its electric cars. In fact, they are considered to be some of the safest vehicles on the road today. They also offer their customers the option of buying a home charger. This allows them to charge their vehicle at home without having to go to a gas station every time.

Powerwall 2 is a lithium-ion battery pack that stores electricity generated from solar panels. It can store enough power to charge a car battery in under 30 minutes. It uses a combination of solar panels and batteries to provide backup power during times of peak demand. Charging your Model 3/Y at home is different from charging it on the road.

Your time is limited on long road trips, so you want to charge as quickly as possible. Because a personal home Supercharger costs more than the car, you can take advantage of the fact that charging at home can be done at an easier pace…often overnight while you sleep. As an example, a Supercharger can charge a car at up to 1000 miles per hour. 

A car with a long-range battery can be charged at up to 44 miles of range per hour using hotel destination chargers, while a Model 3 with a standard-range battery can be charged at 30 miles of range per hour.

Using various types of outlets, you can charge your car at Destination Charger speeds at home or as slow as 5 miles per hour from a standard 120-volt electrical outlet—or somewhere in between.

In this article we will look into the best charging options available for you based on a few factors:

• The number of miles the Tesla Model car is driven on a daily basis.
• Existing electrical infrastructure where the car is parked, as well as costs to upgrade to a higher amperage circuit if needed.
• Future-proofing: Consider the need to charge more Tesla vehicles or non-Tesla EVs.

Cold Weather Adjustments  

We’ll assume the car isn’t charging in freezing weather throughout this article. If the battery pack’s internal temperature is too low, it will not charge, and heating may be required. If necessary, the process is automated. This heating reduces the charging rate by 2-4 miles range per hour. 

Take this into account if you plan on charging in freezing weather. In extreme cold, charging at 120V may only keep the battery warm and may not add any additional miles of range!

The Number Of Miles The Car Is Driven On A Daily Basis

This is the primary consideration. What goes out must come back in. The outlet required is determined by a simple calculation, or if you would benefit from a dedicated charging device like a Tesla Wall Connector, which can deliver higher charge rates.

Simply keep track of the most miles you might drive your car on a given day to determine the charging speed required. You simply divide that number by the number of hours you have available to charge the car.

Divide 50 by 12 if your commute is 50 miles and the car is parked at home for 12 hours. The result is 4.2. That means that your charging solution should provide the car with at least 4.2 miles of range per hour. Simple. Naturally, that is a minimum. 

To act as a buffer or for those occasions when you drive long distances, you are free to install a charging solution of any capacity above that. There is one factor that could affect the number of hours available to charge the car.

If your utility company offers discounted EV charging rates, you may want to charge only during the lowest cost rate period. 

Let’s take the same example as before and assume your utility allows EV charging at discount rates between Midnight and 6 AM. That’s a six-hour window, so divide 6 into 50. This amounts to a required charging rate of 8.3 miles of range per hour. Your charging system must now provide twice the current to fully charge the car at the best rates. 

Existing Electrical Infrastructure And Costs To Upgrade To A Higher Amperage Circuit If Necessary

You must determine the electrical service required to plug the car into now that you have determined the number of miles per hour you wish to put back into your vehicle each day. Keep in mind that the car’s charge cord (the Mobile Connector Gen 2) is 20 feet long.

To use the Mobile Connector, the outlet should be close enough to the car’s charge port (left rear). An 18-foot cable is included with the optional Tesla Wall Connector. All but the lowest charging rates will necessitate a 240V circuit.

The car can be charged using a standard 120V outlet, but as you can see in the chart below, charging is limited to around 7 miles of range per hour at best (a.k.a. trickle charging). 

Many charging solutions rely on the included Mobile Connector being connected to some type of wall outlet, but if you want to charge your car with the Long-Range battery at the fastest speed that the vehicle’s onboard charger can handle, a hard-wired Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EV SE) is required.

A hard-wired EVSE is usually connected directly to an electrical panel and can provide more power than any outlet can deliver, but it’s just the connection between the car and the power source, such as the Mobile Connector. 

The optional $500 Tesla Wall Connector is the ideal solution in the event that the LR’s maximum charge rate is desired (the SR Model 3 can charge at full speed from a 6-50 or 14-50 socket). 

There are third-party hard-wired EVSE devices available, but few can compete with the Tesla Wall Connector in terms of price or capacity to charge the LR battery at maximum speed (a 60-amp capable EVSE is needed). 

Consider how far your electrical service is from where you park your car after reviewing the chart below. Check if there is room for an additional 240V breaker (usually 2 slots). Are wires running from the main panel to where the car is parked required?

Is the overall service at the main panel Tesla Model adequate? 100-amp service is common in older homes, and upgrading to higher power outlets may be necessary.

The cost of upgrading the electrical infrastructure can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, and it could be a determining factor in how quickly you can charge your car. If an upgrade necessitates running a long length of wire to the car, check out the FAQ below for a money-saving tip.

When Looking At The Chart Below That Breaks Down The Various Outlets For Charging Your Car At The Desired Speed, Keep In Mind The Following:

• The majority of the outlets in the chart are for you to match to existing services in your home. Check the miles of range per hour on the far left of the entry if you have an existing outlet (such as an unused dryer outlet in the garage) that matches an outlet listed here. If that number equals or exceeds the figure you calculated in the previous step for estimating your charging needs, you’re good to go! 

You have an existing charging solution if the Mobile Connector extends from the car to the outlet. Good job (just keep the safety tips in mind). The outlets in the chart are labeled NEMA x-xx. NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) is an industry-based organization in North America that sets standards for electrical delivery equipment. 

The device’s series or category, such as a voltage category, is the first number on a NEMA label. The second number is the current rating in amps. NEMA, for example, classifies a typical 120V 15-amp household outlet as a 5-15. Don’t be concerned about remembering this.

• If you need a new service to accommodate the number you came up with within the previous step, the options are fairly straightforward, so you rarely have to pore over the chart. At a speed of 32 amps, or 30 miles of range per hour, a 50-amp NEMA 14-50 or 6-50 outlet (see FAQ for differences) charges either the standard-range battery or the long-range battery (mrph). 

This is the maximum charging rate for the standard-range battery, but the long-range battery may be charged at up to 48 amps if connected to a higher amperage source such as the Tesla Wall Connector (there is a 32-AMP limit on the Gen 2 Mobile Connector).

Charging Speeds For Common Electrical Outlets Using Mobile Connector 

Miles of range per hour	Actual Charging Amps	The NEMA outlet required	Tesla adapter needed	Voltage	Circuit Breaker
3.5mrph	12A	NEMA 5-15 (standard Household Outlet)	5-15*	120V	15AMP
4-7mrph	16A	NEMA 5-2020A outlet found in more modern garages and bathrooms	5-20**	120V	20AMP
11mrph	12A	NEMA 6-15Garage: Arc welder, compressor. Home: A.C, Dryer	6-15**	240V	15AMP
15mrph	16A	NEMA 6-20Garage: Arc Welder, compressorHouse: “” (Same as above)	6-20**	240V	20AMP
22mrph	24A	NEMA 10-20House: Dryer outlet, stoves etc	10-30**	240V	30AMP
22mrph	24A	NEMA 14-30House: Dryer outlet (modern)	14-30**	240V	30AMP
30 or 37mrph	32A SR or 40A LR	NEMA 6-50Welders, 3rd party EVSE’s	6-50**	240V	50AMP
30 or 37mrph	32A SR or 40A LR	NEMA 14-50Ovens, Ranges, RV parks	14-50**	240V	50AMP

Tesla Wall Connector 

Any circuit between 15 and 100 amps can be used with the Tesla Wall Connector. Lower charge rates are the result of lower-rated circuits. For the fastest charging of your vehicle, the breaker shown is the recommended minimum size. 

The Wall Connector has a switch that must be set to match your circuit breaker. Consider any other electric cars you may want to charge now or in the future before locking down your charging solutions.

For example, if you’re installing an EVSE like a Tesla Wall Connector, you may want to add a NEMA14-50 outlet at the same time. Many EVs use this outlet.

You will definitely want to have a charging outlet available for your guests’ EV if you are the type of host who always has a beer in the fridge or extra shrimp to throw on the barbie for unexpected guests (assuming they drive an EV!).

You may also want to consider purchasing a third-party EVSE that works with your J1772 adapter. This should work for both Tesla and non-Tesla electric vehicles.

Gen 3 Wall Connector Power Sharing

Power-sharing is a feature of some Gen 3 Wall Connectors that allows them to share power and charge more than one vehicle at once.

Charging power is intelligently distributed among multiple Wall Connectors to shorten charging times for each vehicle and increase battery capacity, while always ensuring that the individual electrical installation’s maximum current limit is not exceeded.

Power Sharing Overview

What Does Power-Sharing Do?

With intelligent management of available power, power-sharing allows a circuit to support multiple Gen3 Wall Connectors while still guaranteeing your EVs receive a sufficient charge.

How Does It Work?

Power Sharing allows multiple Gen 3 Wall Connector devices to share their power via Wi-Fi. A given power-sharing system has one Gen 3 Wall Connecting Block (Gen 3 Wall Connector) that is considered the ‘leader.’

Any additional Gen 3 Wall Blocks are considered ‘followers’ and are responsible for controlling how much electrical current they’re allowed to draw from the wall socket.

Power Sharing: Why Should You Care?

This feature is perfect for households that need to recharge multiple electric vehicles at the same time, yet don’t have enough power for multiple charging stations.

Setting Up

When installing Wall Connector in a power-sharing network consider hiring an electrician who has been certified by Tesla. For details on the installation of the Gen 3 wall connector, see the Gen 3 wall connector manual.

Step 1: Identifying And Configuring The Lead Wall Connector

Each Wall Connector will be assigned a role and will be responsible for configuring and controlling its followers. Install and configure the leader first. Connecting to the leader’s Wi‑Fi network to connect and configure the group leader.

Note: Power-sharing for up to six Wall Connector devices is only available on firmware version 21.36.6. Download the latest firmware update.

Step 2: Add At Least Five Additional Followers From The Lead Wall Connector

To create a power-sharing network, click on the Power Sharing Card in the commissioning interface. Add additional Wall Connectors to the network by wirelessly pairing each one to the leader. With the current version of the Wall Connector, up to five followers can be paired to one Lead Unit for a total power-sharing of six Wall Connectors (5 x 1 = 6).

Note: If you pair followers, the leader will stop, and you will lose your Internet connection. If your connection doesn’t automatically reconnect, ensure you’re still connected to the leader’s Wi-Fi connection and then refresh the page.

Step 3: Set The Network Limits

Set the network limit once all followers have been added. This is the total charge that will be intelligently shared among all devices that have vehicles connected to them.

The minimum current limit for a Wall Connector is 6 amps. A six-unit circuit has a minimum current limit of 36 amps.

The maximum network rating is the sum of the unit’s nameplate ratings, minus one amp. For example, if there are three units rated at 100 amps each, then the maximum network rating would be 300 amps. A six-unit circuit of single-phase Wall Plugs can have a maximum current rating of 287 amps.

If 288 amps or greater electrical service is available in the scenario, then all units could charge at full power and no power-sharing would be required. Talk to your electrician if you want to know more about the maximum network limit.

If you’re using a wireless router, note that if your leader and followers have separate circuit breakers, you need to individually connect to each follower on a different breaker via the Wi-Fi network, and then set the appropriate breaker limit.

For example, if you have a four-wall connector network with two 60 amp circuit breakers, one 50-amp circuit breaker, and one 20-amp circuit breaker, individually connect to each wall connector with a 50-amp and 20-amp circuit breaker and set their current limit using the commissioning interface by follow­ing the process for connecting to a leader’s Wi-Fi network.

Step 4: Turn On Power-Sharing Mode

Once your power-sharing community has been fully established (followers have been paired and the network limit has been set), you will be able to turn on the network.

If the power-sharing feature has not been enabled, no units in the network will have access to charging the connected vehicles.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble communicating with the leader and follower units, the most likely cause is a loss of communication among them. This may be due to a loss in power (a follower Wall connector has been removed, the breaker is open, etc.), or a loss of communication via Wi-Fi.

If a Wall Connector in an existing power-sharing network is not working, the overall network will be operated at reduced rates to avoid exceeding the current limit. If you lose contact with the leader, reconnect to him/her and follow the set-up procedure. This will show which units in the network aren’t available.

Typical steps to resolve any kind of communication issue:

• Make sure all wall connectors are powered on.
• If your Wall Connector is connected to the home Wi‑Fi, then ensure that there is an adequate signal strength between your Wall Connector and the home Wi‑Fi network.

Since reconnections or channel hops may temporarily interrupt the network, it’s important to keep track of them. If your home Wi‑Fi network is spotty at times, the leader will have trouble connecting to the network, which may cause the followers to disconnect briefly.

• Make sure the home wireless network isn’t broadcasting on a crowded channel so that other devices don’t pick up its signal. Most Wi-Fi routers will automatically change channels if they detect interference, but you may need to manually adjust them. All Wall Connectors that operate on the same Wi-Fi channel as the home network use the same Wi-Fi channels as the home network.
• Reset the circuit breaker to power cycle the wall connectors.
• If a follower has left or been replaced by another user, remove them from the power-sharing network.

Power-sharing issues could also be caused by a circuit breaker trip. If this happens, contact an electrician immediately. If this is the situation, please make sure the current limits for each unit are set up correctly.

J1772 Adaptor

Safety Information

This guide explains what you need to charge your car and why you need it. It does not explain how to install a charging outlet or upgrade your electrical service. With the appropriate permits and follow-up inspections, such work should be carried out by a licensed electrician. 

The US-based National Electrical Code, better known as NEC, establishes procedures for building electrical circuits, which are then adopted by most communities (which may modify or add to the code).

The NEC places human and property safety at the forefront of its priorities. Regulations can seem daunting, but following the electrical code has proven time and again that it is worth doing the job right, when we see the results on TV and in the paper when it’s not followed.

Be sure that anyone who works on your home’s electrical infrastructure follows the rules. This is especially true for electric cars, which may use more power than any other appliance in your home.

In the event of an insurance claim, having electrical work done according to code by a licensed electrician with the appropriate permits and inspections may be beneficial.

You may be able to charge your car by plugging it into an existing outlet, such as an unused dryer outlet.

However, be aware that the current draw from your vehicle may be greater than any load previously serviced by the outlet. The maximum current rating for an outlet can be drawn by Tesla cars (generally 80% of the circuit breaker’s rated capacity).

A circuit check is a good idea before plugging the car in. The outlet must be in good working order (no loose connectors, broken housing, or burn marks). The circuit breaker must be the right size for the outlet type.

Finally, the wiring must be in good condition and of sufficient size to safely carry the rated current. Just because you’ve used the outlet for other purposes does not mean that all of this is true. Don’t risk a fire. Have the outlet that your car uses checked out. It’s a one-time safety check to ensure years of use from your gorgeous electric vehicle!

The majority of outlets in homes are “residential grade.” It’s a good idea to upgrade to an “industrial-grade” outlet if you want the best performance from your outlet. Industrial-grade outlets provide more gripping force, which is well worth the extra cost.

Because it’s the weakest link in the system that delivers electricity to the car, don’t skimp on the outlet. The FAQ on the best outlets provides more information

Many outlets are not designed to accommodate the charging cord being plugged and unplugged repeatedly. This is true even for the high current outlets that an electric car will most likely use.

One of the best practices is to plug the cord in and leave it there. When driving, the Mobile Connector that came with the car should be left at home. 

With an industrial-grade outlet, you can unplug the Mobile Connector as needed for road trips. If having the Mobile Connector with you at all times is important, consider purchasing a second Mobile Connector to keep with the car or installing a Tesla Wall Connector (or equivalent) at home.

Wall Connection Features

Speed

Wall Connector is an EV charging station that provides up to 44 miles of driving range per hour of charge. It is compatible with Tesla Model S, Model 3 and Model X and is capable of providing 11.5 kW / 16 amp power.

Convenience

Wall Connector can be used with any type of electrical system, with customizable power levels for each circuit breaker. It’s versatile enough to be installed in most homes, apartments and condominiums. The lightweight 24-feet (7.3 meters) cable allows the Mobile connector to be left in the vehicle.

Power Sharing

Power-sharing is ideal if you want to charge multiple Teslas at the same time, even though you might not have enough power for all of them. This feature allows up to four Wall Chargers to share power from one outlet while still allowing your vehicles’ battery packs to receive a sufficient charge for charging.

Connectivity

Connecting the Wall Plug to a local Wi-fi network enables it to receive OTA firmware updates, remote diagnosti­c access and usage data tracking capabilities. Firmware updates will automatically be sent to the Wall Connectors to improve the user experience. New features will be introduced.

Indoor/Outdoor Compatible

Wall Connector‘s lightweight design allows for flexible, indoor or outdoor mounting options.

Access Control

With Wall Connector, charging access control gives you full control over who can charge at your wall outlet. You can restrict charging directly through the commissioning window without having to resort to any physical locking devices.

Installation Process And Cost

Process

We recommend installing your car charger before you take delivery of your new car. Most installations will take several hours to complete, but finding and scheduling a licensed electrician can take up to two weeks.

To successfully install home charging equipment at your house, follow these steps.

1. Find an Electrician – Enter your zip code in the Find an Electrician tool to locate an installer in your area.
2. After you’ve located electricians near you, contact them directly and tell them exactly what needs to be done. It’s now easier than ever to get multiple estimates from different companies.
3. Order Your Equipment – Once you have a quote from an electrician, order your home charging equipment online.
4. Schedule Your Installation – Forward your order shipment confirmation email to your chosen electricians and schedule your installation date right away.

Cost

Depending on your home charging hardware, installation costs may vary.

A straightforward installation can cost anywhere between $750-$1500. However, if there is anything else you need to complete your installation, we will adjust the price accordingly.

Typically included:

• Professional installation service and materials
• Permit
• Inspection
• Installation warranty

Typically additional:

• Long wire run (distance from the electrical panel to installation site)
• Additional sub-panel
• Trench (underground wires)
• Main panel upgrade
• Pedestal installation
• Hiding cables behind walls

Installation Resources

You can visit the Wall Connectors Support page for further information about how to install a Wall connector.

Apartments And Condos

Make sure you get approval from your landlord before installing home charging.

More and more condo and apartment buildings are required to allow EV charging. Install charging makes business sense, so the case for installing charging will only become stronger as more people buy EVs.

You may be eligible for incentives to help offset costs. At the federal, state, local, and utility levels. You can find home charging-related incentives at the U.S Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center.

We provide the following templates to help you start these conversations with your building manager or homeowner association (HOA):

• Request an electric vehicle charger be installed at your apartment or condo
• Request for approval to install an electric vehicle charger in your deeded parking spot

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Use A NEMA Receptacle Or Wall Connector With The Mobile Connector?

Either option has its perks, below we have put together a comparison checklist:

Mobile Connector

• Maximum charging speed of 30 miles per hour
• 20” cable included 
• Less expensive for total installation
• Ties up Mobile Connector for home charging 
• NEMA 14-50 requires three wires plus the ground wire. NEMA 6-50 requires two wires plus the ground wire.
• Unobtrusive visually 
• 50A circuit required 
• Charging from any outlet is limited due to the 32-amp maximum charge rate of the Gen 2 Mobile Connector. That is why, even on a 50A circuit, the long-range battery can only charge at 32 amps or 30 miles of range per hour.

Tesla Wall Connector 

• Charges your car’s standard or long-range battery at the maximum rate (30 / 44 miles of range per hour, respectively)
• 18” cable
• $500 for a Wall Connector (either cable length). Shipping is included.
• Expensive installation
• Allows the Mobile Connector to be stored in the car for road trips. The second Mobile Connector could save $300.
• Ground wire plus 2 more wires 
• To provide maximum charging to the long-range battery, a 60A circuit is required. It can be used on any circuit from 15 to 100 amps, but it only charges according to your car’s limitations.
• Cool lights, very stylish 
• Great flexibility – Install on a 40A circuit to charge one car at the maximum rate with the standard-range battery. Install on the 60A circuit to charge one car with the long-range battery at its maximum rate. Install on a circuit with up to 100 amps to charge multiple Tesla vehicles at the fastest possible charging speeds
• By bypassing the 32-amp limit of the Gen 2 Mobile Connector, a Wall Connector can charge the long-range battery at a maximum rate of 48 amps, or 44 miles of range per hour.

I’m Unsure How Many Charging Amps The Car Can Handle. Some People Suggest 40 Or 48 Amps. Some People Claim 32 Amps. Please Elaborate

The onboard charger in cars with a standard-range battery can handle up to 32 amps. Cars with a long-range battery have an onboard charger that can handle up to 48 amps. However, the Gen 2 Mobile Connector’s maximum current is 32 amps.

It’s a size restriction of the charging cable. With the included Gen 2 Mobile Connector, you can charge the Standard Battery at maximum speed. Use a dedicated EVSE, such as a Tesla Wall Connector that is rated at 48 amps or more and connected to a 120-volt 60-amp (or more) breaker, to charge the long-range battery at maximum speed.

Most EVSEs cannot charge at more than 32 amps, so make sure to check before purchasing anything other than the Tesla Wall Connector.

The fact that the Model S/X’s old Gen 1 Mobile Connector had a 40-amp maximum complicates the situation. Furthermore, Superchargers bypass the car’s built-in charger and charge the battery directly at a much higher rate. As a result, it breaks down as follows:

Connection	Standard Range Current	Battery Speed	Long Range Current	Battery Speed
Mobile Connector Gen 2	32 amps Max	30 mrph	32 amps max	30 mrph
Mobile Connector Gen 1	32 amps max	30 mrph	40 amps max	37 mrph
Tesla Wall Connector	32 amps max	30 mrph	48 amps max	44 mrph

I Have A 6-50 Outlet. It’s A 50-Amp Outlet, Just Like The 14-50. What’s The Difference? Do I Need To Upgrade?

The NEMA 6-50 and NEMA 14-50 are both 50A outlets that charge the car at the same speed. Two wires and a ground are required for the 6-50 outlet. The two wires create a 240V circuit. To meet the code, the 14-50 outlet must have three wires plus a ground. Two of the wires, like the 6-50, create a 240V circuit. 

The third wire is a center tap or “neutral” wire that adds a 120V circuit. Because the oven runs on 240V, but a clock and any lights on the stove only require 120V power, this configuration is ideal for electric ranges. Nevertheless, Tesla does not use the neutral wire.

So, for charging your car, the two outlet types are equivalent. If the distance to run wiring to the outlet is significant for new service, the 6-50 outlet is more cost-effective (less copper to run) and provides the equivalent charging speed.

Which Are The Best Places To Buy?

There is a difference. To suit the application, electrical outlets are manufactured to various standards. There are a variety of ways to categorize an application, but you want to avoid common “residential” grade outlets in order to keep things simple. This is the cheapest option, but it’s not ideal for charging an electric vehicle. 

The next grade up is “commercial,” but it’s even better to go for “industrial.” Spring Tensioning in the receptacle of industrial-grade outlets ensures a tight grip and better resistance to repeated charging cord insertions.

Some of the most trusted brands that produce industrial-grade outlets include Cooper, Eaton, Hubbell, and Leviton. Tesla recommends the Hubbell HBL9450A or Cooper 5754N for 50A 14-50 outlets.

Where Can I Find Adaptors And Other Accessories For Electric Vehicles That Aren’t Made By Tesla?

Many third-party companies specialize in accessories for electric cars such as AC Works, EVSE Adaptors, Cord Depot and Stay Online.

I’m Buying A Tesla Wall Connector And Want To Plug It Into An Existing Outlet Rather Than Hardwire It To The Electrical Panel. I Know That The Long-Range Battery Won’t Provide The Maximum Charge Rate For My Model 3, But I Don’t Need It. Can You Do It?

Yes! A dial on the Wall Connector allows you to adjust it for the circuit amperage you’re plugging into. You can simply order a cord that matches the outlet type. Let’s say you have a NEMA 14-50 outlet. That is a 50 amp, 4-wire outlet, so you’d need a 50-amp, 4-wire cord.

I Have A Standard 120V 15A Socket In My Garage That, According To Your Chart, Only Charges The Battery At 4-5 Miles Of Range Per Hour. Is There A Way For Me To Charge More Without Having To Rewire My Garage?

Possibly. You may be able to convert the circuit that the outlet is connected to from a 120V circuit into a 240V circuit without having to change the wiring between the breaker box and the outlet. This only works if the desired outlet is the ONLY outlet on the circuit to the breaker panel, which is a very rare circumstance. 

You’ll also need to change wires to a new 240V dual breaker. For a 240V 2-pole breaker, you’ll need two open adjacent slots. Keep in mind that you’re freeing up one breaker slot that was previously used by the current outlet.

This change increases the charging speed to 11 mrph. The wiring can remain as is because only the voltage, not the current, is increasing. 

When making this change, consult an electrician and obtain permits. The circuit’s existing NEMA5-15 outlet(s) must be replaced with a single NEMA 6-15 outlet.

I Just Have A Standard 120V 20A Socket In My Garage, Which Charges The Battery At 6-7 Miles Of Range Per Hour, According To Your Chart. Is There A Way For Me To Charge More Without Having To Rewire My Garage?

The same answer as above, except you will need a 240V 20Aoutlet. That is NEMA 6-20. Here’s an industrial-grade Leviton 5461 outlet.

What Do I Need To Know And Consider Before Hiring An Electrician?

The first thing you need to know is that not all electricians are created equal! Even among licensed electricians, skill levels and attention to detail vary greatly. Choosing an electrician is like choosing a partner: you don’t just take the first one that comes along.

Be cautious. When interviewing an electrician, use your “I’m a good consumer” skills. Here are some suggestions:

• Tesla offers an Electrician referral service. This is not a cure-all, but rather a starting point. The only caveat here is that the price quote may be higher than from other electricians. When the word “Tesla” is mentioned, prices rise across the board.
• Go to an electrical supply store. Avoid big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes. A real electrical supply distributor with a retail counter. These guys are familiar with all of the local electricians and may be able to provide you with a good recommendation.
• Ask for references, regardless of how you find the electrician.
• Get several quotes. This cannot be overstated. Each electrician has their own point of view, and prices are bound to vary. Don’t go with the lowest offer. Ask questions. Go with the person who asks you good questions, appears to be most competent, and provides references.
• Know what you’re talking about before you call. That’s the purpose of this guide. If you’re having an outlet installed, know the model numbers of the industrial version. Ask for an industrial-grade outlet or order it in advance. See if the electrician appears confused by the question. The COPPER wire must be used. Don’t accept an aluminum wire. Send the electrician packing if they won’t comply with your wishes.
• Consider claiming that the outlet is for an RV, not an electric vehicle if you’re installing one. It is widely believed that electricians charge more to wire up outlets for electric cars. Particularly Tesla vehicles!

Do I Need To Buy A Second Mobile Connector For When I Travel? I Like To Keep The One That Came With The Car Plugged In At Home. It’s Too Much Work To Remove It From The Trunk And Uncoil It Every Day. I Also Read The Warning About Constantly Plugging And Unplugging The Cord.

It depends. Superchargers and Destination Chargers can be used without a Mobile Connector. You can only carry the J1772 adapter, which allows you to plug into third-party charging stations that use the J1772 standard.

That covers a lot of ground. However, if you’re the type who likes to be prepared for anything, an additional Mobile kit may come in handy. If you’re ever low on power near an RV park or campground, a 50A NEMA 14-50 adapter or TT-30 adapter (see next FAQ) may come in very handy.

If you’re ever visiting friends or relatives, you can at least charge the battery in their driveway. This implies that you should have the 15A 5-15 and 20A 5-20 adapters with you.

In cold climates, such a connection keeps the battery warm. Before you spend $300 on a second Mobile Connector, take a look at the Tesla Wall Connector for $500. 

The Wall Connector mentioned above has many advantages for the extra $200. As previously stated in the FAQ section, you may want to consider switching your home outlet for an industrial one.

Aside From The Ones That Come With The Mobile Connector, Are There Any Other Adapters I Should Bring?

Travel trailers and smaller RVs can be accommodated in some RV parks by using 120V 30A outlets. The outlet type is referred to as a TT-30. Tesla does not make an adapter for this outlet, but EVSE Adapters does. It’s not cheap, but it’s a useful addition to the tool bag that says “be prepared for anything.”

Is There A Reason Why I Can’t Charge My Car As Fast As A Supercharger Or Destination Charger?

You can charge at home at least as fast as a Destination Charger. Destination Chargers are just Tesla Wall Connectors. Your car has a built-in charger that can handle 32 amps for the standard-range battery and 48 amps for the long-range battery, respectively.

If the Wall Connector is connected to at least a 60-amp circuit (either your home unit or in a hotel), it charges the car at the maximum speed (44 mph for the long-range battery and 30 mph for the standard-range battery). 

The Wall Connector can be installed on any circuit from 15 to 100 amps, and the car will be charged accordingly. As a result, not all Destination Chargers are created equal. It all depends on the amperage circuit where the unit was installed. 

A Supercharger bypasses the onboard charger in the car to deliver high-power DC directly to the battery. When using household power, the car’s onboard charger converts household alternating current (AC) into the DC that is required by the battery.

What Determines How Much Power The Car Tries To Draw?

Good question! The vehicle must never draw more current than the electrical circuit is designed for. This usually happens automatically. The adapters that came with the car in the Mobile Connector kit (or were purchased from Tesla) determine how much current to draw. Let’s say you’re charging from a 20-amp outlet. 

As a result, you would plug one end of the 20A NEMA 5-20 adapter into the outlet and the other end into the Mobile Connector (which then plugs into the car). The adapter tells the onboard charger to draw no more than 16 amps.

The code stipulates that no more than 80% of a circuit be used for continuous loads. The Tesla adapter indicates the correct charge rate for the outlet type it is connected to. 

Knowing this will help you avoid getting into trouble when searching for adapters that override power limits to connect with unusual outlets. These 3rd-party adapters, which are supposedly designed to work on a Tesla, may break the usual rules and overload a circuit.

For example –  Cathy wants to go camping in her Tesla. She’s staying at an RV park that doesn’t have the typical 240V 50A NEMA 14-50 outlets for RVs. They only have lower-powered outlets for small RVs. A TT-30 (for Travel Trailer) outlet is used, which has 120V and 30A.

An adapter for a TT-30 outlet is not available from Tesla. However, AC WorksTM has created an after-market TT-30 adapter that uses the Tesla-supplied 14-50 adapter to plug into the TT-30 outlet. This is a problem. 

The fact that the 3rd party adapter uses the Tesla 14-50 adapter means that the car thinks it’s plugged into a 240V 50A outlet when it’s a 120V 30A outlet!

This is at best a circuit breaker that has been tripped (the car tries to draw 32 amps on the circuit, which is the maximum current allowed by the Gen 2 Mobile Connector). Not ideal or recommended by any means!

The suggested workaround for such a cumbersome setup is to manually dial back the charging rate to 24 amps using the car’s charging screen. This is unwise because it’s too easy to forget.

Find a company that makes an adapter that plugs directly into the Mobile Connector and signals exactly the right amperage to draw when looking for outlet adapters that Tesla does not make. We recommend that Cathy purchase an adapter that correctly signals the car to draw the required current from the outlet.

I’ve Heard Of A Dryer Buddy T Product On eBay That Allows You To Share Your Dryer Outlet With Your Electric Vehicle. Is This Thing Worth A Damn? I Occasionally Use My Dryer In The Garage.

It can be. Buy the right version, however! Otherwise, you’ll end up with a “Cathy the camper” problem, as described in the previous question. One version of the Dryer Buddy requires you to plug into a 30A Outlet with your 50A 14-50 adapter!

Your 14-50 adapter tells the car that it is plugged into a 50A outlet, and if you don’t override the amperage limit setting on the car’s charging screen, the breaker will trip. That is, if everything goes as planned… otherwise, house wires could overheat and catch fire!

Conclusion

Tesla never intended to offer everyone unlimited free electrons for life. They do, however, offer a pretty great deal if you really think about it: fast charging, low fuel prices, and convenient charging locations for road trips are all you really need. Every year, the first 1,000 miles are free.

Given that nearly 90% of charging is done at home or work when your car is parked anyway, 1k miles per year is about as reasonable as it gets when it comes to charging on the road. Even when gas prices are low, charging at home is cheaper than buying it in all 50 states. And EV maintenance is 13 percent cheaper than that of a comparable gas car. 

As the technology becomes more widely accepted, the deal for EV drivers will only get better and better as the world moves forward in the electric car revolution. 

You’re set unless you need an adapter not included with the Mobile Connector kit and you already have an outlet where the car is parked at home that meets your minimum charging miles of range per hour rate. Tesla and EVSE Adapters also sell other adapters. 

See our Safety recommendations to make sure the circuit is in good working order. If your electric service can handle the load, you’ll likely choose a NEMA 6-50 or 14-50 (see FAQ) or a Tesla Wall Connector if you’re installing a new service. For help choosing an electrician, see our FAQ above.

When deciding on the charging method for your car, keep in mind the necessity of charging other EVs.