Tesla engineer warns against using NACS extension cords at Superchargers

[Electric Rivilution]

Per Wes Morrill:

"Would recommend AGAINST using an extension cord on a supercharger (or any DC charging station with a liquid cooled cable). Have seen multiple instances of the cable overheated and shorting DC +/-

There's a temperature measurement in the handle and the supercharger derates based on that temperature. With the extension cable that safety goes away. On top of adding an additional junction which generates heat making matters worse."

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[moosetags]

I would be very cautious about using one of these because of the heat produced in DC charger cords. Possibly, the extra length could serve to dissipate some of the heat. I think that I will wait until others report on the use of this extension cord.

I also think that Tesla refit their charger units with longer cords as they do maintenance on their units.

Brian

 

[beatle]

Possibly, the extra length could serve to dissipate some of the heat.

It wouldn't really work that way, especially if the extension cord has higher resistance than the supercharger cable. The extension would effectively be part of the problem (increased resistance, increased heat) and not part of the solution (dissipating heat). The biggest issue mentioned on Twitter is that the supercharger no longer knows what the temperature at the charge port is and whether to throttle or abort the charge.

 

[CrazyOne]

In 99% of the cases, you don't need to use a Tesla charger. Sure, EA will screw us sometimes, but a little planning usually works to mitigate this. If you are in a pickle, use it without extension or just don't use it. You are risking your vehicle and possibly lot more.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

This would explain why the "coming soon" extension cord listing has disappeared from Tesla's online shop.

In 99% of the cases, you don't need to use a Tesla charger. Sure, EA will screw us sometimes, but a little planning usually works to mitigate this. If you are in a pickle, use it without extension or just don't use it. You are risking your vehicle and possibly lot more.

Speak for yourself. There are parts of the country where other networks are F-grade, have too few chargers (2~6 per site) for amount of demand. Meanwhile, within 3 mile radius there are Superchargers that see only 30% use most of the day. Your individual experience is not universal.

 

[Dark-Fx]

This would explain why the "coming soon" listing has disappeared from their online shop.

https://a2zevshop.com/collections/upcoming-products

Looks like it's still there here?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

https://a2zevshop.com/collections/upcoming-products

Looks like it's still there here?

Tesla's. Not A2Z. They showed a picture of a black stuff sack with red draw string.

 

[SPITmadFIRE]

gee that was quick

 

[PaythePiper]

In 99% of the cases, you don't need to use a Tesla charger. Sure, EA will screw us sometimes, but a little planning usually works to mitigate this. If you are in a pickle, use it without extension or just don't use it. You are risking your vehicle and possibly lot more.

Have you not charged in CA? Lol

 

[CrazyOne]

Have you not charged in CA? Lol

Have you charged in WA? Lol

 

[lirandy]

In 99% of the cases, you don't need to use a Tesla charger. Sure, EA will screw us sometimes, but a little planning usually works to mitigate this. If you are in a pickle, use it without extension or just don't use it. You are risking your vehicle and possibly lot more.

I've learned my lesson after a few trips relying on EA. EA is NOT reliable at all.

 

[CrazyOne]

I've learned my lesson after a few trips relying on EA. EA is NOT reliable at all.

Can't speak for the entire country, but I don't have to rely on EA around here. Rivian, EvGo and Shell recharge have it covered, even without EA and Tesla. Any further than an 8-10 hour drive and I fly.

 

[Riviaenz]

In 99% of the cases, you don't need to use a Tesla charger. Sure, EA will screw us sometimes, but a little planning usually works to mitigate this. If you are in a pickle, use it without extension or just don't use it. You are risking your vehicle and possibly lot more.

Agreed, I’ve noticed that the few times we’ve used Supercharger our Rivian’s battery comes out way way hotter than even an EA. It‘s coolest coming off a RAN, BC and Flo, EA is next coolest but with Supercharger I’ve noticed close to 120F every time (different sites). Can’t be good to use Tesla regularly when needing a fast charge.

 

[MannyMan]

Longer cable means more resistance. It’s a huge NO NO. It extends the SC cable and impact it as well(not just the extension cable). Everything is taken into consideration when measuring the current that a vehicle is able to accept, charger cable, plug/charge port, cable from charge port to battery. Adding an additional 6ft is huge when we’re talking 500A, and there’s no way to make it take less, unless the plug gets hot. Using 3rd party adapters is fine, but extending the length of the cable is something that Tesla will take action against, for sure.

 

[Type_R]

I've learned my lesson after a few trips relying on EA. EA is NOT reliable at all.

I agree, I have a Chevy EV rental currently since my R1T is in the shop, and it was challenging to use the EA chargers on my route back home. It wouldn't recognize my credit balance I had in the app, and it would take a couple of tries at each location to get it to initiate the charging session. Each location, I had to use my credit card, because it wouldn't accept the credit I had on the app.
So fortunate to have access to the Supercharger network and RAN for the places we travel. Otherwise, it's all home charging for me.

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