We recently travelled from the Northern Beaches (Sydney) to the Barossa Valley (SA) and return in our 3LR.
Some of this information might be useful, particularly to new-comers. It is hardly an adventure trip and does not rival those who have gone around the continent, done Sydney-Darwin-return or Perth to Melbourne and other places.
The overall trip was 2,922kms and we resolved to take in some of the sights along the way, as well as a reunion with a school friend of my wife in Hay. We were gone a total of 10 days. Somewhat different from our younger days when we used to travel to or from SA in one day. Indeed, we did encounter a gentleman in Hay who was travelling from Adelaide to Sydney in a Model Y in just one day.
From Sydney, we travelled to Canberra and Queanbeyan (visits to kids and grand-kids) then Wagga Wagga, Hay, Balranald, Mildura and the Barossa (where we spent three days & two nights). Return was the same back to Hay, then via West Wyalong, Cowra and home over the Bells Line of Road (Blue Mountains).
We planned the trip on ABRP (A Better Route Planner) and had a printed itinerary of our proposed stops, energy usage and possible charging stops. I removed the roof bars before departure. However, in practice they make no noticeable difference. However I am sure removal of every little bit of wind resistance is somewhat helpful. The frunk was filled with cables, two EVSEs, puncture repair kit (for non-sidewall punctures) and every manner of electrical adaptor, low-profile jack, heavy duty air compressor & wheel wrench. The only thing we used was our 22kW three phase 7 metre Type 2 cable at a hotel in Wagga Wagga. They have a couple of EVSEs and it is BYO cable.
In general, the car behaved really well and was a delight to drive. Much less tiring than our previous ICE cars. We used AP nearly all the time. There was only one morning when we experienced a few occurrences of PB (Phantom Braking) and one occurrence of dry-wiping. These might have been influenced by squashed insects plus lowish sun angles and shadows. We cleaned windscreen and cameras each day before departure. We avoided night travel because of deer, roos, emus and other wildlife. We travelled at speed limit +1km/hr which puts the car at exactly the speed limit ay 110km/hr. Passing the numerous Road Trains (some with over 48 wheels!) was easy with the Tesla “grunt”. The speed sign recognition has really improved in the 19 months we have had the car. This trip, it missed almost nothing. But still does not “know” that truck and bus signs to not apply to Teslas.
For the whole trip, ABRP (default settings) overestimated the energy usage and the Tesla underestimated. The difference was never more than a few percent, except for Hay to Cowra where the Tesla underestimated by about 10 percentage points. So it was estimating -4% for Cowra (at 417km from Hay). Rectified by a 20min lunch/coffee stop at the handy West Wyalong DC charger.
Our aim was to charge, wherever possible, while sleeping or eating. Thus, for over-night, we preferenced Motels which provided AC charging. At these motels, we tried to charge to 80% while they still had solar and then top up next morning after the sun rose. NRMA has done a good job providing 50kW DC chargers at strategic towns along the way. However, some of them are starting to get quite busy and there is an ever present risk (and sometimes actuality) of them breaking down. The NRMA charger in Hay would stop prematurely around the 20-30min mark. This happened four times to us and three times to a Model Y driver. At least it could be restarted. This also happened in Balranald. We found that many people are not booking in on Plugshare, so the comments history does not give a true indication of usage.
The only available Tesla DC chargers on the route were in Majura (ACT). These have become MUCH busier in the past year. There were five of us for a while and we were only getting 53kW. Even when there were only two cars, we were on totally different chargers but each car was only getting 53kW (at 25-35% SOC). Not sure why this happened but it meant that we did not get the charge we wanted but still had enough to get to Wagga Wagga.
We never bother with estimated kilometres (range) and always use SOC, hence the following figures. Some minor driving around not shown.
Sydney-Canberra. 100% → 25%. 319km. Some charge at SC and some from daughter’s solar.
Canberra-Wagga Wagga. 81% → 28%. 264km. Charged @ Wagga RSL hotel.
Wagga Wagga-Hay. 100% → 33%. 269km. Some charge NRMA HAY but faulted.
Hay-Balranald. 75% → 40%. 136km. Charged NRMA Balranald but cut out at 77%.
Balranald-Mildura. 77% → 34%. 181km. Charged at Sturt Motor Inn to 80% then 100% next day.
Mildura-Tanunda. 100% → 26%. 330km. Charged to 99% at NRMA Tanunda.
Bethany-Mildura. 94% → 19%. 343km. Charged at Sturt Motor Inn to 80% then 90% next day.
Mildura-Hay. 90% → 18%. 300km. NRMA to 34% but faulted after 20mins. Charged to 100% Bidgee Motor Inn 80% daytime and to 100% next morning).
Hay-West Wyalong. 100% → 33%. 258km. Cowra was showing -4% so charged to 65%.
West Wyalong-Cowra. 65% → 26%. 161km. Charged Services Club Motel.
Cowra-Sydney. 100% → 33%. 326km. Home!
Notes: we were hoping to make Hay-Cowra (418kms) but headwinds (reported by the car as 8km/hr) increased energy usage. Could have made it by slowing down. The energy graph and detailed energy report are great as is the overall Nav system.
Every day was sunny and comfortable temperatures 16-28degC.
Tyres set for 47psi when hot. Climate Control on the whole trip.
Several 3g/4G blackspot areas. However, in general, Spotify Podcasts were hardly affected because of good buffering. Radio over Internet worked well with a few dropouts here and there but nothing too problematic. Much better than crackling AM radio of past trips.
Car has the earlier LG battery (pre 5% increase). Somewhere around 75kwhrs usable.
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing trip. I drove the whole way, though my wife would have if needed. We had a boot full of “stuff”. Not too tired by the end and have even had enough energy to wash off the huge numbers of bugs from the front of the car.
Most of the worst potholes have been patched on the Sturt Highway and Lachlan. You had to be alert but overall, better than we expected.
Regds,
Dave
"File:Tesla Stations in Pacific Fair, Queensland, Australia.jpg" by Kgbo is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog Feed thumbnail
Some of this information might be useful, particularly to new-comers. It is hardly an adventure trip and does not rival those who have gone around the continent, done Sydney-Darwin-return or Perth to Melbourne and other places.
The overall trip was 2,922kms and we resolved to take in some of the sights along the way, as well as a reunion with a school friend of my wife in Hay. We were gone a total of 10 days. Somewhat different from our younger days when we used to travel to or from SA in one day. Indeed, we did encounter a gentleman in Hay who was travelling from Adelaide to Sydney in a Model Y in just one day.
From Sydney, we travelled to Canberra and Queanbeyan (visits to kids and grand-kids) then Wagga Wagga, Hay, Balranald, Mildura and the Barossa (where we spent three days & two nights). Return was the same back to Hay, then via West Wyalong, Cowra and home over the Bells Line of Road (Blue Mountains).
We planned the trip on ABRP (A Better Route Planner) and had a printed itinerary of our proposed stops, energy usage and possible charging stops. I removed the roof bars before departure. However, in practice they make no noticeable difference. However I am sure removal of every little bit of wind resistance is somewhat helpful. The frunk was filled with cables, two EVSEs, puncture repair kit (for non-sidewall punctures) and every manner of electrical adaptor, low-profile jack, heavy duty air compressor & wheel wrench. The only thing we used was our 22kW three phase 7 metre Type 2 cable at a hotel in Wagga Wagga. They have a couple of EVSEs and it is BYO cable.
In general, the car behaved really well and was a delight to drive. Much less tiring than our previous ICE cars. We used AP nearly all the time. There was only one morning when we experienced a few occurrences of PB (Phantom Braking) and one occurrence of dry-wiping. These might have been influenced by squashed insects plus lowish sun angles and shadows. We cleaned windscreen and cameras each day before departure. We avoided night travel because of deer, roos, emus and other wildlife. We travelled at speed limit +1km/hr which puts the car at exactly the speed limit ay 110km/hr. Passing the numerous Road Trains (some with over 48 wheels!) was easy with the Tesla “grunt”. The speed sign recognition has really improved in the 19 months we have had the car. This trip, it missed almost nothing. But still does not “know” that truck and bus signs to not apply to Teslas.
For the whole trip, ABRP (default settings) overestimated the energy usage and the Tesla underestimated. The difference was never more than a few percent, except for Hay to Cowra where the Tesla underestimated by about 10 percentage points. So it was estimating -4% for Cowra (at 417km from Hay). Rectified by a 20min lunch/coffee stop at the handy West Wyalong DC charger.
Our aim was to charge, wherever possible, while sleeping or eating. Thus, for over-night, we preferenced Motels which provided AC charging. At these motels, we tried to charge to 80% while they still had solar and then top up next morning after the sun rose. NRMA has done a good job providing 50kW DC chargers at strategic towns along the way. However, some of them are starting to get quite busy and there is an ever present risk (and sometimes actuality) of them breaking down. The NRMA charger in Hay would stop prematurely around the 20-30min mark. This happened four times to us and three times to a Model Y driver. At least it could be restarted. This also happened in Balranald. We found that many people are not booking in on Plugshare, so the comments history does not give a true indication of usage.
The only available Tesla DC chargers on the route were in Majura (ACT). These have become MUCH busier in the past year. There were five of us for a while and we were only getting 53kW. Even when there were only two cars, we were on totally different chargers but each car was only getting 53kW (at 25-35% SOC). Not sure why this happened but it meant that we did not get the charge we wanted but still had enough to get to Wagga Wagga.
We never bother with estimated kilometres (range) and always use SOC, hence the following figures. Some minor driving around not shown.
Sydney-Canberra. 100% → 25%. 319km. Some charge at SC and some from daughter’s solar.
Canberra-Wagga Wagga. 81% → 28%. 264km. Charged @ Wagga RSL hotel.
Wagga Wagga-Hay. 100% → 33%. 269km. Some charge NRMA HAY but faulted.
Hay-Balranald. 75% → 40%. 136km. Charged NRMA Balranald but cut out at 77%.
Balranald-Mildura. 77% → 34%. 181km. Charged at Sturt Motor Inn to 80% then 100% next day.
Mildura-Tanunda. 100% → 26%. 330km. Charged to 99% at NRMA Tanunda.
Bethany-Mildura. 94% → 19%. 343km. Charged at Sturt Motor Inn to 80% then 90% next day.
Mildura-Hay. 90% → 18%. 300km. NRMA to 34% but faulted after 20mins. Charged to 100% Bidgee Motor Inn 80% daytime and to 100% next morning).
Hay-West Wyalong. 100% → 33%. 258km. Cowra was showing -4% so charged to 65%.
West Wyalong-Cowra. 65% → 26%. 161km. Charged Services Club Motel.
Cowra-Sydney. 100% → 33%. 326km. Home!
Notes: we were hoping to make Hay-Cowra (418kms) but headwinds (reported by the car as 8km/hr) increased energy usage. Could have made it by slowing down. The energy graph and detailed energy report are great as is the overall Nav system.
Every day was sunny and comfortable temperatures 16-28degC.
Tyres set for 47psi when hot. Climate Control on the whole trip.
Several 3g/4G blackspot areas. However, in general, Spotify Podcasts were hardly affected because of good buffering. Radio over Internet worked well with a few dropouts here and there but nothing too problematic. Much better than crackling AM radio of past trips.
Car has the earlier LG battery (pre 5% increase). Somewhere around 75kwhrs usable.
Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing trip. I drove the whole way, though my wife would have if needed. We had a boot full of “stuff”. Not too tired by the end and have even had enough energy to wash off the huge numbers of bugs from the front of the car.
Most of the worst potholes have been patched on the Sturt Highway and Lachlan. You had to be alert but overall, better than we expected.
Regds,
Dave
"File:Tesla Stations in Pacific Fair, Queensland, Australia.jpg" by Kgbo is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog Feed thumbnail
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