Campsite experiences: is 14-50 or TT-30 more common?

[Sunvalleylaw]

Older parks are much more likely to be TT-30. Newer parks usually have 14-50.

In the RV world, they call the TT-30 "30 amp service" and 14-50 "50 amp service."

You can usually find listings for any given campground that will show one or both of those.

Around here in Idaho and generally in the PNW/northern Intermountain, the RV places seem to sometimes charge different rates for “30 amp service” and “50 amp service.”

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

Have you actually tried that particular adapter?

It looks like an RV adapter, which generally works by connecting both L1 and L2 to the single line in of the TT-30, and the TT-30 neutral to the 14-50 neutral.

That’s great for two 120V banks both running to neutral in an RV. For an EV that’s connecting across L1 to L2 to get 240 V for charging, not so much. With both sides connected to the single line in, there’s no charging power.

The EVSEadapters custom pigtail has advantages over a correct EV charging adapter because it has the thermal monitoring at the plug of the UMC intact and functional, and also passes the correct charge current limit to the car.

If a guy was to order the tesla branded adapters, in your experience, would it be better to get the whole kit, or just the 14-50 and 14-30, and perhaps one or two others? Not sure I need the full kit they market.

 

[wws]

If a guy was to order the tesla branded adapters, in your experience, would it be better to get the whole kit, or just the 14-50 and 14-30, and perhaps one or two others? Not sure I need the full kit they market.

The "30 amp" receptacles are TT-30 - "Travel Trailer" 30 amp 120V. TT-30 is different than 14-30 and 10-30 - which are 120/240V combinations (14-30 includes safety ground, 10-30 has no safety ground). Tesla doesn't offer a TT-30 adapter for the UMC, so you need to go to evseadapters for their version.

For RV campsites in North America, a complete set of UMC adapters would include the 5-15, 5-20, and 14-50 from Tesla, and the TT-30 from evseadapters.

 

[Rocky_H]

If a guy was to order the tesla branded adapters, in your experience, would it be better to get the whole kit, or just the 14-50 and 14-30, and perhaps one or two others? Not sure I need the full kit they market.

Yeah, I really don't think it's worthwhile to get the whole set. Even if you want to be really prepared, probably just the 14-50 and TT-30 are about as far as that needs to go. If you wanted to do more, you could get the two types of dryer plugs, but realistically, I think that's going to be hard to reach most of the time if the laundry room is inside the house, so to even use it, you would have to start getting into buying other big beefy extension cords, and that is maybe getting not worth it with how most cities do have some charging resources available. I had to do that stuff back in 2014, but we're generally beyond that now.

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

The "30 amp" receptacles are TT-30 - "Travel Trailer" 30 amp 120V. TT-30 is different than 14-30 and 10-30 - which are 120/240V combinations (14-30 includes safety ground, 10-30 has no safety ground). Tesla doesn't offer a TT-30 adapter for the UMC, so you need to go to evseadapters for their version.

For RV campsites in North America, a complete set of UMC adapters would include the 5-15, 5-20, and 14-50 from Tesla, and the TT-30 from evseadapters.

Thank you. Where have you seen 5-15 and 5-20 come up? Just curious if I am likely to need those two. I have only seen the 14-50 and TT-30 style using my slide in truck camper, along with the standard household 3 prong, which is all my old 90's Northstar slide in pop-top really needs and which end is on its cord.

Yeah, I really don't think it's worthwhile to get the whole set. Even if you want to be really prepared, probably just the 14-50 and TT-30 are about as far as that needs to go. If you wanted to do more, you could get the two types of dryer plugs, but realistically, I think that's going to be hard to reach most of the time if the laundry room is inside the house, so to even use it, you would have to start getting into buying other big beefy extension cords, and that is maybe getting not worth it with how most cities do have some charging resources available. I had to do that stuff back in 2014, but we're generally beyond that now.

Thank you. @Rocky_H , would you say those two would cover me in drives in Idaho and surrounds, and between Hailey, and Seattle, Portland, Bend, Missoula/Butte/Bozeman, Victor/Driggs, through Nevada to California, hrough Wyoming into CO, and SLC (that one seems easy with superchargers already)? Other than some other big road trip somewhere East, those are the areas I can see myself driving, and once I get to the populated areas in those states, figuring I will be ok on the Tesla network.

 

[alexcue]

I actually got the whole Tesla Kit and added the TT-30 from EVSE adapters. I just looked and it was $220 at the time and I don't recall what I paid for the TT-30, but it was on sale I think at the same time. Still haven't used any of them (check that 5-20 was used cause there was an outlet free), but not for lack of trying, just haven't been far enough away from Superchargers where I needed to worry about it. They always travel with me, and agree with @Rocky_H probably overkill, but what the heck, I'm prepared for all eventualities. CCS1 is on it's way too...

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

I actually got the whole Tesla Kit and added the TT-30 from EVSE adapters. I just looked and it was $220 at the time and I don't recall what I paid for the TT-30, but it was on sale I think at the same time. Still haven't used any of them (check that 5-20 was used cause there was an outlet free), but not for lack of trying, just haven't been far enough away from Superchargers where I needed to worry about it. They always travel with me, and agree with @Rocky_H probably overkill, but what the heck, I'm prepared for all eventualities. CCS1 is on it's way too...

apparently, in a Tesla charging hole for me going north through Idaho, one of the tribes has a hotel with charging on one of the alternate style plugs, so I am guessing I will need that one too. @DrGriz , I think you are the one that mentioned that.

 

[wws]

Thank you. Where have you seen 5-15 and 5-20 come up? Just curious if I am likely to need those two. I have only seen the 14-50 and TT-30 style using my slide in truck camper, along with the standard household 3 prong, which is all my old 90's Northstar slide in pop-top really needs and which end is on its cord...

The "standard household 3 prong" is a 5-15. A 5-20 is the 20 amp version of a 5-15. (A 5-20 receptacle will accept both 5-15 and 5-20 plugs.) I've used 5-15 and 5-20 a few times on the road, in hotel/motel/inn parking lots. Especially in areas which get snow in the winter, and ICE drivers use the receptacles for engine block heaters. They are usually on campsite pedestals too. Though obviously when available, the higher power connections are best.

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

The "standard household 3 prong" is a 5-15. A 5-20 is the 20 amp version of a 5-15. (A 5-20 receptacle will accept both 5-15 and 5-20 plugs.) I've used 5-15 and 5-20 a few times on the road, in hotel/motel/inn parking lots. Especially in areas which get snow in the winter, and ICE drivers use the receptacles for engine block heaters. They are usually on campsite pedestals too. Though obviously the higher power connections are best.

Ok, thank you. Forgive my ignorance. Looks like a 5-15 will come with the mobile connector kit, so it will only be the 5-20 I will be missing.

And yeah, in my truck with the slide in pop top, a 5-15 has been all I have really used, though I have needed an adapter for a 14-50 or tt-30 at times. As my truck doesn't use that much juice for much. Lights and the little fridge is all really. and the water pump which uses nearly nothing. Heat has been propane, though I want to go to a quiet electric unit.

But the truck is for when we are really getting out there, staying for a longer time, towing the boat for skiing, etc. The new car will allow me to sleep on regular road trips quite nicely. I am thinking. The idea is to turn my truck into something I use only on really "truck is needed" days for another 10 years while the EV trucks better develop. Right now, I need a 2500 level truck that can tow with range. When I want a truck. They don't make that yet.

 

[Rocky_H]

Thank you. @Rocky_H , would you say those two would cover me in drives in Idaho and surrounds, and between Hailey, and Seattle, Portland, Bend, Missoula/Butte/Bozeman, Victor/Driggs, through Nevada to California, hrough Wyoming into CO, and SLC (that one seems easy with superchargers already)? Other than some other big road trip somewhere East, those are the areas I can see myself driving, and once I get to the populated areas in those states, figuring I will be ok on the Tesla network.

I don't see a need for any others than the campground ones. Remember that all of these won't even use that mobile charging cable at all:

1. Superchargers
2. Public charging stations (J1772)
3. Destination charging at hotels or event locations: (Tesla wall connectors or J1772)

So the only place you would use these adapters are plugging into outlets. And that itself is getting rare. And it's kind of a self solving issue. If you are near cities, you have those options--1-3. If you are away from cities, that is where you have camping and RV parks, so the 14-50 and TT-30 would be there. You're not going to go knocking on someone's door and asking to use their dryer outlet.

apparently, in a Tesla charging hole for me going north through Idaho, one of the tribes has a hotel with charging on one of the alternate style plugs, so I am guessing I will need that one too. @DrGriz , I think you are the one that mentioned that.

It is a little sparse up there, but I've been looking at it quite a while on Plugshare. Usually hotels would have either Tesla wall connectors or J1772. Outlets are a bit more rare, but are found sometimes. Those are frequently 14-50 though. What specific hotel location in what city is that?

 

[roblab]

So the 14-50 adapter is like $35 from Tesla, it used to be standard and you really should make sure you have one.

So the real question is for the probably $60-75 for the third party TT-30 that will cost, are you willing to risk not having it when you could need it? It will probably get you about 10miles per hour maybe more which is certainly worthwhile.

In 250,000 miles of driving, trips, vacations, etc., I've never used a TT-30, nor do I have an adapter. There are so many superchargers around now. (Using old voice Back in my day, we just looked at a map. More and more EVs have higher range, so making it from one charger to another is never a problem. Just plan on 10% to 90% and don't race. Vacations are for enjoying the scenery. But if you're going to work and will need every ounce of battery, fill it to the top (set charger to have car full at time of leaving) and enjoy the ride.

 

[DrGriz]

apparently, in a Tesla charging hole for me going north through Idaho, one of the tribes has a hotel with charging on one of the alternate style plugs, so I am guessing I will need that one too. @DrGriz , I think you are the one that mentioned that.

The Tribe casino at Lewiston has a ChargePoint charger. They have a Tesla to ChaDeMo adapter at the hotel front desk a few steps away. They let you borrow it for the asking and just hold your driver's license or such while you charge. You don't need to stay or buy anything. Easy. One of my friends who was involved with the tribe solar is often there. It might be on account of him. The casino has a huge solar array and MegaPack storage. So the charger is solar powered.

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

I don't see a need for any others than the campground ones. Remember that all of these won't even use that mobile charging cable at all:

1. Superchargers
2. Public charging stations (J1772)
3. Destination charging at hotels or event locations: (Tesla wall connectors or J1772)

So the only place you would use these adapters are plugging into outlets. And that itself is getting rare. And it's kind of a self solving issue. If you are near cities, you have those options--1-3. If you are away from cities, that is where you have camping and RV parks, so the 14-50 and TT-30 would be there. You're not going to go knocking on someone's door and asking to use their dryer outlet.


It is a little sparse up there, but I've been looking at it quite a while on Plugshare. Usually hotels would have either Tesla wall connectors or J1772. Outlets are a bit more rare, but are found sometimes. Those are frequently 14-50 though. What specific hotel location in what city is that?

I tagged @DrGriz so I could find out. I may be able to find it in another Idaho Waiting Room thread I started a while back, but will need to search through some pages. I think the place he stopped used CHAdeMO and had one other type as well.

https://www.chademo.com/​

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

The Tribe casino at Lewiston has a ChargePoint charger. They have a Tesla to ChaDeMo adapter at the hotel front desk a few steps away. They let you borrow it for the asking and just hold your driver's license or such while you charge. You don't need to stay or buy anything. Easy. One of my friends who was involved with the tribe solar is often there. It might be on account of him. The casino has a huge solar array and MegaPack storage. So the charger is solar powered.

Thanks, @DrGriz !

 

[wws]

Ok, thank you. Forgive my ignorance. Looks like a 5-15 will come with the mobile connector kit, so it will only be the 5-20 I will be missing.

And yeah, in my truck with the slide in pop top, a 5-15 has been all I have really used, though I have needed an adapter for a 14-50 or tt-30 at times. As my truck doesn't use that much juice for much. Lights and the little fridge is all really. and the water pump which uses nearly nothing. Heat has been propane, though I want to go to a quiet electric unit...

The 5-20 adapter isn't critical - as you can always use the 5-15. Just that when available, the 5-20 adapter will give a couple extra MPH of charging over the 5-15.

 

[DrGriz]

I don't see a need for any others than the campground ones. Remember that all of these won't even use that mobile charging cable at all:


It is a little sparse up there, but I've been looking at it quite a while on Plugshare. Usually hotels would have either Tesla wall connectors or J1772. Outlets are a bit more rare, but are found sometimes. Those are frequently 14-50 though. What specific hotel location in what city is that?

All of the other chargers on Plugshare north of Boise until you get to C'D'A are Level II. Often they are at motels (Grangeville, Pullman, Clarkston) and they may or may not let you use them unless you stay there. If it is winter and you are driving south/uphill with the wind blowing it can be a puckering situation. Ask me how I know!

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

All of the other chargers on Plugshare north of Boise until you get to C'D'A are Level II. Often they are at motels (Grangeville, Pullman, Clarkston) and they may or may not let you use them unless you stay there. If it is winter and you are driving south/uphill with the wind blowing it can be a puckering situation. Ask me how I know!

Sounds exciting! Fortunately for me, If I were headed that way in Winter, Such as if I were going to go ski on the Powder Highway up into inner BC or something, I would probably go around through Kennewick anyway, with the drive time, not counting charging, being only a little longer anyway, with a lot less winding roads in winter conditions. Summer conditions would be a different matter.

 

[DrGriz]

Sounds exciting! Fortunately for me, If I were headed that way in Winter, Such as if I were going to go ski on the Powder Highway up into inner BC or something, I would probably go around through Kennewick anyway, with the drive time, not counting charging, being only a little longer anyway, with a lot less winding roads in winter conditions. Summer conditions would be a different matter.

View attachment 796232

Yes, that would be the rational trip under those circumstances.

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

Yes, that would be the rational trip under those circumstances.

Might get more wind the longer way though.

 

[Sunvalleylaw]

Yes, that would be the rational trip under those circumstances.

One trip I will probably be doing this year is up to Walla Walla to go cycling and wine tasting. My buddy with the S, who lives in Seattle, uses a destination charger there.