In some situations, charging at RV parks is the most efficient way to get from A to B on a road trip. When that is the case here are a few things you should know:
RV parks are a relatively low-margin business, and electrical infrastructure is a large capital expense. Wiring, breakers, and receptacles are sized based on normal RV use, which is pretty light compared to the continuous draw of a charging EV. Therefore, RV park owners have a very valid point when they refuse to allow EV charging, or they charge extra for EVs. The extra cost is not so much due to the extra cost of the electricity delivered, which is something, but not very much, but the extra cost in meeting saftey standards for a continuous draw of a high level of power. Larger gauge wire of higher quality, and more robust fixtures are not cheap.
Tesla owners could move the conversation forward by gently educating RV park owners that it is possible to control the amperage that our cars draw from their pedestals. We are in this together, and can approach the situation as a problem to be solved in the interests of everyone. The impact to the electrical infrastructure of an RV park is significantly less with an EV charging at 24 amps instead of 32 amps (which is the default using the standard NEMA 14-50 adapter on 50-amp service at an RV Park). Both amperage levels will get the job done overnight, but dialing down the amps you draw on the screen under "Charging" so that you just meet your target charge level in the time you have, will benefit everyone. Park owners will be less likely to see overheating or damage, and Tesla owners will be less likely to cause damage to undersized electrical infrastructure.
An example: Long Range Model 3s and Ys have about a 75 kWh battery pack. Therefore, to go from 15% state-of-charge to 80% is a difference of 65%. Sixty-five percent of 75 kWh is 48.75 kWh, or rounding-up, 50 kWh. Twenty-four amps times 230 volts is 5.52 kW. Twelve hours times 5.52 kW gives you 66.24 kWh, enough to get about +88% charge, or more than enough in almost any situation. Fast charging is great, but when you are spending the night anyway, all that really matters is that you have enough juice the next morning to get to your next charging station!
RV parks are a relatively low-margin business, and electrical infrastructure is a large capital expense. Wiring, breakers, and receptacles are sized based on normal RV use, which is pretty light compared to the continuous draw of a charging EV. Therefore, RV park owners have a very valid point when they refuse to allow EV charging, or they charge extra for EVs. The extra cost is not so much due to the extra cost of the electricity delivered, which is something, but not very much, but the extra cost in meeting saftey standards for a continuous draw of a high level of power. Larger gauge wire of higher quality, and more robust fixtures are not cheap.
Tesla owners could move the conversation forward by gently educating RV park owners that it is possible to control the amperage that our cars draw from their pedestals. We are in this together, and can approach the situation as a problem to be solved in the interests of everyone. The impact to the electrical infrastructure of an RV park is significantly less with an EV charging at 24 amps instead of 32 amps (which is the default using the standard NEMA 14-50 adapter on 50-amp service at an RV Park). Both amperage levels will get the job done overnight, but dialing down the amps you draw on the screen under "Charging" so that you just meet your target charge level in the time you have, will benefit everyone. Park owners will be less likely to see overheating or damage, and Tesla owners will be less likely to cause damage to undersized electrical infrastructure.
An example: Long Range Model 3s and Ys have about a 75 kWh battery pack. Therefore, to go from 15% state-of-charge to 80% is a difference of 65%. Sixty-five percent of 75 kWh is 48.75 kWh, or rounding-up, 50 kWh. Twenty-four amps times 230 volts is 5.52 kW. Twelve hours times 5.52 kW gives you 66.24 kWh, enough to get about +88% charge, or more than enough in almost any situation. Fast charging is great, but when you are spending the night anyway, all that really matters is that you have enough juice the next morning to get to your next charging station!
