Charging Complication with 14-50 Nema

[webcrawler]

New owner, charing worked fine for first 2-3 days.

For last two days, it has been tricky. I plug cable in wall adaptor first. Then to the car and it accepts it. Soon the 'charging cable faulty' message shows up. I try to un-plug and re-plug in car, same message appears.

Then if I un-plug and re-plug cable on the wall, it starts working.

Any ideas what's going on?

 

[SSedan]

I would shut down the circuit and check connections, or maybe get someone more knowledgeable to do so, ask the electrician if he can quickly stop back if you are flexible might do it as a courtesy.

 

[Uncle Paul]

There are some very low quality 14-50 recepticals available from places like Home Depot. They are not really up to the task of EV charging. If your wall plug or socket are getting hot, perhaps you need a better quality receptical. (ask me how I know)

 

[scottycs]

I would refrain from plugging in and out multiple times which can cause wear.

 

[gt2690b]

yeah i leave mine plugged in and if i need to turn it off i do it from the breaker

 

[mburnet6]

This might sound crazy, but have you double checked that the connection between the UMC and the tail piece that plugs into the wall are fully plugged in? The first time I had to take my UMC with me and change the tail, I didn't get it fully plugged when I got back home and had a
similar experience.

 

[thefortunes]

There are some very low quality 14-50 recepticals available from places like Home Depot. They are not really up to the task of EV charging. If your wall plug or socket are getting hot, perhaps you need a better quality receptical. (ask me how I know)

I would refrain from plugging in and out multiple times which can cause wear.

Both of these are good advice. We charge the S with an HPWC but charge the Roadster via an OpenEVSE charger plugged into a NEMA 14-50. This gets unplugged on VERY rare occasions and has lasted 5 years without problem [knocks on wood].

 

[RScottyL]

There are some very low quality 14-50 recepticals available from places like Home Depot. They are not really up to the task of EV charging. If your wall plug or socket are getting hot, perhaps you need a better quality receptical. (ask me how I know)

Correct!

According to this:

https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/US/universalmobileconnector_nema_14-50.pdf

Tesla recommends:

Receptacle Recommendation: High quality, industrial grade receptacle Examples: Hubbell part # HBL9450A, Cooper part #5754N

Also as mentioned above, I would just plug it in and leave it in!

 

[bhawkins4194]

Also unless you have a need you can always turn down your charging amperage. While I can charge at 40 amps on my UMC I prefer to use 25 amps as it gives me that safer feeling as everything is not getting as hot. @ 40 amps the 50 amp breakers can get warm to the touch.

 

[TexasEV]

As you’re a new owner it’s highly unlikely this has anything to do with wear on your receptacle. A more likely explanation is the adapter plug wasn’t pushed into the outlet all the way or one of the receptacle wires wasn’t tourqued properly. Or you have a bad UMC.

Why are you plugging it in each time? Despite the “mobile” in the name, it should stay plugged in and hung on the wall. Only take it with you if you’re going on an out of town trip.

 

[henderrj]

Do you know that the 1450 was put in by a certified electrician? That is to say, do you know that the wires are actually the right gauge? It could be that things are heating up and the Tesla circuitry recognizes that and will shut down. I'd go with the advice given earlier, just dial the amperage down, say to 30. If it works fine there that's your solution. Although, it would make me nervous enough that I'd have somebody look at it. Unless you know how to do that sort of thing yourself.

 

[Kalex]

Refrain from plugging and plugging, and make sure the 14-50 receptacle and the UMC adapter is snug when connected.
Ask me how I know

 

[murphyS90D]

Refrain from plugging and plugging, and make sure the 14-50 receptacle and the UMC adapter is snug when connected.
Ask me how I know

A copper ferrule is supposed to be installed on stranded wire before it is clamped into the receptacle. It is very likely that not all of the strands were tightly clamped which created a higher resistance point which got hot.

 

[webcrawler]

Thank you folks. It was more of plugging and unplugging sequence that was confusing the car i suppose. I don't unplug the charger from wall anymore and it seems to be behaving now.