Charging in Phoenix Az Heat

[Oparide]

My backyard thermometer shows almost 120° F and my level 2 charger just stopped charging. I had it set to charge at 32A which it did for awhile and then it dropped to 16A and then just stopped charging. I have unplugged for now and will restart later tonight or in the morning when temperatures are cooler which I assume will help.

 

[ucmndd]

Assuming the car is in the sun I could easily see a scenario where the temperature sensor in the charging handle or plug head (assuming UMC) thinks things are getting too hot due to a fault and then back off current / stop charging entirely.

That said it’s “only” 106 here in interior California and my Model S just finished charging in the sun at 32 amps on a wall connector with no issue.

 

[Oparide]

Assuming the car is in the sun I could easily see a scenario where the temperature sensor in the charging handle or plug head (assuming UMC) thinks things are getting too hot due to a fault and then back off current / stop charging entirely.

That said it’s “only” 106 here in interior California and my Model S just finished charging in the sun at 32 amps on a wall connector with no issue.

I park in the shade yes.

 

[Oparide]

I park in the shade yes.

After the temperature dropped 3 degrees I plugged back in and it stayed at 32A until it was done charging. All is good and Phoenix Az broke a daily high temperature record that had been on the record for 25 years. Yeah it’s a dry heat they say. We could sure use a good monsoon rain about now to cool us down.

 

[Cosmacelf]

Yes, even here in coastal CA, if your plug is in the sun (Mobile Connector), it can overheat and derate.

 

[boulder.dude]

When road tripping out east I’ve seen people putting damp wash clothes on the SuperCharger handles…

 

[Oparide]

When road tripping out east I’ve seen people putting damp wash clothes on the SuperCharger handles…

I plan on road trips this summer and will have a rag and ice water along for the supercharger handles.

 

[boulder.dude]

I plan on road trips this summer and will have a rag and ice water along for the supercharger handles.

Something that I’ve been meaning to try for hot weather supercharging stops: bring a thin white down comforter to put on the roof, which can get as hot as a stovetop in the sun…

 

[RedSupraT]

The hot weather here in TX is killing the range on my MYP.

 

[jcanoe]

Since the sun shines onto the roof of the Tesla vehicle while parked, while driving and while Supercharging what would be the benefit of the comforter? An interior sunshade would help reduce the intensity of the sun's rays on the passengers and the vehicle interior all of the time not just while Supercharging.

 

[boulder.dude]

Since the sun shines onto the roof of the Tesla vehicle while parked, while driving and while Supercharging what would be the benefit of the comforter? An interior sunshade would help reduce the intensity of the sun's rays on the passengers and the vehicle interior all of the time not just while Supercharging.

This is just a theory:

The roof is deeply tinted, which means it absorbs a lot of the sinun’s energy. When parked for awhile on a hot day, it can become too hot too touch!

When driving, the roof is cooled by air flowing over it (even 110F air has a cooling effect on a burning hot roof).

Now add in the SCing… if you want to be in the car while it’s parked, then the AC is working extra hard while also trying to manage the battery temp.

Hence the white comforter to stop the roof (and windshield) from absorbing any of the sun’s energy at all while SCing.