Drop in Rated Range after 24 Hours?

[0Q991]

Hi All,

First time Tesla owner--got a 70D just 2 weeks ago.

I charged the car on Friday night to 2 marks down from max. On Saturday morning, it showed 190 miles Rated Range. I unplugged the charger and did not drive it at all yesterday.

This morning, I check the car and it shows 186 miles Rated Range.

Is this normal?

 

[TexasEV]

Yes. Also you should not unplug the charging cable until you need to. "A connected Model S is a happy Model S."

 

[Cottonwood]

Yes. Also you should not unplug the charging cable until you need to. "A connected Model S is a happy Model S."

The Vampire in the Model S is thirsty and has to drink charge from the battery.

As TexasEV, leave your car plugged in. My experience is that the Vampire will drink 8-9 rated miles, then the car will charge back up, repeat...

 

[0Q991]

Thanks!

I'm trying to avoid daytime charging rates. The charging menu only allows me to start charging at a certain time. So if that's 10pm and it's done by 1-2am, then the next day I don't drive the Tesla at all, should I unplug in the morning then replug it in at night? That way, I avoid daytime charging rates and allow it to recharge at 10pm again?

 

[Adrian]

You can look into VisibleTesla: http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/19975-VisibleTesla
Allows you to plan charging a bit better.

 

[TexasEV]

Thanks!

I'm trying to avoid daytime charging rates. The charging menu only allows me to start charging at a certain time. So if that's 10pm and it's done by 1-2am, then the next day I don't drive the Tesla at all, should I unplug in the morning then replug it in at night? That way, I avoid daytime charging rates and allow it to recharge at 10pm again?

I don't think that's necessary. You're not going to notice the cost of charging a few miles.

 

[SteveS0353]

The Vampire in the Model S is thirsty and has to drink charge from the battery.

As TexasEV, leave your car plugged in. My experience is that the Vampire will drink 8-9 rated miles, then the car will charge back up, repeat...

Thanks!

I'm trying to avoid daytime charging rates. The charging menu only allows me to start charging at a certain time. So if that's 10pm and it's done by 1-2am, then the next day I don't drive the Tesla at all, should I unplug in the morning then replug it in at night? That way, I avoid daytime charging rates and allow it to recharge at 10pm again?

My experience agrees with Cottonwood. Once it's charged, the car won't charge again until the vampire drain has dropped your rated miles by 8 or 9 miles AND it's arrived at your selected charge time. There is no reason to unplug the car on days you don't drive it.

 

[0Q991]

My experience agrees with Cottonwood. Once it's charged, the car won't charge again until the vampire drain has dropped your rated miles by 8 or 9 miles AND it's arrived at your selected charge time. There is no reason to unplug the car on days you don't drive it.

Great advice! I'll leave it plugged in over the weekend then (mainly drive the Tesla for my work commute).

But, to reconfirm, a few miles of Vampire Drain per day is a normal amount, correct?

 

[SteveS0353]

Great advice! I'll leave it plugged in over the weekend then (mainly drive the Tesla for my work commute).

But, to reconfirm, a few miles of Vampire Drain per day is a normal amount, correct?

Yes, perfectly normal. The vampire drain is about 1.2kWh per day more or less. It's actually the power to run the on-board electronics when the car is not operating. The car supplies this from the 12V battery, which must then be recharged from time to time from the large drive battery. It varies with temperature, the sleep mode you have the car set to, and other factors. But it's perfectly normal to lose a few miles per day to keep the 12V battery charged.

With charging set to start at a certain time at night, the car won't charge during the day. It will wait until it's lost about 8 or 9 miles of rated range (4 or 5 days not being driven), then schedule a charge cycle at your set time to top off the drive battery. That cycle will repeat as necessary.

 

[Knobby]

With charging set to start at a certain time at night, the car won't charge during the day. It will wait until it's lost about 8 or 9 miles of rated range (4 or 5 days not being driven), then schedule a charge cycle at your set time to top off the drive battery. That cycle will repeat as necessary.

Yes this is how it works. It will not top up until the scheduled time. I do this all the time, as I'm often away for several weeks at a time. I just leave it plugged in and every 3 or 4 days it tops up, after the set time in the evening.

 

[supratachophobia]

Also, you may notice the mileage go up of you, for example, park in a hot parking lot for the day. It seems the batteries can different voltage readings to the car based on heat of cells.

 

[0Q991]

Thanks, all! Great info for a Tesla newbie.

 

[Incredulocious]

Yes, perfectly normal. The vampire drain is about 1.2kWh per day more or less. It's actually the power to run the on-board electronics when the car is not operating.

I'd like to take this opportunity to say that while this is normal for the Model S, it shouldn't be. (Yes, I realize it was actually much worse before.) Other electric cars, including some whose drivetrain and battery system is provided by Tesla, have active electronic systems waiting to respond to cellular network commands and to respond to the approach of the key fob but don't have such significant vampire drain. (As in not noticeable amounts over several weeks.)

Here's hoping Tesla will eventually reduce this loss of energy with more power-efficient systems, comparable (or better) than other manufacturers! Go Tesla!

 

[SteveS0353]

I'd like to take this opportunity to say that while this is normal for the Model S, it shouldn't be. (Yes, I realize it was actually much worse before.) Other electric cars, including some whose drivetrain and battery system is provided by Tesla, have active electronic systems waiting to respond to cellular network commands and to respond to the approach of the key fob but don't have such significant vampire drain. (As in not noticeable amounts over several weeks.)

Here's hoping Tesla will eventually reduce this loss of energy with more power-efficient systems, comparable (or better) than other manufacturers! Go Tesla!

100% agree. In fact, the Model S vampire drain has been leading to wear out and replacement of 12V batteries in typically 12-18 months. It should be an order of magnitude or more lower than it is. 1.2kWh is equivalent to 50W burning all the time. There is a really interesting thread in which I made several engineering calculations, supported by other members. Check out this thread if you want to learn more.