Anybody have experience w/ the home charger in an outdoor, unsheltered location? Until I can get a garage built, I will need to mount it on the side of the porch. It will get exposed to rain, snow, harsh sun and wind, without much cover. The plastic looks pretty weather-proof, and Tesla says it can be outdoors, but I'm a little worried.
Experience with home charger in outdoor location
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Akikiki
A'-Lo-HA ! y'all
Welcome to owning a Tesla. You will love it.
We don’t know if you are referring to the Mobile Connector (MC) that comes with the car and can be left outside, the Wall Connector (WC) that can be purchased separately that charges at a higher amperage and can be mounted outside or some companies’ black box home charging unit that can charge a variety of EVs.
Yes, there’s lots of experience with outdoor installations. Here’s a recent one that I found quickly. HWPC inside shed - options for routing cable outside? There are more and more examples of outlet covers and methods for convenience, security and protection. Reading other people’s experiences will help you with ideas and answer questions you didn’t think of yet. I also recommend: Owner’s Manual Companion | TeslaTap
We don’t know if you are referring to the Mobile Connector (MC) that comes with the car and can be left outside, the Wall Connector (WC) that can be purchased separately that charges at a higher amperage and can be mounted outside or some companies’ black box home charging unit that can charge a variety of EVs.
Yes, there’s lots of experience with outdoor installations. Here’s a recent one that I found quickly. HWPC inside shed - options for routing cable outside? There are more and more examples of outlet covers and methods for convenience, security and protection. Reading other people’s experiences will help you with ideas and answer questions you didn’t think of yet. I also recommend: Owner’s Manual Companion | TeslaTap
CyberGus
Not Just a Member
There is zero chance that I will get any garage space for a vehicle, since I'm currently using that area to store all my precious, worthless crap. I too was concerned about mixing high-wattage with nature, but then it occurred to me that streetlamps, electric meters, power stations, and high-voltage power lines are all outside. When done correctly it is completely safe. The Tesla wall connector does not even energize the charging cable until connection to the car is confirmed.
My real problem is: "How to make it attractive so that it does not offend my neighbors, nor cause my Significant Other to have me living in 'Camp Mode' on a semi-permanent basis"
My real problem is: "How to make it attractive so that it does not offend my neighbors, nor cause my Significant Other to have me living in 'Camp Mode' on a semi-permanent basis"
The user manual for the Mobile Connector states to not let the unit get wet, so it doesn't look like at least the larger end of that charger can be left outside. The Wall Connector owners manual looks like it is indoor/outdoor mountable.
Disappointing to hear the Mobile Connector cannot be used outdoors in the rain. I feel this limits how it could be used in an emergency situation when there is bad weather.
Disappointing to hear the Mobile Connector cannot be used outdoors in the rain. I feel this limits how it could be used in an emergency situation when there is bad weather.
Akikiki
A'-Lo-HA ! y'all
Its not going to melt like sugar. . But like already mentioned, putting the outlet in a covered box is best when outside. Just cover it temporarily with a fresh garage bag when you are temporarily using it outside Everyone carries a chainsaw, bag of lime, sword, a shovel and garage bags in their trunk, right? Just me? (Ah, just prep for the apocalypse, in case you were wondering.)
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CyberGus
Not Just a Member
The WC might be "outdoor mountable," but a lot of electrical equipment is rated "outdoor" in terms of temperature range, but is meant to be in a j-box. "Outdoor" can thus be misleading, depending on the product. Not sure about Tesla's WC. Has anyone had their WC exposed to direct sun, snow, rain, etc.?
CyberGus
Not Just a Member
CyberGus
Not Just a Member
I started reading TeslaTap and found this gem:
"Tesla is a thinking person’s car. Some are ill-equipped for ownership."
I spit out my drink. Through my nose.
SilverSp33d3r
No Longer Silver
If installed properly, the wall connector will not have any issues in the worst possible conditions. Many ski resorts install them on posts in the middle of parking lots, and they have been perfect for years.
Bikeman
Member
Can you possibly mount it under the porch? I did that with mine to help hide it from vandals and to protect it (non-Tesla L2 EVSE) from the weather.
RichAZ/CapeCod
Member
OK, not a Tesla, but the issue is the same! I have both 240v and a 120v outlets outdoors. Never an issue.
Rich
I use a garden hose holder for my charger insert storage. The cable is wrapped around the body of the container.
The "electrical part" (I love tech talk) sits out as you see it.
Rich
I use a garden hose holder for my charger insert storage. The cable is wrapped around the body of the container.
The "electrical part" (I love tech talk) sits out as you see it.
I've seen plenty Tesla WCs mounted outside without any coverings. Including at Tesla showrooms. Is there benefit to providing some rain covering, sure, but for a temporary solution, it may not be worth it.
There are a lot of cripplingly academic folks around here who can't grasp reality over theory, suffer analysis paralysing, and can't make coherent observation of the world around them. They also a.at once delude themselves into believing Tesla has amazing engineers who do no.wrong and that they know more than those engineers.
I live near Green Bay and know of places with wall connectors mounted outdoors zero shelter. Normal annual weather here will see -15f to 90f, 48" annual.average snowfall, and thunderstorms bad enough that tornadoes happen somewhere nearby every summer. It is fine, it is after all car charging equipment and cars are commonly kept outdoors.
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