Extension Cord Cons (30amp)

[sooner]

Good afternoon all,

Like a majority of other reservation holders, I too have a model 3 soon to be in my possession. While I don't have a delivery date, I have a VIN and I am in communication with a delivery specialist.

My issue is I do not have a charging solution in place. This is because I have been planning and scheduling work using the provider estimate (August to October). I will have a 14-30 in the garage, scheduled for late July. Until that time, I only have 5-15s (standard outlets) in the garage.

Provided that I am only utilizing a 30amp connection, how negative is a 30-40 ft extension cord from present drier hookup to provide charging capabilities to the Tesla as a temporary solution?

There are quite a bit of options in this range, for RVs and such, and in theory this seems practical. I will not be able to drive the Tesla much until I have 30 amps, since it will take forever to charge... So this is one alternative.

 

[Petra]

A 30A extension cord from your existing dryer plug usually works out fine so long as it's a quality extension cord, built from appropriate gauge wire, and the dryer outlet and its associated wiring were done correctly.

I charge via a 20' 30A extension cord whenever I visit my in-laws. The extension plus the car's UMC gives me just enough length to make it from the back wall of the garage, out the front under the garage door, and about 4' down the driveway to the car with some slack.

 

[Pueo]

Can't speak to the cord question, but is it possible you can get by with the 110v? The answer is of course totally dependant on your usage. We got by for 2.5 years with our Model S because of a change in housing, remodeling, and renting.

 

[sooner]

Can't speak to the cord question, but is it possible you can get by with the 110v? The answer is of course totally dependant on your usage. We got by for 2.5 years with our Model S because of a change in housing, remodeling, and renting.

104 miles a day commute.

 

[hacer]

104 miles a day committ.

If that's round trip then it may be possible to do some of your charging at home with a little supplemental supercharging.
If you can plug into 120V for say 12 hours, with a model 3 (in nice weather temperatures) that should give you a little over half of your commute. So if you can supercharge every 3 days, that might be an alternative solution until your EVSE is installed.

 

[Tam]

...30-40 ft extension cord...

I think the importance for extension cord is:

1) not approved by Tesla
2) if you do it, use the biggest wires you can (smallest number in gauge, in your case, at least 10 gauge or lower gauge number).

I used to rent a place that had an old dryer outlet (NEMA 10-30 for 3 prongs, not newer 4 prongs) and I bought and used a 10 gauge 50 foot extension for 3 years which worked out fine for me.

I would recommend giving @johnr a call who can customize your updates/cords needs

EVSEadapters.com electrical adapters for Tesla drivers, welders, RVs

 

[ucmndd]

There are no cons. Get a heavy gauge high quality RV-style cord and you're fine.

 

[johnr]

That's right, as long as you use a heavy enough gauge extension cord, it'll be fine. You can use an adapter plus an RV style cord, but you'll have to manually set the charging current in the car the first time you plug it in. If you use a cord with a 30 amp receptacle, the car will automatically charge at the correct current. I've made up cords for other Model 3 owners in the same predicament, so you're welcome to send me an email if I can be of help. While 10 gauge is sufficient, I like to use 8 gauge for long cords - the extra capacity makes it virtually invisible to the vehicle with a voltage drop of barely half of a percent for a 35 ft cord. For safety, keep the connections indoors or out of the rain, and not accessible to children who might unplug it.

 

[sooner]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Looking at getting a 10 guage minimum, but 8 if I can find it, 35 to 40ft cable, 10-30 connections, and a 10-30 Adapter.

 

[SpiceWare]

I use this 25' extension cord, works great. also available in 10' and 50'

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRC08Q8

 

[sooner]

I use this 25' extension cord, works great. also available in 10' and 50'

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRC08Q8

Thanks for the suggestion, however, I need the 3 prong one for now.

When purchasing the extension cord, all the RV products are rated for 125v. E.G. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ARZZ1P2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

What are the repercussions of using one rated under the 240V the charger uses?

 

[johnr]

Those RV cords also have the wrong type of connection. I'm guessing you have a 3-wire dryer outlet, where two slots are slanted and the center one is L-shaped - is that right? You would need a NEMA 10-30 extension in that case. On my website I currently sell the 25 ft extensions, but I'm sure you could find longer ones elsewhere, or you can get one custom-made, or even make one yourself - it's not that hard to do. The RV outlet looks similar, so people often get it confused.

 

[SpiceWare]

Thanks for the suggestion, however, I need the 3 prong one for now.

They have a 10-30 extension as well, same 3 length options.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-WORKS-3-Prong-Extension-Anti-Weather/dp/B071QXXP9Z

 

[sooner]

They have a 10-30 extension as well, same 3 length options.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-WORKS-3-Prong-Extension-Anti-Weather/dp/B071QXXP9Z

Thanks. Ordered.