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Home charging over long distance? 30 - 40 feet at least

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1LE McQueen

1LE McQueen

Member
Mar 22, 2019
291
349
Arizona
#1
I live on the second story in a 2 story condominium. My indoor garage is attached to my house, and my circuit breaker is in the garage, but I don't want to pay an electrician to install a plug downstairs (I'd have to involve HOA, i'm possibly moving soon, etc).

I do have a dedicated closet upstairs with the washer and dryer - it looks like my dryer uses a 10-30 outlet, which should give my upcoming model 3 about 20 miles per hour correct?

My utility closet is about 30 feet away from the garage. I was wondering how you all would go about using this setup?

TLDR:
I have a 10-30 outlet upstairs, and an attached garage downstairs. I was planning on getting a 10-30 splitter (one for dryer, one for tesla charger), a 10-30 to 14-50 converter cable, then an extended 14-50 to carry the way to the Tesla downstairs. I'm trying to figure out the easiest, most price efficient way to get my 10-30 outlet to charge my new upcoming Tesla. Distance is about 30 feet.

Any advice appreciated! Thanks.

EDIT:
I'm so sorry, mods please delete. I didn't notice Tesla makes a 10-30 adapter. I could just get a 30 - 40 foot long 10-30 extension then call it a day.

Unless there's something I need to know about using an extension cable?
 
#3
RayK said:
Not recommended as you will be bypassing the temperature sensor built into each Tesla NEMA adapter.
Click to expand...
There is that; but as long as you get a quality extension, and check the temperature of the plug an hour or two after you start charging once or twice, you should be fine. I'm using a 15 foot 14-50 extension, and it's been working fine for me for three+ years now.
 
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#4
I’ll probably get blasted here but here we go anyway. We have a vacation condo and I had a Nema 14-50 (industrial grade) installed. I then bought two of the heaviest duty cords I could. I have to run 75 feet to our cars from the outlet (installed by a licensed/insured/bonded Electrician). I then dialed down the amps to 30. This allows me to charge our Y or our S at a rate of 26 MPH when we are visiting. Whatever you do, don’t go cheap on any of the parts (wires, plugs, cords). This is not a Christmas Snowman you‘re powering. In fact, maybe change out the existing plug for something commercial/industrial like a hubbell. You get what you pay for and these $7 home depot outlets (versus $100) have caused a few near misses on this forum and with some friends of mine. i believe there is a safe way to do it right and that’s what I did with our setup. Here’s the cords I bought. Camco Power Grip Heavy-duty Extension Cord, 30 ft. 50 Amp
 
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#6
Thanks all. I was looking into getting something similar to this:

Amazon.com: Parkworld 886580 Dryer Splitter, NEMA 10-30P Male Plug to (2) 10-30R Female Receptacle, Dryer 3-Prong 30 AMP 10-30 Y Adapter Cord (3 feet): Electronics

Buy Parkworld 886580 Dryer Splitter, NEMA 10-30P Male Plug to (2) 10-30R Female Receptacle, Dryer 3-Prong 30 AMP 10-30 Y Adapter Cord (3 feet): Adapters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com

25FT 30Amp NEMA 10-30P 3 Prong Dryer Extension Cord with Heavy Duty Thick Anti-Weather Cord - - Amazon.com

25FT 30Amp NEMA 10-30P 3 Prong Dryer Extension Cord with Heavy Duty Thick Anti-Weather Cord - - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com

then the 10-30 adapter from Tesla themselves
shop.tesla.com

Gen 2 NEMA Adapters

Use a variety of household outlets to charge your Tesla with a Gen 2 NEMA Adapter. Simply attach the appropriate adapter to your Mobile Connector, plug into the corresponding outlet and begin charging. Adapter Max Distance Gained Per Hour of Charge Model S Model 3 Model X Model Y 5-15 3...
shop.tesla.com shop.tesla.com

Curious as to why i'd want to watch the temperatures? Does the car have an automatic setting in which is can determine what should be the best power usage for the outlet used? Or is that part of the temp check?
 
#8
1LE McQueen said:
I live on the second story in a 2 story condominium. My indoor garage is attached to my house, and my circuit breaker is in the garage, but I don't want to pay an electrician to install a plug downstairs (I'd have to involve HOA, i'm possibly moving soon, etc).

I do have a dedicated closet upstairs with the washer and dryer - it looks like my dryer uses a 10-30 outlet, which should give my upcoming model 3 about 20 miles per hour correct?

My utility closet is about 30 feet away from the garage. I was wondering how you all would go about using this setup?

TLDR:
I have a 10-30 outlet upstairs, and an attached garage downstairs. I was planning on getting a 10-30 splitter (one for dryer, one for tesla charger), a 10-30 to 14-50 converter cable, then an extended 14-50 to carry the way to the Tesla downstairs. I'm trying to figure out the easiest, most price efficient way to get my 10-30 outlet to charge my new upcoming Tesla. Distance is about 30 feet.

Any advice appreciated! Thanks.

EDIT:
I'm so sorry, mods please delete. I didn't notice Tesla makes a 10-30 adapter. I could just get a 30 - 40 foot long 10-30 extension then call it a day.

Unless there's something I need to know about using an extension cable?
Click to expand...
I'm using an extension from the 14-50 plug to the end point where I plug in the mobile connector for 2 years now. Its a heavy duty extension cord. Its fine for up to 50amp but I'm charging most times at 20amp (daily driving overnight charging), sometimes 32amps when I need a quick charge with limited time. Works wonders for years now.
 
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#9
If the breaker box is in the garage, it might be inexpensive to put in an outlet.

depending on how much you drive, a 6-20 for your welder you are just learning to use (hide the Tesla) might be very cheap.

but if the box has the capacity, a 14-50 shouldn’t be much more. Except for the Tesla tax.
 
#10
brkaus said:
If the breaker box is in the garage, it might be inexpensive to put in an outlet.

depending on how much you drive, a 6-20 for your welder you are just learning to use (hide the Tesla) might be very cheap.

but if the box has the capacity, a 14-50 shouldn’t be much more. Except for the Tesla tax.
Click to expand...

My only concern would be price. HOA themselves charge 100 something for just the application, when I can get an extension for that much.
 
#11
The Tesla mobile connector monitors the temperature at the plug in case the outlet overheats - read the comments here:
By plugging in an extension cord, you eliminate the ability of the car to slow down or stop charging if this happens. By checking the temperature of the plug every now and then, you'll be able to tell if something is getting too hot. 99.9% of people will never have an issue; but it has certainly occurred.
 
#13
Also, you might consider the Camco extension:

Amazon.com: Camco (55191) 25' PowerGrip Heavy-Duty Outdoor 30-Amp Extension Cord for RV and Auto | Allows for Additional Length to Reach Distant Power Outlets | Built to Last: Automotive

Buy Camco (55191) 25' PowerGrip Heavy-Duty Outdoor 30-Amp Extension Cord for RV and Auto | Allows for Additional Length to Reach Distant Power Outlets | Built to Last: Plugs, Inlets & Receptacles - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
I have the 14-50 version, and it's a beast. Definitely a quality product, and cheaper than the one you linked.
 
#14
Frank99 said:
The Tesla mobile connector monitors the temperature at the plug in case the outlet overheats - read the comments here:
By plugging in an extension cord, you eliminate the ability of the car to slow down or stop charging if this happens. By checking the temperature of the plug every now and then, you'll be able to tell if something is getting too hot. 99.9% of people will never have an issue; but it has certainly occurred.
Click to expand...

Scary.. Tesla doesn't offer anything for over 20 foot extensions?

Rottenapplr said:
I have my 14-50 plug in the garage however I want the plug mobile connector to be next to the charge port of the car. So I run the extension up around the garage door. Not the prettiest site but it works.
Click to expand...

Doesn't need to be pretty right haha so long as the cables don't burn and a fire doesn't start.
 
#15
Frank99 said:
Also, you might consider the Camco extension:

Amazon.com: Camco (55191) 25' PowerGrip Heavy-Duty Outdoor 30-Amp Extension Cord for RV and Auto | Allows for Additional Length to Reach Distant Power Outlets | Built to Last: Automotive

Buy Camco (55191) 25' PowerGrip Heavy-Duty Outdoor 30-Amp Extension Cord for RV and Auto | Allows for Additional Length to Reach Distant Power Outlets | Built to Last: Plugs, Inlets & Receptacles - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
I have the 14-50 version, and it's a beast. Definitely a quality product, and cheaper than the one you linked.
Click to expand...

Thanks! That's not what my outlet looks like though. the top prong makes an L shape.

1625097953048.png
 
#17
1LE McQueen said:
Thanks! That's not what my outlet looks like though. the top prong makes an L shape.
Click to expand...
Ooops, my fault. I linked to a TT-30 (which is a 120V outlet) rather than a 10-30 (which is a 240V outlet).

Ideally, you'd use the 10-30 to 10-30/14-30 version of the splitter
Amazon.com: Parkworld 886610 Dryer Splitter, NEMA 14-30 Male Plug to 14-30 ＆ 10-30 Female Receptacle, Dryer 4-Prong 30 AMP Y Adapter Cord: Electronics
in order to get a safety ground on the extension cord, and then a 14-30 extension cord and Mobile Connector adapter, but that'll cost a bit more and would require finding a good ground somewhere around your 10-30 outlet.
 
#18
1LE McQueen said:
Scary.. Tesla doesn't offer anything for over 20 foot extensions?



Doesn't need to be pretty right haha so long as the cables don't burn and a fire doesn't start.
Click to expand...

Just use as low of a current as you need and you should be fine. I've also but using an extension cord at times but only pull ~10A. That's still ~8 miles/hr. Plenty for daily use.
 
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#20
Frank99 said:
Ooops, my fault. I linked to a TT-30 (which is a 120V outlet) rather than a 10-30 (which is a 240V outlet).

Ideally, you'd use the 10-30 to 10-30/14-30 version of the splitter
Amazon.com: Parkworld 886610 Dryer Splitter, NEMA 14-30 Male Plug to 14-30 ＆ 10-30 Female Receptacle, Dryer 4-Prong 30 AMP Y Adapter Cord: Electronics
in order to get a safety ground on the extension cord, and then a 14-30 extension cord and Mobile Connector adapter, but that'll cost a bit more and would require finding a good ground somewhere around your 10-30 outlet.
Click to expand...

Would it make a big difference? If I used a splitter where one end is still 10-30 (dryer), and the other is a 14-50 (for Tesla)? Other than the ground, the amps would have to stay well below 30 anyway correct?

I found one but here's no reviews on it

Amazon.com: Nema 10-30P Dryer Splitter Adapter Cable, 2-in-1 Nema 10-30P 30-AMP Male Plug to 10-30R Female and 14-30R Female,3-Prong Dyer Y Split Adapter Cable 1.0Meter: Electronics

Amazon.com: Nema 10-30P Dryer Splitter Adapter Cable, 2-in-1 Nema 10-30P 30-AMP Male Plug to 10-30R Female and 14-30R Female,3-Prong Dyer Y Split Adapter Cable 1.0Meter: Electronics
www.amazon.com
 
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