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How do you pass time at the charging stations?

Discussion in 'Model S' started by Cfinck, Jan 9, 2018.

  1. Cfinck

    Cfinck Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2017
    Messages:
    278
    Location:
    Santa Monica
    Upon owning my first Tesla for about a week now, I have found the supercharger network to be one of my favorite aspects of the experience!

    Although it takes substantially longer to do road trips, for some reason it feels like less! I assume this is due to the cleanliness and great ambience of the network stations :)

    I am curious though for those who charge longer periods what you do to pass time?

    I personally bring a book, deck of cards, and a skateboard for remote areas and then usually grab food if there is a restaurant nearby. It’s awesome to explore new supercharger communities too!

    To be honest my experience has really only been once in my initial drive from San Francisco’s to Los Angeles, but I’m heading up to mammoth lakes this weekend and will get to see two new supercharger stations! I hear one has a skatepark too :)

    So TMC, what’s your pass time when charging at superchargers?
     
    • Like x 4
  2. teethdood

    teethdood Member

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    Jan 30, 2017
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    Location:
    Visalia, California
    I start using the built-in browser. As soon as it finishes loading the first page, I'm done charging. Time passes so fast!
     
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  3. ahkahn

    ahkahn Active Member

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    Chicagoland
    I'll do a bathroom break, grab a bag of chips, and by the time I return I'm already 15 minutes into my charging session. I keep cleaning supplies for the windows and interior in the frunk, so I clean the windshield and interior. Check email, respond to email, and then go on my way.
     
    • Like x 8
  4. Sparky

    Sparky Member

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    Location:
    Glendale,CA
    This is my routine. Also, dog needs to discharge while car charges.
     
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    • Like x 2
  5. DarkMatter

    DarkMatter Active Member

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    Olympia, WA
    Do you mean like 40 minutes, or like four hours? For the former I'll wander the Internet or go for a walk. For the latter I do whatever I planned at my destination, because those are the only times I do slower charging.
     
  6. doubleohwhat

    doubleohwhat Member

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    Sep 1, 2016
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    Location:
    Alabama
    Not all locations have "great ambience". Some are great, most are okay and some make me wish there was an eject button for the charging cable (so I could haul ass out of there if need be).
     
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  7. ahkahn

    ahkahn Active Member

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    I second that. The only iffy one that I go to is Indianapolis... the rest are decent.
     
  8. Rockster

    Rockster Active Member

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    Location:
    McKinney, TX
    My activities during my many charging stops include:
    • Eating at a nearby restaurant
    • Reading
    • Napping
    • Catching up on emails
    • Route planning
    • Exercising
    • Walking to take in the sights
     
    • Like x 4
  9. luckyj

    luckyj Member

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    Location:
    Northern Virginia, USA
    I download things to my kindle I want to watch or read but normally can't find the time to (netflix, amazon, etc). And there are plenty of other ideas, like just getting of your duff and walking.

    Glad to see someone getting at the positive side of charging "downtime"...that it's not downtime unless that's what you choose to make it.
     
    • Love x 1
  10. ClyffeWarden

    ClyffeWarden Member

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    Jan 14, 2017
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    Location:
    Columbia, MD
     
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  11. ClyffeWarden

    ClyffeWarden Member

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    Location:
    Columbia, MD
    Some of the ways I pass the time at superchargers:
    Walk the dog.
    Eat a meal.
    Bathroom break.
    Talk to other Tesla owners,
    Take a walk to stretch my legs and back.
    The nice thing is that you can do these things while your Tesla is charging. Gas station fill ups can take less time, but you have to stay in the car, either in line or at the pump the whole time. Then you have to PAY.
     
    • Like x 2
  12. gork

    gork Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2018
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    30
    Location:
    Amarillo, TX
    Same boat here; have been spending a little time at the SC since I don't yet have my electric work in yet. I've been playing Nintendo Switch. Would be nice for the car to support audio in via the USB connection.
     
  13. Graffi

    Graffi Member

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    713
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    On our cross-country trips we drive for an hour or so, then charge 10 to 15 minutes. We find a restroom, walk around a little, eat a little if needed, then ready to leave for the next station.

    Prior to our Tesla we would take a couple of one to two week trips each summer, renting a car rather than taking our own. We had enough range to drive for 6 or more hours, but would still drive for an hour, then stop for 10 to 15 minutes.

    As you can see, we still spend about the same time on the road as we did prior to Tesla. However, we have stayed longer at a Supercharger just talking to other Tesla owners, or even other ICE drivers interested in EV's.

    We plan for a 10% to 20% reserve, then only charge what we need to get to the next Supercharger. No need to spend extra time waiting for a full charge.
     
  14. Cfinck

    Cfinck Member

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    Location:
    Santa Monica
    Curious where you are located?
     
  15. TechOps

    TechOps Member

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    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Usually, eat.
     
    • Love x 1
  16. DarkMatter

    DarkMatter Active Member

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    You could buy a small Bluetooth audio transmitter. They are not very expensive.
     
  17. gork

    gork Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Amarillo, TX
    Considered that, but they have too much latency for a game system. I will probably pinch hit with a USB powered FM transmitter.
     
    • Informative x 1
  18. suraj1194

    suraj1194 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2016
    Messages:
    319
    Location:
    Bay Area CA
    If I’m traveling with family , their needs determine what we do .

    By myself, I typically carry sneakers in the frunk and go run a mile or two while the car charges, before continuing .
     
    • Like x 2
  19. dipper

    dipper Member

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    Location:
    92129
    Am I the only one that washes bugs of the front of the car?
     
    • Like x 3
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  20. s.kuo

    s.kuo Member

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    Aug 28, 2016
    Messages:
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    Location:
    California
    I sit in the car and learn Spanish. I bought a Spanish CD and transferred it onto a usb.
     
    • Like x 1

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