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How do you pass time at the charging stations?
- Thread starter incrediwoah
- Start date
Southeast. Visit the Defuniak Springs charger after dusk if you want to be kept on your toes. Checkout plugshare reviews on that one. The Macon Georgia charger isn't much better and the Mobile Alabama charger actually has a sign with a phone number to call if you'd like (mall) security to escort you to the mall (charger is in parking lot). These are just examples of the sketchy chargers. Most are okay and some are pretty damn good.
TexLaw
Member
I'll most certainly visit the facilities. If I'm hungry or expect I will be before reaching the next stop, I'll grab a bite to eat (either sit down or just carry something out to eat in the car). I'll probably take a walk, but I've also just eased the seat back and listened to music or a podcast with my eyes closed.
If it's a new stop, I'll check out what is around. One never knows what one may find. We discovered that the Pier One near the Texarkana supercharger is pet friendly, so we all (including the dog) went in to do some Christmas shopping. That was a very pleasant surprise.
I completely agree with your observation that the traveling feels shorter. We drove to and back from Saint Louis for Thanksgiving, about 900 miles each way, and we did the whole way back in one day. Each way took around 2-3 hours longer than it would have in an ICE, but we did not care one bit. We actually enjoyed the drive, rather than power or suffer through it like a chore. Granted, no one needs an EV to take it easy on a drive, but is a different feel about it in our MS.
If it's a new stop, I'll check out what is around. One never knows what one may find. We discovered that the Pier One near the Texarkana supercharger is pet friendly, so we all (including the dog) went in to do some Christmas shopping. That was a very pleasant surprise.
I completely agree with your observation that the traveling feels shorter. We drove to and back from Saint Louis for Thanksgiving, about 900 miles each way, and we did the whole way back in one day. Each way took around 2-3 hours longer than it would have in an ICE, but we did not care one bit. We actually enjoyed the drive, rather than power or suffer through it like a chore. Granted, no one needs an EV to take it easy on a drive, but is a different feel about it in our MS.
bhakan
MSLR MSM/Blk/19/FSD, Ord 6/10/21, Del 2/20/22
Walk to a nearby place to get some coffee, talk to other Tesla owners (eg., where did they get their cars washed as it was snowy and cold here), talk to fellow passengers..
I will find out more this coming weekend when I take a RT on interstate 81 to Blacksburg how the SC stations are on that road.
I will find out more this coming weekend when I take a RT on interstate 81 to Blacksburg how the SC stations are on that road.
SabrToothSqrl
Active Member
Lon12
Member
I carry my own water spray bottle and let the bugs soak for a minute before taking them off with a towel.
I try and only charge for 12-20 minutes at a time so I actually have to run to the washroom to make it back in time. When the car says I'm ready to make it to the next charger I'm off.
K-MTG
Sunshade Captain of TMC
I try different supercharger stalls to make it charge faster.
That's actually a really good idea. I haven't cleaned the car in ages. On the next road trip, I'm packing cleaning supplies.
To answer OP's question, I usually scout out things in advance and can often find things of interest around. Somebody mentioned the Defuniak Springs, FL charger upthread. It might be a sketchy area at night, but during the day the exhibits at the library would be really interesting to me. It's the exact kind of thing that I only see on Tesla road trips, but end up really enjoying. Other places like Flatonia, TX, though, are pretty boring, no two ways about it. I guess I clean the car there now.
arcus
Active Member
Catching up on the ever-growing list of things to read. Learning German is next on the list.
In general, I try to make a point in walking a little. Sometimes I even stretch my back. After sitting for 1-3 hours it's important to get the circulation going. Too often I end up eating junk food, though :/
I'm German, I can help you. In return you can teach me something else.
I'm German, I can help you. In return you can teach me something else.
Like most here, I usually grab a snack for the road, use the bathroom and maybe watch something on Netflix for play some Zelda/whatever if there's more time.
Along the lines of nice/not-so-nice Superchargers, I've now gone to the new Kettleman City Supercharger twice. It's really nice, though I have yet to see the barista there for the coffee bar(both times we drove up at ~10 or 11PM, so not surprising that it was unmanned).
Along the lines of nice/not-so-nice Superchargers, I've now gone to the new Kettleman City Supercharger twice. It's really nice, though I have yet to see the barista there for the coffee bar(both times we drove up at ~10 or 11PM, so not surprising that it was unmanned).
arcus
Active Member
DankeschönI'm German, I can help you. In return you can teach me something else.
Since we have home charging and don't travel too much, haven't spent too much time at Superchargers lately. But when our car was new and using the superchargers we actually enjoyed our trips there a lot. Enjoyed them during our summer vacation trips.
*Found the time there relaxing, just sitting in the cabin and listening to music or having time to talk to each other.
*Sometimes checking in on emails or reading news online.
*On occasion getting out to walk and stretch our legs.
*On longer trips we've gone for a bite to eat and do a bathroom break or grab a cup of coffee.
*On a few occasions had the pleasure of talking to fellow owners charging. Probably the highlight of Supercharger stops for us. Always interesting to see others' models (we came into Telsa ownership just this year) and learn where they were from. Fun source of tips they've learned during their ownership or great source for things to do in the area they're from or have traveled to.
Honestly really don't look at charging time as a negative. In fact with home charging, kind of miss it. One thing I will add is that even if we don't need to Supercharge, I enjoy driving through the local Supercharger site while running errands in the area and seeing if I can spot any Model 3s. So far seen 2. Stopped to speak to one owner at length; he was more than generous with his time and had me sit in his car. Another time briefly spoke to another owner as he was getting ready to depart. Supercharger sites are the best place to find Model 3s if you don't have new owners in your area and if you get lucky with your timing.
I'll also add that while Supercharging has nice pluses, plugging in at home and not having to go to a gas station can't be beat.
*Found the time there relaxing, just sitting in the cabin and listening to music or having time to talk to each other.
*Sometimes checking in on emails or reading news online.
*On occasion getting out to walk and stretch our legs.
*On longer trips we've gone for a bite to eat and do a bathroom break or grab a cup of coffee.
*On a few occasions had the pleasure of talking to fellow owners charging. Probably the highlight of Supercharger stops for us. Always interesting to see others' models (we came into Telsa ownership just this year) and learn where they were from. Fun source of tips they've learned during their ownership or great source for things to do in the area they're from or have traveled to.
Honestly really don't look at charging time as a negative. In fact with home charging, kind of miss it. One thing I will add is that even if we don't need to Supercharge, I enjoy driving through the local Supercharger site while running errands in the area and seeing if I can spot any Model 3s. So far seen 2. Stopped to speak to one owner at length; he was more than generous with his time and had me sit in his car. Another time briefly spoke to another owner as he was getting ready to depart. Supercharger sites are the best place to find Model 3s if you don't have new owners in your area and if you get lucky with your timing
.I'll also add that while Supercharging has nice pluses, plugging in at home and not having to go to a gas station can't be beat.
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arcus
Active Member
I also like the opportunity that superchargers provide - to meet and greet other Tesla owners.
On road trips: bathroom, food, stretch.
At the supercharger near home: a lot of time waiting for others to come get their cars. I've seen people get picked up after dropping their car off. I've stared at blocked stalls with no one in the cars for more than 45 minutes so a quick top off no longer became a quick top off.
At the supercharger near home: a lot of time waiting for others to come get their cars. I've seen people get picked up after dropping their car off. I've stared at blocked stalls with no one in the cars for more than 45 minutes so a quick top off no longer became a quick top off.
Actually, that is a good idea. Sometimes stalls just have problems. And sometimes it's another reason. On my P100D, if the battery is warm and my SOC is below 63% and I'm not getting at least 100kW, I will move. Almost always it will go up. I'm pretty sure it's the wires from the charger that heat up, causing more resistance that the system can detect so it drops the power. Moving over to a cold cable and/or different pair that hasn't recently been used helps.
Side note, I enable max battery power to get a gauge on if the battery is warm. I turn it on, and then check what it says for eta for max power. If it says something less than 40 minutes, the battery is fairly warm and should take full power from the charger for the current SOC. If it says more than 40 minutes (and especially if it says 1+ hour), I leave it on because it heats the battery. Otherwise I turn it back off because if the battery gets too warm, that will also slow charging. If I leave it on, I periodically check it to see where it's at and shut if off when its getting around 40 minutes.
