Model S - HPWC (High Power Wall Connector)

[miimura]

If I had a 100A sub panel and wanted to use two HPWCs, these new ones would be the way to go with the additional data channel. I would install them each with their own 100A breakers and the data channel would enforce the 100A total draw as if they were on the same breaker. Well, technically they are on the same upstream breaker in the main panel. It's a win-win.... unless this is specifically disallowed by the install manual...

This would be a legal install, and the feeder sizing would consider this as a single load based on 220.62.

What do you know, I got it right. My main thinking for this approach - using a dedicated breaker for each Wall Connector instead of literally daisy chaining them - was that if one Wall Connector did crap out, it would be easy to shut off its breaker in the sub-panel and set the selector of the good one to use all the power.

I'm still curious how much control the user has over the load sharing. Some users may want them to be sequential and some may want equal current. In a destination charging scenario, this could be important. If I was counting on the car being ready at a certain time, I wouldn't want someone else "stealing" priority.

 

[AWDtsla]

What do you know, I got it right. My main thinking for this approach - using a dedicated breaker for each Wall Connector instead of literally daisy chaining them - was that if one Wall Connector did crap out, it would be easy to shut off its breaker in the sub-panel and set the selector of the good one to use all the power.

I'm still curious how much control the user has over the load sharing. Some users may want them to be sequential and some may want equal current. In a destination charging scenario, this could be important. If I was counting on the car being ready at a certain time, I wouldn't want someone else "stealing" priority.

I'd bet on a software update coming.

 

[Model S M.D.]

I'd bet on a software update coming.

Charging multiple Teslas, also known as, #firstworldproblems

 

[MorrisonHiker]

New HPWC's are available at lower prices!

24' cable version for $550

Tesla — Wall Connector with 24' Cable

and 8.5' cable version for $500

Tesla — Wall Connector with 8.5' Cable

They have a new "power sharing" feature:

• Power sharing feature that allows a single circuit breaker to be connected and shared, servicing up to 4 Wall Connectors - an optimized solution for customers with multiple Tesla vehicles.

Interesting how this works. Looks like you daisy-chain the HPWC's to each other with the first becoming the master and the remaining (up to 3) becoming slaves. Very nice for folks with more than one Tesla in the house.

Looking through the installation guide. the mounting bracket is greatly simplified (not as fancy as the old one). Also looks like installation is significantly easier (not as tight getting those cables to turn into the terminal block. For better or worse, you can't come in from the side anymore, so replacing the old with the new might take a bit of reworking of conduit to get the cables to come in through he new holes.

There appears to be two different mounting brackets now depending on if you're coming in from top/button or from the back.

Hopefully someone can do a teardown on these to see what the insides look like.

That's a nice new feature. I wish it would've been available last year when I had two NEMA 14-50 outlets installed. Since I already had the wiring done (and then insulated and drywalled), I will probably just stick with what I have. It would be nice if they could release a dual-headed HPWC that could alternate charging two cars. Maybe some day!

 

[brkaus]

That's a nice new feature. I wish it would've been available last year when I had two NEMA 14-50 outlets installed. Since I already had the wiring done (and then insulated and drywalled), I will probably just stick with what I have. It would be nice if they could release a dual-headed HPWC that could alternate charging two cars. Maybe some day!

That would be cool. Probably wouldn't save much cost though, most of the more expensive electronics would need to be duplicated anyway.

With this new HPWC, an individual that put in a single 14-50 could pretty easily replace the outlet with a HPWC set at 50a breaker (40 amps) and mount a second HPWC next to it, jumper over to it using the side knockouts and not need to do any drywall work. Instant plug for a second car. Of course, can afford the second car, what's a bit of drywall work!

 

[AWDtsla]

I ordered one last night. I hope they weren't backordered already when they put up the page.

 

[ITSELE]

Just a quick FYI... The new $500 High Power Wall Connector has a cable length just 8.5' and they offer a 24' length for $550. Of course this is obvious but 8.5' is extremely short so you need to be very close to the car. Just as a reference...The Mobile Connector that comes with the car is 20' from wall to connector, and the original High Power Wall Connector is listed at 25'.

Also, I lucked out..after months of waiting, my "old style" HPWC came in and I picked it up...yesterday. Good thing I didn't rip it out of the box and install it! Tesla was very nice and is taking it back and I'll order the new style...24'. The receptionist who took my call also wanted me to be sure I understood they offered it in 2 different lengths!

Again, I'm blown away by the quality of Tesla Service.

 

[FlasherZ]

I'm still curious how much control the user has over the load sharing. Some users may want them to be sequential and some may want equal current. In a destination charging scenario, this could be important. If I was counting on the car being ready at a certain time, I wouldn't want someone else "stealing" priority.

See here for more details: New Wall Connector :)

 

[loganintx]

I was billed on April 13th for my 24' $550 HPWC. I called Tesla this morning to ask about it and they said maybe in about 2 weeks it would ship. 3 hours later, I got an email with a FedEx tracking number. It's not in the FedEx system yet so I don't know the estimated delivery.

 

[wang5150]

Ditton. Ordered on April 12th and got the shipping notice email today. Not in FedEx's system yet.

 

[wang5150]

Got mine delivered today. Will have it installed in a couple of weeks.

 

[rdrcrmatt]

I haven't gone through this entire thread, so forgive me if there's something I've missed.

My HPWC cord has failed for the second time. Over the past few months I've had to get the cord set on the floor in just the right spot for the car to see the cord and start charging. Now, I just get the red ring and it won't charge. Tesla said it is either the hook-up to the HPWC (doubt it) or the charging cord itself.

Well, I had it replaced once under warranty, and now again at the cost of $230 out of pocket. Not happy with this at all considering I paid full price when the HPWC was a new thing, about $1300 for it.

I believe there is a connector / wire loose in the handle where it plugs into the car. Is there a non-destructive way to disassemble / repair the cord? I figure with my luck with this thing it is prudent to keep a spare (though I'm not happy about it at all).

Btw, no, I'm not rough on my HPWC cord. I've never dropped it and I never insert it with more force than is needed. The only thing I don't do is use the silly little spot in the cable holder for it since the first one had a tendency to fall out constantly.

 

[FlasherZ]

I believe there is a connector / wire loose in the handle where it plugs into the car. Is there a non-destructive way to disassemble / repair the cord? I figure with my luck with this thing it is prudent to keep a spare (though I'm not happy about it at all).

You can turn the breaker off and disconnect the cord from the HPWC, but for the handle there's not an easy way to take it apart.

The HPWC employs a pin-and-sleeve connector system. The sleeves are in the handle and the pins are in the car.

I clean the contacts of my HPWC's occasionally by employing industrial cotton swabs (which are thinner than Q-Tips) with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner (*NOT* THE STANDARD WD-40 PENETRATING OIL!!!). spray the swabs and rub the insides of the sleeves. No need to go super-strength on them, you don't want to deform the sleeves. I also swab the car's pins carefully as well, but don't break off the swabs in the connector or you won't like the results.

Some Tesla folks have recommended against this practice, but I don't see the reason why (other than the risk that you'll break off a swab where you can't retrieve it without removing/replacing the charge port). The results on the swabs speak for themselves, when you see the sheer amount of dirt that comes out of them.

 

[scaesare]

You can turn the breaker off and disconnect the cord from the HPWC, but for the handle there's not an easy way to take it apart.

The HPWC employs a pin-and-sleeve connector system. The sleeves are in the handle and the pins are in the car.

I clean the contacts of my HPWC's occasionally by employing industrial cotton swabs (which are thinner than Q-Tips) with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner (*NOT* THE STANDARD WD-40 PENETRATING OIL!!!). spray the swabs and rub the insides of the sleeves. No need to go super-strength on them, you don't want to deform the sleeves. I also swab the car's pins carefully as well, but don't break off the swabs in the connector or you won't like the results.

Some Tesla folks have recommended against this practice, but I don't see the reason why (other than the risk that you'll break off a swab where you can't retrieve it without removing/replacing the charge port). The results on the swabs speak for themselves, when you see the sheer amount of dirt that comes out of them.

I do this approximately yearly (or as needed for symptoms) as well. I use electrical contact cleaner safe for plastics.

If I don't I start to get a lock/unlock/lock cycle (or more than one) after I seat the connector... Often with a subsequent "charging problem" msg the next morning accompanied by my charge current having been reduced to 30A.

 

[rdrcrmatt]

You can turn the breaker off and disconnect the cord from the HPWC, but for the handle there's not an easy way to take it apart.

The HPWC employs a pin-and-sleeve connector system. The sleeves are in the handle and the pins are in the car.

I clean the contacts of my HPWC's occasionally by employing industrial cotton swabs (which are thinner than Q-Tips) with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner (*NOT* THE STANDARD WD-40 PENETRATING OIL!!!). spray the swabs and rub the insides of the sleeves. No need to go super-strength on them, you don't want to deform the sleeves. I also swab the car's pins carefully as well, but don't break off the swabs in the connector or you won't like the results.

Some Tesla folks have recommended against this practice, but I don't see the reason why (other than the risk that you'll break off a swab where you can't retrieve it without removing/replacing the charge port). The results on the swabs speak for themselves, when you see the sheer amount of dirt that comes out of them.

I have a new replacement cord, just haven't installed it yet. I'll try the contact cleaner.

I used my multimeter to test the cord and I was able to get continuity for all but one of the pins. But, I know there's a circuit board in the handle that sends the charge door open signal, I didn't expect it to be so straight forward.

Would you be able to test / ohm out your charger cable to see if I should have continuity on all pins?

 

[Peter_M]

I haven't gone through this entire thread, so forgive me if there's something I've missed.

My HPWC cord has failed for the second time. Over the past few months I've had to get the cord set on the floor in just the right spot for the car to see the cord and start charging. Now, I just get the red ring and it won't charge. Tesla said it is either the hook-up to the HPWC (doubt it) or the charging cord itself.

Well, I had it replaced once under warranty, and now again at the cost of $230 out of pocket. Not happy with this at all considering I paid full price when the HPWC was a new thing, about $1300 for it.

I believe there is a connector / wire loose in the handle where it plugs into the car. Is there a non-destructive way to disassemble / repair the cord? I figure with my luck with this thing it is prudent to keep a spare (though I'm not happy about it at all).

Btw, no, I'm not rough on my HPWC cord. I've never dropped it and I never insert it with more force than is needed. The only thing I don't do is use the silly little spot in the cable holder for it since the first one had a tendency to fall out constantly.

If you got your HPWC as part of your car order, I believe it should be covered by the car warranty and you shouldn't have to pay for repairs. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I bought my HPWC with my car and have had the cable replaced twice under warranty, no question of me paying for it.

 

[rdrcrmatt]

If you got your HPWC as part of your car order, I believe it should be covered by the car warranty and you shouldn't have to pay for repairs. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I bought my HPWC with my car and have had the cable replaced twice under warranty, no question of me paying for it.

The HPWC supposedly had a 1 year warranty. technically I purchased it separately from my car, actually before I purchased my car.

 

[alevek]

Thanks for the tips.
After some troubleshooting determined HPWC is ok, problem is in the plug. Couldn't get a good resistance reading between proximity pin and ground until I jiggled the pushbutton on the plug. Looks like there is a loose connection on the switch in the plug. Was able to get car to charge by putting slight pressure on pushbutton. Will see if I can hack the plug, or just get a new cable.

Still disappointed in SC inability to correctly diagnose the problem, especially after I assured them that all voltages on the HPWC were correct. Should have known problem would be in the plug instead of insisting on having an electrician check the HPWC.

Oh well, good lesson learned.

Update and cleanup. Had QuickChargePower replace the Tesla plug with an 80 amp J1772. Now all's good plus I can also charge the I3 with the HPWC!

 

[rdrcrmatt]

Ugh, this stupid thing. I replaced my cord and now I'm getting 2 red flashes when I try to charge.

That means;
The High Power Wall Connector did not pass its internal self check.
Unplug the High Power Wall Connector from the car and press the RESET button. Plug the High Power Wall Connector back into the car. If the error persists, unplug the High Power Wall Connector from the car, power off the High Power Wall Connector, then power it back on again before plugging it back into the car.

The message I got from the service center was;
2 red blinks on the HPC indicate that the unit did not pass the GFCI test within the unit.

I know my ground is good. Anyone have an idea?

 

[FlasherZ]

Ugh, this stupid thing. I replaced my cord and now I'm getting 2 red flashes when I try to charge.

That means;
The High Power Wall Connector did not pass its internal self check.
Unplug the High Power Wall Connector from the car and press the RESET button. Plug the High Power Wall Connector back into the car. If the error persists, unplug the High Power Wall Connector from the car, power off the High Power Wall Connector, then power it back on again before plugging it back into the car.

The message I got from the service center was;
2 red blinks on the HPC indicate that the unit did not pass the GFCI test within the unit.

I know my ground is good. Anyone have an idea?

EDIT again: Nevermind... on the old HPWC (rev 1/2/3), two blinks means unit failed self-test. On the new HPWC, two blinks means it didn't detect ground. Gah, why change what blinks mean?!

I would look to ensure that your pilot, proximity, and ground connections are correct and don't have a stray strand loose somewhere. Try to remove and re-connect the cable, make sure the connections didn't get damaged.

It's possible that you might have a bad cable with improperly assembled connections inside the handle or something.