Sounds promising thanks Ray. Like Homer, I'm waiting for my Model S and trying to work out how to do a bit of a road trip when it arrives in May. I'm getting a J1772 and a 32A 3 phase adapter from EVnomics.
Can I ask the experienced travelers - What is the best methodology for finding and accessing 32A outlets in a new town? ...
> Ask the motel if they have a 32A outlet?
> Drive around the local showground and see if there is one? Or visit the council first? as I'm reluctant to grab a charge without asking?
> Carparks were mentioned. Do carparks often have these outlets on the wall?
> What sort of businesses would have these plugs (and be generally happy to share them)?
> Anywhere else to look?
> Should I ring in advance to avoid being stuck?
Thanks and cheers Richard
in my (albeit limited) experience, every place that I've been to that has 3 phase has 20A, not 32A. I bought both the 20A and 32A adaptors, fully expecting to not really use the 20A adaptor very much, and I haven't used the 32A one once yet..
- I imagine most motels won't have 3 phase outlets, but ring ahead, you could get lucky!
- definitely ring the showground ahead of time, as Ray said, this is probably going to be your best bet
- Carparks - again if you're lucky. I wouldn't rely on this.
- I originally thought mechanics were going to be my saving grace, but of the 4 I have visited recently, all of them only had 4 pin sockets, so I couldn't charge. The one place I could was an earth moving place where they had heavy machinery and welding happening etc. It was pure luck, one of the mechanics pointed me there and the owner was walking right outside. Still worth ringing mechanics, but you just have to make sure that a) they have a 5 pin socket, and b) the 5th (neutral) pin is connected. Most mechanics only have the 3 phase for their car hoists, and these don't need a neutral.
- if you need to charge, you'd be silly not to ring ahead.
- when ringing the mechanic, if they don't have it it's worth asking them who they think around town might have it, to give you some leads (pun intended!).
good luck.