Supercharger - Austin, TX

[vrykolas]

Yeah, I've used HPWCs in Austin before, but it's kind of a pain/slow when just visiting family.
For example, this weekend my brother-in-law had to drive me (only 10 minutes) to drop X at Rudy's BBQ to charge for a couple hours Saturday night (to give me enough to drive back Sunday). It's definitely manageable, just inconvenient.

I thought about paying to install a NEMA 14-50. I might reconsider this since I have family member (in Austin) who is an electrician (I definitely wouldn't try this myself).

Thanks @brkaus and @TexasEV for the encouragement.

 

[JMG]

I'm assuming that you've already investigated if their dryer's are too far away?

I routinely visit family in Georgetown and in Little Rock. At both places, we have a ritual. Soon after arrival and the hugs and luggage is unloaded, I get out my welding cable extension cord, my universal dryer outlet adapter, and scoot out their dryer a little bit and plug in. Of course I dial the amps down to 24 to avoid tripping their breaker and any related hazards. This gets me about 18 mph charge and I'm good to go in the morning.

Obviously, this does you no good if their dryer is no where accessible from the outside.

 

[vrykolas]

@JMG thanks, one house has a gas dryer (and no high power outlet), but the other has a 3-prong electric dryer... but the distance is questionable. I'll definitely look at the possible extension/adapter options that others have mentioned.

Thanks all!

 

[sublimaze1]

Thread Hijack ...

Of course I dial the amps down to 24 to avoid tripping their breaker and any related hazards.

I cannot agree with you MORE! Too many times I have attached to a 10-30/14-30, etc and fifteen minutes later my phone pings "charging interrupted" - only to find out (a) breaker flipped, (b) UMC detected heat and stopped, (c) something else. I tend to throw down math, see what the minumum I need by, say 0700 the next day, and work up from there. Has saved me sleep and (in some cases) a trip back to the RV park / home / whatever ... where I was charging.

... Hijack alert suspended

 

[Twiglett]

If anyone is stuck in the area I'd be happy to offer my J1772. I'm just down the road from Rudys but it's better than sitting in their parking lot

 

[TexasEV]

Also don't forget that EVGo has about a half dozen CHAdeMO stations in the Austin area. Of course it's preferable to charge overnight where you are, but if that isn't an option and you have to drive somewhere to charge, the CHAdeMO is a lot faster than a HPWC or J1772.

 

[S100D]

Also don't forget that EVGo has about a half dozen CHAdeMO stations in the Austin area. Of course it's preferable to charge overnight where you are, but if that isn't an option and you have to drive somewhere to charge, the CHAdeMO is a lot faster than a HPWC or J1772.

The ECGo Walmart CHAdeMO's in Austin were free. I used one after they started charging and paid around $7.75 for 30 minutes for about 70 miles of charge. They are expensive to use but better than running your battery down to zero.

 

[Kcharwood]

No action at the supercharger site for so far this week.

 

[Twiglett]

No action at the supercharger site for so far this week.

I wonder what they're waiting for? Seems odd with all the Tesla stuff sat waiting.

 

[Zaphod]

I wonder what they're waiting for? Seems odd with all the Tesla stuff sat waiting.

Maybe crew is finishing up somewhere else first.

 

[MartinAustin]

That is usually the explanation. Only so many trained crews. Where is there another one under construction?

It would appear that the Flatonia, TX location is the only one remotely anywhere near Austin that is under construction, and... lo and behold... they're nearly finished -
Supercharger - Flatonia, TX

 

[kshitijmd]

That is usually the explanation. Only so many trained crews. Where is there another one under construction?

It would appear that the Flatonia, TX location is the only one remotely anywhere near Austin that is under construction, and... lo and behold... they're nearly finished -
Supercharger - Flatonia, TX

And that was from Sunday April 30 so I imagine that the crew is ready to move onto here now! I was hoping it would be ready before May 20 but that's improbable at this point.

 

[Twiglett]

Still no sign of the second location either. I suspect they're some way further back with that one

 

[Kcharwood]

Stopped by this morning. No signs of work starting over the last 2 days.

 

[Twiglett]

Stopped by this morning. No signs of work starting over the last 2 days.

Interestingly, as I drove by this morning there was a big work truck there with folks moving around.
Hopefully they weren't just stealing stuff

 

[Kcharwood]

Interestingly, as I drove by this morning there was a big work truck there with folks moving around.
Hopefully they weren't just stealing stuff

I went by at 7AM, so maybe today is the day work started!

 

[Kcharwood]

Swung by this morning. No work done. Everything still in the same spot.

 

[Shaggy]

Update as of Sunday below. Note I found a piece of paperwork on the ground... company is out of NV. All quiet.

 

[Twiglett]

I found the reason for the delay. Austin are asking them to do a detailed survey of the trees to show which ones need protecting due to their size etc. The denial was dated 4/27. It was on a different file number so didn't show up with the initial application.

"You are required to protect the critical root zone of existing trees over 8" in diameter....
...I have copied the arborist on this email as you will need a tree permit and I know you are in a hurry"

At least its before they have dug anything.
Potentially more concerning is the line in the denial that says "...The plan will likely not meet preservation criteria"

Ho-hum....

 

[ohmman]

I found the reason for the delay. Austin are asking them to do a detailed survey of the trees to show which ones need protecting due to their size etc. The denial was dated 4/27. It was on a different file number so didn't show up with the initial application.

"You are required to protect the critical root zone of existing trees over 8" in diameter....
...I have copied the arborist on this email as you will need a tree permit and I know you are in a hurry"

At least its before they have dug anything.
Potentially more concerning is the line in the denial that says "...The plan will likely not meet preservation criteria"

Ho-hum....

I told you Austin was serious about their trees...