TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Tesla wall connector question..

Discussion in 'Model Y' started by tmandrewl, Mar 3, 2021 at 2:23 PM.

  1. tmandrewl

    tmandrewl Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2021
    Messages:
    13
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Hi, I am picking up a Model Y standard range tomorrow. This is my first EV and want some help understanding the mobile charger with NEMA 14-50 and Tesla wall connector.

    1. NEMA 14-50 with mobile charger: Does it use 40 amp circuit breaker?

    2. Tesla wall connector: Which amp circuit breaker is recommended? 40 amp, 60 amp, 80 amp, 100 amp?

    3. Tesla wall connector: Even if Standard Range Model Y uses up to 32 amp only, is it better to install the Tesla wall connector on a higher circuit breaker for the future? (In case I get a LR or performance model). If so, which amp circuit is recommended?

    Thank you for answering my questions.
     
  2. Big Earl

    Big Earl bnkwupt

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2017
    Messages:
    4,886
    Location:
    Springfield, VA
    1.) 40 amp circuit will provide the fastest charge rate. However, you can use the mobile connector with smaller circuits if you buy additional adapters from Tesla's website.

    2.) Up to 60 amps. However, the standard range Model Y has an onboard charger limit of 32 amps, so you will see no benefit in a 60 amp circuit over a 40 amp circuit.

    Remember the 80% rule, where you only load a circuit up to 80% of its capacity. A 40 amp circuit will provide 32 amp charging, while a 60 amp circuit will provide 48 amps of charging.

    3.) What size you choose depends on the power you have available in your circuit breaker panel and your desire to future-proof yourself. If you end up buying something like a Cybertruck in the future, being able to charge at 48 amps will make a big difference compared to 32 amps.
     
  3. 2101Guy

    2101Guy Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2020
    Messages:
    1,222
    Location:
    USA
    #3 2101Guy, Mar 3, 2021 at 2:41 PM
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2021 at 2:52 PM
    Mobile Connector

    Wall Connector

    Ive been using the included Wall connector for over a year, more than sufficient for my charging needs. I have time of use billing, with rates cheapest between midnight and 5am. I never have run past 5am(yet)
     
  4. jcanoe

    jcanoe Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2020
    Messages:
    1,157
    Location:
    Maryland
    The Mobile Connector can be used for home charging day to day but you should not plug and unplug the NEMA 14-50 power plug from the receptacle each time as the 14-50 receptacle is normally not designed for a high number of plug and unplug operations. The Mobile Connector is not weather rated so it should not be exposed to water/rain if you can help it.

    I recommend that you don't let the Mobile Connector hang down supported by just the power plug. The receptacle and the power plug are not designed to support the weight of the Mobile Connector. You can fashion a hook or a bracket (Tesla sells a cable organizer that includes a chassis holder (Tesla calls the Mobile Connector electronics unit the chassis.)

    The Wall Connector is designed to be hard wired into the circuit. The Wall Connector is weather rated so it can be installed outside, exposed to rain etc. The wall connector can support charging at up to 48A (requires a dedicated 60A circuit.) In the future if you plan to possibly charge more than one EV at a time the Wall Connector will eventually support load balancing so that two or more Wall Connectors can share a single circuit.

    The NEMA 14-50 receptacle is designed for 240V and up to 50 amps. Normally you would install the 14-50 on a 50A breaker but a 40A circuit breaker is also allowed by code.
     
    • Informative x 1
  5. tmandrewl

    tmandrewl Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2021
    Messages:
    13
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Thank you so much for answering each of my questions. It was very helpful.
     
  6. tmandrewl

    tmandrewl Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2021
    Messages:
    13
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
  7. tmandrewl

    tmandrewl Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2021
    Messages:
    13
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Thank you for your reply. I am leaning toward getting a Tesla Wall Connector..
     
    • Like x 1
  8. hakunamattata

    hakunamattata Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2020
    Messages:
    137
    Location:
    New Jersey
    I am not sure if I am reading the Wall Connector details table correctly Wall Connector , I think the Model Y can do up to 48A, so a 60 amp circuit will help.
     
    • Like x 1
  9. tmandrewl

    tmandrewl Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2021
    Messages:
    13
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    I am planing to get a Wall Connector on 60 amp circuit breaker. Thanks!
     
  10. VaxAce

    VaxAce Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2020
    Messages:
    221
    Location:
    New Jersey
    not that I dont want to answer your question or be 'smart' to you - but - the specs are on the Tesla web site with the wall charger... You should give this to your electrician.. I have 3 wall chargers -- need Cooper cable -- I have panel availability so I ran 3 60 amp circuits. Depends on your panel/power availability.
     
  11. jcanoe

    jcanoe Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2020
    Messages:
    1,157
    Location:
    Maryland
    My only issue with the Wall Connector, all of Tesla's charging units actually, is that the charging cable is only 18 ft in length. For maximum reach and flexibility a charging cord should be 24 to 25 ft long. The charging port on the Tesla vehicles is on the driver's side rear quarter panel by the tail light. This location kind of presupposes that you will back into your parking space or garage. That is not how I prefer to park at home in my garage. Choose the location of the Wall Connector or NEMA 14-50 receptacle carefully so the charging cord can easily reach the Tesla vehicle's charging port.

    Note: The Tesla Wall Connector needs to be in a location where the Wall Connector is able to connect to a WiFi network for initial setup and for firmware updates.
     
    • Informative x 1
  12. Big Earl

    Big Earl bnkwupt

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2017
    Messages:
    4,886
    Location:
    Springfield, VA
    The table is missing the standard range Y, which has a max of 32 amps. This has been confirmed by SR Y owners in other threads.
     
    • Like x 1
  13. tmandrewl

    tmandrewl Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2021
    Messages:
    13
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    I have a location in mind for the wall connector, and I will make sure it has the wifi signal in that location. Thanks for the information.
     
  14. RollTelsaRoll

    RollTelsaRoll Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Messages:
    32
    Location:
    Alabama

    How do you connect the wall charger to the WiFi? Is it an, after your app is connected to you car kinda thing?
     
  15. jcanoe

    jcanoe Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2020
    Messages:
    1,157
    Location:
    Maryland
    This short video covers the installation and setup of the Gen3 Wall Connector. For the WiFi setup jump to 10:45 (this is just after the power is turned on to the Wall Connector.)
     
    • Informative x 2
    • Like x 1
  16. HotIce

    HotIce Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2020
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    MD
    Once it gets turned on, it'll go into Wi-Fi mode. If you miss the chance, press and hold the button on the plug for like five seconds and it will go back into Wi-Fi mode. A pamphlet comes with it. You connect to the Wall Connector and then go to the address in the pamphlet that came with the charger and you'll be able to set everything up.
     
    • Helpful x 1
  17. EchoDelta

    EchoDelta Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2012
    Messages:
    1,094
    Location:
    Seattle, Planet Earth
    One consideration is that if you ever want to have a non-Tesla EV, you can always terminate the Tesla plug with a J1772 adapter - there are cable-style and can-style adapters online. And you can expand to a second WC with power sharing in the same circuit.

    The Tesla WC and MC are great value, IMO.
     
  18. scabbotts

    scabbotts Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2021
    Messages:
    23
    Location:
    Maine
    Yes it can do 48amp with a 60 amp breaker. That is what mine is connected to and it charges at 48 amps.
     
  19. RollTelsaRoll

    RollTelsaRoll Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Messages:
    32
    Location:
    Alabama
    Thanks! I did not read the back of the instruction manuel... ‍♂️

    I have 2 dedicated breakers. One for the MYP we pick up next week, and a second for when we get our Cyber Truck. I went ahead and prewireded for it!
     
  20. Midnightsun

    Midnightsun Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Messages:
    258
    Location:
    Canada
    Really not required to have this much juice. You do know all 3 can be hooked up to a single 60a circuit right? they are rather smart as they regulate charge as required to each unit. Lets say you have 3 cars plugged in but 2 are fully charged, the third get the full capacity of the charger. If 2 cars need charging then they will both receive half the capacity of the charger. 1 car plugged in will get full capacity of the charger.
     
    • Like x 1

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC