To 72 A or not to 72 A?

[ModelXBoy]

Not true. In can be added after. I've said it in many other posts. Its 100% software in this car vs the S needs a hardware upgrade. Zero hardware involved in the X to upgrade. I am totally positive and have talked to Tesla engineers about it. I even double checked recently. I got this information from someone who is actively talking to heads of Tesla including Elon himself. If you want it after the fact it will cost you a bit more. Around $1200.

Why did they do this? Apparently it was a big hassle for them with the Model S. It made sense to put all the hardware in this time around to avoid part backorders and long wait times giving people loaner cars etc. Now they can just upgrade in a few hours and have you back on the road.

I am waiting on the 72 for this reason but if you bought it that's great too. Its all good.

Here is the screen shot with the upgrade amperage charger. It states it can not be upgraded after delivery. This is a big problem for people not upgrading and later decided to upgrade but there is no way of doing so. The best way IMHO is to upgrade to 72A the min you configure. $1000 will be justified once you need it at sometime of your life owning the Model X. I also picked up my Home high amperage charger connector today also. I will put a picture to show you all. Quite nice addition to the look of my garage also : )

 

[Aljohn]

If you plan to use destination charging in addition to SC, then maybe worth the upgrade. It is not just the $1000 upgrade for home charging, but one needs to have a 100 Amp/220 VAC circuit available to be able to charge a 72 amp. If you don't have the capacity in your home -- few homes over 10 years do, then you will have to have the service to your home upgraded or supplemented with a new power run from the Power Company. This is "big bucks". Get an estimate on the 100 amp dedicated-continuous wired -- panel to HPWC -- circuit if you are desiring home charging at 72 amps (max amps is 80% continuous of the rated circuit).

 

[ModelXBoy]

If you plan to use destination charging in addition to SC, then maybe worth the upgrade. It is not just the $1000 upgrade for home charging, but one needs to have a 100 Amp/220 VAC circuit available to be able to charge a 72 amp. If you don't have the capacity in your home -- few homes over 10 years do, then you will have to have the service to your home upgraded or supplemented with a new power run from the Power Company. This is "big bucks". Get an estimate on the 100 amp dedicated-continuous wired -- panel to HPWC -- circuit if you are desiring home charging at 72 amps (max amps is 80% continuous of the rated circuit).

This is definitely true, but if you go to hotel, airport, casino etc where Tesla super charger is not available. Any charger that has higher than 42A limit you will be able to take advantage of your 72A upgrade. With that said, even without home charging set up, you can still take advantage of the upgrade.

 

[MrBoylan]

If you plan to use destination charging in addition to SC, then maybe worth the upgrade. It is not just the $1000 upgrade for home charging, but one needs to have a 100 Amp/220 VAC circuit available to be able to charge a 72 amp. If you don't have the capacity in your home -- few homes over 10 years do, then you will have to have the service to your home upgraded or supplemented with a new power run from the Power Company. This is "big bucks". Get an estimate on the 100 amp dedicated-continuous wired -- panel to HPWC -- circuit if you are desiring home charging at 72 amps (max amps is 80% continuous of the rated circuit).

I haven't gotten detailed estimates from an electrician yet, but I've done some preliminary research and, to reinforce what Aljohn said, upgrading our service in NYC from 100A to 200A and running that fat copper all the way to the back of my house for a high amperage charger is probably going to be in the $3500-$5000 range. But honestly even just a NEMA 14/50 jack and wiring would be pushing it at our current service level so I'll probably need to upgrade the service regardless of which charger I put in. So I will probably go with an 80A line to an HPWC. I mainly went for the 72A charger just in case I ever need it while travelling and also as I figured it would be a "nice to have" for potential resale (some day not too soon).

 

[investmentgamer]

I am not getting the 72A charger (or its European equivalent) because Elon said we shouldn't.

I have heard this a few times now but I've never seen the original source showing that he really said this. Was it on Twitter?

 

[dwebb66]

I haven't gotten detailed estimates from an electrician yet, but I've done some preliminary research and, to reinforce what Aljohn said, upgrading our service in NYC from 100A to 200A and running that fat copper all the way to the back of my house for a high amperage charger is probably going to be in the $3500-$5000 range. But honestly even just a NEMA 14/50 jack and wiring would be pushing it at our current service level so I'll probably need to upgrade the service regardless of which charger I put in. So I will probably go with an 80A line to an HPWC. I mainly went for the 72A charger just in case I ever need it while travelling and also as I figured it would be a "nice to have" for potential resale (some day not too soon).

i only have 100 Amp service and had to have a transfer switch installed that allows 40 Amps to either my AC or Tesla charger...

 

[MrBoylan]

i only have 100 Amp service and had to have a transfer switch installed that allows 40 Amps to either my AC or Tesla charger...

So either you can be cool, or look cool (driving around in your Tesla). Tough choice.

 

[DavidM]

So if I understand this correctly, the Model X comes with a 48A charger (in the car), and the same UMC cable that ships with the Model S. The UMC cable is designed for charging at 40A max. on a 50A circuit. So without purchasing the HPWC, you are limited to AC charging at 40A at home (26 miles/hr). And up to 30 miles/hr at some Tesla Destination chargers.

So the effective choice for Model X home charging is 40A (w/ no upgrade), or up to 72A with the upgrade at time of purchase. Not 48A vs. 72A as it would seem.

- - - Updated - - -

Keep in mind for the X it is 48 vs 72, so only 50% faster. As opposed to dual chargers on the S, which is 100%. I didn't order it.

You won't get to charge at 48A at home, unless you also purchase the HPWC. Without the HPWC, you're limited to charging at 40A at home. So in comparison, 72A is 80% faster than 40A.

 

[timf]

So if I understand this correctly, the Model X comes with a 48A charger (in the car), and the same UMC cable that ships with the Model S. The UMC cable is designed for charging at 40A max. on a 50A circuit. So without purchasing the HPWC, you are limited to AC charging at 40A at home (26 miles/hr). And up to 30 miles/hr at some Tesla Destination chargers.

So the effective choice for Model X home charging is 40A (w/ no upgrade), or up to 72A with the upgrade at time of purchase. Not 48A vs. 72A as it would seem.

- - - Updated - - -



You won't get to charge at 48A at home, unless you also purchase the HPWC. Without the HPWC, you're limited to charging at 40A at home. So in comparison, 72A is 80% faster than 40A.

Yes, that is all correct. The key thing to remember though is you can add a HPWC at any time after delivery, but the charger upgrade is (supposedly) only available at the time of production. In terms of maximum charging capability for the life of the vehicle, the 50% difference holds.

 

[MrBoylan]

So if I understand this correctly, the Model X comes with a 48A charger (in the car), and the same UMC cable that ships with the Model S. The UMC cable is designed for charging at 40A max. on a 50A circuit. So without purchasing the HPWC, you are limited to AC charging at 40A at home (26 miles/hr). And up to 30 miles/hr at some Tesla Destination chargers.

So the effective choice for Model X home charging is 40A (w/ no upgrade), or up to 72A with the upgrade at time of purchase. Not 48A vs. 72A as it would seem.

- - - Updated - - -

You won't get to charge at 48A at home, unless you also purchase the HPWC. Without the HPWC, you're limited to charging at 40A at home. So in comparison, 72A is 80% faster than 40A.

But isn't that comparing apples and oranges? You need the HPWC (or a high amp destination charger) to charge at 72A with the upgrade. And you need the same thing to charge at home at 48 Amps without the upgrade... Right? Aren't you comparing charging without the HWPC for the base charger to charging WITH the HWPC with the upgraded charger?

All else being equal (and assuming you can take advantage of it), the upgraded charger gets you 50% faster charging than the base charger. If you get the upgraded charger but don't purchase the HWPC, you still charge at 40 Amps using the UMC cable, right? So no difference unless you have the high amp charger to support it.

 

[DavidM]

But isn't that comparing apples and oranges? You need the HPWC (or a high amp destination charger) to charge at 72A with the upgrade. And you need the same thing to charge at home at 48 Amps without the upgrade... Right? Aren't you comparing charging without the HWPC for the base charger to charging WITH the HWPC with the upgraded charger?

All else being equal (and assuming you can take advantage of it), the upgraded charger gets you 50% faster charging than the base charger. If you get the upgraded charger but don't purchase the HWPC, you still charge at 40 Amps using the UMC cable, right? So no difference unless you have the high amp charger to support it.

That's right. Home charging potential for the Model X looks like this:
Options:
1. No upgrade & no HPWC = 40A charging (26 mi/hr)
2. Charger upgrade (72A) & no HPWC = 40A charging (26 mi/hr)
3. HPWC purchase, but no charger upgrade = 48A charging (31 mi/hr)
4. Charger upgrade (72A) & HPWC purchase = up to 72A charging (51 mi/hr)

After owning a Model S for 3 years, my personal opinion is that the HPWC is a great option and value at $750 plus installation, even without a charger upgrade. Having/using the HPWC is a safer way to charge (hardwired to the panel), thicker wire means less heat and more safety. It also allows you to keep your UMC (and adapters) in the car for emergency charging. And it will allow the Model X owner to charge at a full 48A (20% faster) at home, every day. Plus, when/if you move to another home, you can take your HPWC with you to your new home.

Note: Option#4 may require an expensive service panel upgrade on older, and smaller homes.
FYI - I purchased dual chargers for my Model S, and I have a HPWC operating at 64A (47 mi/hr), on an 80A circuit in my 200A service panel.

 

[TexasEV]

But isn't that comparing apples and oranges? You need the HPWC (or a high amp destination charger) to charge at 72A with the upgrade. And you need the same thing to charge at home at 48 Amps without the upgrade... Right? Aren't you comparing charging without the HWPC for the base charger to charging WITH the HWPC with the upgraded charger?

All else being equal (and assuming you can take advantage of it), the upgraded charger gets you 50% faster charging than the base charger. If you get the upgraded charger but don't purchase the HWPC, you still charge at 40 Amps using the UMC cable, right? So no difference unless you have the high amp charger to support it.

No, YOU don't need the high amp charger, meaning you don't need to have the HPWC at home to benefit from this. It's mostly beneficial when traveling and plugging into a destination HPWC or a high amp J1772. It's true that at home without a HPWC, plugged into a NEMA 14-50, you only get 40A either way. But most people who want the 72A charger do so for traveling rather than faster charging at home.

 

[rick]

i have a 2013 S85. NEMA 14-50 at home. Live in Madison wi. Have driven to eastern Pa.,minneapolis, Chicago, Mke, no probems. Drive 15,000 M/yr don't need a 72 Amp-----BUT
i was in Minneapolis once, needed 50 miles to reach the Eau Claire supercharger comfortably, ended up in a garage with an 80 amp charger and could charge at 40 amps--took forever and I cut it thin. X on order-with a 72 amp

 

[ModelXBoy]

My Rule of thumb, if you can add something when you can and can't later on, add it! You will never know when you will need it. What if you got drunk last night and forgot to charge your car, your car is almost zero range, wake up early in the morning and realize you can't make to work on the range. Just plug in the 72A in and eat a breakfast, you will reach there. If not call sick! lol!

Scenario 2: you later found out there are many 80A chargers on the road and you are in hurry, but can't take advantage of the 72A charging. Take your anger to Tesla and Tesla told you you can't add it after delivery. What can you do. Should we blame on ourself or on Tesla? or should we trade in the car and get a new Model X with the upgrade? This is obviously an easy question to answer.

 

[brianvicars]

i only have 100 Amp and had to have a transfer switch installed that allows 40 Amps to either my AC or Tesla charger...

I also only have a 100 service panel in my house. I still installed a 100 amp breaker for my Tesla X. I will be running at night when my AC is not required.

 

[dwebb66]

I also only have a 100 service panel in my house. I still installed a 100 amp breaker for my Tesla X. I will be running at night when my AC is not required.

Are you saying that you COULD pull more than 100A and pop the main breaker? I have a transfer switch that 'throws the AC breaker to off and enable the Tesla breaker' and vice versa. This makes it impossible to draw too much amperage from the main.

 

[DavidM]

Are you saying that you COULD pull more than 100A and pop the main breaker? I have a transfer switch that 'throws the AC breaker to off and enable the Tesla breaker' and vice versa. This makes it impossible to draw too much amperage from the main.

View attachment 109614

Ok. So that photo was really funny to me, since I live in Florida, and we run the air conditioning 24/7 (10 months a year). "Run the Air Conditioning in the house OR charge the car?"

 

[dwebb66]

Ok. So that photo was really funny to me, since I live in Florida, and we run the air conditioning 24/7 (10 months a year). "Run the Air Conditioning in the house OR charge the car?"

That is the nice thing about living in SoCal, I only run the AC a couple hours a day for 2 or 3 months. But the down side of living in SoCal is being able to afford a Tesla, but not a house...

 

[ptsagcy]

Electrician just finished installing the HPWC last night. "Soon" I'll actually be able to use it on my MX which I'm hoping to get end of February. The 100A circuit was not a problem with my 200A service.

 

[Mark Z]

I really appreciated the 72 amp charger this morning when plugging in late. I have the 9 PM to 12 PM charge window, so if I plug in in the AM, it must be done by noon. The 72 amp charger speeds things up and makes it possible to get the cheaper rate by finishing in time.