Travel charger operation temperature

[Jefff L]

So I have my 2023 MYLR for a few weeks. Uses only 120v 15amp outlet in the garage for charging. The outlet is a GFCI outlet with downstream connection to another outlet outdoor. Nothing is connected to the outdoor outlet. The ambient temperature in my garage has been pretty stable at around 70deg F. I monitored the surface temperature on outlet vs. The hotest part of the travel connector, which happened to be on the silver/black box around the area where the LED "T-E-S-L-A" indicating lights are. Here is what I found..
Amp setting/outlet temp./travel charger temp.
12A/105deg F/112deg F
10A/98deg F/105deg F
8A/95deg F/100deg F
<8A/pretty much same as 8A

Then I got a 3ft 10ga extension cord and plug into the outlet, then plug the travel charger to the other end of the extension cord, and found the charging temperature dropped quite a bit.
12A/80deg F/88deg F
10A/80deg F/85deg F
<10A/pretty much same as 10A

BTW, the circuit breaker has a steady read of around 85deg F on above cases.

Any one experience the same observation? Tesla adviced not to use extension cord but this finding make me want to use it. Thoughts?

 

[jcanoe]

A longer extension cord would result in a slight voltage drop, i.e. less than 5% not being significant. Using an extension cord adds two additional interconnects into the circuit. These are a source of dirt and moisture intrusion and along with the entire length of the extension cord can also become worn or damaged over time. A well made, well maintained extension cord of reasonable length is not a problem. Consider an extension cord a temporary solution while traveling or while waiting to install a dedicated charging circuit closer to where the plug-in vehicle will be parked. (None of the temperatures you noted are a concern, would not expect any part of the charging circuit to exceed ~120F except maybe in summer. (Always try and charge in the evening or out of direct sunlight in warm weather.)

 

[Jefff L]

A longer extension cord would result in a slight voltage drop, i.e. less than 5% not being significant. Using an extension cord adds two additional interconnects into the circuit. These are a source of dirt and moisture intrusion and along with the entire length of the extension cord can also become worn or damaged over time. A well made, well maintained extension cord of reasonable length is not a problem. Consider an extension cord a temporary solution while traveling or while waiting to install a dedicated charging circuit closer to where the plug-in vehicle will be parked. (None of the temperatures you noted are a concern, would not expect any part of the charging circuit to exceed ~120F except maybe in summer. (Always try and charge in the evening or out of direct sunlight in warm weather.)

Thanks for the reply. I've heard about voltage drop on a longer extension cable, and the issue of frequent plug and unplug. Will continue to monitor the charging temperature just in case.