Universal Mobile Connector (UMC) in Australia

[OzTzlaBloke]

Yep I get ya Paul. Each to their own. Many reasons why Im not that kinda owner. Ultimately its about how you as the owner, how you want to enjoy your own vehicle

Doubt this is something the local service centre could usefully help with. Id wager Id have more luck just calling the support on the UMC and letting them know over the phone. Id reckon its likely two cases - Either its a bug in all the various software stack where at the moment on the current code it cant reliably wake up the charge port from sleeping in the UMC, or everything is OK with the sleep states and so on but the logs havent been coded yet to tidy up the logging and make the logging more sensible in line with updates to sleep states and evolving the code. Either way thats code changes to fix and not something a service centre can handle.

 

[Quickst]

where the battery is ever "at risk" on the DC side due to the AC side having issues.

the battery is protected by the inverter

It has pretty fancy cooling via water cooling

The inverter is not immersed by liquid cooling though. The liquid cooling cools the heatsink under the inverter. Higher than usual voltage may affect components that may or may not have effective heat sink. Its a worry only because in the past, Ive had electronics failure of various appliances and have always just put it down to bad luck.

 

[OzTzlaBloke]

the battery is protected by the inverter

Yep as I said the PCS handles that the BMS gets DC, your snipping quotes dude its misleading

The inverter is not immersed by liquid cooling though. The liquid cooling cools the heatsink under the inverter.

Umm yeah, thats standard. Full submersion like in 3M fluids for that purpose tends to kinda suck and has limited application in niches like large data centers

The bigger risk is the electrical not thermal side the 3/Y have heaps of cooling. I dunno much on the PCS bord that youtube video looks at atleast one version of it. You could just use a longer cable run I spose if your really worried and shed some excess energy in waste that way.

 

[cafz]

250V is within the allowable standard grid voltage, so devices made by reputable manufacturers for sale here should be able to handle it with a safety margin.

I would just take the slightly higher charging power as a win.

 

[Quickst]

250V

I'll check again what V specs are for done of the electronics appliances around the house.

I actually dont need 11kW charging as charging is completed way before time to drive. Despite the 3 phase, I should have got the UMC instead.

 

[Quickst]

You could just use a longer cable run

Possibly though I'm not a fan of hot electrical cables in the house

 

[JonDarian]

I'll check again what V specs are for done of the electronics appliances around the house.

I actually dont need 11kW charging as charging is completed way before time to drive. Despite the 3 phase, I should have got the UMC instead.

I am trying to maximise my use of solar PV for charging, so find the UMC isn't enough if we are doing a lot of driving. We can end up spending several days slowly rebuilding the battery charge with the UMC. For that reason, and for our setup with lots of solar PV available, I would like more charge than the UMC provides. There is also a nice safety blanket in knowing that I can add charge quickly if there is ever a pressing need.

That said, for households who drive average distances and/or are happy to charge from the grid, the UMC can be plenty. I am still undecided about spending the money on a wall charger, but will probably not do it at least until Charge on Solar arrives (it would annoy me to be charging at 11kW and suddenly be drawing from the grid because a cloud blew over or the household draw increased for a while).

 

[cafz]

I actually dont need 11kW charging as charging is completed way before time to drive. Despite the 3 phase, I should have got the UMC instead.

Personally I'm a lot more comfortable with the wired-in device for everyday use - the plug/socket is typically the weak link where a bad connection can develop. I've seen some pretty gnarly pictures of melted GPO internals.

 

[Quickst]

melted GPO internals.

So long as it's properly installed there should not be problems - especially the 32A "commercial" 3/5 pin versions

 

[OzTzlaBloke]

I've seen some pretty gnarly pictures of melted GPO internals.

Domestic GPO terminals are not IP rated and not any close match to the industrial sockets typically found in Aus.

Commercial kitchens. Farmers. Live events. So so many areas rely on IP66 rated, super robust mechanically locking, over built industrial sockets. The length of the copper pins + their diameter and the mechanical lock - far far more reliable socket & plug mechanisms than a domestic GPO. They also have plastics specifications beyond domestic GPOs. Pluggable cycles is way higher too on the wear and long term endurance.

I certainly agree with you that poor install can give risk mate. Brother Id say that same thinking applies to a wired install too albeit less. A loose dry joint in a wall charger can happen though obviously less to potentially go wrong.

 

[Chuq]

A thought I had, unfortunately it’s hard to google for…

Is there such thing as a third party tail which is just like the factory 15A tail, except the cord comes directly out of the socket instead of at an annoying 45 degree angle?

Would there be demand for this? The 45 degree plug makes it impossible to use at most caravan parks (without an extension cord).

 

[bcarp]

You could probably get an electrician to wire it up for you, but then the tail would be even shorter than it already is.

 

[RichardV]

A thought I had, unfortunately it’s hard to google for…

Is there such thing as a third party tail which is just like the factory 15A tail, except the cord comes directly out of the socket instead of at an annoying 45 degree angle?

Would there be demand for this? The 45 degree plug makes it impossible to use at most caravan parks (without an extension cord).

If you go for the bundle style gen2 adapters from evchargers.com.au,

Gen2 'Pick & Choose' Tesla Mobile Connector Bundle - EVchargers - EV cables and adaptors

Gen2 Mobile Charger Connector fitted with CEE 3pin plug bundled with one or more tails of your choice. Tails are 3m in length - can be customised - just ask here. When using our tails, you must turn down the amps coming into the car on the Charging Screen to 10A (or 15A/20A depending on the tail).

evchargers.com.au

You can get what you want by buying just one tail for the bundle. Then you get a CEE 3 pin 32A tail with a 15A straight tail to connects to the CEE 3 pin. Note you have to manually dial down the amps and lose at least some one the temperature protection of the standard tail.

 

[RichardV]

A 2.5mm core 10m extention lead might be better value though. And more versatile. In cases of rain it may allow you to put the UMC under the car to protect from the weather.

15A 2.5mm Heavy Duty Extension Lead | UNIMIG Welding Supplies

Take your welding anywhere with our 15A heavy duty extension leads. Designed to handle the toughest conditions, the 2.5mm² copper conductors reduce drops

unimig.com.au

Online seller example,

Sydney Tools

sydneytools.com.au

 

[Chuq]

If you go for the bundle style gen2 adapters from evchargers.com.au,

That's the same style kit I borrowed from TOCA for my recent trip!

I did use the 15A tail once, but the large footprint of the plug meant that it covered the neighbouring socket.

I have a 15A extension cord, which I used several times to get around this issue, but I would have to dial down to 10A (well, wouldn't *have* to, but considered it a good idea since the plug would get hot). It was the dialling down I was hoping to avoid. Also the need to uncoil a 10m cable around a camp site when I didn't need any extra length.

A 2.5mm core 10m extention lead might be better value though.

On investigating, I thought all 15A extension leads would be capable of 15A, but I would guess the one I have is 1.5mm core. That explains the warm plug (mentioned above).

Maybe a new extension cord is what I actually need... now the challenge is looking for a 2.5mm one that is 5 metres or less!

 

[raynewman]

I have a Gen 1 UMC with a three phase adapter. Unfortunately, the UMC just failed and Tesla can no longer repair/replace it.
Anyone know where I can find someone to repair the UMC?

 

[PC__LoadLetter]

I have a Gen 1 UMC with a three phase adapter. Unfortunately, the UMC just failed and Tesla can no longer repair/replace it.
Anyone know where I can find someone to repair the UMC?

I'd suggest checking with Greville at I Love Port Douglas ™ - he can't fix it, but he might be (edit: is) keen to buy a three-phase tail for his Gen 1 UMC.

 

[RichardV]

That's the same style kit I borrowed from TOCA for my recent trip!

I did use the 15A tail once, but the large footprint of the plug meant that it covered the neighbouring socket.

Maybe you could consider that a feature. May not want to plug anything else in beside it if drawing 15A continuous on its pair.

I have a 15A extension cord, which I used several times to get around this issue, but I would have to dial down to 10A (well, wouldn't *have* to, but considered it a good idea since the plug would get hot). It was the dialling down I was hoping to avoid. Also the need to uncoil a 10m cable around a camp site when I didn't need any extra length.


On investigating, I thought all 15A extension leads would be capable of 15A, but I would guess the one I have is 1.5mm core. That explains the warm plug (mentioned above).

Maybe a new extension cord is what I actually need... now the challenge is looking for a 2.5mm one that is 5 metres or less!

I have not used them but this mob appear to make up custom leads,

FAQs - Extension Leads Online

General Shipping & Delivery Warranty & Returns Product Customisation Product Specifications Product Quality

extensionleadsonline.com.au

Though the default 15A plug is of the bulky waterproof style you noted above.

 

[Vostok]

On investigating, I thought all 15A extension leads would be capable of 15A, but I would guess the one I have is 1.5mm core. That explains the warm plug (mentioned above).

For extension cords, it all depends on the conductor size and length. 1.5mm core is for 15A continuous is really borderline for a 10m extension lead so I’m not surprised the plugs got hot.

In fact this site says 14A would be the maximum for that in a flexible cable:

Cable Size Calculator AS/NZS 3008

Cable size calculator for current rating, voltage drop, loop impedance, earth cable and short circuit, based on Australia and New Zealand standard AS/NZS 3008.

www.jcalc.net

For 15A, you really should get a lead with 2.5mm conductors.

 

[cafz]

Maybe a new extension cord is what I actually need... now the challenge is looking for a 2.5mm one that is 5 metres or less!

Don't know of a 5m one, but here's a 10m one:

Heavy Duty Extension Cable 15 Amps 10 Metres 2.5mm IP44 Unimig U51006

Heavy Duty Extension Cable 15 Amps 10 Metres 2.5mm IP44 Unimig U51006

www.nationalwelding.com.au