Tesla Motors Club
I have a Tesla Wall Connector that is being used to charge a Signature Model S with dual chargers. The wall connector is on a dedicated subpanel with a 70A breaker, then 2 AWG wire is run to the service panel with a 100A breaker. That service panel and main breaker also provide power to my other subpanel which serves the rest of the house, a small 1000 sqft home with typical appliances.
The 100A main breaker blew after about a week of use when charging at 56A (the highest the Tesla allows when installed on a 70A subbreaker). The main was very hot and after it blew it caused some corrosion and discoloration to the main breaker bars / service lugs that are attached to the meter.
I have become more conscious of our electrical usage and corresponding load to try and prevent this from happening with not much luck. I thought I could charge the car consistently at 40A and still have other appliances running without the breaker tripping. I have a Fluke ammeter and have taken to measuring the voltage at the service main during peak usage and I have never seen it above 50-60A.
Despite replacing the breaker multiple times, new ones continue to last only 3-6-9 weeks and then they trip again. Often, after the breaker trips once, it starts running very hot with even lower electrical load. It has to be replaced each time. I have inspected throughout the house and, as far as I can tell, the heat seems isolated to the service panel. One notable area I havent inspected is inside the wall connector itself, but at no time has the subpanel been hot or the breaker tripped.
I am getting ready to hire someone to replace the load center / service panel. I figure the main bus is damaged and the corrosion I'm seeing where the breaker attaches is causing all this heat.
In the process, hopefully we can upgrade the service a bit in the process. Hawaii offers time of use that drives me to want to charge in the middle of the day, as fast as possible. Having an upgraded service panel would allow me to dual meter my home, time of use for the EV and the rest of the house free of that restriction.
I thought I would see if anyone else has suggestions. Here are a few points to note:
1. I have read that the circuit breakers sold at Lowes/HD are often pretty poor quality and will trip at much lower amperage than rated.
2. The wall connector generates a ton of current and heat when its operating, which stresses any home electrical system.
3. Charging above 40A is particularly demanding. I wonder why my 2012 Tesla was offered with dual chargers and that was later removed?
The 100A main breaker blew after about a week of use when charging at 56A (the highest the Tesla allows when installed on a 70A subbreaker). The main was very hot and after it blew it caused some corrosion and discoloration to the main breaker bars / service lugs that are attached to the meter.
I have become more conscious of our electrical usage and corresponding load to try and prevent this from happening with not much luck. I thought I could charge the car consistently at 40A and still have other appliances running without the breaker tripping. I have a Fluke ammeter and have taken to measuring the voltage at the service main during peak usage and I have never seen it above 50-60A.
Despite replacing the breaker multiple times, new ones continue to last only 3-6-9 weeks and then they trip again. Often, after the breaker trips once, it starts running very hot with even lower electrical load. It has to be replaced each time. I have inspected throughout the house and, as far as I can tell, the heat seems isolated to the service panel. One notable area I havent inspected is inside the wall connector itself, but at no time has the subpanel been hot or the breaker tripped.
I am getting ready to hire someone to replace the load center / service panel. I figure the main bus is damaged and the corrosion I'm seeing where the breaker attaches is causing all this heat.
In the process, hopefully we can upgrade the service a bit in the process. Hawaii offers time of use that drives me to want to charge in the middle of the day, as fast as possible. Having an upgraded service panel would allow me to dual meter my home, time of use for the EV and the rest of the house free of that restriction.
I thought I would see if anyone else has suggestions. Here are a few points to note:
1. I have read that the circuit breakers sold at Lowes/HD are often pretty poor quality and will trip at much lower amperage than rated.
2. The wall connector generates a ton of current and heat when its operating, which stresses any home electrical system.
3. Charging above 40A is particularly demanding. I wonder why my 2012 Tesla was offered with dual chargers and that was later removed?