evse recommendations?

  • Thread starter Thread starter KeninFL
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Hotel Tesla "destination" chargers are usually free. Usually, just asking the staff if it's OK is all you need to do. They put them there to attract people.

As a Tesla owner, I'm fine with other brands of EVs using Tesla EVSE, as long as they clear out when done. People (Tesla and other) who don't leave after charging is complete and, worse, ICE cars "icing" (blocking) spots with chargers are the real enemy.

The adapter shown does NOT work at Superchargers (big DC chargers at well more than 100kW), only at L2 and L1.

I believe European Teslas use the CCS plug, so their Superchargers could charge Brand X if the software (or a bug) allowed it.

I don't know about auto dealerships. The whole electric world seems pretty cool, though. I can't imagine limping into a competing dealer and them not allowing me to charge.
 
F14Scott said:
I don't know about auto dealerships. The whole electric world seems pretty cool, though. I can't imagine limping into a competing dealer and them not allowing me to charge.
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I have seen people with "competing brand" EVs check in at dealerships on PlugShare. From what I gather, dealerships see this as an opportunity to get new customers (additional car, trade-in their current EV, etc.). I agree that would feel kinda weird, though...
 
There are two kinds of Tesla EVSEs. The Tesla Superchargers in the US are smart and no J1772 adapter can fool them into working on a non-Tesla. Tesla Destination EVSEs, however are not owned by Tesla (as I understand it). Hotels and stores install them to attract the upscale Tesla owners to their establishments. I've read that a J1772 adapter will work with a Tesla Destination EVSE, but you won't get Supercharger charging speed.
 
insightman said:
There are two kinds of Tesla EVSEs. The Tesla Superchargers in the US are smart and no J1772 adapter can fool them into working on a non-Tesla. Tesla Destination EVSEs, however are not owned by Tesla (as I understand it). Hotels and stores install them to attract the upscale Tesla owners to their establishments. I've read that a J1772 adapter will work with a Tesla Destination EVSE, but you won't get Supercharger charging speed.
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You are correct. "Destination" (so named because the three+ hours you'll need to tank up there makes that parking spot your destination for a while) connectors are basically home, AC 240V (or, more probably 208VAC, commercial), Level 2 connectors, set to whatever the hotel's electrical can handle, between 12 and 100 Amps. The output is AC, so the adapter works.

Superchargers are Tesla owned. They output DC at over 100 kW, an order of magnitude more juice than the AC home and destination connectors. The adapter will fit on the Supercharger nozzle (because it's the same exact nozzle), but the car doesn't know what to do with the DC, so it won't accept the charge. And, Tesla's computer won't send the charge, anyway, because my SE doesn't have a Tesla account to pay; Superchargers are not free (except to Tesla owners who buy or are given that benefit). Also. The adapter is only rated for 40 amps (or you can buy the bigger one that is good for 80; since my SE can only accept a max of 32, I chose the small one), so a Supercharger would probably melt its face off.
 
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Regarding public charging stations:
  • Does the Mini GPS find charging stations on request?
  • Will it build recommended charging stops into a route longer than the car's range?
  • Does it only find certain charging station brands or multiple? (Chargepoint, EVgo, etc)
 
Yes, the built-in navigation has locations for charging stations. As far as I can tell, it isn't limited to specific providers. I would guess that any missing charging stations would be the result of outdated map data rather than brand loyalty.

This video may be helpful:
 
GvilleGuy said:
Will it build recommended charging stops into a route longer than the car's range?
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I don't think so. I've tinkered with the range indicator in the navigation system (if you zoom out enough you'll see your range as a circular perimeter) and it seems it is not dynamic. The ring appears to be determined when you start off and does not seem to update or move as you drive.

You can save charger locations as frequent destinations, and it remembers the last few you've been at. Searching for chargers when adding a destination seems to work pretty well too.
 
GvilleGuy said:
I've watched so many Mini ES videos that past couple months, and, yet, one more I missed. Thanks!
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Ha ha same!

I should post I got my charger installed last week. Opted for a ChargePoint. Wanted to get it installed while it was warm out even though my car is not in production yet
 
Lainey said:
Ha ha same!

I should post I got my charger installed last week. Opted for a ChargePoint. Wanted to get it installed while it was warm out even though my car is not in production yet
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Chargepoint is my current front runner. I will order it as soon as I order a Mini.
 
GvilleGuy said:
Chargepoint is my current front runner. I will order it as soon as I order a Mini.
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I wanted it installed to get the 30% tax credit on installation before year end. Living in the midwest it gets super cold fast. We had a warm spell, and figured why not? Better to work in the garage and move wire and plugs around when it's 60-70 than snowy and cold. My car has a tiny chance of arriving by the new year. I might push the sale if it's close for that tax credit so it shows up early next year instead of 2022.

Chargepoint was super easy to install. We just moved the wire to where we wanted it and mounted the receptacle for the plug upside-down
 
Lainey said:
I wanted it installed to get the 30% tax credit on installation before year end.
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I'm glad you mentioned that! I did not realize the tax credit was expiring this year. Now I need to evaluate going ahead on the outlet/charger purchase before 12/31 even though I am not planning to order a Mini until after that.
 
GvilleGuy said:
I'm glad you mentioned that! I did not realize the tax credit was expiring this year. Now I need to evaluate going ahead on the outlet/charger purchase before 12/31 even though I am not planning to order a Mini until after that.
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It can be a good chunk of change if you can get it in this year!
 
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