How you charge your car?

[Randy Stegbauer]

Again, per the manual, you can’t “safely” use an extension cord with the OEM L1 cable. This would apply to both the “regular heavy duty” type as well as the “heavy duty” ones. 12/3 usually qualifies for either ranking.

As for having a dedicated circuit for the L1 cable. It may be desirable, but it isn’t necessary.

I bought a 10/3 guage cord. It still gets slightly warm, but not nearly as the 12 guage. I feel that it's safe.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

My “lesson learned” horror story...

I was trying to warm up a hangar using two space heaters. I plugged them into a cord reel extension cord and seemed good to go.

Until the power went out in the hangar - tripped breaker that would not reset. Reason? The insulation on the portion of the extension cord still on the reel had melted, shorting the whole mess together.

If I knew then what I know now...

 

[craze1cars]

Good story. And is exactly why back in post #19 I specifically stated that one of my qualifications for safe extension cord use is “fully uncoiled”. Retractable or wrapped/bundled extension cords are not an acceptable alternative. Cooled cords can’t dissipate heat and will melt themselves into a mass every time when asked to carry a big load...

Uncoiled cords is one of those rules of electricity that simply must be followed...​

 

[craze1cars]

Last sentence of previous paragraph should read “coiled cords...”, not cooled cords...

 

[Landshark]

Is coiled and cooled acceptable?

We always “coiled” excess cable into a figure 8. Never had to put it on ice.

 

[turtleturtle]

I've been very happy with L2 for preconditioning and greater predictability. L1 sometimes would discontinue early, etc.

Is L1 bad for the battery long term?

 

[Landshark]

Is L1 bad for the battery long term?

No.