On 02/26/2014 05:04 AM, brucedp5 wrote:
This is starting to sound like, all of Tesla's ideas are winners, and they
are the ones to hitch your wagon to (use Tesla's charging technology on all
EVs).
It appears so.
Without understanding all you've tried to say, I offer the following
comments:
The Tesla SuperChargers (not "superstations" if we want to share
terminology) do indeed pump out 120kw (used to be 90kw) maximum. It is
rumored to soon go to 150kw. The cables are slender. They do heat up
slightly. It appears that the connector on the Tesla accepts 240vac for
the onboard chargers OR somewhere around 400vdc when plugged into a
SuperCharger. I think there are only three electrical contacts in the
connector. That is one reason for the compactness. At a SuperCharger,
full power may be applied only when the battery is below about 1/2
capacity. The charge power tapers as the battery fills.
I don't have experience sharing a SuperCharger transformer (which
supports two charge stations) but I don't expect the cut back in power
to be very significant since max power is applied only when batteries
are very low. I expect that two nearly empty Teslas can share a
transformer and still get fully charged within about 1.5 hours.
"Twin" on board chargers are available as an option. A single charger
can pull as much as 40 amps at 240vac (10kw) and a twin charger can pull
as much as 80 amps. The actual current pulled is mostly dependent on
the source. The car senses the type of adapter being used and,
apparently, voltage to adjust current demand. Also, the operator can
manually lower the current demand. Typically, a Tesla might charge at
40 amps on an RV outlet and 30 amps on a J1772. I haven't seen one but
apparently Clipper Creek makes a J1772 that can supply 70amps; it
should supply the full 40 amps to a single charger and almost full
current to a twin charger. The EMW "JuiceBox" should also be able to
supply a Tesla up to 70 amps. Given the rareness of charging
opportunities with more than 40 amps, I did not buy the twin chargers.
Tesla is soon to offer a chademo adapter.
I believe I've previously posted my trip report. It pretty graphically
demonstrates the difference SuperChargers make.
http://www.austinfarm.org/homegrown/tripreport.html
When I bought my Tesla, I had no real expectation of the SuperCharger
network coming into existence. I have been VERY pleasantly surprised.
It seems that Tesla has fulfilled essentially all promises made. They
are now highly credible in my estimation. I completely agree with the
Consumer Reports evaluation of Tesla. It is the best car I have owned.
I'm at about 35k miles now.
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