Which Charger to use?

[RickLightning]

Simple math here.

Average mi/kw with my Lightning is 2.1
Average mi/kw with my Tesla Model Y is 3.6

I use 3 different EVSEs
1-Tesla Wall connector hard wired to 60 amps outputs 48 amps or 11.4 KW
2- Tesla Mobile connector plugged into a 14-50 50 amp outlet. Outputs 30 amps of 6 kws
3- A Tera ($169) EVSE plugged into a 14-50 50 amp outlet. It outputs 40 amps or 9.6 kws.

Lightning
1- 11.4 x 2.1 = 24 miles range per hour
2- 6 x 2.1 = 12.6 miles range per hour.
3- 9.6 x 2.1 = 20 miles range per hour

Tesla
1- 11.4 x 3.6 = 41 miles range per hour
2- 6 x 3.6 = 21.6 miles range per hour
3- 9.6 x 3.6 = 34.5 miles range per hour

Your simple math negates the loss from wall to vehicle of around 10%.

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[flyct]

Your simple math negates the loss from wall to vehicle of around 10%.

Very true.

I was just trying to give the OP a guideline of how long it takes to recoup range with different charge rates and different vehicle efficiency.

My Lightning uses very similar battery percentage capacity on trips but it takes a lot longer to recharge for mikes driven due to reduced efficiency.

Charging my Teslas with a 30 amp output wasn’t bad but the time it toook to charge the Lightning for the same trip wasn’t pleasant.

 

[TomB985]

Your simple math negates the loss from wall to vehicle of around 10%.

I got curious and calculated the efficiency of my charge last night to be around 93%. I verified the record from my Tesla wall connector with the electric meter on my off-peak circuit.

For comparison, my Model Y was around 96%.

 

[RickLightning]

Actually that math shows 92.2%, but yes, it's not 10% absolute loss. And it can vary a bit here and there. Mine is also 7%. If you charge on a different charger it might be different. 10% is easier for most people, who don't measure it, to just use.

 

[RickLightning]

Very true.

I was just trying to give the OP a guideline of how long it takes to recoup range with different charge rates and different vehicle efficiency.

My Lightning uses very similar battery percentage capacity on trips but it takes a lot longer to recharge for mikes driven due to reduced efficiency.

Charging my Teslas with a 30 amp output wasn’t bad but the time it toook to charge the Lightning for the same trip wasn’t pleasant.

Yes, that's one of the things about a big battery, it takes longer to charge. Hotel chargers are great, free charging. But if you wake up and the vehicle isn't charged as you expected, it's frustrating. One of the reasons we didn't take the truck on our recent 4,708 mile trip was speed of level 2 charging, i.e. it wouldn't be 100% in the morning. Other reasons were 40% more energy used means 40% higher charging costs, bigger vehicle gets dented in tight charging spots, etc. Of course, had we known that the HVBJB was going to fail, we would have taken the Lightning.

 

[TomB985]

Actually that math shows 92.2%, but yes, it's not 10% absolute loss. And it can vary a bit here and there. Mine is also 7%. If you charge on a different charger it might be different. 10% is easier for most people, who don't measure it, to just use.

That’s right, I was double-checking the truck’s estimate by dividing the 129.9 kWh capacity reported by the CarScanner app by the 59% incrase from 26-85%. It was close and I used the wrong number.

 

[Crullbri]

ZPRIME29, We are in Dove Mountain and go see our Daughter at ASU. I am not sure of the exact miles. I plan on maybe charging the first trip while i am up there. Till i feel comfortable we will make it no problem. Thanks, Brian

 

[BuzzLightning2023]

Hi everyone. I am new to the group as of last night and new owner of a used 2023 Lightning with 1000 miles on it. The charger that came with the car has a 110v plug and a 220v plug. I was at 63% and the 110 plug in said full charge in a day and a half. If i am reading correct, if i use the 220v plug and get an outlet for it in the garage, it would charge about 30 miles every hour. That charge speed is fine if it is true. Can I get input on if this is worth doing, or if i should in vest in a different charger all together? I do not drive everyday. I only do local trips with the occasional trip from Tucson to Tempe. thanks in advance for your input. Brian

I got the $400 Emporia, hard-wired with 60A breaker, charges at around 9.5 kW. Gets the job done.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

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[mefly2]

You don't get miles per hour, just like a gallon of gas doesn't give you miles. It all depends on how you drive, temperature, etc.

The 110v will give 1.1kW, so you can do that math for the truck. 131 / 1.1 or 98/1.1 depending on the battery size.

The 220v is 30amps (requires a 14-50 outlet and 50 amp breaker), and it will give the truck around 6.5kW, so do that math - 131/6.5 or 98/6.5.

Since these trucks typically get less than 2 miles per kilowatt hour on the highway, that match shows you that you won't even hit 20 miles of range. In winter, knock off another 20% or more.

The Ford Mobile Charger may also not last, it has failed for a lot of people.

I use a 48amp hardwired (>40amp requires hardwiring) JuiceBox. Utility companies sometimes sell discounted chargers, or provide rebates - mine gives you $500. Then there is a 30% tax credit on the charger and the electrical work (after you subtract the $500).

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Why 50 amp breaker ... wouldn't 40 amp breaker meet code? 80% of 40 => 32 amps ... continuous ...

 

[RickLightning]

Why 50 amp breaker ... wouldn't 40 amp breaker meet code? 80% of 40 => 32 amps ... continuous ...

The outlet is a 14-50 outlet, which means a 50amp breaker. I believe technically you could put in a 40amp breaker for the 30amp charger, but you would need to mark it so that no one plugged in a higher amp load to that 14-50 outlet. #NotAnElectrician

 

[mefly2]

The outlet is a 14-50 outlet, which means a 50amp breaker. I believe technically you could put in a 40amp breaker for the 30amp charger, but you would need to mark it so that no one plugged in a higher amp load to that 14-50 outlet. #NotAnElectrician

Wouldn't the limiting factor for breaker be wire size feeding the outlet ?

 

[Maquis]

Wouldn't the limiting factor for breaker be wire size feeding the outlet ?

Technically, yes, but best practice is to have the entire circuit consistent - 50A breaker, wire, and receptacle.

 

[snowy_91]

Why 50 amp breaker ... wouldn't 40 amp breaker meet code? 80% of 40 => 32 amps ... continuous ...

Charging at just 35 amps on my 50 amp breaker it lasted just over 12 months before burning the contacts in it. The household breakers are not really designed for a 80% continuous load for 10 to 12 hours at a time.

 

[TomB985]

Charging at just 35 amps on my 50 amp breaker it lasted just over 12 months before burning the contacts in it. The household breakers are not really designed for a 80% continuous load for 10 to 12 hours at a time.

I bought my breaker from Menards, and it's been going strong since May, 2019. It's spent much of that time pushing 48A through a Lectron V-Box and Tesla Wall Connector.

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