Home charging using 220v

[InTheCloud]

Rough guess is that the outlet is 220V/30A, which gets a Tesla Model 3 LR in that ballpark.

30A x 220V = 6600 W (6.6 kW)
Model 3 LR battery capacity: 82 kWh
6.6 kW/82 kWh = 0.0805/h = 8.05% battery capacity added per hour
Model 3 LR range = 341 miles (note: driving efficiency of ~4.1 mi/kWh)
341 mi. x 8.05%/h = 27.45 mi/h range added
(some line losses may be incurred, dropping the actual range added to the stated 24-25 miles per hour)


The 2024 XLT with the SR Battery is 98 kWh, and has a range of 240 miles:

30A x 220V = 6600 W (6.6 kW)
Lightning SR battery capacity: 98 kWh
6.6 kW/98 kWh = 0.0673/h = 6.73% battery capacity added per hour
Lightning SR range = 240 miles (note: driving efficiency of ~2.4 mi/kWh)
240 mi. x 6.73%/h = 16.16 mi/h range added
(some line losses may be incurred, dropping the actual range added)

(note: doing the math at 25A outlet gets 13.5 mi/h range added for the Lightning, and 22.8 mi/h range added for Tesla Model 3).

What can you do? Well, drive the truck slower, accepting the inefficiency because truck. Everything after that is going to cost money.

Upping your amperage will mean a new breaker (assuming the main panel has room/overhead for the raised amperage), new wiring (pulling out the existing gauge wire and going for a wire gauge rated for the new amperage), a new plug (the plug may be rated for 30A), and potentially a new EVSE (charger), as if you are using a mobile adapter it is only rated for 48A. It's not terribly expensive, but with an electrician you could be looking at a ballpark of $1k (the good news is you can claim 30% of that cost back on your 2024 taxes on the Inflation Reduction Act).

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[Monkey]

OP didn’t give us too many specifics, but assuming he’s using a gen-2 Tesla UMC with a NEMA 14-50 plug on it, he would be getting 30A at 240V (7.2kW). It is possible he’s using a gen-1 Tesla UMC, which can deliver 40A at 240V (9.6kW). Likewise, Tesla sells the “Corded Mobile Connector” which is the same as their UMC but with a permanently wired 14-50 plug and it also delivers 40A.

So to answer OP’s question of what he can do to improve charge times for his Lightning, he can probably get a faster charge cord or EVSE to deliver 40A on his current circuit. It doesn’t seem like much, but going from 30A to 40A will increase his charge rate by 30%. While miles per hour charging is a terrible metric to go by, a 30% increase would mean that if he’s currently getting 15MPH of charging on his Lightning, it would increase that to 19.5MPH of charging.

If OP already has a unit delivering 40A, then there’s not anything he can do other than to upgrade the charging circuit and wire or add a new circuit on a 60A breaker, which will allow him to hard-wire an EVSE for charging up to 48A (11.5kW). Charging at 48A is a 20% increase over charging at 40A. Or s 60% increase over charging at 30A.

He could upgrade or install a new circuit greater than 60A and a EVSE to utilize it, but it would provide no benefit to either of his current vehicles.

A 2024 Lightning comes standard with a single 48A onboard charger. There is no way to upgrade this due to the level of integration and differences in the electrical system compared to a dual-charger setup. The 2022 and 2023 model years came with dual charger setups for up to 80A charging (19.2kW) and 2024 Lightning only gets the dual charger setup as an optional upgrade available only to commercial fleet customers.

 

[Jseis]

I think 80 amps sustained needs a 3 AWG line. That is likely over $1 / foot cost for THHN copper installation. 6 AWG might be sufficient for the Ground.

My electrician indicated that our cooler coastal environment, wire through ceiling joists (not conduit), length of run, charger duty cycle, cable type, etc. factor in. I’m with you on over sizing though ‘cause I too thought 3 AWG copper was likely.

I’ve been studying our garage layout for the re-location so I can better serve the LTE and MME. The current location serves the truck, other vehicle has to back in. A better location that forgoes outside charging (future visitors!), reduces the charger service wire from 35’ to 12’.

So future proofing important. That also means swapping out the 100 amp panel for a 200 amp.

I think 80 amps sustained needs a 3 AWG line. That is likely over $1 / foot cost for THHN copper installation. 6 AWG might be sufficient for the Ground.

You are right, I went back and checked, it was 3 AWG copper. The way it is now I charge nightly 4.5-5+ hours, put 32-42 kWh back in, works great. 80 amps seems a bit much for my needs. In the winter I charge to 85% ‘cause storms knock power out and having nearly 80 or so kWh on backup is a good thing.

 

[TaxmanHog]

LTE

I've read many of your posts using this abbreviation ......
what are the words that represent the letters in your nomenclature ??

 

[Jseis]

I've read many of your posts using this abbreviation ......
what are the words that represent the letters in your nomenclature ??

LighTning Extended (Range) or could be: LariaT Extended (Range)… either way.

Sometimes I’ll type ER LT but LTE is the same thing. I’d guess Lariat makes most sense.

Was easy to type.
PS, I enjoy your posts & admin.

 

[EG Evgoer]

It seems your Lightning’s lower rate may be due to its onboard charger’s limitations or the adapter setup; checking Ford’s recommendations for home charging setups might help.

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