Tesla engineer warns against using extension cords at Superchargers

[PreservedSwine]

“UL Certified” is meaningless. It must be listed to a standard and be given a listing number.

I could be wrong, and it’s been a while since I’ve dealt with UL, but I thought receiving UL certification required a listing number be given with the certificate?

At any rate, I see the extension plug being exponentially more dangerous than the plug alone. (Not saying I’m against them, a .0000001 fail rate might increase to a whopping .000001, an increase of 10x yet still insignificant).

That’s a metric crapload of current being delivered, and under optimal conditions no one would be using any plug-in connectors of any kind. But as the plugs are a necessity, the temps are monitored with the cable and harness system in place. With the extension cable, you not only lose temp monitoring, you’re also adding (2) more weak point of contacts.
The fail rate will still be infinitesimally small, but the failures that manifest could be catastrophic. How many are “acceptable” for the sake of convenience? Beats me, I’ll leave that for the actuaries. I suspect time will tell.

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[Ramik]

If A2Z sells it, I’ll buy it. My experience with their products is 10000% and their support is so good.

I trust they are taking safety seriously. Their interviews with @tommolog, their CEO and their contract engineer about the NACs to CCS adapter were impressive. Fanboy? Yeah maybe, but I think whatever they sell will be safe.

 

[hajalie24]

Hopefully all the negativity results in the price lowering for this.

 

[carys98]

Even if I thought it was safe (I don’t) I wouldn’t spend any money on it. I haven’t had any problem charging at Superchargers with the short cables. If Tesla doesn’t want me to take up two spaces they can add longer cables.

 

[The Weatherman]

My concern over access isn’t what TESLA thinks, it’s what that TESLA driver with an attitude thinks. We’ve seen several comments about individuals making noise over this issue even when there are other chargers available.

In the current times we are living in, it seems it’s becoming more common to shoot first and ask questions later.

 

[Maquis]

I could be wrong, and it’s been a while since I’ve dealt with UL, but I thought receiving UL certification required a listing number be given with the certificate?

UL does not use the term “certified”. An item can either be “listed” to a standard, or “recognized”.

”Recognized” only means that it is a component than can be used in a listed assembly. If you buy a recognized component it doesn’t mean that UL has evaluated it the way you intend to use it or the way the seller says you can use it.

I won’t comment regarding any of the FUD spewed forth in this thread.

 

[tommolog]

I'll be testing one with my Lightning soon. I'm supposed to get around the end of September - early October. I should also have some engineering reports to look at by then.

 

[Ratherhavefun]

That NACS adapter gets pretty hot and that’s with the truck taking in less than 180kW at peak and most of the charge curve being a good bit lower. Adding the extra resistance and bulk of an extension cable just seems like a bad idea. Tesla just needs longer cables on their charger, which the newer V4 pedestals do have…. But it seems even with that, we still have to straddle spaces for the cable to work for the Lightning.

Show them Tesla’s own guidance on how to straddle spaces to charge your non-Tesla EV. I showed a lady that the first time I tested my NACS adapter. First she was going to tell me that I can’t charge there, Tesla only, it won’t work…. Then I explained to her that Tesla opened up to Ford, Rivian and soon others and showed her it was charging. Showed her Tesla’s info on how to straddle spaces. She commented on how Ford was stupid for not putting the charge port in the right spot, but was otherwise receptive.

She’s kinda right… wouldn’t it have been intelligent if Ford followed Tesla’s lead in charge door locations, that’s all I’m sayin’!

 

[potato]

She’s kinda right… wouldn’t it have been intelligent if Ford followed Tesla’s lead in charge door locations, that’s all I’m sayin’!

Then you would be guaranteed to have to unhook your trailer at all charge stations that aren't pull-through, which is most of them. There are pros and cons to everything.

 

[Ratherhavefun]

She’s kinda right… wouldn’t it have been intelligent if Ford followed Tesla’s lead in charge door locations, that’s all I’m sayin’!

Then you would be guaranteed to have to unhook your trailer at all charge stations that aren't pull-through, which is most of them. There are pros and cons to everything.

Normally, I don’t rebut, but I think your reply needs a rebuttal.
You’re correct ! There are plenty of pros and cons to everything…! And I absolutely love my Lightning, so I’m not a hater!
Maybe consider it being a badge of honor for having to charge while your trailer is behind you???
I too pull trailers and certainly don’t like inconveniences, but maybe Ford should have thought several things through more carefully… touché!
And only a guess, but I betcha Ford had thought about snuggling up to the Tesla charging network long before the first Lightning prototypes were on the proven grounds! Not everyone can be pleased all the time.
You win if that’s what you’re after!

 

[RickKeen]

The F150 charge location is perfect for home charging for people who pull forward into their garage and have their charger mounted on the back wall.

The Tesla location essentially Requires backing into the charger - more risk to back into things.

 

[astrand1]

I think people need to just relax a bit. I’m attaching a link to the page to the cable. Read the description. The UL listing clearly says “pending” they also have temp sensors within the cable. I don’t think they are just throwing a cable together. I have 2 of their NACS to J adapters and they seem to be pretty well made. I’m quite sure that they are doing their homework and testing these to make sure they are as safe as they can be. Read the description and you be the judge.

https://a2zevshop.com/collections/u...ucts/dc-nacs-extension-cord-6-9-ft-2-3-meters

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Just charged at a V4 Station with Magic Dock. The charger's cord was the perfect length allowing me to pull into the spot infront of the charger, and not the one adjacent to it like the V3 stations.

No extension would be needed if Tesla updated their chargers to V4, but we all know that will take YEARS!

 

[srspring551]

A lot of "possible" and "maybe" regarding the extension cable. I'll trust @tommolog and eagerly await another one of his excellent YT videos!

 

[Randall Stephens]

She’s kinda right… wouldn’t it have been intelligent if Ford followed Tesla’s lead in charge door locations, that’s all I’m sayin’!

Then you can't charge with the tailgate down.

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