Chat with a Tesla Supercharger repair tech

ccbldg · Oct 29, 2013

I had the luck of running into a Tesla electrical tech at the Rockford, Il Supercharger today. He had just flown into Rockford to add coolant to one of the Superchargers. He was busy, but I managed to get some information from him.

- ALL Superchargers are monitored from a single central location (via wireless communication). Many times Tesla is aware there is a problem before customers even use the superchargers, and initiates action. There is a small team of specialists who fly into problem locations for repair, if required. He had a monitoring case & was verifying that his repairs were successful (I assume via wireless or sim) from his rental car after the repair.

- Tesla is approximately 2 weeks behind their new Supercharger build-out schedule, but he stated enthusiastically that they have become extremely aggressive with expansion recently. Also said by end of 2014 Tesla owners will be able to drive ANYWHERE in the U.S. via Superchargers.

- Asked him if he had any feeling about how the past quarter ended, he smiled, said there were a lot of Model S's on the road right now & thinks they will hit 25% gross margins already!

He was young, alert, intelligent & pleasant... wish he (and I) had more time to chat.

sub · Oct 29, 2013

Interesting, thanks for the info. I wondered how they monitored the superchargers, I don't have a model S yet but plan to shortly and one oft concerns was pulling up to a non functioning supercharger in the middle of the night. Hopefully he is correct on the GM also!

jaccozilla · Oct 29, 2013

I ran across a Tesla job opening for a 'Data Analysis Engineer - Supercharger', kinda interested. Has more info on Supercharger monitoring.

The Role
We are looking for an engineer with strong programming and data analysis skills. The Tesla Supercharger network is growing very quickly. As it grows, Tesla is building out a team of engineers with the expertise needed to sustain and improve the entire network. Additionally, we are also constantly uncovering new problems, which need to be solved quickly and effectively. This member of the supercharger team will be working on software based solutions to network wide problems surrounding reliability of existing equipment and intelligent implementation of future system development.

The desired role is somewhat open ended, but very rooted in concrete goals. It therefore requires strong pragmatism, a lot of initiative, and a willingness to work on all aspects a problem start to finish.

Responsibilities
Create and maintain system for diagnosing and resolving Supercharging problems as quickly as possible, with the goal of maximizing uptime across the fleet.
· Design and implement tools for automated detection of Supercharging problems and suggestion of steps to resolve the problems.

· Design and implement software and internal communication tools for real time manual problem diagnosis and resolution.

· Create systematic processes/schedules to ensure 24 hr support (should this be deemed necessary)

· Design and implement software tools for high level reporting of system uptime

· Assist in Supercharger firmware development to add more self-diagnostic capabilities to the Supercharger stations.

Careers | Tesla Motors

hockeythug · Oct 30, 2013

ccbldg said:
Also said by end of 2014 Tesla owners will be able to drive ANYWHERE in the U.S. via Superchargers.

I was thinking the other day how crazy that will be to just be able to go anywhere in the US and not have to budget for gasoline. Will make for great roadtrips.

Curt · Oct 30, 2013

ccbldg said:
... by end of 2014 Tesla owners will be able to drive ANYWHERE in the U.S. via Superchargers.

That is, as long as they don't happen to be Tesla Roadster owners.

Cottonwood · Oct 30, 2013

ccbldg said:
- Tesla is approximately 2 weeks behind their new Supercharger build-out schedule, but he stated enthusiastically that they have become extremely aggressive with expansion recently. Also said by end of 2014 Tesla owners will be able to drive ANYWHERE in the U.S. via Superchargers.

"ANYWHERE in the U.S." is pretty strong language. There are some pretty remote parts of even the lower 48. I will be happy if Tesla meets (or exceeds) their goals on their Supercharger Web Page:

2014 – 80% of the US population and parts of Canada
2015 – 98% of the US population and parts of Canada

dflye · Oct 30, 2013

Cottonwood said:
will be able to drive "ANYWHERE in the U.S." is pretty strong language. There are some pretty remote parts of even the lower 48.

Heck, there would be places that would be challenging to get to, let alone get back from without a recharge. The mountainous western end of NC comes to mind... while there would be SCs in Chattanooga TN, Knoxville TN and Asheville NC judging by the SC rollout map, I'd be hesitant to drive into the middle of that region for a day trip, would likely have to plan an overnight stay somewhere with slower charging capabilities.

Andrew · Oct 30, 2013

sub said:
Interesting, thanks for the info. I wondered how they monitored the superchargers, I don't have a model S yet but plan to shortly and one oft concerns was pulling up to a non functioning supercharger in the middle of the night. Hopefully he is correct on the GM also!

Just came across this yesterday...

http://insideevs.com/meet-teslas-hq-supercharging-dashboard-most-fills-between-30-kwh-and-40-kwh/

wycolo · Oct 30, 2013

Re Tesla Supercharger Dashboard - The map projection is weird as it goes beyond Mercator in the wrong way! As if the globe balloon was weaker around the North Pole and it bulged out. Hope the Tesla planners have access to Great Circle corrected maps showing more accurate mileage and directions as they plan SC locations. Just sayin'.
--

Andrew · Oct 30, 2013

wycolo said:
Re Tesla Supercharger Dashboard - The map projection is weird as it goes beyond Mercator in the wrong way! As if the globe balloon was weaker around the North Pole and it bulged out. Hope the Tesla planners have access to Great Circle corrected maps showing more accurate mileage and directions as they plan SC locations. Just sayin'.
--

Ha! Looking at the picture a bit more, it really doesn't look like a terribly useful display for a true control system. Rather, it looks like something that would be shown in the lobby of HQ, or in a storefront... I'm guessing they're using some kind of third-party tool to plunk the info into the display. Still, it's neat to see.

Cottonwood · Oct 30, 2013

wycolo said:
Re Tesla Supercharger Dashboard - The map projection is weird as it goes beyond Mercator in the wrong way! As if the globe balloon was weaker around the North Pole and it bulged out. Hope the Tesla planners have access to Great Circle corrected maps showing more accurate mileage and directions as they plan SC locations. Just sayin'.
--

I would guess that the effect you are seeing is from key-stoning of the image because the picture is shot from below and the left. To get a better, undistorted image, the photographer would need to have their camera centered vertically and horizontally, and at a moderate distance, zooming in to fill the frame. This obviously was a quick, on-the-tour shot and I am happy to see it.

Also, this is probably an Equirectangular projection, which programers like to do, because its very simple to plot, just a constant, equal scale for latitude and longitude. This projection appears to flare out to the north faster than a Mercator projection.

Andrew said:
Ha! Looking at the picture a bit more, it really doesn't look like a terribly useful display for a true control system. Rather, it looks like something that would be shown in the lobby of HQ, or in a storefront... I'm guessing they're using some kind of third-party tool to plunk the info into the display. Still, it's neat to see.

Its really neat to see! I would love it if Tesla put this on their public web page!!!

wycolo · Nov 5, 2013

Walmart is the largest Trucker in North America. Pretty soon Tesla Motors may become the largest electric distributor in North America. You never know what hat(s) you are going to be wearing as your game plan fleshes out.
--

jerry33 · Nov 5, 2013

Cottonwood said:
I would guess that the effect you are seeing is from key-stoning of the image because the picture is shot from below and the left. To get a better, undistorted image, the photographer would need to have their camera centered vertically and horizontally, and at a moderate distance, zooming in to fill the frame.

They could also use a real camera that has adjustments.

neroden · Nov 7, 2013

ccbldg said:
Also said by end of 2014 Tesla owners will be able to drive ANYWHERE in the U.S. via Superchargers.

I just know this is an exaggeration. Barrow, Alaska? Guam? I appreciate the sentiment, though... :wink:

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Chat with a Tesla Supercharger repair tech

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