Greetings all,
I was just wondering about the most efficient way to charge on a roadtrip.
Assuming your route has sufficient charging infrastructure with many equally-fast charging options (level 2), is it more efficient (ie: minimizing time spent) to charge frequently for short periods at many locations, or to stop only when range is getting low and charging for several hours?
I'm a couple weeks away from my first major roadtrip (~2000km) and was curious about how to minimize my time spent charging on the road.
Well, since their really isnt any Superchargers around you, you do have access to Sun Country Highway's 70 amp Level 2's, so if you have Dual Chargers, your in for a treat
Charge as you need. Plan out your stops for when you think you will need to stop anyways. Potty break every 2 1/2 hours, well, as long as your stopping, turn it into a Charge stop. If you know it's going to be a extended stop, stuck up as much power as you can, especially if charging options are sparse on your route.
MOST OF ALL! DON'T BE AFRAID TO RANGE CHARGE! So many people seem afraid to range charge. It's really not Range Charging that is damaging the battery, it's Range Charging, and letting it SIT at 100% that is damaging. So if your on that road trip and you feel that it might be a stretch, DONT HESITATE!
Another time Range charging is a good idea, is say, if your next charging stop only has a single Level 2 to charge at. What happens if that Level 2 is offline or ICE'd, or something else has happened to it. With no other reasonable options for a higher power charging stop, having a 100% charge and squeezing enough into the battery, might shave HOURS AND HOURS off your charging if you find yourself in a emergency situation where 120v is your only option. I would also advise making a 120v standard plug to 240v adapter, that will allow you to plug into Hotel Room 240v Air Conditioner/Heater Outlets. That will effectively double your charging speed in emergency situations. Will it still be slow as hell compared to normal Level 2's? Yah, but if your flat dead, I'd rather take 33 hrs for a full charge over 66 hours
, and lastly, the 120v 20 amp plug is a must. 33% faster then the 15 amp plug (16 amp charge speed as to 12 amp), and if you make that 240v adapter I mentioned, you've really increased your charging speed off a hotel AC unit's outlet!!!
I hate playing Devils advocate, but with close to 27,000 miles on my 60kW pack, in LESS THEN A YEAR!, and numerous road trips and getting stranded once due to a series of ****** unfortunate events, I've learned my lesson, and never can be too prepared. I see you do have the Twin Chargers, after my last road trip to Niagara Falls from Milwaukee, Wi, I immediately went to the service center and got upgraded. So far, worth every penny!!! I do for see the Twin Chargers being extremely useful for at least the next 2-3 years, until the Supercharger Network has Fully Matured.
In fact, It's Midnight, and I am currently at this very moment (well, not at THIS moment as I'm taking a lil break) installing the First of Two HPWC's at the Sandrift Resort in Wisconsin Dells. With how swamped with Travelers they got last summer on their 14-50, the dual Chargers will help considerably with getting folks charged and on their way (If so equipped).
I will post pictures of the Hotel AC Charging adapter I made. It is very simple, and cost about $8 to make using off the shelf components.