HPWC Supply vs Demand Woes?

ArtInCT said:

I placed an order for a HPWC online in the Tesla Accessories website of Tesla Motors.
After one week, expecting a shipping notice on Thursday or Friday I received a notice
that due to performing a Physical Inventory at the distribution center, my shipment is
going to be delayed and if I wanted to cancel the order or remain on backorder is my option.

Sounds to me like Demand has outstripped Supply of the HPWC for North America.

Perhaps someone in accessories did not forecast the Q3 & Q1 Model S sales correctly.

I recon that the HPWC demand tags along with Model S deliveries.

Or perhaps there is a supplier issue on some component(s) of the HPWC?

Anyone els waiting for their HPWC? If so how long?

Click to expand...

This could also be caused by folks getting ready for their Model X's. The Model X can be ordered with a 48 Amp charger or an optional 72 Amp charger. The UMC is limited to 40 Amps.

Unfortunately, the HPWC does not have DIP switch settings for a 48 Amp Charging/60 Amp Breaker or a 72 Amp Charging/90 Amp Breaker. Maybe this lack of stock is the result of an update in the design that will include those two settings for Model X owners... That would be a win for Model S owners with dual chargers as well. The 60 and 90 Amp Breaker sizes are sweet spots in required wire size, needing #6 and #4 copper wire, respectively.

If you don't have dual chargers, get another UMC. I find the thinner cord is easier to handle than that of the HPWC.

jcaspar said:

If you don't have dual chargers, get another UMC. I find the thinner cord is easier to handle than that of the HPWC.

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P90D in cold weather, I wouldn't talk anyone out an HPWC with dual chargers.

ArtInCT said:

I placed an order for a Model S HPWC (High Power Wall Connector) online in the Tesla Accessories website of Tesla Motors.
After one week, expecting a shipping notice on Thursday or Friday I received a notice
that due to performing a Physical Inventory at the distribution center, my shipment is
going to be delayed and if I wanted to cancel the order or remain on backorder is my option.

Sounds to me like Demand has outstripped Supply of the HPWC for North America.

Perhaps someone in accessories did not forecast the Q3 & Q1 Model S sales correctly.

I recon that the HPWC demand tags along with Model S deliveries.

Or perhaps there is a supplier issue on some component(s) of the HPWC?

Anyone else waiting for their HPWC? If so how long?

Click to expand...

I don't think this has anything to do with demand/supply issues. I had actually ordered a 5-20 adapter before January 1st, they sent me the wrong one, then said the correct one wouldn't be sent out until after they completed inventory. I didn't want to wait so I went to my local SC to pick one up and canceled my order. I spoke on the phone with a woman in their online order department several times to sort out the problem. She mentioned the inventory issue causing all orders to be delayed. I'd take that a face value, they are still doing inventory so they aren't shipping any orders. Nothing to do with supply or demand.

AWDtsla said:

P90D in cold weather, I wouldn't talk anyone out an HPWC with dual chargers.

Click to expand...

Me either... Just those without them

ArtInCT said:

I placed an order for a Model S HPWC (High Power Wall Connector) online in the Tesla Accessories website of Tesla Motors.
After one week, expecting a shipping notice on Thursday or Friday I received a notice
that due to performing a Physical Inventory at the distribution center, my shipment is
going to be delayed and if I wanted to cancel the order or remain on backorder is my option.

Sounds to me like Demand has outstripped Supply of the HPWC for North America.

Perhaps someone in accessories did not forecast the Q3 & Q1 Model S sales correctly.

I recon that the HPWC demand tags along with Model S deliveries.

Or perhaps there is a supplier issue on some component(s) of the HPWC?

Anyone else waiting for their HPWC? If so how long?

Click to expand...

Or... it could be just what they told you which was that they are taking inventory and it will be shipped after inventory.
You do know the difference between a delay because of taking inventory (common in January for many companies) and not having it in stock?
FWIW, I purchased a HPWC at my local Service Center (Rocklin) last month. They had plenty in stock to pick up the same day.

I'd like to think it's because they're gearing up an HPWC/charger upgrade to coincide with the refresh and Model 3 announcement. At least that's what I'm waiting to see before I order both.

FWIW, San Diego SC was out of HPWCs last week, but expected a shipment of them Monday.

Cottonwood said:

Unfortunately, the HPWC does not have DIP switch settings for a 48 Amp Charging/60 Amp Breaker or a 72 Amp Charging/90 Amp Breaker. Maybe this lack of stock is the result of an update in the design that will include those two settings for Model X owners... That would be a win for Model S owners with dual chargers as well. The 60 and 90 Amp Breaker sizes are sweet spots in required wire size, needing #6 and #4 copper wire, respectively.

Click to expand...

There are two revisions of the HPWC:

• Revision 1 of the HPWC has DIP switch settings for 60A, 70A and 90A breakers (48A, 56A and 72A supplied, respectively).
• Revision 2 of the HPWC replaced those DIP switch settings with settings for 15A, 20A and 30A breakers (12A, 16A and 24A supplied, respectively).

Rev 1 HPWC Manual: http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/blog_attachments/ms_hpwc_installation_guide.pdf

Rev 2 HPWC Manual: http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/tesla-wall-connector-installation-80A-12A.pdf

In the rev 1 manual, the DIP switch settings look like this:




In the rev 2 manual, the DIP switch settings look like this:



Note that the DIP switches in each manual refer to a different current! Rev 1 manual bases the DIP switch settings on breaker size. Rev 2 manual bases the DIP switch settings on supplied current, which is 80% of the breaker size!

Note also that for the common DIP switch settings between the two revisions that the breaker and supplied current work out to the same DIP switch setting! e.g. The DIP switch settings for 40A breaker (32A supplied), 50A breaker (40A supplied), 80A breaker (64A supplied), and 100A breaker (80A supplied) are the same between the two revisions!



As far as I know, you can only tell which rev of the HPWC you have by looking on the small system board inside. Mine is a rev 2 board:






Now, if you have a rev 2 HPWC and want to charge a Model X, you will not be able to use 60A, 70A or 90A breakers. (May be just as well -- these breakers are non-standard sizes and are hard to find). You can use the next breaker size (and wire) up, and the car will only draw what it is rated for.

For a rev 2 HPWC charging a Model X with the 12 kW (48A) charger:

• 4 gauge copper wire (THHN 90°C), 80A breaker, 64A supplied DIP switch setting. The HPWC will inform the car that it can supply up to 64A, but the car will only draw 48A.

For a rev 2 HPWC charging a Model X with the 18 kW (72A) charger:

• 3 gauge copper wire (THHN 90°C), 100A breaker, 80A supplied DIP switch setting. The HPWC will inform the car that it can supply up to 80A, but the car will only draw 72A.

SomeJoe7777 said:

(May be just as well -- these breakers are non-standard sizes and are hard to find).

Click to expand...

These are standard trade sizes and are really easy to find. Home Depot even stocks them near me. The electrical supply places have these on hand, no need to order them.

AWDtsla said:

P90D in cold weather, I wouldn't talk anyone out an HPWC with dual chargers.

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I couldn't agree more. Frankly I think they should be standard to help create a Tesla wide standard.

ArtInCT said:

My electrician buddy's van carries a minimum of 1 box of each size Square D type (QO and Homeowner's) as well as the modern GE... I guess those are the brands he runs into in the Northeast.

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Types BR (Bryant, then Cutler-Hammer, then Eaton), MP (Murray), HOM (SqD), Siemens QP, and GE Q are all 1-inch breakers with roughly the same models. You're supposed to use only those breakers that are certified for the panels, but I've seen so many people with mixed panels. They work, it's just not listed for the purpose.

ArtInCT said:

I placed an order for a Model S HPWC (High Power Wall Connector) online in the Tesla Accessories website of Tesla Motors.
After one week, expecting a shipping notice on Thursday or Friday I received a notice
that due to performing a Physical Inventory at the distribution center, my shipment is
going to be delayed and if I wanted to cancel the order or remain on backorder is my option.

Click to expand...

I got the same note on the same product. The following day I was advised it shipped overnight. The only complaint I had is, they shipped it requiring a "direct signature." Which meant Fedex would not leave the package at my door under any circumstances, door tag or not. Fortunately I met the driver, and had no problem. But why not an indirect signature?... Oh well, I got it anyway.

Cottonwood said:

This could also be caused by folks getting ready for their Model X's. The Model X can be ordered with a 48 Amp charger or an optional 72 Amp charger. The UMC is limited to 40 Amps.

Unfortunately, the HPWC does not have DIP switch settings for a 48 Amp Charging/60 Amp Breaker or a 72 Amp Charging/90 Amp Breaker. Maybe this lack of stock is the result of an update in the design that will include those two settings for Model X owners... That would be a win for Model S owners with dual chargers as well. The 60 and 90 Amp Breaker sizes are sweet spots in required wire size, needing #6 and #4 copper wire, respectively.

Click to expand...

I have a 100 amp circuit on my HPWC. This will be fine with the 72amp Model X setup, right?

Zroiron said:

I have a 100 amp circuit on my HPWC. This will be fine with the 72amp Model X setup, right?

Click to expand...

Yes.

I don't think this has anything to do with Supply and Demand. This is just the Tesla Store being the Tesla Store.

The only way to even begin to understand the incompetency of the Tesla store staff is to watch Making of a Murderer on Netflix. But, that only gives you a brief glimpse at the magnitude of just how bad the Tesla Store is.

They don't sell things based on whether they have stock of something or not. I think it's completely random as to whether a given item indicated as in stock will actually be there. Nothing that normally goes into inventory management takes place at the Tesla Store.

All I can really say is I wish you luck on getting your HPWC, but don't rationalize not getting it based on any logical reasoning whatsoever.

Zroiron said:

I have a 100 amp circuit on my HPWC. This will be fine with the 72amp Model X setup, right?

Click to expand...

The car will draw what it needs, or what the charger advertises is available, whichever is less. So your HPWC will advertise 80A, your X will draw 72A, and all will be well.