Model S Battery Pack Charging Protocols

[artsci]

I started this thread to educate newer EV owners about charging protocols. ... Like me !!
Since I owned a LEAF, I know "some" of the rules, such as "Rapid charging" with the CHAdeMO is alright about once a day, it is not good for the pack longevity if you utilize this method frequently., like chargin with it everyday.
So The Question for the Group IS; If I have equipped my Model S 85kWh car with Twin Chargers, and I am charging at home with a HPC, what is the best way to set that charger up? Is it bad for me to have a 90Amp breaker on this HPC and rapid charge the battery pack every single night? Should I set the HPC up with a 40 amp only breaker.
I am thinking that a lot of people are going to set up a 100 AMP breaker on their HPC circuits and rapid charge the LONGEVITY right out of their packs. Opinions ???? (please!)

If you set the HPC for 40 amps and you have a breaker that can handle the load, why even bother with the HPC? Doesn't the universal charger charge at 40 amps?

[jerry33]

If you set the HPC for 40 amps and you have a breaker that can handle the load, with even bother with the HPC?

1. Sometimes you might need a rapid charge just like sometimes you need a range charge.

2. You might want to charge your friend's (or forum friend's) Tesla.

[Todd Burch]

Have we been told yet that there will be different charging or driving modes?

If you look at the various screenshots of the touchscreen on TMC they show 2 modes: standard and range. I'm not sure anyone knows whether a storage mode explicitly exists, or how it's entered.

Edit: Here it is
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attac...1&d=1338043600

[Lloyd]

very cool,

Thanks!

[dhrivnak]

Since the wire and breaker likely add a modest amount of extra cost i would install 100amp if you can but set the car to charge at 40 amps. This is what i do. For the Roadster 40 amp is the most efficient as higher rates tend to kick on the ac for battery cooling. Then on those few occasions i can rapid charge or help out a fellow roadster charge on a trip.

The charger makes this easy as the GPS tracks the location so it knows home is 40 amps. The lower current is also easier on the utility. Again two taps and i can override.

[xhawk101]

Nema 6-50 vs 14- Today I had an electrician look at my outlet today and I can easily have my correct outlet converted to the 6-50 for about 100 bucks otherwise what is the reason to convert to a 'recomended' 14-50, 4 prong as opposed to my current 3 prong outlet? Both have identical 31 amp charge rates...

[doug]

Nema 6-50 vs 14- Today I had an electrician look at my outlet today and I can easily have my correct outlet converted to the 6-50 for about 100 bucks otherwise what is the reason to convert to a 'recomended' 14-50, 4 prong as opposed to my current 3 prong outlet? Both have identical 31 amp charge rates...

The only reason NEMA 14-50 is recommended is because that's what you find in the wild (at RV parks, campgrounds, etc) in North America. The fourth pin adds the neutral line so you can 120V or 240V, since a RV might have 120V appliances. The Model S doesn't actually use this neutral pin, so you could use NEMA 6-50 (and that plug is available with the UMC), but you'd also want the 14-50 to charge in the wild.

Both are actually good for 40 amps continuous, 50 peak (where the "-50" comes from).

[xhawk101]

The only reason NEMA 14-50 is recommended is because that's what you find in the wild (at RV parks, campgrounds, etc) in North America. The fourth pin adds the neutral line so you can 120V or 240V, since a RV might have 120V appliances. The Model S doesn't actually use this neutral pin, so you could use NEMA 6-50 (and that plug is available with the UMC), but you'd also want the 14-50 to charge in the wild.

Both are actually good for 40 amps continuous, 50 peak (where the "-50" comes from).

Excellent ...thanks!