Eberhard upgrade of MC to 40 amps with adapters - Page 2

James · 08-04-2009, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradleybang

I want one. Just not sure about the extra 14-30 and 10-50. Do others see the need for these adapters?

The standard adapters that we provide will cover you for 90% of the situations that you will find out in the wild.

The 14-30 and 10-50 are going to be rare, that is why we made them optional extras for people that know that they will be using that specific outlet, perhaps because it is already in their garage or at work.

BBHighway · 08-05-2009, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChargeIt!

I think some Roadster owners don't order an HPC for cost reasons ... and get MC240 instead for "permanent" garage use ... depending on how it's installed, it's still "mobile". Such an owner (or owner in waiting) might be your buyer ...

Bill Arnett has had his MC240 listed for sale for a couple weeks now. I don't think he's had any takers. The RFMC looks like a better solution even for permanent garage use.
It's cheaper, handles more current, and adapts to more receptacles.

BBHighway · 08-05-2009, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

We have not tried to do anything with the Tesla MC240 because it already does 240V/30A.

Well, if you do decide to work with work with the MC240, let me know. Meanwhile I'll be thinking about it.

dpeilow · 08-05-2009, 05:34 AM

If you put a normal 110v plug on the end of the MC240, does it work? That way you can have a go anywhere emergency lead (which can be converted back to the more valuable MC240 later if desired) and then get James to modify the MC120 as usual.

ra-san · 08-05-2009, 07:41 AM

I would bet that putting 110 on the end of the MC240 would not work, given the GFCI and other active components. However, I'd bet you could cut it after the box, terminate with modular connectors, and put in 110 that way.

By the way, Tesla is coming out with a 40A MC240 with interchangeable connectors "real soon now". I don't think it will have the 110-120V option, but will have several 208-240V heads and will also have a 40A capable GFCI built in. Don't know what real soon now really means, but got the feeling it was in a matter of weeks to month or so.
Personally, already put in an order with James because I wanted it now and wanted a real all-in-one. Though now that I think about it, the idea of cutting the MC240 right after the box to add 110 makes a lot of sense. Probably could do that with the new MC240 too. Still, nice to have a tested, professionally made version from a fellow roadster owner and with the heritage from Martin.

[edit: been told that Tesla hopes to make it do 110/120V as well. Still unclear on timeframe. It'll be great to have multiple good options!]

Only additional capability (aside from Mr. Fusion type dreams) I'd like to have would be a removable section or defeat-able built-in module with 40 (or 50) A capable GFCI for the 240V mode. Would be nice to have when you aren't sure there is a GFCI on the circuit, but would want to be able to disable it or not connect it if there was to avoid any extra nuisance trip issues.

James · 08-05-2009, 07:47 AM

You can be sure that the Tesla version will be $1,500 or more.

doug · 08-05-2009, 08:55 AM

Hopefully a new Tesla MC240 would have a little internal intelligence that would reset the GFCI after nuisance trips. It's not that hard to design in. A bypass switch would be nice too. They may, however, be limited in what they can do by regulatory hurdles.

BBHighway, since you intend to keep your MC120, you might just get some adapters from the NEMA 14-50 plug on your MC240 to whatever 208-240V outlet you might connect to. Of course you'll be limited to 30A and would have to manually set the VDS if the available current is less than that.

James · 08-05-2009, 12:51 PM

I just found out that we can do an adapter with the diode set for 24A for the American 30A 120V RV plug. (This plug is the TT-30)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...NEMA_TT-30.png

This is the most common outlet found in older RV parks. 120 volts at 24 amps would be over twice as fast recharging as the MC 120 because of the overhead already being covered in the first few amps.

We are going to test this as soon as possible.

TEG · 08-05-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

I just found out that we can do an adapter with the diode set for 24A for the American 30A 120V RV plug? (This plug is the TT-30)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...NEMA_TT-30.png

This is the most common outlet found in older RV parks. 120 volts at 24 amps would be over twice as fast recharging as the MC 120 because of the overhead already being covered in the first few amps.

We are going to test this as soon as possible.

Yeah, that is one of the suggestions I made over here.

Quote:

Suggestions for future improvements:
...

A campground TT-30 cable that tells the kit to let the Roadster know that it could use 120V@24A

Out here on the west coast so many campsites have NEMA14-50 so it isn't as necessary, but from what I can tell, the east coast has many campgrounds with only TT-30 and no NEMA 14-50.

James · 08-05-2009, 03:03 PM

If it works as planned, we will make it an optional adapter for the Roadster Foundry MC available on our website.