SunPass Mini

[HankLloydRight]

An update.

I registered my license plate with the Sunpass website earlier this week.

Upon my first attempt, I tried holding my Sunpass mini out with my hand on Monday night, and it didn't read/register, but it did read my license plate and charge my account.

Yesterday, I decided to try the windshield mount on the uncoated area where my EZPass lives now. It was just dumb luck that the two plastic mounting tabs from the EZpass were spaced PERFECTLY to hold the SunPass Mini in place against the windshield, with the left end of the Sunpass slipped under the plastic rear-view mirror mount (see photo #1). I did NOT remove the sheet covering the adhesive on the backside of the SunPass, so it's not actually stuck to the glass, although it is pressed up against the glass pretty well.

I had much more luck with this.. it read correctly twice yesterday in the "EPass" lanes around Orlando.

This morning, I entered the Florida Turnpike in the Sunpass lanes, and it appeared not to read correctly upon entry -- I got a flash of a red light and no message on the display screen. But upon exiting the FL Turnpike at Yeehaw Junction, it did read successfully. It charged me $4.35 for the toll, so I don't know if that was the max toll, or the proper toll from my starting point in Orlando. Also, I'm not sure if the entry point actually did read the Sunpass or license plate and then matched that upon exit.

In any case, it appears that mounting the Sunpass Mini in this location has a decent level of success, and if you register the license plate, it should read and charge correctly.

Also, I re-mounted my EZpass ontop of the Sunpass as shown in here:

 

[zzzzdoc]

Has anyone gotten one to work correctly on a P85D? The windshield dots seem different than above.

If not, which is the exact model for the one to install inside the bumper?

 

[FloridaGary]

I thought I would resurrect this thread to see if anyone has found a permanent solution. I should have my new Model S 70 by the end of next month (fingers crossed) and I currently use the small mobile Sunpass. On my Infiniti G35 I don't even need to stick it on my windshield. I place it on my dash for the few times I use it and it has worked fine.

 

[Larry Chanin]

I thought I would resurrect this thread to see if anyone has found a permanent solution. I should have my new Model S 70 by the end of next month (fingers crossed) and I currently use the small mobile Sunpass. On my Infiniti G35 I don't even need to stick it on my windshield. I place it on my dash for the few times I use it and it has worked fine.

Hi Gary,

Congratulations on your imminent delivery.

I use Ron's suggestion in posting #20. I have my transponder Velcroed to the back of the rear view mirror stalk. I consider it a permanent solution and it has worked 100% for me.

I have not had any success whatsoever using the small sticker type transponder in my Model S.

By the way, it you are interested in joining a Florida Tesla club, please click on the link to Florida Tesla Enthusiasts in my signature.

Larry

 

[Lawsteve]

If not, which is the exact model for the one to install inside the bumper?

unlike others, I was not able to get my transponders to work on the windshield of my "Classic" P85. The external mount transponder is not listed on the website, but I was able to order one by calling Sunpass.

 

[Larry Chanin]

unlike others, I was not able to get my transponders to work on the windshield of my "Classic" P85.

Hi Steve,

I wasn't able to get the suction cup transponder to work stuck to the windshield on my Classic P85 either. However, it does work for me Velcroed to the rearview mirror stalk.

Larry

 

[FloridaGary]

Hi Gary,

Congratulations on your imminent delivery.

I use Ron's suggestion in posting #20. I have my transponder Velcroed to the back of the rear view mirror stalk. I consider it a permanent solution and it has worked 100% for me.

I have not had any success whatsoever using the small sticker type transponder in my Model S.

By the way, it you are interested in joining a Florida Tesla club, please click on the link to Florida Tesla Enthusiasts in my signature.

Larry

Thanks for the response Larry and I will certainly try this solution. And yes, I am interested in the FTE club. I look forward to learning and sharing with the community about one of our favorite topics.... Model S [emoji1]

 

[Cyclone]

I thought I would resurrect this thread to see if anyone has found a permanent solution. I should have my new Model S 70 by the end of next month (fingers crossed) and I currently use the small mobile Sunpass. On my Infiniti G35 I don't even need to stick it on my windshield. I place it on my dash for the few times I use it and it has worked fine.

If it is any consolation, last month I drove from Charlotte -> Miami and "forgot" my suction cup transponder (new type they forced me to get last year versus the old big beeping one) in our car in Miami. The tolls ran just fine via my plate as my car is registered on my Sunpass account. When I got there I kept the transponder in the glove box in case I needed it, but I didn't. On the return trip, I again "forgot" my suction cup transponder in the other car and again, my plate showed up in the Sunpass account activity/history screens. I suspect continuing to do what you did with your G37 works fine if you cannot get it to scan velcroed to the mirror like Larry suggests.

 

[aviators99]

If it is any consolation, last month I drove from Charlotte -> Miami and "forgot" my suction cup transponder (new type they forced me to get last year versus the old big beeping one) in our car in Miami. The tolls ran just fine via my plate as my car is registered on my Sunpass account. When I got there I kept the transponder in the glove box in case I needed it, but I didn't. On the return trip, I again "forgot" my suction cup transponder in the other car and again, my plate showed up in the Sunpass account activity/history screens. I suspect continuing to do what you did with your G37 works fine if you cannot get it to scan velcroed to the mirror like Larry suggests.

My experience is the same. However, the I-95 Express lane WILL charge you the full cost, and you will need to call every time to get it reversed, if you don't have the transponder. I cannot confirm that it won't charge you with the transponder, as I don't have enough of a sample to say for sure. But I've spent hours on the phone with Sunpass getting the I-95 tolls deleted for when I don't have it.

 

[Cyclone]

My experience is the same. However, the I-95 Express lane WILL charge you the full cost, and you will need to call every time to get it reversed, if you don't have the transponder. I cannot confirm that it won't charge you with the transponder, as I don't have enough of a sample to say for sure. But I've spent hours on the phone with Sunpass getting the I-95 tolls deleted for when I don't have it.

I haven't registered yet for the HOV exemption, so I didn't try the 95X lanes. Good to know.

 

[Fred Drake]

I thought I would resurrect this thread to see if anyone has found a permanent solution. I should have my new Model S 70 by the end of next month (fingers crossed) and I currently use the small mobile Sunpass. On my Infiniti G35 I don't even need to stick it on my windshield. I place it on my dash for the few times I use it and it has worked fine.

Congrats on your upcoming delivery! Here are your two options that have reported a 100% success rate:

1) Order an external transponder. Getting one from SunPass was hassle free for me. I just called, the person on the phone already guessed I was driving a Tesla based on my request, and they sent one out. The transponder is designed to screw onto the front license plate, but in this case it mounts inside of the plastic nose cone. The service center person will take care of it for you when you pick up your car.
2) As mentioned previously, don't get a transponder at all. It will toll-by-plate and as long as your car and license plate are registered with SunPass (you can do it on their web site) there will be no additional charge.

 

[Roland]

Thanks for the photo. Just end headed to the East Coast of Florida for the third time in less than a month. Decided it was Sunpass time. Purchased the Portable Transponder and mounted exactly like the previous photo. It has been working perfectly on my 2012 Model S. Thanks for the tip.

 

[mpinzur]

Has anyone given this a new look since the windshield was redesigned to allow RF signals?

My Model S is scheduled for delivery in February, meaning the nosecone option is off the table. One of the delivery specialists at the showroom said the SunPass Mini (the sticker) now works fine in any clear area of the windshield. But digging around a little, it looks like using the 95 Express lanes would require covering the sticker from the insider with a pretty ugly metal shield... see http://www.1800234ride.com/static/sitefiles/files/FTEDisablerPlateInstructions.pdf. The alternative seems to be the suction-cup portable SunPass, which can be put in an RF-blocking bag on the express lanes and taken out for using the regular toll roads.

Eager to hear any new thoughts on this. Thanks.

 

[Steve1081]

My sun pass (with suction cups) works fine on my 2016 facelift s75.

I didn't want to use the sticker one because I have 80% clear UV blocking tint on the windshield.

 

[Cyclone]

I use the portable transponder with suction cups as well, but "forget" them at our Florida home every time I drive there. My Sunpass shows that I get "ITOL" for "image toll" from them taking a pic of my license plate.

 

[mpinzur]

My sun pass (with suction cups) works fine on my 2016 facelift s75.

I didn't want to use the sticker one because I have 80% clear UV blocking tint on the windshield.

So does that mean you put it in an RF-blocking bag for the Express Lanes and only mount it for regular toll roads like the Turnpike?

 

[Steve1081]

I have not registered for HOV lane access since I just got my registration yesterday (and Tesla was not able to request the HOV lane sticker for me).

Per the website you need to shield the sunpass in the express lanes. However, with the plate recognition as well I'm not sure what works best in practice. I'll follow up once I get registered.

95 Express Hybrid Registration | South Florida Commuter Services

 

[alseTrick]

That program is ending in 2017?

 

[Steve1081]

I have heard that the current law allowing hybrids in the pay express lanes is ending... hopefully EVs will still be allowed as it would be a much smaller number.

I don't think there is any plan to change hybrids being allowed in HOV lanes. However I think the plan is to replace most of the HOV lanes with express lanes eventually.

But you are still allowed in the lane if you pay so better than no access at all...

 

[Larry Chanin]

I have heard that the current law allowing hybrids in the pay express lanes is ending... hopefully EVs will still be allowed as it would be a much smaller number.

I don't think there is any plan to change hybrids being allowed in HOV lanes. However I think the plan is to replace most of the HOV lanes with express lanes eventually.

But you are still allowed in the lane if you pay so better than no access at all...

Hi Steve,

A quick reading of the FDOT website does not mention a discontinuation of the HOV program in 2017. Can you provide the source of your information or a link to an authoritative source on the subject.

Thanks.

Larry