Not to steer this thread way off topic but if I'm reading your post correctly it sounds like you frequently use your local supercharger. Correct?
I ask because I have heard that it's best to charge at home most of the time and only use supercharges on trips. Something to do with the way superchargers work they can damage the battery if used too much. Is that true?
Also that superchargers ignore whatever charging level you've set on the console and will continue to charge until the battery is at 100% which is also not a good thing to do very often. Is that true?
It would be nice if it is ok to supercharge frequently as there is a supercharger located near my house at the restaurant I visit a few times a week.
Thoughts?
I have so much to learn.
So, speaking of etiquette, there are mixed sentiments regarding using your local supercharger all the time versus at home. On the technical side, the tapering and conditioning mechanisms in the supercharger technology "prepare" the battery to receive the high levels of DC. The long term effects of dumping that level of DC into the batteries all the time has yet to be determined. It appears to be the general consensus on the forum that constantly charging to 100% is far more detrimental to the life of the battery then the high voltage/amperage being injected into the battery. I've always subscribed to the "low and slow" way of charging, however, with lithium ion that may no longer be an issue.
There have been a great many heated debates in the forum regarding using the superchargers all the time in lieu of installing one at home. That is for you to draw your own conclusion. However, to add to your etiquette list I have few beliefs myself:
1) You should definitely patronize your local businesses that have taken the time to install a charging device (J1772, HPWC, CHAdeMO, etc.). In the cases of a generic connector, you should remember that you're not the only electric car out there. You ARE however the only electric car that gets in excess of 200+ miles of range per charge. I, for one, will purposely go to locations with chargers as the business owners have taken the time and money to install it purposely to attract me to their establishment. Long and short, don't hog it if you don't have to. It may be a matter of the Leaf or Smart owner getting home or not.
2) You have to remember that you can't just go to the fueling station down the street to fill up. You SHOULD use a local supercharger if you are driving quite a bit for that day. With the A/C or heat on and driving errands you can use quite a bit of power. I drove a medium length trip one day and came home to use the local superchargers as I had more errands to run and didn't want to run out. Personally, if it's a busy supercharger (not so much here in MA), you should allow the long distance traveler to charge first. Just a personal belief. Remember, you live there, they don't and may have an appointment they need to make.
3) It is completely okay to plug someone else in. I would say that's the reason for the charge port working without the key. Someone could plug in your car for you after they complete their charge.
Lastly, I've seen people go into a broil over using local chargers all the time. Some say "I've paid for it". Some say "it's for long trips only". I, for one, have met someone that doesn't even have a charging facility at home. They use the local supercharger all the time as they only live 4 miles away from the mall that's equipped with superchargers. I'll leave that up to your own personal belief.
Something else we should note is that many of the Tesla Galleries have HPWC (many are 80A) and 50A connections that you can use throughout your travels. This is COMPLETELY okay as long as you let them know. I have heard that Tesla Service Centers will also help you in a pinch although I've never had the need. FWIW
A funny side note, before the superchargers were installed in Auburn and West Springfield, I've actually driven to the gallery in Natick to pick up something (it's 80 miles away). Between charging at the mall and charging at home, it was cheaper to pay the tolls and electricity then pay the shipping from CA.
Finally, it's our separate beliefs that make the world go around each day. I applaud your "etiquette" post. It was your belief that brought you to buying the worlds finest electric car. Others may think your crazy. I admit it, I drank the Kool-Aid and I liked it.
Regarding your question above about the supercharger ignoring your settings. It does ignore the maximum power setting. It does not ignore the level of charge. If you set it for 90%, it will stop at 90%. If you set it for 48A, it will ignore it. It is kind of scary when you look at the display and it says it's dumping 290A into the battery.
