Chargers On Wall or On Board?

[Mark Z]

The best thing that Tesla has done is to allow the Model S to be charged with a $5 to $8 NEMA 14-50 receptacle. Only a 50 amp breaker is needed for the NEMA 14-50. As you can see in MTN Ranger's post on the previous page, there is a NEMA 14-50 receptacle on the wall under the charge station. I plan to install both so two Telsas can charge at the same time. For the fastest charge at 62 mph, you must have a 100 amp circuit breaker for the High Power Wall Connector and the twin charger option built into the Model S. A smaller breaker can be used for a slower charge with the Wall Connector. (A 200 amp second meter panel was installed after purchasing the Volt with the knowledge that the Tesla would need the extra power.)

Tesla includes with each Model S, the 240 volt adapter, 120 volt adapter and a J1772 adapter for charging almost anywhere.

http://www.teslamotors.com/models/charging

[Fulgerite]

That 240 volt adapter and 120 volt adapter are a nice feature. But the Tesla EVSE is almost EXACTLY the same thing as your Voltec 120 volt unit that came with your car. The model S still requires an EVSE with a J1772 system... Just like your Volt. Only difference is the standard Tesla EVSE is dual voltage. (And that IS a nice feature.)

[Richrd44]

Why doesn't Chevy incorporate a twin turbine charging system into the Volt? The turbine housing can be cylindrical in design and be made to spin in between heavy magnets which will in-turn create electricity to charge the batteries. As long as the vehicle is in motion, the batteries are constantly being charged. The charging system can make electricity like a lawn mower does, only this is being generated by wind. I don't see why the Volt wouldn't go from New York to California as long as the car is in motion. The car would need to be charged from an external power source when sitting idle. I'm sure this charging idea was thought of by the engineers at Chevrolet, but I'm also sure the Oil companies quickly frowned upon this idea as well. I'm not a Chevy Volt owner, yet, but I am thinking about purchasing a Volt and making these changes on my own. I'm not worried about voiding the warranty.

[Henry_FL]

Richrd44, welcome to the forum

Your idea is better known as perpetual motion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_motion

[mfennell]

Just for fun, I looked up 10kW wind turbines. 10kW is about 13hp, which might sustain 45ish mph after conversion losses if you pretend that it also has zero drag (see Henry's link about perpetual motion).

The blade diameter is 26.2 feet, it sits on a 60ft mast (minimum) and it costs $58,950!

[CorsaTurboC]

[QUOTE=Mark Z;161282]The best thing that Tesla has done is to allow the Model S to be charged with a $5 to $8 NEMA 14-50 receptacle. Only a 50 amp breaker is needed for the NEMA 14-50. As you can see in MTN Ranger's post on the previous page, there is a NEMA 14-50 receptacle on the wall under the charge station. I plan to install both so two Telsas can charge at the same time. >>>SNIP
Sounds real dangerous to me unless the outlet is in a dry garage and the cord is permanently attached to the Model S.

[timlange3]

I believe the Tesla can be ordered with three different battery sizes. And with the larger (largest?) you can also get two onboard chargers instead of one. So if the car has two chargers (3.3kWh or 7.7kWh??), at 7.7kWh you would need 240v at 32A EVSE circuit.

[MTN Ranger]

I believe the Tesla can be ordered with three different battery sizes. And with the larger (largest?) you can also get two onboard chargers instead of one. So if the car has two chargers (3.3kWh or 7.7kWh??), at 7.7kWh you would need 240v at 32A EVSE circuit.

The standard Model S onboard charger is 10kW (50A), the upgrade option is 20kW (100A).