Tesla ordered, home charging help?

[bertie]

Hi, so after a mightily impressive test drive I've take the plunge and ordered a Model S 90D.

Delivery is beginning of June so now I'm trying to sort home charging options.

I understand that the Model S comes with a home charge cable with inline box of gubbins so I could just install an industrial type 32A single phase commando socket.

However it strikes me that whilst the OLEV grants are available I ought to get a wallbox charger installed.

The 3 options suggested are PodPoint, Chargemaster and Phoenix Works.

Any difference or views on which is best or are they all the same?

Also, to keep it as future proof as possible I was going to go with a socket outlet rather than a tied cable, that make sense?

Any and all help very gratefully received, applying seems to be mind bogglingly complex!

[bertie]

JonV8V said:

Whichever is cheapest as there's no great benefit in paying a lot more. Some swear by the wall box, I think Rolec needs to be added to your list, but I'm more than happy with a commando socket and the box of gubbins plugged in.

I hope you used a code from an existing tesla owner (it was mentioned on a recent thread about discounts) as you'd have got a contribution towards installation.

I tried but the referral scheme has finished!

[bertie]

JonV8V said:

Just looked and the current scheme still has 40 days to go. Where did you get the code from?

Hmmm I was told it had finished...a call back to Tesla Birmingham I think!

[bertie]

Lgm50 said:

It's only a 16 Amp feed hence not as good as the Pod Point which is installed at home.

I'm confused as to what I get with the Tesla in terms of cables.

If you had a 32A commando socket could the cable supplied with the car do 32A and if so is that any slower than a pod point?

Also if I go tied cable pod point, would it also do an i3 for instance?

[bertie]

JonV8V said:

I3 uses type 2 as well - where they have a umc commando equivalent or not I don't know. If you def want to support both then a wall box might be best - you pay more but the grants soften the blow

So a wall box is no quicker at home than a Commando socket?

My email from Tesla says....

What comes standard with Model S?
- A 6 meter long Mobile Connector to connect with the different adapters.
- A blue adapter to connect to the Mobile Connector which can be used to charge at an industrial style commando socket
- An adapter with the 3 pin domestic plug to connect to the Mobile Connector and to charge up to 6 miles of range per hour. This is a back-up when travelling around on the countryside.


So wall box with tethered lead will do both?

Or wall box with socket and cables to suit each?

Thanks for help!

Edited by bertie on Tuesday 8th March 21:18

[bertie]

So do I need any other cables or does the mobile connector work a public charge stations?

[bertie]

JonV8V said:

Roughly speaking, car parks are no different to wall boxes and you'll need a type 2 cable

Service stations tend to be tethered but as said before, if you travel a lot where there aren't superchargers you'll need a chademo adaptor and use the DC charging not the AC charging.

So is the 6 meter mobile connector that comes with the car a type 2 cable I can use at public charge points?

[bertie]

So I've sussed the options and understand how they all work now.

The wall box is no better than a commando socket, all it does is have an RCD breaker in it and a GSM modem in to report back usage and the government subsidise it on that basis.

The tethered cable and ability to have it neat outside is a bonus, but you can buy a box without the GSM modem with tethered cable and have an electrician stick it in cheaper than the subsidised price.

Or if you don't mind slightly less convenience just put a commando socket in.

In terms of my order, I've gone for....

Model S 90D
All-Wheel Drive
Pearl White Multi-Coat Paint
All Glass Panoramic Roof
19" Silver Cyclone Wheels
Black Next Generation Seats
Obeche Wood Gloss Décor
Matching Yacht Floor
White Alcantara Headliner
Supercharger Enabled
Autopilot Convenience Features
Premium Interior and Lighting
Subzero Weather Package
Rear Facing Seats
Security Package

[bertie]

Mike_C said:

Nice spec! Clearly you're going for maximum range with a 90D and 19" Cyclones

I wouldn't underestimate the tethered solutions; I nearly went Blue Commando at home too, and really glad I didn't. The novelty of getting the charging cable out of the boot floor (particularly if you have the optional load liner and/or stuff in the boot) soon wears off, it's so much easier just to back the car in, get out, plug one connector in and walk away.

If it's not too late I'd also recommend the high fidelity sound system - it's a significant improvement over the standard system, which really lacks depth of sound even in moderate use, it's worth having if you like your tunes!

Cheers, interesting thoughts.

I was advised against hi-fi and air by the guys at Tesla.

They reckoned that the air suspension was only needed if you went for the huge wheels, and that the hi fi sound was not much different.

Spec is locked now anyway and I've been assigned a VIN (hurrah) so I guess it's too late to worry about.

I just want to get the thing now!

[bertie]

Lgm50 said:

Completely agree with MikeC - I have a PodPoint tethered cable for home charging and very pleased I went with that. When it's raining you'll be glad you have a tethered cable option!

Spec looks great, and I stuck with 19inch wheels too - partly for range, partly for ride comfort and partly because I couldn't quite believe the extra Tesla wanted to upgrade the alloys!

When are you due to get it?

I'm with you, I'll get something with a tethered cable, just toying with whether to go with the full GSM equipped, subsidised Podpoint, or the cheaper non GSM, plain Podpoint.

Car's currently due June, wish it'd hurry up!

[bertie]

I like the idea of having a tethered cable so I'll install some form of one at home.

I'll also stick one or two commando sockets in other garages at home as they're peanuts to give me flexibility about where to park.

I could put a serious 3 phase point it at work....hmmmmm.

[bertie]

Mike_C said:

Not sure what the cheaper one is, are you sure that isn't the 3kw rather the 7kw option? They do an S3 and S7 as far as I'm aware.

Having the GSM doesn't bother me in the slightest, all it is doing is relaying charging information (duration and start time) so it's hardly sensitive data. I'd rather take the discount, thanks

I'm having an S7 Podpoint put in tomorrow, it was £480 odd after subsidy.

Could have got the Rolec one without the GSM cheaper but I'd already started the Podpoint order and it looks more discrete so I've let it carry on.

Just need the car now!

[bertie]

So, I was scheduled to have my installation this afternoon however ice arrived home to find it's not been done.

Apparently the guy came but said it wasn't possible due to the distribution panel not having a spare way in it.

His solution was to ask my electrician on site to change the whole distribution box and let him know once that's done so he can come back.

Frankly if I've got to get the whole panel changed by my electrician I may as well get him do the whole job and put me a Rolec one in for less money.

However the main reason for my frustration is that I filled out and sent in a pre installation questionnaire with close up pictures of the panel before plus the guy who phoned to book the installation I told specifically there were no spare ways and he assured me it wasn't a problem as you put in a separate unit.

Frankly the whole episode gives me zero confidence, I feel I've been conned.

Im going to ask for refund and cancel my order and I will make alternative arrangements myself with my reliable electrician.

[bertie]

JonV8V said:

The tesla guy who did mine did a site visit first and we worked everything out before he quoted - that was for the commando socket. I think the guy you had is trying to print money by doing little more than he needs to for a wedge of cash (presumably he's be claiming the max grant available too)

It was Pod Point, I just thought there's was the neatest looking thing.

What is the EV grant now that they claim?

[bertie]

As I say I've go an electrician on site and he can put me a Rolec in for a lot less, grant or not.

[bertie]

Mike_C said:

Should have done that in the first place, then! Just make sure it can draw 32A without tripping the main fuse or RCD.

Thanks for that, if you can just point me to the nearest time machine.......

I had already started the order process with Pod Point when I found that out plus I thought the Pod Point ones looked a bid tidier and more discreet.

Anyway, Pod Point have refunded me now so I'm sorted with a plan.

Edited by bertie on Thursday 17th March 12:11