We are proud to have installed a Tesla Universal Wall Connector Electric vehicle charger in 2024.
This is free to use for guests of Springfield Retreat.
Please read the instructions below to avoid damaging the charger.
Technical Specs
-Level II Charging: Up to 48 amps
-Supports Tesla port (formally known as NACS - the North American Charging Standard or SAE J340)
-Supports J1772 port (which is what the majority of Chargepoint locations use) with built in adapter.
Step 1. Park In Driveway.
We strongly recommend backing in if you're driving a Tesla or the port is on the left side. However, the cord is 24 feet. It is fine if you're parked on the grass.
Step 2. Disconnect the charger from the wall and insert into vehicle.
Please review these brief video clips below if you have not used the Tesla Universal Wall Connector before.
There is a built in adapter that locks on for J1772 if you drive a vehicle that does not support NACS.
For Tesla (AKA - the North American Charging Standard or SAE J340)
For J1772 (Non-Tesla)
Step 3. Please return the charger to the port and wind up cable when done.
This will help us keep the cord and end from getting damaged including preventing damage from the gardener.
The cord cannot be replaced alone and the charger costs $620 + tax (yikes!).
PS - Don't forget to precondition.
If your car supports it, you might want to precondition (heat battery and prepare cabine for ideal temperature) for maximum range, especially when it's cold.
Where is the charger located?
The charger is on the left of the house as viewed from the front.
We thought that this might be the most convenient place.
See picture below.
Wait a minute - can you explain the adapter thing again?
Of course! Since this is the "Universal" Wall Connector, it has a built in adapter which either locks onto the end of the charger or onto the cord so it doesn't get lost (nifty, right?).
If you just pull on the adapter, the Tesla/NACS connection will come out. You need to click the little lever (like in the video below) to get the J1772 adapter to come out.
Something like this will start rolling out at Tesla Supercharger stations too in the future.
Here is a video of John changing the adapter.
It's not working.
Please contact us as soon as possible for troubleshooting.
We do have an option to disable the charger via app (e.g., if it were being used by somebody who were not a guest) but we don't use this feature and have not had any problems with non-guests using the charger.
How fast does it charge?
You should be able to recharge most electric vehicles in 6 hours or less.
The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range can charge at a maximum of 32 amps, due to its battery limitations.
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range can charge at a maximum of 48 amps.
Why does it say "up to" 48 amps?
Great question! So there are two limiting factors - (1) how fast the vehicle can charge (for example Tesla Model 3 standard range charge slower at 32 amps than the Long Range at 48 amps) and (2) it depends on how much power is being used in the apartment at that time.
The apartment panel supports up to 125 amps and this charger supports up to 48 amps (but is on a 60 amp breaker).
However, the apartment is all electric - which means electric stove, electric dryer, electric heat or AC, and electric water heater.
You might think - that's not enough power and a recipe for potentially flipping the breaker (which would be a bad guest experience) and you'd be right.
So, we're on the cutting edge and installed a Tesla compatible Dynamic Power Management System which is a feature that this charger offers so that the breaker never flips with standard charging.
Nerdy stuff is available here.
Basically, the charger checks the power usage in real time and adjusts to make sure that the usage never exceeds 80% of the total breaker capacity (100 amps is 80% of 125 amps).
If this number is exceeded, the power available to the charger is reduced in real time and then adjusted back up when there is available power.
Practically, it's unlikely that you'll even notice but we wanted to let you know since you may see periodic fluctuations in your car's app.
The only way we were able to get this to reduce is when we were running the broiler and all burners of the stove, dryer, and electric head simultaneously.
Thank you for your stay and supporting of our small business.
