How do you charge a Lightning with a Gen2, 80amp, Tesla dumb wall charger?

[Dspade]

I know there's an abundance of posts regarding this but I have had no luck finding the post that explains this fully. I've attached pics of what I'm using. I was given a 10 yr old Gen2, 80amp Tesla wall charger that was working perfectly when removed. I bought an A2Z NACS to J1772 80amp Adapter to connect to my 2025 Flash. It won't work. I get a error message from my truck. I do not have that message handy. The lights were red on the port button and I disconnected it. I contacted Tesla and they told me this is a dumb charger and does not have Wifi capability. It should just plug and play, BUT in a subsequent request, they added "While they may work, they were not designed to work with non-Tesla vehicles, so there may be a communication issue." How could this be if it's "Dumb?" The A2Z Adapter states it's compatible with this type of charger. Thank you.

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[RickLightning]

A simple Google search answers your questions. That in fact does not have WiFi.

The charger needs to be set to 48amps as your truck cannot take 80amps.

Put on the adapter, and wait for it to communicate to the charger. Charger light should be blue. Then plug in.

Some older Tesla units are set to Tesla-only...

 

[Mach Turtle]

Although I don't have a full answer (sorry), I have a recent experience to report. I visited a friend to help with some work in his yard; he has a ~8 year old Model 3 and not-too-bright wall charger. I have a Δ2Z adapter, probably the same as yours. I plugged in my truck in the morning; it first gave the orange ring of failure, then I tried again and it charged fine for several hours. We drove the truck to lunch, and when we returned the charger would not charge again, just errors. I was worried that something might have been damaged in my truck, but when I arrived home it charged happily from my Wallbox and has been fine ever since.

My conclusion would be that it probably can work, but since something went wrong, either it's unreliable or there's a setting that needs to be a certain way to keep the Tesla charger happy. I hope it's the latter. Does your `25 model have a setting to adjust the Level 2 charging rate? Maybe if that were set to something conservative like 30 amps, there would be fewer problems. IIRC the way J1772 works, if a charger offers more current than the vehicle can take, the vehicle should charge at its maximum rate (48A for ours) with no problems...but might as well try different settings.

Also, there seems to be a fiddly little latch on my adapter; I may not have set it correctly. Check out post https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/a2z-nacs-j1772-adapter-instruction-question.54971/ (especially #12 and #13) for a discussion of the correct procedure. Spoiler: No agreement on what it is!

 

[B177y]

Sometimes "free" isn't really free....

I would test on another level 2 charger to make sure it's not the truck.

Then I'd surf Amazon and pick up a decent J1772 EVSE. I purchased a "used" 40 amp Grizzl-e for $250 that works wonderfully and actually has WiFi capability.

 

[potato]

Are you sure it's Gen 2? Or is it a newer UWC with a switch inside for "compatibility mode" that allows non-Tesla to charge?

I know the early versions of the TeslaTap adapter had some circuitry to get around the fact that some Tesla level 2 chargers were "locked" to Tesla vehicles. I don't know if you have any local EV groups but maybe you could find a TeslaTap to try out.

 

[GoodSam]

The A2Z adapter seems like it would be ok. Need info on the Tesla 80A wall connector if it has limitations.

Perplexity AI says:

Yes — a Gen2 80A Tesla Wall Connector can charge a J1772 vehicle, but only with a Tesla-to-J1772 adapter (Tesla does not sell one officially; third‑party adapters like TeslaTap do). [insideevs](https://insideevs.com/news/545029/tesla-j1772-gen2-wall-connector/)

## How it works

- The Gen2 Tesla Wall Connector (often called HPWC) uses Tesla’s proprietary connector, not the SAE J1772 plug. [primecom](https://www.primecom.tech/products/tesla-gen-2-wall-connector)
- Non‑Tesla EVs in North America use the J1772 inlet for AC Level 2 charging. [ev-lectron](https://ev-lectron.com/blogs/blog/what-cars-use-j1772-the-ultimate-list-of-compatible-electric-vehicles)
- To connect a J1772 car to a Tesla Wall Connector, you need a **Tesla (HPWC/Gen2/Gen3) to J1772 adapter** that correctly reads the pilot signal and allows the EVSE to deliver power. [amazon](https://www.amazon.com/TeslaTap-AMP-Tesla-J-1772-Adapter/dp/B07TQDKZQC)

## Important caveats

- **Adapter requirement:** Tesla does not manufacture or sell a J1772 adapter for their Wall Connectors; you must use a reputable third‑party adapter designed for Gen2/Gen3 HPWCs. [batterytender](https://www.batterytender.com/blogs/battery-tender-blog/tesla-wall-connector-vs-level-2-ev-chargers-universal-compatibility-guide-2026)
- **Charging speed limits:** Even though the HPWC can output up to 80A, your J1772 vehicle will only draw up to its onboard charger limit (often 32A–48A on many EVs). The adapter/EVSE will negotiate the correct current. [primecom](https://www.primecom.tech/products/tesla-gen-2-wall-connector)
- **Compatibility details:** Ensure the adapter explicitly states compatibility with **Gen2 High Power Wall Connectors** (not just Destination Chargers or UMCs), and that your EV’s voltage rating is within the charger’s range. [amazon](https://www.amazon.com/TeslaTap-AMP-Tesla-J-1772-Adapter/dp/B07TQDKZQC)

 

[Dspade]

Sometimes "free" isn't really free....

I would test on another level 2 charger to make sure it's not the truck.

Then I'd surf Amazon and pick up a decent J1772 EVSE. I purchased a "used" 40 amp Grizzl-e for $250 that works wonderfully and actually has WiFi capability.

LOL, that's PLAN-B!

 

[Dspade]

The A2Z adapter seems like it would be ok. Need info on the Tesla 80A wall connector if it has limitations.

Perplexity AI says:

Yes — a Gen2 80A Tesla Wall Connector can charge a J1772 vehicle, but only with a Tesla-to-J1772 adapter (Tesla does not sell one officially; third‑party adapters like TeslaTap do). [insideevs](https://insideevs.com/news/545029/tesla-j1772-gen2-wall-connector/)

## How it works

- The Gen2 Tesla Wall Connector (often called HPWC) uses Tesla’s proprietary connector, not the SAE J1772 plug. [primecom](https://www.primecom.tech/products/tesla-gen-2-wall-connector)
- Non‑Tesla EVs in North America use the J1772 inlet for AC Level 2 charging. [ev-lectron](https://ev-lectron.com/blogs/blog/what-cars-use-j1772-the-ultimate-list-of-compatible-electric-vehicles)
- To connect a J1772 car to a Tesla Wall Connector, you need a **Tesla (HPWC/Gen2/Gen3) to J1772 adapter** that correctly reads the pilot signal and allows the EVSE to deliver power. [amazon](https://www.amazon.com/TeslaTap-AMP-Tesla-J-1772-Adapter/dp/B07TQDKZQC)

## Important caveats

- **Adapter requirement:** Tesla does not manufacture or sell a J1772 adapter for their Wall Connectors; you must use a reputable third‑party adapter designed for Gen2/Gen3 HPWCs. [batterytender](https://www.batterytender.com/blogs/battery-tender-blog/tesla-wall-connector-vs-level-2-ev-chargers-universal-compatibility-guide-2026)
- **Charging speed limits:** Even though the HPWC can output up to 80A, your J1772 vehicle will only draw up to its onboard charger limit (often 32A–48A on many EVs). The adapter/EVSE will negotiate the correct current. [primecom](https://www.primecom.tech/products/tesla-gen-2-wall-connector)
- **Compatibility details:** Ensure the adapter explicitly states compatibility with **Gen2 High Power Wall Connectors** (not just Destination Chargers or UMCs), and that your EV’s voltage rating is within the charger’s range. [amazon](https://www.amazon.com/TeslaTap-AMP-Tesla-J-1772-Adapter/dp/B07TQDKZQC)

I just had my buddy who gave me the charger come over and plug-in his Tesla Model X and it's working fine. Here's my adapter, which is an A2Z NACS/J1772 and they specifically claim this works with any Tesla wall charger. Can you tell me what the difference is between the A2Z and your Amazon unit? The research I'm seeing says Tesla does not make this adapter; however, the Amazon listing states this is a Tesla made adapter. Something is missing here! I'd hate to have to drop another $200 for just an adapter. thanks.

 

[ExCivilian]

If you decide to go that direction I have a few EVSEs that I don't use anymore.

You made need to wiggle the adapter a little bit until you hear a click. When I don't do that with mine it errors out.

 

[Dspade]

I just had my buddy who gave me the charger come over and plug-in his Tesla Model X and it's working fine. Here's my adapter, which is an A2Z NACS/J1772 and they specifically claim this works with any Tesla wall charger. Can you tell me what the difference is between the A2Z and your Amazon unit? The research I'm seeing says Tesla does not make this adapter; however, the Amazon listing states this is a Tesla made adapter. Something is missing here! I'd hate to have to drop another $200 for just an adapter. thanks.

https://a2zev.com/collections/charging-adapters-home-page/products/nacs-j1772-stellar

 

[B177y]

I doubt it's an adapter issue. They just pass the electricity and signals through, they're simple. It's possible the adapter is the problem, but not likely.

Like others have said, the older Tesla chargers may not be compatible with non-Tesla cars or may need to have a switch inside the charger changed to "all cars" from "Tesla only". Disconnect the power to the Tesla charger, open it up, and see if it's one of the models with that switch inside.

 

[RickLightning]

I just had my buddy who gave me the charger come over and plug-in his Tesla Model X and it's working fine. Here's my adapter, which is an A2Z NACS/J1772 and they specifically claim this works with any Tesla wall charger. Can you tell me what the difference is between the A2Z and your Amazon unit? The research I'm seeing says Tesla does not make this adapter; however, the Amazon listing states this is a Tesla made adapter. Something is missing here! I'd hate to have to drop another $200 for just an adapter. thanks.

TeslaTap is not made by Tesla, it is made by TeslaTap.

I have their Tesla Tap Mini. It is for sale.

 

[K6CCC]

Best guess is that it is old enough that it does not have the ability to speak to anything except a Tesla - same concept that Version 1 & 2 SuperChargers can't communicate with anything other than Tesla vehicles.
With the newer Tesla L2 chargers, they can speak both Tesla and J1772 protocol. When you plug in, the charger attempts to communicate in Tesla protocol, and if that fails it tries to speak J1772 protocol (if it has been told to allow it). This is according to one of my Tesla driving friends who has one of the new Tesla L2 EVSEs. He said it's all documented in the manual for the EVSE.

 

[Pioneer74]

I doubt it's an adapter issue. They just pass the electricity and signals through, they're simple. It's possible the adapter is the problem, but not likely.

Like others have said, the older Tesla chargers may not be compatible with non-Tesla cars or may need to have a switch inside the charger changed to "all cars" from "Tesla only". Disconnect the power to the Tesla charger, open it up, and see if it's one of the models with that switch inside.

Some older Tesla EVSE's won't charge non-Tesla vehicles. The newish ones have an option to charge non-Tesla vehicles, but I believe that is an option that has to be selected with some kind of app.

Anyway, TeslaTap is a little more expensive for a reason. It spoofs the EVSE into thinking whatever you plug into it is a Tesla. This is probably what OP will need to get this to work.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T8YG63J?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

TeslaTap adapters have a special circuit that allows you to charge your non-Tesla EV on ANY Tesla Destination, UMC, or High Power Wall Connector.

 

[GDN]

The Gen 2 Tesla charger is fine. I use one on a 60 amp breaker (wall connector is set to 48 amps inside) and I use a Teslatap mini to plug into the truck.

Do as @RickLightning noted in post 2. Adjust the dial to the max amps your truck can handle (and to only 80% of the size of the breaker you have on the circuit). Make sure your adapter is rated for the same. Put the adapter on the connector and wait 30 seconds, then plug into the truck.

Wifi wasn't added to the Tesla wall connectors (proper name) until Gen 3.

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