Anyone using Tesla Mobile Connector ? (the charger / EVSE)

[mr.Magoo]

As title states...

I ended up getting the Tesla Mobile Connector because I needed to downrate the power to 24A and the availibility of adapters (that plug in directly to the charger).

The issue I'm having is that it gives me a charge fault during the initial handshake, but then it retries / starts charging anyway and everything is fine.

So either something is wrong with the unit itself, or, there might be a software / old firmware issue (I don't know anyone with a Tesla that can update it for me).

Have anyone else tried the mobile connector and had success / issues with it ?

Sponsored

 

[sysop1]

I have the Tesla universal wall charger for my Rivian. It worked fine up until about 2 months ago. Now the first time I plug it in I get a failure and have to do it a 2nd time, which always works. I suspect it was a sw upgrade on the charger side that introduced this behavior.

 

[mr.Magoo]

Now the first time I plug it in I get a failure and have to do it a 2nd time, which always works. I suspect it was a sw upgrade on the charger side that introduced this behavior.

Interesting, that's basically what happens for me too except that I can leave mine plugged in and it'll start over by itself.

 

[garsh]

@mr.Magoo, what adapter are you using to go from NACS to J1772?

And in what order do you plug everything in? Do you plug the adapter into the truck first, then plug the mobile connector into the adapter?

 

[mr.Magoo]

I've only used a Lectron adapter so far, but I ordered an A2Z which I haven't tried yet.

I plug in the charger to the adapter before plugging it into the truck.

 

[Marc]

I have two Tesla wall chargers at home my Lightning has no issues. My Rivian first goes red on the initial handshake then cycles to blue. It’s the waking up of the vehicle that is the fault. No need to imply and plug back in.

 

[djryan13]

How are you adjusting the amperage? Mobile charger doesn’t have adjustment unless that is a new feature for new model.

 

[mr.Magoo]

How are you adjusting the amperage? Mobile charger doesn’t have adjustment unless that is a new feature for new model.

The Tesla Mobile Connector does it through the plug/adapter on the "wall" side.
https://shop.tesla.com/product/gen-2-nema-adapters

Supposedly you might be able to do it with the Ford Mobile charger (aka Webasto Go) as well, though Ford doesn't offer adapters and the 30A plug (24A charging) is only availible in a set from GM and some even claim that the Ford version is a "budget" version that doesn't support it....


In the end I didn't feel like being a complete guinea pig and rather just buy something that works, well, turns out it mostly works anyway.

 

[K6CCC]

I've only used a Lectron adapter so far, but I ordered an A2Z which I haven't tried yet.

I plug in the charger to the adapter before plugging it into the truck.

This thread at least started talking abut the Tesla mobile charger (i.e. AC charging). Confirm you are using an adapter for NACS to J1772 and not NACS to CCS-1.
I have the A2Z Stellar NACS to J1772 and used it only once - and that was just a test to make sure it was working after I bought it. I also have the A2Z Typhoon Pro NACS to CCS-1 adapter. That I have used 14 times so far.

Try plugging the adapter into the truck first instead of the cable. Some people have reported that the plug in order matters. For me, the first time I used the NACS to CCS-1 adapter, I first plugged the adapter into the cable and then into the truck, and got the red ring of failure. Unplugged everything and plugged the adapter into the truck first and it worked. I have always done it that way since and never had a failure. Note that some people report exactly the opposite...

 

[LazyLightningATX]

I've been using the tesla mobile charger (24 amp) with A2Z adapter for regular charging since I got my truck in July 2023 with no issues. Was previously used to charge a model 3 for 2+ years prior, so its been going fine for about 5 years now total.

 

[djryan13]

Wow didn’t realize GM had the TT30 adapter. Guessing their EVs support 24amp 120v charging? I have tried the TT30 adapter using one of my Tesla mobile chargers and Ford only took the 12amp or so of a normal 120v.

My next vehicle will be GM then assuming they have a good truck when I am ready. TT30 is critical to me as I do a lot of RV park camping (state parks). It has been my biggest disappointment with this truck.

edit: I see the Chevy truck has same TT30 limitation as Lightning. Bummer. When I did my Model S camping, that 30TT was a life saver. Why can’t these manufacturers get it??? Complaints like this are the reason people stay away. If they can’t solve this basic issue, why expect them to solve tough problems.. end rant.

 

[garsh]

I plug in the charger to the adapter before plugging it into the truck.

Try plugging the adapter into the truck first (and possibly waiting a few seconds), before plugging in the mobile connector. See if that behaves any differently.

 

[garsh]

This thread at least started talking abut the Tesla mobile charger (i.e. AC charging). Confirm you are using an adapter for NACS to J1772 and not NACS to CCS-1.

If that were happening, it would never charge from the Mobile Connector.

 

[jefrank]

I used to used the Tesla mobile charger for about 2 years. Went through 2 different NACS to J1772 adapters but both worked until the first failed due to bad weather sealing. I had a rather convoluted set up in that I was plugged into a 30 amp generator circuit and had to have another adapter in place to convert to the L14-30 to 14-30R so I could plug the Tesla charger in without changing out the plug. Yeah, I was bad... adapters and extension cords, but never a problem with too much heat at 24a and I don't recall any start/stop/start issues.

 

[carys98]

Wow didn’t realize GM had the TT30 adapter. Guessing their EVs support 24amp 120v charging? I have tried the TT30 adapter using one of my Tesla mobile chargers and Ford only took the 12amp or so of a normal 120v.

My next vehicle will be GM then assuming they have a good truck when I am ready. TT30 is critical to me as I do a lot of RV park camping (state parks). It has been my biggest disappointment with this truck.

edit: I see the Chevy truck has same TT30 limitation as Lightning. Bummer. When I did my Model S camping, that 30TT was a life saver. Why can’t these manufacturers get it??? Complaints like this are the reason people stay away. If they can’t solve this basic issue, why expect them to solve tough problems.. end rant.

J1772 only supports level 1 at 12A or 16A. Ford and GM could offer 16A but I don’t see them doing something that is outside of an SAE standard.

Sponsored