Helping my parents get a Tesla

[y_p_w]

Even to get it to 85%-90% until they have home charging will be fine. I wouldn't worry too much about calibrating the battery. I think all Tesla means by that is that it would get less accurate on charge level over time if you never did charge it to full. I really wouldn't bother about getting it to full charge until it can be done at home. I doubt it would be a big issue, but I'd soak up that free charging while available. As fast as supercharging is 10-15 minutes at a time when it's at lower charge levels goes a long way.

The way I hear it, some drivers have run out of juice at 5% because the BMS had overestimated the capacity. And battery capacity is always an estimate. It’s really weird on computers where the estimated capacity can be sampled and I’ve seen it go up and down.

 

[Torrid]

The way I hear it, some drivers have run out of juice at 5% because the BMS had overestimated the capacity. And battery capacity is always an estimate. It’s really weird on computers where the estimated capacity can be sampled and I’ve seen it go up and down.

I haven't heard that but I'm sure it's possible. All I was suggesting is that it should be fine until they can charge at home to get it to 100%, but I've never let ours go below 20% anyway.

 

[y_p_w]

I haven't heard that but I'm sure it's possible. All I was suggesting is that it should be fine until they can charge at home to get it to 100%, but I've never let ours go below 20% anyway.

They're at the point in life where this is just a grocery getter.

It is a bit concerning that it's losing quite a bit of charge overnight, but it sounds like it can if there are a lot of things left on. I went over during lunchtime and they got the Mobile Connector delivered in less than 2 days. So they can use that to top off. But with the free charging I'm thinking they'll probably just use the mobile connector sparingly until that runs out.

Their electricity prices aren't that great, but charging in the garage could be more a matter of convenience than anything else. That and keeping the battery topped off. They don't really need scheduled charging though since they aren't on the time of use plan yet.

 

[RhondaHonda]

It will lose some battery every time you check on it via the app as the car doesn’t go go sleep completely. Charge it at night on the mobile connector to 70-80% and then unplug and go in the morning.

You can use the slider in the app to adjust the charge percentage.

 

[Torrid]

They're at the point in life where this is just a grocery getter.

It is a bit concerning that it's losing quite a bit of charge overnight, but it sounds like it can if there are a lot of things left on. I went over during lunchtime and they got the Mobile Connector delivered in less than 2 days. So they can use that to top off. But with the free charging I'm thinking they'll probably just use the mobile connector sparingly until that runs out.

Their electricity prices aren't that great, but charging in the garage could be more a matter of convenience than anything else. That and keeping the battery topped off. They don't really need scheduled charging though since they aren't on the time of use plan yet.

It shouldn't use much sitting in the garage. It might be because it's still brand new and is going through its run of tests to calibrate, but it's been so long now since we got ours I don't really remember. I don't see it lose any overnight these days especially while the weather is nice.

 

[y_p_w]

I'm still wondering about the Supercharging. I was watching it while charging at a Supercharger and on the interior screen it was displaying that it got about maybe 12 kWh and cost a little less than $6? But then I have access to the charging stats and it's saying the cost of Supercharger charging is $0. I'm wondering if maybe the 3 months free charging has already kicked in. And total it's saying that it's received 20 kWh from Superchargers, but I'm thinking some of it was at the dealer when we asked if they could top off the charge before we left.

They went on a trip and tried using a Supercharger along the way home to make sure they didn't get stranded. It was also unclear if the 3 month free charging period started yet, and right now the answer seems to be no.

I looked up the account and there an actual cost for charging now, but only partially. I added everything up and it looks like the equivalent of maybe 100 miles worth of charging credits (50 here, 35 there, and then finally 16) before there was an actual cost to the account. Nobody really mentioned anything upon delivery. I've heard some buyers got a free 150 miles worth of charging credits since they were delivered at a 50% state, but there's really no reason why they can't be fully charged when picked up. And in my parents' case they did have it charged somewhat before taking delivery at no extra cost.

But it does sound like eventually my dad will be notified when the free 3 month Supercharging period begins.

 

[y_p_w]

It will lose some battery every time you check on it via the app as the car doesn’t go go sleep completely. Charge it at night on the mobile connector to 70-80% and then unplug and go in the morning.

You can use the slider in the app to adjust the charge percentage. View attachment 162945

Thanks. I couldn't figure out where the slider was for remotely setting the charge limit. There are days where they're not driving at all since they're retired. But they hate having to worry about settings. It sounds like maybe setting it to 80% and then allowing it to get to 100% (and when they're planning on a longer trip) at least once a week might work well. But they hate having to play around with any settings.

My dad did get a little freaked out that the Mobile Connector was getting hot (just plugged in but not connected to the car), but I told him it was fine. I'm thinking that might be better for keeping the battery level from dropping as fast, as it only should be using the external power once the battery has stopped charging.

 

[The Critic]

They went on a trip and tried using a Supercharger along the way home to make sure they didn't get stranded. It was also unclear if the 3 month free charging period started yet, and right now the answer seems to be no.

If they're following the on-board route planner, they should not be getting stranded. Keep in mind that these cars require a philosophical change - the goal is to get you to/from your destinations with just enough charge.

 

[BLND1]

You’re a good son (daughter? I guessed.)

 

[y_p_w]

You’re a good son (daughter? I guessed.)

They tend to lay guilt trips on me. But they're my only parents and I'm an only child. They've helped me out over the years when I needed it.

 

[y_p_w]

If they're following the on-board route planner, they should not be getting stranded. Keep in mind that these cars require a philosophical change - the goal is to get you to/from your destinations with just enough charge.

I don't think they're going to be taking long road trips. But this was just a chance to see what it was like on a longer drive than just going to the supermarket.

 

[The Critic]

I don't think they're going to be taking long road trips. But this was just a chance to see what it was like on a longer drive than just going to the supermarket.

Your statement would’ve made more sense if you added the length of their trip - did the car actually ask for the supercharger stop, or was this their range anxiety kicking in?

 

[y_p_w]

Your statement would’ve made more sense if you added the length of their trip - did the car actually ask for the supercharger stop, or was this their range anxiety kicking in?

It didn't. They theoretically had enough range to make it home. I was monitoring it and it said about 203 miles of expected range when they started and their trip maps out as maybe 158 miles. I think they also tried out Destination Charging along the way, although it was for maybe an hour while they were eating.

It also seemed like there was free Supercharging, so it seemed like a good idea even though it reached the free 100 mile cap.

 

[JeffKeryk]

It is good to experience and learn about Supercharging. Last time I was on a Supercharger, I was on for 10 minutes for $9 and got plenty to get home. It is part of the learning process. As @The Critic points out, range anxiety is real; you have to learn a different perspective. It takes some time.

 

[y_p_w]

It is good to experience and learn about Supercharging. Last time I was on a Supercharger, I was on for 10 minutes for $9 and got plenty to get home. It is part of the learning process. As @The Critic points out, range anxiety is real; you have to learn a different perspective. It takes some time.

There's a certain amount of range anxiety for them. It won't be that big a deal for their typical driving habits. No commute and generally few longer trips.

I'm helping them set it up for 80% most of the time and just tooling around town shouldn't be an issue.

 

[JeffKeryk]

There's a certain amount of range anxiety for them. It won't be that big a deal for their typical driving habits. No commute and generally few longer trips.

I'm helping them set it up for 80% most of the time and just tooling around town shouldn't be an issue.

Check with Tesla; they recommend 90% in our car for everyday use.

 

[y_p_w]

Check with Tesla; they recommend 90% in our car for everyday use.

They recommend a 100% setting with the Model 3 RWD. But then again there's the hill they live on, and right now my dad is unplugging the Mobile Connector claiming he thinks it's too hot when plugged in all the time.

The car is going to be a garage queen for the most part. I'm thinking ideally it would be set where it's connected nearly all the time it's in the garage just to provide active power.

I'm also wondering what would be ideal for something like long term storage while going on a vacation. I've seen where computer batteries are recommended to be set to about 50%, but it's a pain doing that and it's usually not possible to set a computer BMS to charge to 50%. So most get it in the middle of the range and then turn it off. But you could plug a Tesla in an set it to try and keep the battery at 50% where it will actively manage the charge level.

 

[Torrid]

There's a certain amount of range anxiety for them. It won't be that big a deal for their typical driving habits. No commute and generally few longer trips.

I'm helping them set it up for 80% most of the time and just tooling around town shouldn't be an issue.

80%-90% should be fine as mentioned. I would recommend since it is the LFP battery to do the 100% charge once a week which it should prompt to do on the charging screen. If I remember correctly it even recommends to not move the limiter below 100%. If they don't drive much you may even get away with plugging it in once a week and just not worrying about the charge limiter. I don't have the limiter set on ours and we tend to plug it in two nights in a row or whatever we've calculated it to take to get to 100% or before taking a longer trip.

 

[Torrid]

They recommend a 100% setting with the Model 3 RWD. But then again there's the hill they live on, and right now my dad is unplugging the Mobile Connector claiming he thinks it's too hot when plugged in all the time.

The car is going to be a garage queen for the most part. I'm thinking ideally it would be set where it's connected nearly all the time it's in the garage just to provide active power.

I'm also wondering what would be ideal for something like long term storage while going on a vacation. I've seen where computer batteries are recommended to be set to about 50%, but it's a pain doing that and it's usually not possible to set a computer BMS to charge to 50%. So most get it in the middle of the range and then turn it off. But you could plug a Tesla in an set it to try and keep the battery at 50% where it will actively manage the charge level.

I see what you're getting at with the charge level and the hill. I would still recommend getting it to 100% once a week. It's the only way to properly set the BMS. I know it won't regen at 100% but if they're using one pedal driving it will still apply the brakes to feel like regen. Even setting it to 90% charge would allow the regen to work downhill, but I don't know if the tradeoff is worth not calibrating the BMS. This must be a hell of a hill if this is a concern.

 

[y_p_w]

80%-90% should be fine as mentioned. I would recommend since it is the LFP battery to do the 100% charge once a week which it should prompt to do on the charging screen. If I remember correctly it even recommends to not move the limiter below 100%. If they don't drive much you may even get away with plugging it in once a week and just not worrying about the charge limiter. I don't have the limiter set on ours and we tend to plug it in two nights in a row or whatever we've calculated it to take to get to 100% or before taking a longer trip.

How long is it taking? They've got the Mobile Connector and use the 14-50 plug and I'm guessing maybe 10 hours for near empty to 100%. They'll never let it get that empty though.

Of course charging isn't at a linear rate - especially not as it approaches 100%.