Has anyone tried this? (Cold Weather Test)

[jahansolu]

Hi Folks,

I just thought of something and was wondering if anyone has either thought or executed this before:

I was just watching a YouTuber by the name of "MountainTesla" in regards to CT in cold weather. Not many users know this but Tesla Superchargers have a temperature sensor in their handle to gauge and control the amount of energy it can send to the vehicle. For example, during warm weather, the Supercharger is able to send more power and the opposite during the cold.

Now, here's where I think it'll become interesting. In the Controls --> Service --> Charge Port Heater (/ Inlet Heater), the settings describes exactly what it will do: Heat the charge port. I wonder, if while preconditioning the vehicle and activating this feature will yield a much faster charging experience / curve during cold weather, as it'll trick the Supercharger into thinking the "weather" is warm. If the combo of these two options works, then perhaps we have solved the slow charging experience during winter once and for all. Unfortunately, the weather in Vancouver has been lame, I won't be able to test this myself.

Was wondering if there's someone out there in cold climate who can test this theory out.
Steps to take:
1) Battery at 5-15%
2) Precondition the battery at least 20-30 min before going to a supercharger by selecting a supercharging destination
3) Turn on the "Charge Port Heater" / "Inlet Heater" right after selecting the supercharging destination and ensuring it's active until arrival at the Supercharger
4) Wait and see what happens.
5) Report back here on findings

I am very curious to see if this would truly make any difference - if it does, perhaps this will solve winter charging.

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[shopaholic]

Interesting, but shouldn’t Tesla automatically start the warming process if it detects the low outside temperature?

 

[jahansolu]

Interesting, but shouldn’t Tesla automatically start the warming process if it detects the low outside temperature?

That's why I would like someone in cold weather to please test this out and let us know on this finding. Ideally Tesla should automatically do whatever it takes to ensure the best charging curve, however you never know if this little detail may have been missed or perhaps it has zero effect.

 

[JCERRN]

Hi Folks,

I just thought of something and was wondering if anyone has either thought or executed this before:

I was just watching a YouTuber by the name of "MountainTesla" in regards to CT in cold weather. Not many users know this but Tesla Superchargers have a temperature sensor in their handle to gauge and control the amount of energy it can send to the vehicle. For example, during warm weather, the Supercharger is able to send more power and the opposite during the cold.

Now, here's where I think it'll become interesting. In the Controls --> Service --> Charge Port Heater (/ Inlet Heater), the settings describes exactly what it will do: Heat the charge port. I wonder, if while preconditioning the vehicle and activating this feature will yield a much faster charging experience / curve during cold weather, as it'll trick the Supercharger into thinking the "weather" is warm. If the combo of these two options works, then perhaps we have solved the slow charging experience during winter once and for all. Unfortunately, the weather in Vancouver has been lame, I won't be able to test this myself.

Was wondering if there's someone out there in cold climate who can test this theory out.
Steps to take:
1) Battery at 5-15%
2) Precondition the battery at least 20-30 min before going to a supercharger by selecting a supercharging destination
3) Turn on the "Charge Port Heater" / "Inlet Heater" right after selecting the supercharging destination and ensuring it's active until arrival at the Supercharger
4) Wait and see what happens.
5) Report back here on findings

I am very curious to see if this would truly make any difference - if it does, perhaps this will solve winter charging.

Youd need a control- Someone to do the same thing without charge port heater, and someone to not precondition at all (just show up at the supercharger without entering it into the map).

 

[REM]

Interesting to know if this makes a difference, but you shouldn't be looking for ways to try and game the system. These chargers operate differently at temperature extremes for safety reasons.

Also, if some kind of cable preheating is possible, Tesla would need to charge you for heating it while you are en route.

 

[TexasRaider]

Confirmed. Charged after a night of over an inch of freezing rain. I used the “defrost vehicle” function which include the charge port heater.
My SoC was at 19% upon arrival. My drive to my supercharger was about an hour so the CT had plenty of time to prepare for the charger.

 

[mongo]

Hi Folks,

I just thought of something and was wondering if anyone has either thought or executed this before:

I was just watching a YouTuber by the name of "MountainTesla" in regards to CT in cold weather. Not many users know this but Tesla Superchargers have a temperature sensor in their handle to gauge and control the amount of energy it can send to the vehicle. For example, during warm weather, the Supercharger is able to send more power and the opposite during the cold.

Now, here's where I think it'll become interesting. In the Controls --> Service --> Charge Port Heater (/ Inlet Heater), the settings describes exactly what it will do: Heat the charge port. I wonder, if while preconditioning the vehicle and activating this feature will yield a much faster charging experience / curve during cold weather, as it'll trick the Supercharger into thinking the "weather" is warm. If the combo of these two options works, then perhaps we have solved the slow charging experience during winter once and for all. Unfortunately, the weather in Vancouver has been lame, I won't be able to test this myself.

Was wondering if there's someone out there in cold climate who can test this theory out.
Steps to take:
1) Battery at 5-15%
2) Precondition the battery at least 20-30 min before going to a supercharger by selecting a supercharging destination
3) Turn on the "Charge Port Heater" / "Inlet Heater" right after selecting the supercharging destination and ensuring it's active until arrival at the Supercharger
4) Wait and see what happens.
5) Report back here on findings

I am very curious to see if this would truly make any difference - if it does, perhaps this will solve winter charging.

The vehicle tells the Supercharger the maximum current to send. A cold pack (not cold charge port) reduces the charge current. Preheating warms the pack, navigating to a Supercharger really heats the pack.
The temperature sensor in the handle causes the charger to reduce the current if the connection gets too hot.
You can see the pack temp in service mode.

 

[jahansolu]

The vehicle tells the Supercharger the maximum current to send. A cold pack (not cold charge port) reduces the charge current. Preheating warms the pack, navigating to a Supercharger really heats the pack.
The temperature sensor in the handle causes the charger to reduce the current if the connection gets too hot.
You can see the pack temp in service mode.

Ah shoot, I see. What you said makes sense. Thank you for the info.

 

[davecox37]

I just arrived at the supercharger after my pool league. 40 mins ago on my app, I went to the location chose the charger and clicked navigate. my desire would be that this would pre condition but it doesn't always (often!?) work like that. I got in and sure enough not knowing where we're going and the locate didn't take.

7 min drive to the charger and it's - 17 Celsius and my screen told me 1hr 15 charge from my 38% cause it needs 15 mins to warm battery before charge begins. sigh. it's late!

i know I could have come out to my truck and started pre conditioning but what's up with the app? I will look at this port heater in more detail.

 

[mongo]

I just arrived at the supercharger after my pool league. 40 mins ago on my app, I went to the location chose the charger and clicked navigate. my desire would be that this would pre condition but it doesn't always (often!?) work like that. I got in and sure enough not knowing where we're going and the locate didn't take.

7 min drive to the charger and it's - 17 Celsius and my screen told me 1hr 15 charge from my 38% cause it needs 15 mins to warm battery before charge begins. sigh. it's late!

i know I could have come out to my truck and started pre conditioning but what's up with the app? I will look at this port heater in more detail.

Supercharger destination heating doesn't activate until you get in the vehicle.
Cabin preconditioning will start warming the battery, but only to 18C or so.

 

[davecox37]

thanks! if I get in the vehicle navigate to the supercharger then leave the truck, only to go later and it locks, should it keep pre conditioning in preparation since I know I'm going?

 

[Jager]

. @mongo described how it all works.

If you could somehow fool the vehicle's BMS (you can't) during cold conditions so that the charge rate was higher, then you'd likely end up with Lithium plating inside your pack.

 

[mongo]

thanks! if I get in the vehicle navigate to the supercharger then leave the truck, only to go later and it locks, should it keep pre conditioning in preparation since I know I'm going?

I don't think so. It seems to only do it when active (driver in seat).

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