Cybergirl
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- Joined
- Jul 3, 2020
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- Location
- Illinois and Arizona
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- Tesla Model Y LR, Model Y SR, Cybertruck AWD FS
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- #1
Finding a way to charge my Cybertruck from solar panels, two Delta Pros, and a Double Voltage Hub was a challenge. On another thread I described my solar charging setup for off-road range extension.
My EcoFlow Power Station Range Extender Solution
I didn't expect, though, that plugging the Tesla mobile connector into the Hub and initiating a charge would be a problem. Sometimes it worked and other times it would fault complaining about grounding (two red flashes). I needed a reliable way to charge. I purchased a Jowua mobile connector. It works reliably, and although it's a bit bulkier, it will charge the truck from a 50A campground NEMA 14-50 outlet at 40A instead of 32A using the Tesla mobile connector.
Ecoflow's Double Voltage Hub has a 240V twist lock L14-30 receptacle into which the mobile connector is plugged to charge the truck. Unfortunately, one needs a 14-50 to L14-30 adapter to make the connection. That adapter, from ACWORKS, is 3-1/4" long making it impossible to mount the Hub securely on the shelf, plug in the Jowua, and be able to close and lock the rear passenger door. What I needed was an angled L14-30 adapter that would plug directly into the Hub. Well, no one makes such an animal, so I set out to make one by replacing the 14-50 plug end on a Tesla adapter with an ACWORKS L14-30 angled plug which I bought from Home Depot.
What I soon came to understand is that there are two pins on the connector over which the adapter communicates its amperage rating and temperature to the mobile connector. There is a "chip" embedded in the plug, encased in hard plastic, that supplies this information. In order to replace the 14-50 plug with the L14-30 plug, I had to retrieve this device and wire it to the blue and gray 18 gauge wires in the adapter cable. I had no idea where the chip was located within the plug as I began cutting it apart with a hacksaw, being as careful as possible to avoid cutting too close to the tiny wires which I assumed led to the chip. It turns out that the device (about 8x7x4mm in size) is located just beyond the power ground pin and near the bottom flat surface of the plug. Wiring the device's two leads to the communications wires in the cable, allowed my adapter to be recognized and charging to take place. Here's a photo of the finished adapter and another showing it plugged into the Double Voltage Hub.
Eliminating the 3+ inches of 14-50 to L14-30 adapter, there's plenty of clearance to close and lock the rear passenger door. I can leave the Jowua plugged in, freeing up storage space in the back seat area. It also makes charging the truck from the Delta Pros as simple as plugging the Jowua's 18' cable into the truck's charging port through a vented rear window with the truck locked up should we decide to leave the campsite on a hike, etc. The Hub will supply 30A of charging current at 240V (7.2 kW). Two fully charged Delta Pros will provide 7.2 kWh of energy plus 2.5 kWh from the solar system battery for a total of 9.7 kWh. At 89% charging efficiency that's about 8.6 kWh. At 0.5 kWh/mile, it gives about 17 miles of solar renewable range extension.
My EcoFlow Power Station Range Extender Solution
I didn't expect, though, that plugging the Tesla mobile connector into the Hub and initiating a charge would be a problem. Sometimes it worked and other times it would fault complaining about grounding (two red flashes). I needed a reliable way to charge. I purchased a Jowua mobile connector. It works reliably, and although it's a bit bulkier, it will charge the truck from a 50A campground NEMA 14-50 outlet at 40A instead of 32A using the Tesla mobile connector.
Ecoflow's Double Voltage Hub has a 240V twist lock L14-30 receptacle into which the mobile connector is plugged to charge the truck. Unfortunately, one needs a 14-50 to L14-30 adapter to make the connection. That adapter, from ACWORKS, is 3-1/4" long making it impossible to mount the Hub securely on the shelf, plug in the Jowua, and be able to close and lock the rear passenger door. What I needed was an angled L14-30 adapter that would plug directly into the Hub. Well, no one makes such an animal, so I set out to make one by replacing the 14-50 plug end on a Tesla adapter with an ACWORKS L14-30 angled plug which I bought from Home Depot.
What I soon came to understand is that there are two pins on the connector over which the adapter communicates its amperage rating and temperature to the mobile connector. There is a "chip" embedded in the plug, encased in hard plastic, that supplies this information. In order to replace the 14-50 plug with the L14-30 plug, I had to retrieve this device and wire it to the blue and gray 18 gauge wires in the adapter cable. I had no idea where the chip was located within the plug as I began cutting it apart with a hacksaw, being as careful as possible to avoid cutting too close to the tiny wires which I assumed led to the chip. It turns out that the device (about 8x7x4mm in size) is located just beyond the power ground pin and near the bottom flat surface of the plug. Wiring the device's two leads to the communications wires in the cable, allowed my adapter to be recognized and charging to take place. Here's a photo of the finished adapter and another showing it plugged into the Double Voltage Hub.
Eliminating the 3+ inches of 14-50 to L14-30 adapter, there's plenty of clearance to close and lock the rear passenger door. I can leave the Jowua plugged in, freeing up storage space in the back seat area. It also makes charging the truck from the Delta Pros as simple as plugging the Jowua's 18' cable into the truck's charging port through a vented rear window with the truck locked up should we decide to leave the campsite on a hike, etc. The Hub will supply 30A of charging current at 240V (7.2 kW). Two fully charged Delta Pros will provide 7.2 kWh of energy plus 2.5 kWh from the solar system battery for a total of 9.7 kWh. At 89% charging efficiency that's about 8.6 kWh. At 0.5 kWh/mile, it gives about 17 miles of solar renewable range extension.
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