Tag: tesla

What to do when Tesla Charger is flashing red?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

tesla wall connectorSo you finally have your Tesla charger installed and after some time you notice a flashing red light.

Red hardly ever means well, so you’re right to worry about it.

We’ve gathered the troubleshooting tips you need to handle this situation on your own or with a Tesla certified electrician.

If the light is a solid red

A solid red light on your Tesla charger could mean an internal fault and that the wall connector needs to be replaced. An electrician can confirm this. But your troubleshooting solution is to turn off the breaker supplying your Tesla charger with power and turn it back on.

If there’s no change and you still see the solid red light, contact Tesla with your product information.

If you see one red blink

One red blink on your Tesla charger could mean there’s a GFCI. Start your solution with an inspection of all the parts, including the handle, cable, Wall Connector, and vehicle charge port for damage or signs of water ingress.

Then, call an electrician to check that the ground wire is not directly connected to a conductor wire in the branch circuit.

If you see two red blinks

Two red blinks indicate a different problem from one red blink. It might mean there’s a ground assurance fault or possibly a high ground resistance has been detected.

Call an electrician to see if your charger is properly grounded or if any physical connections have such issues.

For three red blinks

This indicates a high temperature detected by your charger.

Inspect the physical parts of the wall connector, including the faceplate and cable, for warmth. Regardless of if you notice excessive warmth or not, call an electrician quickly to verify that the conductors used are sized correctly and there’s no danger from the connector.

For four red blinks

Thankfully, four red blinks just mean a disruption with the internet connection. Check for the cause of this interference. Like a changed password, working router, etc.

Fixing the reason should solve the problem.

For Five Red Blinks

If your Tesla charger is flashing red in five red blinks, it could mean there was a power-sharing communication issue. Hence, the charging speed has been reduced. Troubleshooting this is just like that of four red blinks, check for the interference, and try re-linking your wall connector.

When no lights come on

It’s not just flashing red lights you might have to worry about. An absence of light from your Tesla charger means there is no power supply coming in from the breaker panel.

Check if the breaker was turned off. Switch it on and off yourself and if there are no changes, call an electrician to check.

For Six Red Blinks

Flashing red lights 6 times means there’s too much voltage or poor grid quality detected. If you’re using the level 2 charger, the power supply should be nominal 200-240 volts. Have an electrician remove the Wall Connector from the wire box and confirm that voltage readings are correct.

For most problems with your wall connector, you can either reach out to Tesla or call an electrician to take a look.

 

How to Become Tesla Certified Electrician

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Please note: We do not certify electricians for Tesla. You will need to contact Tesla for more information or questions.

tesla certified installerIf there’s anything we know about Tesla, it’s that they keep doing better and better. This leads to more people wanting to join the movement for sustainability by owning one of their sleek vehicles.

More EV drivers on the roads increase the need for home charger installations. It’s not surprising because a home charging station offers convenience and reliability. This is where hiring an electrician for the installation also comes in.

The term Tesla certified electrician simply means an electrician or company that has undergone training by Tesla and is certified as a capable installer.

Becoming a Tesla certified electrician comes with many benefits such as:

  • Having the certification shows that you invest in your career as an electrician and you probably have more knowledge and experience than others in your field.
  • You get to stay updated with the latest trends in consumer and industrial electricity.
  • You will be shown to EV drivers in your area as a Tesla certified electrician.
  • Tesla always recommends that owners get their charging equipment installed and serviced by one of their certified electricians.

How to become a Tesla certified electrician

When you decide this program and its certification are just right for you, you’ll have to apply for it. The application is done via the Tesla website and you will be required to fill a form. Here is some information Tesla will ask you to provide in the form:

  • Your full name
  • Email address and phone number
  • Region
  • Address
  • Company name
  • Products you will work with
  • The number of installations you hope to install in a year?
  • Company address
  • Website
  • Number of employees
  • The certifications/licenses you currently have
  • Insurance document

The data may depend on if you are an independent electrician or electrical contractor/company. Further directions will be given after you submit the form. Due to great interest, the form and program may not be available at any given time.

What to expect?

As a Tesla certified installer, you would often be required to take the pictures of your completed installations and send them to Tesla.

You would need to have an electrical license and be an electrician to apply for this certification.

Please note: We do not certify electricians for Tesla. You will need to contact Tesla for more information or questions.

The Electric Connection is proud to be featured as a Tesla certified installer. We are currently installing multiple Tesla and other electric vehicle charging units and receptacles daily. It’s usually a simple job for our electricians to tackle and we’re happy to help out! Complete this simple online form for a free quote emailed to you in minutes.

Troubleshooting Your Tesla Wall Connector

Posted on | by K Hopkins

tesla wiringAs reliable as your Tesla Wall Connector may seem, it’s not far-fetched for problems to come up. Sometimes these issues are easy to troubleshoot on your own. Other times, professional help may be needed. Here are some tips and troubleshooting solutions for your Tesla Wall Connector.

No lights on your Tesla Wall Connector

When you turn your Wall Connector on, the indication of power is the lights. If that doesn’t happen it means you have a power supply problem with no power coming from the breaker panel. This applies especially when your Wall Connector has been working fine before.

To solve this problem, check that the power supply is on. This needs a minimal knowledge of your breaker panel and how it works. It usually involves flipping a breaker back into the on position. If nothing changes, it’s likely time to call an electrician.

The electrician will remove the Wall Connector and check that there is voltage present and fix any issues with the breaker panel that may be the root cause.

The Wall Connector shows a solid red

If you have been using your Tesla Wall Connector for a while, seeing a solid red will stand out to you because the Wall Connector usually comes on with a green light. A solid red can mean a few things and none of them are good news. It could mean the Wall Connector is bad or has an internal fault. Either way, a repair or replacement becomes necessary.

What you can do to solve the situation is to first try turning off the circuit breaker. Wait for a few seconds after before turning it back on. If the solid red light persists, then it’s time to contact Tesla.

One red blink to seven red blink

A red blink code pauses for one second and then repeats itself. The good news is from one red blink to seven red blinks, your Wall Connector can give some indication of what problems need to be fixed.

One blink means there’s a GFCI interruption because of an unsafe current path. There might be damage somewhere.

Check the Wall Connector itself, the handle, cable, and vehicle charge port for signs of contact with water or damage. Call an electrician right after to fix the issue.

Two red blinks mean a ground assurance fault has been detected. Call a certified Tesla electrician to handle this. The electrical technician will have to see if the Wall Connector is properly grounded and check all physical connections alongside.

Three red blinks present a different problem, which is a rise in temperature. This can quickly become a fire hazard and should be attended to by an electrician as soon as possible. You can confirm the issue by checking if the faceplate and cable handle are warm to the touch.

In contrast to what you might be thinking, it doesn’t get worse with four red blinks. Four red blinks simply indicate lost internet connection, and you can check the Wi-Fi settings, router, and signal strength to handle this.

Five red blinks mean an issue with power-sharing communication and can be sorted the same as four red blinks.

Six and seven red blinks generally mean an overvoltage or poor grid quality and need either an electrician or Tesla’s assistance.

Contacting Tesla

We recommend that our customers get in touch with Tesla technical support before contacting us or another electrician. We’ve had several customers recently have to have their Wall Connectors replaced by Tesla due to some kind of manufacturing defect. They can help you troubleshoot and do a diagnostic test. Please call 650-681-6133.

Note: For Wall Connector installations where you have breakers tripping, it may likely be an issue with the setting in your Wall Connector which you need to commission.

For WiFi commissioning support:

You may contact Tesla at 877-961-7652 between the hours of 8am to 5pm Pacific time Monday through Friday. Please be sure that you are home with the Wall Connector, you have the TPN (the part number), the TSN (the serial number), and you have connected the Wall Connector to the internet prior to calling. One of the troubleshooting steps is to get the Wall Connector, if it is a gen 3, to the internet. Please select the link below which will direct you to our website which includes the directions on connecting the Wall Connector to the internet. If the Wall Connector was installed the Online Orders department will not be able to assist with an exchange, however we will be able to complete the troubleshooting steps and if the troubleshooting doesn’t work then it may qualify your system for replacement.

Tesla Wall Connector: Gen 2 VS Gen 3

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Earlier this year, particularly January Tesla unveiled the 3rd generation wall connector. Since then everyone has been trying to know what’s good and what’s better with this new charger. If your Gen 2 Tesla charger is working just fine, why would you possibly be motivated to consider Gen 3?

We answer all the questions in this review below.

What’s Different?

Appearance. It’s almost the first thing you notice with this Gen 3 EV charger. The new electric charger’s fresh look comes as a glass front display on a white background, keeping the brand name font and color on its surface. In contrast, the Gen 2 Tesla EV charger has a plastic silver or black cover.

Power. The Gen 2 wall connector has always been a more powerful option, as it’s able to deliver up to 80 amps of power to your electric car. The Gen 3 however is limited to a maximum of 48 amps. But wait before you conclude, it’s important to remember that there are no electric vehicles – regardless of brand – that can charge at over 48 amps. Aside from this being Tesla’s way of sticking with the maximum power output, electricians can tell you that fewer amps mean less heat. Gen 2 electric chargers have often had overheating and sparking problems because of the heat.

Cable length. For the Gen 2, electric car owners can enjoy the flexibility of a 24 feet cable. This new Gen 3 charger falls short in this area with only 18 feet from Tesla. This can count as a significant disadvantage in most cases. Seeing as a standard 2-car garage in the United States is a 24’ by 24’ it’s vital to have a cable that can reach most corners.

Cable size. This will probably bring a smile to your face as Gen 2 users are all too familiar with the heavy and thick cable of Gen 2 electric chargers. With Gen 3 electric car charger the cable is lighter, thinner, and easier to manage. This also contributes to making the entire charger weigh less. It’s a good advantage from Tesla and one users will enjoy.

Wi-Fi. For all those who are tech-savvy and convenience-conscious, it’s wonderful to hear that the new Tesla charger is Wi-Fi enabled, and it allows you to connect the unit with your smartphone. But at the same time, some users have mentioned having no connection with their Gen 3 charger and app, while others say the smart charger can connect with the car. The use comes mainly by accessing the network with your computer to get updates and set up the charger. There is a strong possibility of more updates with the Wi-Fi from Tesla.

Load sharing. The former charging unit allowed load sharing with up to 4 connected units while the new Gen 3 allows load sharing for up to 16 devices wirelessly.

Cost. To our amazement, the cost of the Gen 3 electric car charger is the same $500 price as the older Gen 2 unit. It’s safe to assume that the various limitations on the Gen 3, when compared with Gen 2, helped cut cost and make this elite charger affordable.

What Size Breaker Does a Tesla Need?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

tesla chargerHaving an electric car is great and very much a trendy decision. When you have the EV of your choice parked in your garage, the most important question that follows is what size breaker does a Tesla need. Your electric car may save on fuel but it needs electric power to work, and this starts with a suitable breaker size.

The most efficient charging option is a level two charge and this usually requires up to 50 amps circuit. Your electrician can provide an estimate for installing this, but there’s a high possibility it will involve upgrading your electrical service panel. Older homes often carry a 100 amps breaker, which may be sufficient for the average homeowner who has very few power-demanding appliances. Hence, a Tesla charger just won’t fit and an upgrade to a 200 amp panel would be necessary. Also, the electrician will have to run a line of 40 or 50 amps to the charging spot.

If you already have a 200 amp service all that is left is to install the new circuit and run a line to the spot the charger will be used.

While this is an ideal option, not everyone can handle the cost or hassle of a new service panel. When this happens, there are still ways around it to ensure you can get the charge you need. A level one charger is a basic part of every Tesla and it can be plugged into any dedicated outlet. This outlet can deliver on 12amps of power and that translates to 40 miles during an overnight charging session. If this isn’t sufficient for you, you may consider charging at work or in public places. However, if you need about 100 miles or more, you may have to use the ideal solution of upgrading your panel and using a level 2 charge.

There’s also an option known as the slow level two charge which allows you to use the 30 amp plug used for appliances like the dryer. This allows the car to charge at 24 amps overnight. Bear in mind that the average Tesla can’t take over 32 amps, which is a 40 amps circuit in the first place. The 24 amps will give between 17-22 mph on Tesla models.

To make this work conveniently you can switch to a natural gas dryer. Yes, it will cost you, but the price might be more comfortable than a service panel upgrade. This way you can conveniently use that 30 amp plug for your Tesla.

If you can’t decide on what’s best, reach out to us for further consultation. Our professional and experienced Los Angeles electricians will help you with the most suitable options.

 

How many amps is a Tesla charger?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

Electric cars are clearly the latest and most sought after development in the automotive industry and Tesla is leading the pack. So, when you have just purchased your very own green car, you can leap for joy about avoiding fueling costs and several other issues that come with it.

However, you still have to figure out charging your Tesla.

The amperage of your Tesla charger can play a vital role in determining how much total charge or miles of driving you get. Here’s the breakdown of amps per charger level.

You might be familiar with using a level one charger, which is the common 120V outlet in your home. This works with the portable EVSE (UMC) that comes with the car and gives an amperage of 15-20 amps. As far as miles go, you will replenish 3-4 miles per hour. While the charge time may be slow, this works fine for many Tesla drivers.

The level 2 charge is a 240V outlet installed by a professional electrician as a dedicated home EVSE. It has the capacity to power tough power-hungry machines like your dryer. This charge is more powerful than the previous option and delivers on up to 80 amps. This translates to anywhere between 9-52 miles of Tesla range per hour charging.

Level 3 charge, which is hardly an option for homes and private buildings, is an ultra-fast, ultra high-power 480V circuit. They are superchargers often found at charging stations and account for why it’s sometimes faster to use a public charging station than a home charger. It delivers on up to 300 amps, which is up to 170 miles per hour of Tesla charging.

When you look at the spread, you find that you do have a few suitable options. What you choose depends on your driving habits and miles. To install a level 2 charge be sure to contact a professional electrician or Tesla charger installer.

What is the Difference Between AC and DC?

Posted on | by K Hopkins

ac dc voltageElectricity is almost as important as oxygen nowadays. It powers everything around us in one way or the other. Just like electricity is useful, it can also be dangerous. But we will not discuss the dangers here.

Electric current flows in either of two ways–AC or DC. For years, these two types of current have been compared to decide who is king, but it has been a tough battle. What really is the difference between AC and DC? Read on to find out.

AC which is Alternating Current was developed by Nikola Tesla. It is a current that switches direction; sometimes going backwards or forwards. It is represented by a wave-like current. DC is Direct current developed by Thomas Edison and it flows in a steady single or forward direction. For AC the cause of its switching direction is a rotating magnet along the wire. This is unlike DC which has steady magnetism along the wire to give it a forward direction.

AC is better suited for traveling longer distances and it provides more power. DC, on the other hand, would lose its energy over long distances and is preferable for shorter distances.

In a circuit, DC flows in one direction while AC reverses its direction.

How the differences between AC and DC are applied

AC is most commonly applied in the home or in offices. Transformers are used to aid the change in voltage from high to low. AC current is used up by home appliances like your TV, Air conditioner and more.

DC supplies electric current to electric devices that use a battery. A good example is your mobile phone or radios. A laptop uses both AC and DC currents. AC current flows from the circuit through the charger to the box in the middle. This box known as a power adapter converts the AC current to DC.

AC and DC remain widely used for different purposes in the electrical industry.

A Funny Rivalry

History has it that in the 19th century, Edison and the Westinghouse had a sort of war over which current was superior. Apparently, Edison had patents invested in the wide use of DC and he did not take kindly to the competition with AC. Edison decided to prove that DC was superior with demonstrations of AC killing large animals. For that time, his experiments to show that AC was dangerous caused many to turn to DC. But soon the limitations of DC were discovered and AC became dominant.

What Size Wire For Tesla Charger

Posted on | by K Hopkins

tesla wiringWhen you are obsessed with pretty cars and tired of driving fuel powered vehicles, then an electric vehicle like Tesla is your best bet. A lot of drivers want to get behind a Tesla vehicle just to enjoy the thrill of riding such a car.

With Tesla, you never have much to worry about, except, of course, charging. Charging electric vehicles can be smooth and easy depending on your choices. Tesla makes things even better with its superfast chargers and convenient charging options.

Now, you know you can charge your EV at home using either the 120V outlet or the 240V outlet. 120V gives you a slow trickle charge and might limit your full experience with your sweet vehicle. The 240V outlet, on the other hand, is every driver’s delight. You can get a full charge in a few hours and maximize your Tesla experience.

Installing the Tesla wall charger at home

The first thing to note is you need an experienced electrician to install your Tesla wall charger. While it is important to have some basic knowledge to help you make informed decisions, it is not advisable to take on the full installation yourself.

The wall charger will comprise a connection between the breaker and the outlet or wall connector. This will involve a run of wire and for Tesla chargers, you do not need just about any wire. Generally, EV charging should be installed using copper wires because most aluminum wires are not rated for EV use. Aluminum wires are also known to overheat frequently which can be dangerous for your car and home.

Tesla wall connectors are rated for only copper wires.

Ensure the wire you choose has current handling abilities and resistance. Depending on your needs and connection made by the electrician, your wire size needs may vary. They can be any size between 3AWG and 8AWG. Ensure you discuss what is needed with the electrician and allow them to purchase the materials themselves.

At The Electric Connection, we provide free estimates on your installation and a complete EV charger installation service. We know what you need and will discuss your options with you. Contact us for a dependable charging system that lets you enjoy your Tesla.

See what others are saying:

Tesla Motors Club Forum: Wire gauge (AWG) for HPWC (Telsa Wall Connector)

StackExchange: Why does Tesla recommend such a small gauge wire for their chargers compared to this chart I found online?

3 Benefits of Installing Home EV Charger

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

ev charger benefitsThe purchasing of an electric vehicle comes with one big, important question:

How can I charge my car at home?

Driving around you may see EV chargers set up for public use – which is great! It’s always nice to know you have a place to go to get a charge on your car, but what if you want the convenience of charging your electric vehicle at home?

There are actually quite a few options out there. One is to just simply plug it into an outlet. Your car should come with a cord that just plugs into any normal outlet in your home. This is called a Level 1 charger. It, of course, does not produce a very fast charger but will make do until you decide you want to purchase a faster way to charge.

The good news is that there are other options that will get your car charged faster. These options are also surprisingly affordable.

What are the benefits of installing an EV charger in your home? Your own charging station will provide you with a fast and safe charge that should cost no more than pennies a day.

At home, the best options for getting a fast charge is to install a Level 2 charger. This will require an electrician to come out and assess your situation – they might also be able to help you over the phone. When a Level 2 charger is installed, you will have a fast charger that will likely fill up your car within a few hours.

Like the outlet that your dryer uses, the Level 2 charger requires a 240V outlet. This outlet is compatible with all types of electric vehicles currently on the market, from Teslas to Chevy Bolts. There is a cord that plugs into the outlet and then into the car. It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours to get a complete charge on the vehicle.

Convenience plays a huge role when it comes to a home EV charger. No more need to worry about losing a charge when you’re driving around town. Simply plug in at night right in your garage or driveway and the car will be ready for you in the morning. You can charge when you want to get with a charging station installed at home.

Lower costs are also a great benefit of installing a car charger at home. Many commercial properties and businesses charger per hour when you plug in. If you have a charger at home, you can skip the fees and just pay your electric bill, which shouldn’t raise more than a few pennies. There are also studies that say charging your car at home costs less than running an air conditioner.

If you have any questions about why you should install a car charger at home, consult with a local electrician. They should be able to answer any questions you may have about the installation process and the benefits.

The Electric Connection of Los Angeles has been providing the people of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas with expert electrical services and tips for over 30 years. We are installing electric vehicles charging stations daily. If you have any questions, please contact us at (818) 446-0888.

How To Install An EV Charger

Posted on | by Kim Hopkins

How To Install An EV ChargerIf you’re considering buying an electric vehicle, you’ll want to have the best charging device for the car. There are two options when it comes to charging your new vehicle. These are referred to as Level 1 and Level 2 charging.

  • Level 1 Charging: Plug your car right into an outlet with the cord it comes with. You will get a low-level charge that is ideal for those who drive short distances and don’t deplete the car’s entire battery life. It takes about an hour to get 4.5 miles of battery back into your car. A full night of charging, or about nine hours, would be needed to replenish the whole battery.
  • Level 2 Charging: Charge your car with an EV wall mount or use a NEMA 14-50 outlet. This type of charge fills your battery up quicker. Different cars charge in different ways but with a Level 2 charge, it takes about an hour to get around 26 miles of power back into the car. This might be a more expensive route than Level 1 charging but if your commutes are longer this is the way to go.

How to Install an EV Charger?

When you decide to buy an electric vehicle and want to go with the wall mount, the next step is to install one in your home. Please note that you should have experience with electrical systems before performing any work in your home. If you are unfamiliar with installing electric car chargers, please consult with a professional electrician.

If you do not have electrical expertise, there is still good news. Many utility companies offer incentives for purchasing an electric vehicle, its charging station, and having one professionally installed. Be sure to contact your local utility company to find out what offers are available to you.

The first step in installing an EV charging point for your home is choosing it. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the US, except for Teslas, all use the same type of plug, an SAE-standard J1772. These may all work in the same way, but some chargers are very different than others. Below are some things to consider when picking out your new charger.

  • Cost – EV chargers can range from $500 to over $1000 depending on a variety of different things. The two main contributors to the price are cord length and amperage.
  • Installation type: A Level 2 charger is meant to be permanent. It is mounted to the wall using a bracket. However, there are some chargers that can be removed in case you want to take it with you if you move from your home.
  • Amperage: Level 2 chargers are available in 16 or 30 amp versions. 30 amps should be the default. It allows for the maximum charge and, if you decide to purchase another car, will allow for charging two cars. 16 amps are perfectly fine for charging a single vehicle, such as the Volt.
  • Length of Cord: This will depend on the location of the charger and where it has to plug into your car. 16 to 18 feet should suffice but the longer the cord you need, the more you will have to pay.

Once you find the perfect EV charger, the next step is to make sure your home is ready for charging your electric vehicle. You must make sure you have enough electrical service in your home before you can charge your car. If you don’t have enough power, you could constantly be tripping the breakers in your electrical panel. Older wiring in your home might also be an issue. If you have knob and tube or aluminum wiring, your home might need a rewire before you can add the extra load of a car charger.

You can see how important it is to consult with an electrician before attempting to wire an EV charger in your home. A lot of things can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s best to give a local electrician a call to see if they can help you out. It may cost less in the long run.

The Electric Connection has been providing electric vehicle charging installations to the people of Los Angeles for several years. We have at least one electrician in the city every day doing an EV charger installation. Our technicians also know EV charging for businesses. Please call us today to learn more about what we can offer you. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.