Is there a way to prevent CT from using grid power?

[CyberGus]

It'll also charge when it's too low. I think the default was below 50%? There has historically be a number that it'll charge to before it waits for the schedule.

In my experience, Cybertruck does not initiate charging based solely on SoC. My default charge limit is 50%, so I'm always below that number!

When I was away for 2 weeks, I left the truck below 20% and by the time I got home it was in the single digits. I left it plugged-in, with scheduling off, but it never attempted to charge.

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[bg002h]

That’s the problem. Get an actual charger. Almost any 220 EV charger will allow you to set a time to charge. It won’t allow power to transfer to the truck during times that aren’t scheduled. Your truck schedule won’t charge during that time but will use power to keep systems running.

I don’t know if the gateway thing that I have waiting to be installed will do that or not.

But I did get a timer and an adapter cable for 16A charging.

https://a.co/d/5vBraUJ

https://a.co/d/1chQRu1

 

[Crissa]

In my experience, Cybertruck does not initiate charging based solely on SoC. My default charge limit is 50%, so I'm always below that number!

When I was away for 2 weeks, I left the truck below 20% and by the time I got home it was in the single digits. I left it plugged-in, with scheduling off, but it never attempted to charge.

Interesting! That's different than earlier Teslas, then, which would charge up to that, then wait for the rest. But also... I think they only did it when you plugged it in.

Good to know.

I don’t know if the gateway thing that I have waiting to be installed will do that or not.

But I did get a timer and an adapter cable for 16A charging.

https://a.co/d/5vBraUJ

https://a.co/d/1chQRu1

Those are... Well, just make sure it's surrounded by flame and heat proof surfaces. Ye old metal bucket would probably suffice. They're known to fail if they switch under load. They can spark when they start or stop, which over time can wear them out. That's why I suggested a relay.

-Crissa

 

[bg002h]

Interesting! That's different than earlier Teslas, then, which would charge up to that, then wait for the rest. But also... I think they only did it when you plugged it in.

Good to know.


Those are... Well, just make sure it's surrounded by flame and heat proof surfaces. Ye old metal bucket would probably suffice. They're known to fail if they switch under load. They can spark when they start or stop, which over time can wear them out. That's why I suggested a relay.

-Crissa

Not sure what a relay is and neither was Amazon

But a metal bucket sounds like a good idea. And maybe unsupervised charging at 4 or 8 amps might be wise too

 

[Crissa]

Not sure what a relay is and neither was Amazon

But a metal bucket sounds like a good idea. And maybe unsupervised charging at 4 or 8 amps might be wise too

Search string: 50a relay switch 120v coil

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlee-controls-contactor-120v-Contactor/dp/B088895GBY/

There's a bunch of form factors, though. I bought din-rail form factor for my last project.

-Crissa

 

[bg002h]

Search string: 50a relay switch 120v coil

Like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlee-controls-contactor-120v-Contactor/dp/B088895GBY/

There's a bunch of form factors, though. I bought din-rail form factor for my last project.

-Crissa

how does this allow me to time on/off for power though?

 

[Crissa]

how does this allow me to time on/off for power though?

You use any timer and put the output of the timer into the coil input on the relay. The relay handles the higher switching potential, without taxing the timer.

Hot	--->	timer in	timer out	--->	Relay coil
	--->	--->	--->	--->	Relay Hot	Relay Load Hot	--->	Load
Neutral	<---	timer in	timer out					↓
	--->	--->	--->	--->	Relay neutral	Relay Load Neutral	--->	Load

-Crissa

 

[bg002h]

You use any timer and put the output of the timer into the coil input on the relay. The relay handles the higher switching potential, without taxing the timer.

Hot	--->	timer in	timer out	--->	Relay coil
	--->	--->	--->	--->	Relay Hot	Relay Load Hot	--->	Load
Neutral	<---	timer in	timer out					↓
	--->	--->	--->	--->	Relay neutral	Relay Load Neutral	--->	Load

-Crissa

Ah, it’s like a fancy mechanical switch, except it’s electrically turned on and off? That’s slick.

I might do this if the gateway thing can’t get me off grid…it’s been over a year and I’m still waiting for install…but I am finally under contract and have had the hardware for almost 2 months.

 

[NoleusMaximus]

Easier to just use a camtimer like a pool uses to turn the pump on. Set it for 10PM to 6AM and leave the charger hooked up.

40 amp timer

In my experience, Cybertruck does not initiate charging based solely on SoC. My default charge limit is 50%, so I'm always below that number!

When I was away for 2 weeks, I left the truck below 20% and by the time I got home it was in the single digits. I left it plugged-in, with scheduling off, but it never attempted to charge.

 

[CyberGus]

Easier to just use a camtimer like a pool uses to turn the pump on. Set it for 10PM to 6AM and leave the charger hooked up.

40 amp timer

Interesting idea, but 40A is a little low, and that specific unit takes #8 AWG max. Probably need something a little beefier for a 60A circuit.

 

[REM]

I think you can technically program the wall chargers to work only during certain hours of the day, but you may need the commercial fleet firmware in order to do it; something you aren't likely going to get unless you have specific business dealings with Tesla.

https://digitalassets.tesla.com/tes...-Wall-Connector-Installation-Manual-NA-EN.pdf

 

[bg002h]

I think you can technically program the wall chargers to work only during certain hours of the day, but you may need the commercial fleet firmware in order to do it; something you aren't likely going to get unless you have specific business dealings with Tesla.

https://digitalassets.tesla.com/tes...-Wall-Connector-Installation-Manual-NA-EN.pdf

They clearly don’t understand how people pay for electricity. But then again, I don’t blame them. Most people don’t have two separate electricity bills and their customers are rich anyhow, so it’s not a problem to waste a few hundred bucks every few months due to mental retardation when it comes to software.

I predict they’ll figure this out eventually, because a lot of people can save money with proper battery use at home.

 

[mongo]

They clearly don’t understand how people pay for electricity. But then again, I don’t blame them. Most people don’t have two separate electricity bills and their customers are rich anyhow, so it’s not a problem to waste a few hundred bucks every few months due to mental retardation when it comes to software.

I predict they’ll figure this out eventually, because a lot of people can save money with proper battery use at home.

I think they do understand it, but the feature set is part of Powerwall, not wall connectors. No reason they couldn’t bake it into the vehicles though (other than added complexity).

 

[REM]

They clearly don’t understand how people pay for electricity. But then again, I don’t blame them. Most people don’t have two separate electricity bills and their customers are rich anyhow, so it’s not a problem to waste a few hundred bucks every few months due to mental retardation when it comes to software.

I predict they’ll figure this out eventually, because a lot of people can save money with proper battery use at home.

People just need to accept the fact that EVs require a slight adjustment to fully take advantage of every benefit. If your EV is drawing enough electricity during the day while plugged in for it to make a noticable blip on your bill, then you have other issues you need to tackle.

I'm not at all convinced that this is a widespread issue that can't easily be solved by the owners.

 

[Crissa]

I think they do understand it, but the feature set is part of Powerwall, not wall connectors. No reason they couldn’t bake it into the vehicles though (other than added complexity).

Being able to at least trigger it would be helpful when testing, for instance. But Time of Use power charges can swing pretty far.

-Crissa

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