CT charging revisited

Jhodgesatmb

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I had conduit run under my new driveway for a second EV charger for my CT. I haven't pulled wire because we don't know what the CT charging wiill be. I know I have asked this before, and that no one really knows the answer (at least, those who have responded), but how about thoughts on the possible maximum current (and hence wire gauge) the CT might need?
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samroy92

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Older Tesla's could be equipped with dual onboard chargers, not anymore. Most likely the Cybertruck will be a 48amp charging max at home with a 60A breaker. That's what I would run, highest chance of compatibility.

Some math, if the CT average efficiency is 400wh/mi, you should get around 25-30mi/hour.
 

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I had conduit run under my new driveway for a second EV charger for my CT. I haven't pulled wire because we don't know what the CT charging wiill be. I know I have asked this before, and that no one really knows the answer (at least, those who have responded), but how about thoughts on the possible maximum current (and hence wire gauge) the CT might need?
I would plan on at least 80A, which is what Ford's "Pro" charger would be. We just went through this rigamarole as we're building a new place. I put in space for 3 80A chargers on their own panel, with the expectation that they'll go on their own meter.
 

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I am wonderiing if i should try to run wire for 2 48-amp Gen 3 Wall Connectors, just in case Tesla has dual chargers on the CT.
Dual chargers doesn't necessarily mean there will be two inputs...My 2013 Model S has two on-board chargers and can charge up to 80 amps on one input connector...I guess it could be done, but I've never seen an EV with two J1772 input connectors. Could result in some ticked off EV drivers if you're hogging two cords at a public charging site...
 


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I am wonderiing if i should try to run wire for 2 48-amp Gen 3 Wall Connectors, just in case Tesla has dual chargers on the CT.
I don’t think there will be dual chargers, but if you are considering using your truck for emergency backup, you might drop a second high capacity cable in there for pushing power from the truck back in to a transfer switch.

This early in the game, it’s hard to say what the options are going to look like so having a second cable pulled gives you options.
 

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"Overkill us underrated". 4
“Just make sure the conduit is big enough to pull another wire through”… said nobody who has ever pulled 4 gauge wire through a long section of conduit.
AWG 100amp. 4" conduit and aluminum 4 awg is the only way to go. If you don't need it, it still carries current below amperage rating. A life lesson that has payed off several times.

Tesla Cybertruck CT charging revisited C14D76B1-C13F-4CFD-B4D6-6D5212B5C7B8
 


ajdelange

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I guess I'd go with a 100 A sub panel which means AWG 3 or maybe AWG 2 if the run is long (or maybe even if it isn't). And stay away from aluminum. Yes, I know, I know, it's fine if properly terminated and coated and... but aluminum is a much more reactive metal than copper and in the ground.... But be sure you are sitting down when your electrician quotes you the price for Cu.
 

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Yeah, I'd say wire for 100A, that way it doesn't matter what you put through it. More gauge is more expensive, but you can always run fewer amps through it.

-Crissa
I agree that higher gauge will result in lower losses, so running way below amp capacity saves power and results in less waste heat.

However, I'm skeptical that Tesla will offer Level-2 AC charging at a higher amperage than currently available. They previously offered much higher amps (80 I think) but chose to step down to 48. If you can get a full charge overnight, then more is not better. If you need it faster, you need DCFC.
 

Ogre

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Yeah, but you might want to run amps back to the house from the truck, or have more than one car charging. We're talking future use cases here.

-Crissa
If this is your big concern, I still think going with a second line is your best/ safest bet. If you need to put a transfer switch in, you are going to want that coming into your breaker box separate from the power out. The juice can run both ways, you would just likely want it coming into the panel differently.
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