PowerShare Mobile Connector (Gen 3) -- Discussion

[mdcoleman]

Want to start a stand-alone thread related to the PowerShare Mobile Connector (Gen3) and some issues I have been having. I cant imagine I am the only one, but maybe I am doing it wrong...OP will be a copy/paste of a couple posts I have made elsewhere, but since those posts are now buried by days and days of others, here we go:

Gen 3 PowerShare Mobile Connector (PSMC) is the unit included with the FS series charging equipment. This is supposed to allow for charging other EVs (Mobile PowerSharing) from the vault outlets. The Gen 3 connector functions the same as the Gen 2 Mobile Connector in the Tesla Shop to charge while you're at a location without a Universal/Standard Wall Connector, or without a charge station nearby. The Gen 3 that comes with the CTFS includes (1) 5-15 adapter, and (1) 14-50 adapter. However, Gen 3 is a different unit than the Gen 2 in the Tesla Shop:
Gen 3 PSMC received with CT FS:

Gen 2 Mobile Connector (Tesla Shop):

Additionally, for those of us that are finally joining the Tesla club with the CT purchase, I do not yet have an ideal setup for charging in my garage. I declined the PowerShare Home Backup system, and have not confirmed the PSMC actually charges other EVs from the vault outlets, but that is what I understand to be the case surrounding the CT PowerShare capabilities at this time. In order to get by until the PowerShare voucher comes through to purchase the UWC, I have tried a number of different methods/workarounds to charge as close to Level 2/equivalent as possible.

My current options include an unused 40A circuit previously supplying a water heater, and an unused 30A circuit previously feeding a dryer. The 30A was closer to where the UWC will be installed, so I extended the circuit over a couple stud bays and left a chunk of cable to connect to the UWC when that time comes. Since I am waiting, and had a couple adapters to use with the PSMC, I initially started with the 30A dryer receptacle, and purchased a generic NEMA 14-30 male to 14-50 female "dogbone" cable/adapter for the 14-50 adapter included with the PSMC included with FS. The Amazon special I purchased is shown below, and had multiple reviews confirming it worked with the Tesla Mobile Connector (assuming Gen 2):

This dogbone DOES NOT WORK with the Gen3 PSMC you receive with the CT with the 14-50 adapter attached.

Next, since I would be going backwards as far as amperage, paired with the ability to adjust amperage output from the PSMC in the Tesla App, I tried to beat the system and installed a 50A receptacle on the 30A circuit. In theory, this should work just fine with the 14-50 adapter on the PSMC, with load amperage automatically adjusted by the App based on what was detected by the PSMC once energized. Doing this resulted in a “No Power Detected” message in the App, even after manually adjusting the amperage out to 26A.

To triple check everything, I swapped the 50A receptacle out, reinstalled the 30A receptacle, and plugged in a 14-30 x (4) 110v standard receptacle adapter/dogbone that I had from a few years back, which I knew worked for 110v, similar to this unit:

Then I used the 5-15 Tesla adapter included with the PSMC, and was reading 240-250v line side from the App. The App auto-adjusted amperage to 12A, which I assume was a function of the unit recognizing the 5-15 adapter that was attached once it was energized.

After wracking my brain and hammering the Google Machine to figure out WTF was going on, I stumbled across the PSMC manual on the interwebz, which seems to be the only place it lives since you cant buy the PSMC in the Tesla Shop yet. Either way, the Adapters section states the connector detects the attached adapter and sets the appropriate current draw:

The Gen 2 manual also says the same thing, so I am still puzzled as to why the dogbone I purchased and explained above works with Gen 2 MC but doesn't with the PSMC.

The only difference between specs in the two manuals is an added spec line for GFCI CCID20 protection:

I finally caved and purchased (1) 14-30 adapter from the Tesla Shop, since these are the only adapters available for purchase at this time. Unfortunately, upon receipt and testing, my excitement was immediately deflated when the PSMC did not work with the 14-30 adapter direct from Tesla. I had hoped it was a programming thing with the generic brand 14-30/14-50 adapter I purchased from Amazon not talking to the PSMC, but the Tesla 14-30 direct to PSMC didn't work either.

If any others out there have played with the Gen 3 PSMC at all, with anything other than the 14-50 adapter, please chime in. Or if you have any idea what the unit actually does, or if theyre potentially faulty like the HomeBackup systems have been reported as of late or can direct me what to purchase to make the thing charge at a rate faster than the GD trickle from the 110v 5-15, PLEASE feel free to join the conversation.

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[cybercoffee]

this is an excellent writeup and I'm sorry you are having so many issues with it. I haven't pulled mine out to use it aside from trying it on my already-installed 14-50, where it worked fine for five minutes before I unplugged it and put it back into the sub-trunk. but exactly as you said, the PowerShare mobile connector is different than the "gen 2" mobile connector that is currently for sale in the Tesla shop.

I put "gen 2" in quotes because it is the second major overhaul of the mobile connector design, but back when it was the old design, it went through multiple iterations with little changes here and there...I think I have amassed around five "gen 1" mobile connectors and at least a couple no longer work. not to mention all the gen 2s I have.

it's still not clear to me if you can use a regular "gen 2" mobile connector to plug into the CT bed and charge another Tesla. Can you?

 

[mongo]

The Powershare MC isn't required to charge another vehicle from the bed outlets. Rather, it's enhancement is that it will allow sourcing power to items via the charge port once Tesla releases the outlet style adapters (as opposed to the current charging type)

@mdcoleman, it looks like your outlet was miswired. The standard 5-15 style outlet should not provide 240V.

 

[Gurule92]

I have an extra gen 2 if you want to trade.

 

[D101010]

Here is a good description of all the plug options https://www.elliottelectric.com/nema-straight-blade-plug-receptacle-connector-chart.aspx and how wires are connected. You are going to want to use 220v configurations to get the most power. (250 in the charts). I do agree with others that your outlet may not be wired properly. Your amazon adapter should have worked. I would turn off the circuit and check the wires to the socket. For a proper 220 circuit there should be 2 individual black wires going to the outlet.

Note I am not a licensed electrician, and you should always care around high power connections and verify power is off with a meter before disassembling.

 

[chaosmarine92]

I had an issue while staying at a friend's place that had an L6-20 plug I was trying to use. I got an adapter for it of Amazon that specifically stated it was for ev use only. When I plugged in the 14-50 end of the mobile connector it just pulsed red and the truck said something like bad ground connection and refused to charge off it. I had to use the 120v adapter instead while I was there.

 

[tbuck]

Want to start a stand-alone thread related to the PowerShare Mobile Connector (Gen3) and some issues I have been having. I cant imagine I am the only one, but maybe I am doing it wrong...OP will be a copy/paste of a couple posts I have made elsewhere, but since those posts are now buried by days and days of others, here we go:

Gen 3 PowerShare Mobile Connector (PSMC) is the unit included with the FS series charging equipment. This is supposed to allow for charging other EVs (Mobile PowerSharing) from the vault outlets. The Gen 3 connector functions the same as the Gen 2 Mobile Connector in the Tesla Shop to charge while you're at a location without a Universal/Standard Wall Connector, or without a charge station nearby. The Gen 3 that comes with the CTFS includes (1) 5-15 adapter, and (1) 14-50 adapter. However, Gen 3 is a different unit than the Gen 2 in the Tesla Shop:
Gen 3 PSMC received with CT FS:

Gen 2 Mobile Connector (Tesla Shop):

Additionally, for those of us that are finally joining the Tesla club with the CT purchase, I do not yet have an ideal setup for charging in my garage. I declined the PowerShare Home Backup system, and have not confirmed the PSMC actually charges other EVs from the vault outlets, but that is what I understand to be the case surrounding the CT PowerShare capabilities at this time. In order to get by until the PowerShare voucher comes through to purchase the UWC, I have tried a number of different methods/workarounds to charge as close to Level 2/equivalent as possible.

My current options include an unused 40A circuit previously supplying a water heater, and an unused 30A circuit previously feeding a dryer. The 30A was closer to where the UWC will be installed, so I extended the circuit over a couple stud bays and left a chunk of cable to connect to the UWC when that time comes. Since I am waiting, and had a couple adapters to use with the PSMC, I initially started with the 30A dryer receptacle, and purchased a generic NEMA 14-30 male to 14-50 female "dogbone" cable/adapter for the 14-50 adapter included with the PSMC included with FS. The Amazon special I purchased is shown below, and had multiple reviews confirming it worked with the Tesla Mobile Connector (assuming Gen 2):

This dogbone DOES NOT WORK with the Gen3 PSMC you receive with the CT with the 14-50 adapter attached.

Next, since I would be going backwards as far as amperage, paired with the ability to adjust amperage output from the PSMC in the Tesla App, I tried to beat the system and installed a 50A receptacle on the 30A circuit. In theory, this should work just fine with the 14-50 adapter on the PSMC, with load amperage automatically adjusted by the App based on what was detected by the PSMC once energized. Doing this resulted in a “No Power Detected” message in the App, even after manually adjusting the amperage out to 26A.

To triple check everything, I swapped the 50A receptacle out, reinstalled the 30A receptacle, and plugged in a 14-30 x (4) 110v standard receptacle adapter/dogbone that I had from a few years back, which I knew worked for 110v, similar to this unit:

Then I used the 5-15 Tesla adapter included with the PSMC, and was reading 240-250v line side from the App. The App auto-adjusted amperage to 12A, which I assume was a function of the unit recognizing the 5-15 adapter that was attached once it was energized.

After wracking my brain and hammering the Google Machine to figure out WTF was going on, I stumbled across the PSMC manual on the interwebz, which seems to be the only place it lives since you cant buy the PSMC in the Tesla Shop yet. Either way, the Adapters section states the connector detects the attached adapter and sets the appropriate current draw:

The Gen 2 manual also says the same thing, so I am still puzzled as to why the dogbone I purchased and explained above works with Gen 2 MC but doesn't with the PSMC.

The only difference between specs in the two manuals is an added spec line for GFCI CCID20 protection:

I finally caved and purchased (1) 14-30 adapter from the Tesla Shop, since these are the only adapters available for purchase at this time. Unfortunately, upon receipt and testing, my excitement was immediately deflated when the PSMC did not work with the 14-30 adapter direct from Tesla. I had hoped it was a programming thing with the generic brand 14-30/14-50 adapter I purchased from Amazon not talking to the PSMC, but the Tesla 14-30 direct to PSMC didn't work either.

If any others out there have played with the Gen 3 PSMC at all, with anything other than the 14-50 adapter, please chime in. Or if you have any idea what the unit actually does, or if theyre potentially faulty like the HomeBackup systems have been reported as of late or can direct me what to purchase to make the thing charge at a rate faster than the GD trickle from the 110v 5-15, PLEASE feel free to join the conversation.

Lots of info!

Short answer: You can charge other EVs from the bed outlets. They just use their charge cables, not yours (unless it is a Tesla). The gen 3 is only special in that is can do 110v and 240v, but can be used to charge other Tesla's today.

Your gen 3 mobile adapter can be used to charge at 110v or 240v - it is currently Tesla's fastest mobile charger. You can charge other Tesla's off the 240V outlet in the CT bed.

In the future, as more auto manufaturers start their migration to the NACS charging standard (starting model year 2025), you will also be able to use your charger to supply power to those vehicles at 240V

For the home outlet. The mobile powershare connector does support higher amperage. You just need to install a properly wired circuit. The adapter will adjust the amperage based upon the power and resistance supplied. Greater resistance in the circuit will result in lower power charging, which is why a dedicated circuit is the best option to charge as fast as possible at home.

 

[Dazureus]

Here's what I've been able to charge with so far at home:

Gen 1 (?) mobile connector that came with my 2016 Model X on and 50A NEMA 14-50.
Gen3 PSMC that came with the truck on the same 50A NEMA 14-50
Gen 1 Universal wall connector purchased around 2017 on a 100A circuit.

My wife has the mobile connector that came with her 2021 Model Y that I haven't tried yet, but I'll look at it tonight and update.

 

[Cybergirl]

I have the PSMC that came with my CT. I ordered the LENZ NEMA 14-30 Adapter for Tesla Gen 2 Mobile Portable Charger from Amazon. When connected to the PSMC and plugged into a 30A 240V circuit in my garage, it charges my truck as expected at 24A.

 

[mongo]

I have the PSMC that came with my CT. I ordered the LENZ NEMA 14-30 Adapter for Tesla Gen 2 Mobile Portable Charger from Amazon. When connected to the PSMC and plugged into a 30A 240V circuit in my garage, it charges my truck as expected at 24A.

Why did you go with Lenz vs the less expensive Tesla version?

 

[Woodrick]

I'm not sure why there seems to be all sorts of confusion.

Tesla provides two adapters that came with the mobile connector in the truck. There are a multitude of options available from Tesla at Gen 2 NEMA Adapters (tesla.com) You can but the adapters separately or if you want a selection, you can get NEMA Adapter Bundle (tesla.com)

Tesla covers just about every option except for the TT (Travel Trailer) 120V 30A plug that is available at most campgrounds. While I haven't used this one, I have used the companies adapters for previous vehicles TT-30 Adapter for Tesla Model S/X/3/Y Gen 2 – EVSE Adapters

Using the right adapter for the mobile connector is important. The adapter programs the mobile connector to tell the car the correct voltage and current to use is.

If you head to Amazon, be ready for things to not work. There are a lot of rules that have to be followed and it is easy for the adaptor not to be wired correctly or not wired for EV charging needs.

For charging other vehicles, you just use their EVSE and plug into the bed.

EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) is the industry generic term for which the mobile connector is.

 

[agordon117]

Short answer: You can charge other EVs from the bed outlets. They just use their charge cables, not yours (unless it is a Tesla). The gen 3 is only special in that is can do 110v and 240v, but can be used to charge other Tesla's today.

Actually, this isn't necessarily true. Many of the other EV chargers (such as the GM one) require an actual ground connection or they will not function. There can be no such ground connection on the truck, because it obviously isn't connected to the earth.

So you need a charger that can work from a portable generator, which similarly will not have a real ground connection.

I tried this with my friend's GM charger and his Volt. His charger would not energize from the truck at all. It would just throw errors

 

[Cybergirl]

Why did you go with Lenz vs the less expensive Tesla version?

I paid $49.99 and got fast delivery. Tesla's may have been 'Out of Stock' at the time. I noticed just now that it's not even listed.

 

[wtibbit]

Want to start a stand-alone thread related to the PowerShare Mobile Connector (Gen3) and some issues I have been having. I cant imagine I am the only one, but maybe I am doing it wrong...OP will be a copy/paste of a couple posts I have made elsewhere, but since those posts are now buried by days and days of others, here we go:

Gen 3 PowerShare Mobile Connector (PSMC) is the unit included with the FS series charging equipment. This is supposed to allow for charging other EVs (Mobile PowerSharing) from the vault outlets. The Gen 3 connector functions the same as the Gen 2 Mobile Connector in the Tesla Shop to charge while you're at a location without a Universal/Standard Wall Connector, or without a charge station nearby. The Gen 3 that comes with the CTFS includes (1) 5-15 adapter, and (1) 14-50 adapter. However, Gen 3 is a different unit than the Gen 2 in the Tesla Shop:
Gen 3 PSMC received with CT FS:

Gen 2 Mobile Connector (Tesla Shop):

Additionally, for those of us that are finally joining the Tesla club with the CT purchase, I do not yet have an ideal setup for charging in my garage. I declined the PowerShare Home Backup system, and have not confirmed the PSMC actually charges other EVs from the vault outlets, but that is what I understand to be the case surrounding the CT PowerShare capabilities at this time. In order to get by until the PowerShare voucher comes through to purchase the UWC, I have tried a number of different methods/workarounds to charge as close to Level 2/equivalent as possible.

My current options include an unused 40A circuit previously supplying a water heater, and an unused 30A circuit previously feeding a dryer. The 30A was closer to where the UWC will be installed, so I extended the circuit over a couple stud bays and left a chunk of cable to connect to the UWC when that time comes. Since I am waiting, and had a couple adapters to use with the PSMC, I initially started with the 30A dryer receptacle, and purchased a generic NEMA 14-30 male to 14-50 female "dogbone" cable/adapter for the 14-50 adapter included with the PSMC included with FS. The Amazon special I purchased is shown below, and had multiple reviews confirming it worked with the Tesla Mobile Connector (assuming Gen 2):

This dogbone DOES NOT WORK with the Gen3 PSMC you receive with the CT with the 14-50 adapter attached.

Next, since I would be going backwards as far as amperage, paired with the ability to adjust amperage output from the PSMC in the Tesla App, I tried to beat the system and installed a 50A receptacle on the 30A circuit. In theory, this should work just fine with the 14-50 adapter on the PSMC, with load amperage automatically adjusted by the App based on what was detected by the PSMC once energized. Doing this resulted in a “No Power Detected” message in the App, even after manually adjusting the amperage out to 26A.

To triple check everything, I swapped the 50A receptacle out, reinstalled the 30A receptacle, and plugged in a 14-30 x (4) 110v standard receptacle adapter/dogbone that I had from a few years back, which I knew worked for 110v, similar to this unit:

Then I used the 5-15 Tesla adapter included with the PSMC, and was reading 240-250v line side from the App. The App auto-adjusted amperage to 12A, which I assume was a function of the unit recognizing the 5-15 adapter that was attached once it was energized.

After wracking my brain and hammering the Google Machine to figure out WTF was going on, I stumbled across the PSMC manual on the interwebz, which seems to be the only place it lives since you cant buy the PSMC in the Tesla Shop yet. Either way, the Adapters section states the connector detects the attached adapter and sets the appropriate current draw:

The Gen 2 manual also says the same thing, so I am still puzzled as to why the dogbone I purchased and explained above works with Gen 2 MC but doesn't with the PSMC.

The only difference between specs in the two manuals is an added spec line for GFCI CCID20 protection:

I finally caved and purchased (1) 14-30 adapter from the Tesla Shop, since these are the only adapters available for purchase at this time. Unfortunately, upon receipt and testing, my excitement was immediately deflated when the PSMC did not work with the 14-30 adapter direct from Tesla. I had hoped it was a programming thing with the generic brand 14-30/14-50 adapter I purchased from Amazon not talking to the PSMC, but the Tesla 14-30 direct to PSMC didn't work either.

If any others out there have played with the Gen 3 PSMC at all, with anything other than the 14-50 adapter, please chime in. Or if you have any idea what the unit actually does, or if theyre potentially faulty like the HomeBackup systems have been reported as of late or can direct me what to purchase to make the thing charge at a rate faster than the GD trickle from the 110v 5-15, PLEASE feel free to join the conversation.

I ordered the NEMA 10-30 30 amp adapter from Tesla for my Gen 3 mobile connector (the one came with the truck) so I could use my 240vac dryer outlet. Even though the Tesla Shop lists the adapters as “for the Gen 2 connector” everything is working fine with my setup, charging the truck at 24 amps. No issues at all.

 

[mongo]

I paid $49.99 and got fast delivery. Tesla's may have been 'Out of Stock' at the time. I noticed just now that it's not even listed.

Figured it was availability, but wanted to check. It's in stock, behind a pull down on the adapter page.

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