Charge a Tesla at Home

Charging a Tesla at home is as simple as plugging it in using the mobile connector or wall connector. The mobile connector is simple; you just use the adapter to plug the car into any 120V or 240V outlet. You can then unplug it from both the car and the wall to take with you. The wall connector requires professional installation initially, as it is hardwired into your home and cannot be removed easily, but then you just plug it in like you do the mobile connector. The wall connector may charge a bit faster.

Steps

Using the Mobile Connector

1. Join the mobile connector and the adapter. Most Tesla models come with a mobile connector that you can use in your garage or take with you on the go. It's much like a laptop cord, as you can unplug it into both the wall and the car. To use it at home, plug the large end of the mobile connector into the adapter by lining up the spheres and pushing them together.
   • The connector should come with 2 adapters, one for a 120V plugin and one for a 240V plugin. You'll get a faster charge with the 240V plugin.
   • Use a dedicated outlet for plugging in your Tesla. That is, if your outlet has more than 1 socket, don't plug anything else into the other socket. You could overload the outlet.
2. Plug the adapter end into the wall. Push the plug all the way into the socket. The cord is only {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}, so pick the closest socket to the back of the car on the driver's side.
   • Do not plug the connector into an extension cord or power strip. Most are not rated high enough to handle the power the Tesla needs, and Tesla advises against this.
3. Attach the mobile connector to your Tesla. The charging port is on the driver's side near the taillights, similar to where the gas tank would be. Press the button on the mobile connector handle to open the port on your car. Plug the connector into your car to begin charging the battery.
   • To use the handle to open the port, you must have the car key on you and automatic unlocking on.
   • If the car is unlocked, you can simply press the charge port door to open it.
4. Leave the car to gain {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} an hour. Using a mobile connector and adapter is the slowest charging method, especially if you're using the 120V adapter. However, you may get a faster charge, depending on your Tesla model and how much amperage you're pulling.
   • Your touchscreen inside the car should show the car is charging at this point. This touchscreen will also tell you how long it will take to get a full charge, or you can estimate how long your car will take to charge on Tesla's website at https://www.tesla.com/where-you-park.
   • With the 240V adapter, you may get as much as {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per hour, but only if your outlet pulls a high amperage and you have a newer model car.
5. Remove the cable in the morning. Hold the button down on the mobile connector handle, and remove it when the light on the handle turns white. The car must be unlocked for this to work.
   • The door will close automatically when you pull the connector out if you have a motorized door. If not, just push it closed.
   • If you want to take the mobile connector with you, unplug it and place it in your trunk.

Charging with a Wall Connector

1. Pull the handle off the wall connector. The wall connector has a latch that the handle hooks onto. Lift up the handle to take it off the latch, and then pull it out of the wall connector. Unwrap the cable from the unit and stretch the connector's cord towards your parked car.
2. Press the button on the handle to open your charging port door. The handle has one button on it, which will automatically open the charging port door when you push it. However, you must have the car key in your pocket and the car set to automatic unlocking for this to work.
   • Otherwise, unlock the car doors, and press on the charging port door to open it.
3. Plug the connector into your car. Line up the handle, and push it into the charging port in your car. Once the handle is plugged in, it will begin charging your battery.
   • You can check to see if it's charging by looking at your touchscreen in the car.
4. Leave the car for at least a couple of hours to charge it. Using a 240V connection, you can get anywhere from {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per hour of charging. In some cases, that means you can get a full charge in 6 hours.
   • While the mobile connector can charge fairly quickly, you're more likely to get a faster charge with the wall connector. That's because this connector must be hardwired in, and that means it can pull more amps than a standard 240V outlet.
   • How fast the car charges also depends on your car model.
5. Unplug the handle in the morning. Hold down the button on the charger handle, and when the light turns white, take the handle out of the charging port. The door should shut automatically if you have a power door. If not, just push it shut.
   • Wrap the cord around the wall connector like a hose and hang the handle on the latch.

Tips

• Tesla is also starting to roll out wireless charging on some of its newer models. For these cars, all you need to do is drive the front end of the car over the charging pad. The car will charge automatically.

References

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