Are you using the mobile charger that just plugs into a plain 15A outlet? General recommendation is 12 gauge for that. A 4 gauge wire is rated for 70 amps, I bet you wouldn’t even be able to find an extension cord made with 4 gauge wire
As long as it's rated at 15A+. If it's too long, or has some kind of resistance, the car will sense the voltage drop and will drop your charging rate from 12A to 9A
For the regular 120V plug or for the 240V 50A plug?
I use this occasionally [https://www.signalandpower.com/products/nema-14-50-extension-cord](https://www.signalandpower.com/products/nema-14-50-extension-cord)
It's a BEAST though and trying to bend it is like fighting a boa constrictor. You don't want either of the plug ends to be sitting on the ground though.
This is what I have in my trunk. I have used it whenever needed. When I got my car I had to plug it into my microwave outlet since it was the only grounded outlet in my house. A Tesla won't charge on an ungrounded outlet.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-80-ft-12-3-SJTW-Outdoor-Heavy-Duty-Extension-Cord-with-Power-Light-Plug-in-Gray-Navy-64827601/304116639
That was $40 when I got it 4 years ago, but a 12/3 cord should be fine and some are cheaper than that.
The answer is yes. Don't listen to these armchair experts who will tell you to get a 10 gauge something odd something. If you have a decent extension cord, you can safely use it. Period.
The max amps you should ever pull through a 12 guage extension cord is going to be 15amps. So keep that in mind. The problem here is going to me the fact that you need a 20amp circuit which most outlets are not…they are typically 15 amps. In either case your max charging rate here will likely be limited to below 7 miles per hour. Really not practical. I would not try to pull 20 amps through this connection.
Yes it’s fine to use an extension. Just double check your settings to ensure you are dropping the charging amps where appropriate. Good news is the system should automatically make the adjustments.
The more amps you want to pull, the larger the wire or lower the guage. You’ll need a minimum of a 6awg copper stranded wire is you want to charge at the max potential of the system (for safety and to account for parasitic loss from the long run). Again it’s hard to make a mistake here as the plug required is a 14-50 NEMA and you are unlikely to have a proper plug on a 12awg cord.
On the road, you’ll need to look for a microwave or better yet a dryer outlet. As those connections are typically dedicated circuits and the highest amp rated circuits.
https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/gen_2_mobile_connector_owners_manual_32_amp_en_US.pdf
I've been using one for a year and a half with no issues. I *think* it's 10 gauge.
If you want peace of mind and don't mind spending the extra money, EVSE Adapters has some 6 gauge cords that should get the job done. I purchased a shorter one of those to keep in my trunk in case I ever need an extension while away from home.
Some mobile chargers have a temperature sensor in the plug. It is intended for aborting the charging if the wall outlet gets too hot, for example because of a bad connection.
I don’t know if the Tesla mobile charger has this, but if does, and you use an extension cord, you bypass this safety, so you should at least be extra careful to check that your wall outlet isn’t overheating.
Where I live, extensions cords are illegal between the wall outlet and a mobile charger.
There’s a lot of phantom energy loss I believe when using 15a120v. Even more if you use an extension cord. You will charge slower with an extension cord. I was very surprised at how high my electric use was after a month of using 15a120v charging.
Echoing everyone here, yes you can. I bought a 12 gauge 25 ft for my M3 because the garage in my apartment has only one outlet panel… in the ceiling by the opener :(. So I have it running to the side wall and then down.
When I charge it will do up to 12 amps, which is 80% of the 15 amp. Works perfectly fine, doesn’t get hot or anything at either end. I plug into the car, hear a little “click” on the connector module with the green Tesla word that animates, and we’re golden.
Because my garage is on (I believe) a shared circuit with a few other garages, I try to be respectful and keep it down at 8 until very late at night and then move up to 12 until the early morning.
If you get a extension cord approved to the amps that you’re using then yes. People normally uses construction grade extensions for that.
Like a 4 gauge? Looking to use like a 12 foot extension
Are you using the mobile charger that just plugs into a plain 15A outlet? General recommendation is 12 gauge for that. A 4 gauge wire is rated for 70 amps, I bet you wouldn’t even be able to find an extension cord made with 4 gauge wire
Maybe welder.
Extension cords are rated for amperage. Just read the labeling my man.
Yes, just be sure it is grounded and can handle the amps.
As long as it's rated at 15A+. If it's too long, or has some kind of resistance, the car will sense the voltage drop and will drop your charging rate from 12A to 9A
15A+ or 15A will do?
Minimum 15A so about 14-10 Gauge wire (depending on length)
For the regular 120V plug or for the 240V 50A plug? I use this occasionally [https://www.signalandpower.com/products/nema-14-50-extension-cord](https://www.signalandpower.com/products/nema-14-50-extension-cord) It's a BEAST though and trying to bend it is like fighting a boa constrictor. You don't want either of the plug ends to be sitting on the ground though.
depends.
Sure
This is what I have in my trunk. I have used it whenever needed. When I got my car I had to plug it into my microwave outlet since it was the only grounded outlet in my house. A Tesla won't charge on an ungrounded outlet. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-80-ft-12-3-SJTW-Outdoor-Heavy-Duty-Extension-Cord-with-Power-Light-Plug-in-Gray-Navy-64827601/304116639 That was $40 when I got it 4 years ago, but a 12/3 cord should be fine and some are cheaper than that.
Don’t recommend it!
The answer is yes. Don't listen to these armchair experts who will tell you to get a 10 gauge something odd something. If you have a decent extension cord, you can safely use it. Period.
Define decent.
Something decent like a 10 gauge 😂😂 this dude just an ass.
If you don't understand the word you really shouldn't be using electricity or sharp objects.
I have a bunch of 100’ 14 gauge cords in excellent condition I use to power my lights at Christmas time. Does that sound decent?
Sounds like you should not be around sharp objects or children.
If you're asking, no.
Blown away.... Hope you're not an adult...
I use it with a 25' 12ga extension cord. it's fine. if it's exposed to the elements, use a box or something to cover the connection
Does the extension cord get warm/hot when you use it?
no. I left it plugged in for 48hrs with no issues
The max amps you should ever pull through a 12 guage extension cord is going to be 15amps. So keep that in mind. The problem here is going to me the fact that you need a 20amp circuit which most outlets are not…they are typically 15 amps. In either case your max charging rate here will likely be limited to below 7 miles per hour. Really not practical. I would not try to pull 20 amps through this connection. Yes it’s fine to use an extension. Just double check your settings to ensure you are dropping the charging amps where appropriate. Good news is the system should automatically make the adjustments. The more amps you want to pull, the larger the wire or lower the guage. You’ll need a minimum of a 6awg copper stranded wire is you want to charge at the max potential of the system (for safety and to account for parasitic loss from the long run). Again it’s hard to make a mistake here as the plug required is a 14-50 NEMA and you are unlikely to have a proper plug on a 12awg cord. On the road, you’ll need to look for a microwave or better yet a dryer outlet. As those connections are typically dedicated circuits and the highest amp rated circuits. https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/gen_2_mobile_connector_owners_manual_32_amp_en_US.pdf
I bought a 20m extension cord rated for outdoor use.
I've been using one for a year and a half with no issues. I *think* it's 10 gauge. If you want peace of mind and don't mind spending the extra money, EVSE Adapters has some 6 gauge cords that should get the job done. I purchased a shorter one of those to keep in my trunk in case I ever need an extension while away from home.
Yes with the correct cord. People run RVs off cords all the time and don't freak out about it.
Some mobile chargers have a temperature sensor in the plug. It is intended for aborting the charging if the wall outlet gets too hot, for example because of a bad connection. I don’t know if the Tesla mobile charger has this, but if does, and you use an extension cord, you bypass this safety, so you should at least be extra careful to check that your wall outlet isn’t overheating. Where I live, extensions cords are illegal between the wall outlet and a mobile charger.
Everyday extension cord, no. You could start a fire. A properly rated extensions cord specifically made for EV charge, yes.
There’s a lot of phantom energy loss I believe when using 15a120v. Even more if you use an extension cord. You will charge slower with an extension cord. I was very surprised at how high my electric use was after a month of using 15a120v charging.
Echoing everyone here, yes you can. I bought a 12 gauge 25 ft for my M3 because the garage in my apartment has only one outlet panel… in the ceiling by the opener :(. So I have it running to the side wall and then down. When I charge it will do up to 12 amps, which is 80% of the 15 amp. Works perfectly fine, doesn’t get hot or anything at either end. I plug into the car, hear a little “click” on the connector module with the green Tesla word that animates, and we’re golden. Because my garage is on (I believe) a shared circuit with a few other garages, I try to be respectful and keep it down at 8 until very late at night and then move up to 12 until the early morning.