Hey everyone! I'm really hoping to tap into the collective wisdom here regarding home charging for my Tesla Model S. The title pretty much sums up my dilemma: I'm trying to figure out which wall charger is genuinely *best* for fast charging a Model S at home.
I've been relying on the mobile connector with a NEMA 14-50 outlet for a while now, and while it gets the job done most days, I'm finding it's not quite fast enough for my current needs. My commute has gotten longer lately, and my partner also drives the Model S frequently, so we often need to top up fairly quickly overnight or even just for a few hours in the afternoon. Waiting 8-10 hours for a significant charge from a lower state of charge just isn't cutting it anymore, especially if we have unexpected trips or forget to plug in immediately.
I know Tesla has its own Wall Connector, which seems like the obvious go-to, but I've also heard whispers about third-party chargers that might offer similar or even better performance, or perhaps specific features like robust smart charging capabilities. I'm a bit overwhelmed trying to figure out the real differences and what genuinely translates to *faster* charging for a Model S specifically. My Model S is a 2018 P100D, and while I assume most modern wall chargers are compatible, I want to make sure I'm maximizing its charging potential.
My ideal scenario would be to consistently add at least 50-60 miles per hour, or ideally be able to fully charge from ~20% to 90% within 4-5 hours. I have a 100A main electrical panel, and I'm open to installing a dedicated circuit for the charger, so amperage isn't a *huge* constraint, though obviously I'd want to be mindful of future-proofing and not over-spend on capacity I won't use. I'm really trying to maximize the charging speed at home to make our lives easier and ensure the car is always ready to go. I'm keen to hear from other Model S owners who've been down this road.
So, what specific wall charger models (Tesla or third-party) have you found to be genuinely *best* for fast charging a Tesla Model S, and why?
Hey! Oh man, I totally get it about needing faster charging! I was in a similar spot. Honestly, for your Model S, I just went with the official Tesla Wall Connector. It just *works* best with the car, you know? Super simple, no compatibility worries, and it maxes out what your Model S can take from what I understand. I hear some third-party options are good too, but I figured staying first-party was less hassle for the price. I'm pretty satisfied with the speed I get. lol. gl!
Just caught up on this thread. Since you have a 2018 P100D, you might actually have the high-capacity onboard charger that can pull more than a standard 3 or Y. I went through this same search last year when I wanted more data than the standard Tesla app provides. I ended up looking at a few solid alternatives that can really push the speed: