Wow. There is no point for Tesla or others to send units to other reviewers. Your review is so far ahead of any other product review. You give insight and knowledge using a language that is available both for the tech-savvy and the newbies. We added this video to our home charging technology guide to answer the most common question. What is the best charger in the US?
I am a short term rental host and a lot of my guests who stay here from time to time have asked about an EV charger. After watching this video I am going to buy the Tesla Universal EV charger. thanks for the great video
I have been trying to figure out which one to get for my short term rental as well. I thought I knew which one I was going to get and then heard about the Universal option form Tesla which my problem, which was deciding which plug to choose and getting adapters. Have you installed yours and if so how is it going? I'm also in a location that gets very hot in the summer so this seems like the perfect option.
The time it takes the Tesla connector to restart charging may be due to it waiting for a stable state of power for a minute. That way it doesn’t get caught in a flickering (on/off) state as the power is returned to a stable state of power.
Yes, also many other systems will start up in that minute like air conditioners and refrigerators, this ensures the EV doesn't start charging during that high load time right after power is restored.
I’ve held off purchasing a Wall connector for years, preferring to just use the UMC w/ J1772 adapter for my Volt. This is such an elegant solution I think I’m going to finally pull the trigger and get one.
This is a big deal. It will force other companies to copy, which is a good thing. The 20,000 Hilton Hotel order will force other hotels to follow, which also is disruptive. This is an industry-changing move for North America.
Thank you so much for the new test. Please be extra careful when doing this. A lot of us live in very hot climates and yes our garage is become hot enough to cook steak please use extra precautions. We care about you. Another great video.
Great review Tom. This is the charger to buy for anyone with a J1772 car now. Works with your current vehicle and has NACS for when all the cars eventually switch over.
Great review, thanks! In case anyone is curious, the maximum possible score on the ChargerRater, without any “bonus” points being given, is 109. 97 out of 109 possible is pretty darn good. Even if you remove the bonus point, it’s still 96/109.
I heard that the Tesla chargers have a random XX seconds before starting to charge after a power outage. Someone said that it was so when the power was back on he wouldn’t have XXX chargers click on at once.
In Norway, after a power outage, it's (Tesla Wall connector) starting to change again from one to three minutes to save the grid from high starting load.
I have two 80 amp Tesla Wall Connectors in my 4 bay garage at my house, which is nice to use with my R1T, Lightning and MXP. Only the Lightning can take advantage of the big power tho. Tesla needs to offer one of these dual adapter units at 80 amp!!!
Excellent review as always! This is a novel solution to an interim problem, and it makes going back and forth between connectors easy and removes the possibility of an adaptor being misplaced. I like the idea of a delay after a power outage, as the most vulnerable time when power is restored is right after they throw that switch. The last thing needed is a bunch of high current draw devices trying to restart right after the power comes back on. Personally, I'd prefer a physical dip switch to set the breaker size instead of the app. You never know when software acts unpredictably or an accidental config change could really spoil a person's day.
Tom quick suggestion . My town/village/city required a separate electrical "Disconnect Box" next to the Tesla wall connector. Power goes from main panel box to the Disconnect Box to the Tesla Wall Connector. This was in the event power needed to be shut off to the Tesla connector without having to run all the way to the breaker panel which in my case is over 100 feet away. The box was outdoor rated and cost $30.00 and was no extra labor $$ to install during the installation of the Tesla Wall Connector.
I had to install that for my Ford Charge Station Pro, because it delivers more than 50-amps. But I wasn't required to do so for the Tesla Wall Connector.
@@StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney My breaker was rated for 75 amps even though it only pulls 48, but in the interest of safety , some towns require it regardless. Its nice too because the Disconnect Box can be padlocked at the on-off throw to prevent an unauthorized person from using your wall connector as well, particularly if there's outside access. Mine is inside garage, so its not an issue, but it was still required. In addition, the Disconnect Box is also double fused so if something goes wrong, chances are the fusees will blow before anything.
Love your reviews. I bought the Universal Connector and have been using it outdoors for a month. I had one issue where it wouldn’t charge my Bolt after charging a Model 3 but Tesla tech support pushed an update to it that fixed the issue. Today it’s below freezing in Western NY and I have another issue. The button on the Magic dock gets water under it that freezes. After getting the button to push down it was then stuck in the down position. I am going to have to put a bag over the unit until I can up with something more permanent to fix the issue. Something to think about for people in cold climates if they are thinking about buying this. I probably would have chosen a different model if I knew about this design flaw earlier.
Tom, your reviews are A1 and I love following you with all the charger and auto reviews. Sadly I live in the Philippines and our step towards electrification is about 10 years behind
I believe the other reason Hilton is speccing these units for their hotels is that (by signing up with Tesla Commercial Charging) they can operate as commercial charge units. This means you can configure pricing per kWh, they appear in navigation, they can do smart power sharing across multiple units, vehicles can plug-and-charge, and Tesla handles all the billing automatically. Anything close to this type of capability from a competitor (like the ChargePoint CT4000) would be many times the cost, with lower performance. So they're a solid value for private use, but an incredible value for commercial use.
Bad news is that the mount on the Tesla does have a requirement with a ton of slack in the line. I wanted to swap my Chargepoint charger to this and it cant be done unless I re-rerun my wires
I don't own an electric car, and I want to install one of these in my shop just to have one. I plan on getting a Tesla once my younger son starts driving in a few years, so I would only get the Tesla charger anyway. Great review!
Very thorough review .... seriously considering installing one at home for our BMW I-3.... the only second thoughts we're having is over all the negative adapter issues listed in the Amazon reviews.... seems the J1772 is either getting stuck in the wall unit or in the car.... has anyone experienced such problems .... Thanks for all you do Nick
Hi Tom, I just wanted to thank you for this review. I ordered the unit 4 months ago. I just got around to completing the installation (DIY) strictly following installation instructions exactly. THHN 6 AWG and properly torqued to spec. A couple things I discovered, your concern about the J1772 latch. I would Not be concerned at all, it’s STEEL not plastic. That’s why it frosted up when you took it out of the freezer. Also, right out of the box, the unit is defaulted to 60A breaker and ALL vehicle charging. You technically don’t need to commission it to charge, but that’s definitely recommended. Also I just received the Latest Tesla App update that includes Gen 3 & Universal Wall Connector support and connectivity. The setup process was smooth and painless as long as you have the QR code from the quick start guide. It took about 3 minutes to register the wall connector to the App. From a Charge history standpoint. It basically gives you the same information as the Charging Stats feature already in the app for home charging. so it seems a bit redundant in that regard.
Hey Tom, Is this worth the extra $170 if I already own a nacs->j1772 adapter? How does this compare to the WC3 which retails for $450? Are all functions and customizability the same in both units?
Actually I have been using this for my Ioniq 5 since November of last year. Purchased it for $583 from a Maryland Company called Interconnect who installed it including the Electric work for an additional $800. It works great until I took the care in for the ICCU update (which is affecting many brands of chargers). From November 2022 through September 2023 I got a consistent 11.5kW for the entire charging session now (like for others) it drops to 5.5 kW due to this update dropping the amperage into the 20's from 48 Amps.
What we really need is a billing mechanism so that a restaurant, hotel, office, or beach can put these out and recover the cost of electricity from public users (perhaps with a small profit). These are WIFI, so they can be interrogated.
I've had my Gen3 wall connector shutdown a couple of times due to overheating when charging Lightning. The Lightning will pull the max Amps the connector can give and on a 110 degree day there's not much room for error. It's never been an issue on cooler days
Excellent review! I was looking for the way to get the J1772 adapter out to charge my IoniQ5, and you had the answer. It was absent from another video I saw first. I decided to subscribe after I saw all the topics you have been covering. Thanks.
I would've loved to have this available when I got my Ioniq 5. I got a ChargePoint Home Flex, which is great hardware, but the app leaves a lot to be desired. The Tesla software game is miles ahead of the competition. I like to see a review of the Gen 2 Tesla Mobile Connector soon!
Tom - Regarding the heat test, I think the heat shutoff sensor for the tesla wall connector is in the handle, not the white box on the wall. You need to point the heater towards the handle while it is plugged in for this to be a relevant test.
The heater is 24" wide and was heating the entire unit, the connector included. Even the wall was getting hot. I'm going to have to figure out a way to protect the wall in the future
@@StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney Tom, I agree with this comment, you need two heat lamps to do this test properly. One aimed the EVSE while it's charging, and one aimed at the charge port while it's charging. Most of the derating that happens is because the J1772 handle overheats while charging, not the main unit. There is a temperature sensor in the J1772 handle, so having that part in a room temperature environment while charging is not a true hot test.
Thanks for the review, looking for a replacement for my 4 year ChargePoint, which has been replaced when it was under warranty. Now the WiFi won’t connect anymore. Called ChargePoint, told them that the replacement is failing, they could care less. Time for a Tesla charger!
Suggestion for your charger rating system. I've noticed some chargers will let you set the amperage in one amp increments, (ie you can set it to 38 amps, or 45 amps). Useful for cars like the Ioniq 5 that overheat on level 2 charging, so you can dial it in to the maximum sustainable charge speed. Wish this charger had that (I know autel at least does), but it seems like that should be a factor in such a detailed scoring process.
Thanks for the review. I'm in Montreal, which can have plenty of heat, rain and cold. Given the fact it is NEMA 3 only, would you recommend against an outdoor installation?
Electrician here; A NEMA 3 (rain tight) assembly will take just about everything except being immersed under water. If you have a lot of corrosion in your area for NEMA 3 assemblies due to salt air or corrosive gases, then that may be a deal breaker for you, and you will want to look at NEMA 4 assemblies that are basically sealed up completely. I live in a coastal area, and NEMA 3 is just fine for most things as long as it is not installed on docks or within a few hundred yards of the coast for any NEMA 3 assemblies with exposed connections.
Superb review! The best I have read or watched anywhere! Great job! I just bought a Tesla Model 3 and this is the charger that I am going to buy. Your review confirmed my research. I live in AZ, and my garage is not air-conditioned. I will be installing this charger in my garage, and so your heat test is VERY useful. To put this in perspective, we had over 33 days in a row last summer where the temperature was over 110 F. And keep in mind, that is measured in the shade. The heat can be brutal. So testing the unit as you did for extreme heat was monumentally important.
Nice work Tom! Tesla has some great chargers. I have two myself in power share config in the garage. The only thing that gives me pause is the size of these new units. For businesses these are a no brainer.
Hi from Canada/Quebec where we have very cold weather, I watched all you charger video and settled on this Tesla universal. Love the deep freeze test, I wouldn’t taught of that. I got my new KONA EV 2024 and love it! First EV. The only thing that is not working well is that when I get back home after a drive and plug in the vehicle, the charger blue light flashes and the car say « charging not completed » and the car does not charge. I need to unplug and plug back in at then It’s start charging.. not sure if you experienced anything like this. It does that every time. Not a big deal, just an annoyance really. The Tesla app does not have much setting to go through (to be honest, it is pretty underwhelming, I was hoping to see a lot more stats and features) Keep up the good work, very informative videos and made a huge difference in my decision!
Bonjour Carl. Protégez-Vous did not rate the other Tesla EVSE well for cold weather performance. We've had a mild winter in Quebec so far this year, but have you had the charger not work on cold days? How is it in the cold?
Tom, I have a 2022 Ioniq 5 and in the extreme heat, the charge port overheats at higher amperage and then derates the charger. I dont want you to damage a vehicle but wondering if the EVSE performs the same way with heat to the charge port. Thanks for all your videos and insight!
You might want to change your rating systems to account for a handful of use cases. Then, add up the charger scores under those use cases. In that system, you could have a charger that is amazing, as say an indoor charger, but can't be used as an outdoor charger. That would give you a total core of 50%. Maybe survey your subscribers to determine the most common use cases as a way to weigh the categories.
Tom, please review the load sharing capabilities of this and other chargers. If one has two electric cars, I have heard the Teslas talk with each other and share the power. How does this work, and do other brands do this?
eGMP vehicles specifically have an issue with the charging inlet overheating. Hyundai Motor Group has basically said "Deal with it" and does not appear to be planning any kind of remedy, despite the vehicles being marked and marketed as accepting up to 48A. Interestingly, this is only an issue when AC charging, not DC. Depending on the day, in my Phoenix driveway, I usually top out at ~30A in the summer. Higher than that and the car will kill the charging session. I just got my high-power EVSE a few months ago, so we'll see how it does in winter.
Tom, I'm sOOn getting a Rivian R1S as my first electric vehicle, and I will need to install a charger in my garage. Since you also own a Rivian, would you rather install this new Tesla Universal Wall Connector or the Rivian Wall Charger which I could order for $500 with the vehicle?
Tom, I believe the Wall Connectors have two temperature sensors looking for cable resistance heat however, the one I have seen in the Tesla Owners Club Puerto Rico that may affect charging is the one at the handle due to the recent heat waves.
I suppose it's not an issue with EVSEs these days (quality has gone up?), but in the early days it would have been important to also rate noise. Some of the early EVSEs had obnoxiously loud contactors that would clunk quite loudly, and even worse, some of them would hum obnoxiously during the charging cycle. The GE Wattstation was particularly bad about this.
Not surprising that this product scores so highly in your tests, Tom. (BTW, not only are your tests rigorous and informative, I think they’re rather clever as well 👍🏼!) I’m so extremely happy with my ‘21 M3 SR+, 2.5 years and 37K miles into its life. Keep up the great work!
I just got mine installed. I am having an issue with it releasing from the magic adapter when it’s powered and charged. The adapter won’t release when it’s plugged in.
Hey Tom. It's great that you spend so much time on temperature effects but you kind of just gloss over the water resistant aspect by just saying it gets no points for being NEMA 3. Maybe for those that will be installing outside mention what type of protection that affords from water penetration. Keep up the great work. Thanks for all you do in the EV space.
It would be nice if units like this could work with solar production and only use that production to charge the car . All the information is on most solar apps . I understand Tesla does do this but it's not through the charger but it's through the car itself and of course it's got to be part of the Tesla infrastructure like having a power wall . This being universal non Tesla owners will buy . Hopefully we will see chargers work with solar as a standard . I understand some can do but they need a added infrastructure beyond the charger . What I would like to see chargers get truly smart
Hopefully the Tesla app will let you release the adapter that will be the wear point if you ever need to replace it. They obviously could require a return of the used adapter with each part supplied so they can examine and discourage the use of the adapter with any other NACS plug. They are 6 months too late for my purchase dollars but honestly would prefer my ChargePoint Home Flex. I only have one EV so I’ll buy another plug that is user replaceable if ever I need to. Great review on both mine and this one. 36:09
Tom, a question. We are planning a trip to Porcupine Mountins in Michigan's UP. Very few public chargers, but there are lots of campgrounds. Is it safe to charge our Bolt EUV at an RV hookup? Will we need an adapter?
Just acquired a '17 Bolt and am considering a home charging option. Just started my research and might have ended here! Thanks, Tom! It's not only compatible with my Bolt, but future proof as mentioned with NACS connector, Tesla vehicle or otherwise.
Great reviews. I am installing the Tesla Universal and installing it where I need a waterproof, locking enclosure. Can you please review some of the available enclosures that work with the Universal?
Last year I already installed the regular version of Tesla's Wall Connector, ( NACS only ). Can I use the same mounting bracket as it is and put this unit on? ( I would keep my existing unit stored away as a spare ).
I find it interesting you’re lowering the height that you’re performing the drop test from. You used to do it from shoulder height, but the time you did it with just the NACS connecter it was more like nipple height, and when you had the J1772 adaptor installed, it was more like waist height.
I have been doing that lately because the more I thought about it, the more I realized I should drop it from the height a user would. People aren't going to hold the connector above their heads, so it probably won't be dropped from that height often. I'm always trying to reform/improve the tests.
@@StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney Totally makes sense, though you might want to find a way to consistently drop it from the same height (maybe push it off a table or something).
I think you would want to know at what force it would break. You should break it.... It is kinda stupid / dumb doing it your way. Waste of TIME...@@roger1818
I agree with showing the charging graph for DCFC sessions. However I think we also really need to see what rate the vehicle is requesting vs what the charger is providing in real time. Because currently we have no way to know whether the problem is with the charger (i.e. it’s derated) or the vehicle (e.g. because the battery is not preconditioned). If it’s the charger then I am just wasting my time and should move. Please add this information.
Thanks for doing such a deep review. I'm an EV newbie and the transition to NACS in the future had me a little concerned if I buy an EV with J1772/CCS now. This solution is future proof and flexible.
I own this unit and installed it myself in one day. My neighbor helped some. So if you do your homework, you can install it without an electrician. However, if you are not handy, hire an electrician.
Thanks for your detailed review! Would you mind sharing the model number of the Universal Wall Connector charger? It's nowhere to be found on the Tesla site and the Instruction manual link only shows the regular Wall Connector. I'm trying to find out if this model qualifies for a rebate at our local utility.
Great review! Can I use this and limit it to 40 amps? I would like to convert my NEMA 14-50 to a hard wired level 2 set up but don’t want to upgrade my wiring and breaker for 48 amp.
Tom, my electrician says that using two of these trips the breaker and will not pass the power company inspection (Puget Sound Energy). They are recommending installing two gen 3 ‘s which supposedly will not trip the breaker when load sharing with two cars. Can you test this, please, as what they are saying doesn’t make sense.Aren’t they the same unit only with an adapter?
I love your content. I also love the addition of adding heat to the charger while it's running. I would like to see you do that to your Ford charge pro that's behind you. I have the same Ford Charger and I have a hunch that when i charge mid afternoon on a 100+ degree day at anything over 60ish amps it overheats because it randomly shuts off and restarts a few minutes later.
Hi Tom, big fan! Had a quick question. I had my electrician install the J1772 Tesla wall charger (black one) over the weekend. It is installed outside under a covered area so it wont get rained on. However due to the cramped space, he installed the charger in a horizontal orientation, so 90 degrees to the right of what you have shown. So the charger cable comes out to the right hand side rather than under with this orientation (sideways). Is this okay and safe? It has been charging fine over the weekend. But concerned due to this orientation if water can get in. Thank you so much.
Anyone find it interesting that the Hilton group order for 20k of these is gonna take about a year to install them ALL. Yet in China so far this year they've averaged 54,000+new ev charging piles installed for each month of 2023. People say it can't be done in regards to evs&charging infastructure, yet China in 30 day's is installing as many or more charging piles as tesla managed to do in 11 full year's. I get they are around 4.5x us in population but man that is still some very impressive growth. 👍🏻😎
I like the review and comment. Due to the lower rating for outside impacts and living in the Pacific Northwest what are your thoughts for this charger? The charger set-up is outside (we and many do not have or use garages here) and facing the direction where most the storms come in off the Pacific (I am inland) for full storm exposure with a slight overhang of the rough with slight protection.
I have both a J1772 and Tesla.. dose the software that allows for over the air monitoring and control work regardless of the automobile that you’re charging..? Not sure if I’m wording that correctly..?
Hi Tom, great review. I've learned a lot about EVSEs & EVs from watching you, thank you. Due to your content, I have ordered a Porsche Cayenne E Hybrid that I expect in the first quarter of 2024. I assume the VW Group will eventually adopt the NACS connectors, but not sure what I should do to prepare. Do you think this Tesla Universal would make the most sense for someone in my position, or should I buy an EVSE with a J1772 connector, and get an adapter if/when Porsche adopts the NACS?
I received my two UWConnectors this week - amazed that Tesla, after having said shipments would begin in October, did in fact send me an email on 2 Oct, at 3:49am!!!, saying they'd shipped. Huh! And they now are installed, as of an hour ago. Very, very straightforward, other than for some user quirks - I was determined to perform some operations one could not do if one did not live 189 miles from town in Alaska - sorry, you city folks! BUT: Just a very important heads-up for any installers. Contrary to standard (USA) practice, the cable lugs are NOT in the normal { Ground - L1/N - L2 } orientation, but rather are { Ground - L2 - L1/N }. I hope that sharing this circumvents some nasty problems. Tom: Perhaps you could post a blow-up picture of the same?
Does j1772 come out only when it’s powered?? I remember you couldn’t take it out in your initial review. I just got my universal charger and cannot get it out. I haven’t installed it yet.
Question: when you connect the J1772 to the car, can you unplug the NACS connector only and leave the J1772 on the charging port of the car, or is this only possible while it's on the Tesla Wall Connector? You did not make this test!
Did I miss it? Do you mention any energy usage reporting? Does it tell you how many kW you've used to charge? (Or is that standard on all fixed chargers?) Great review, as always.
Wow. There is no point for Tesla or others to send units to other reviewers. Your review is so far ahead of any other product review. You give insight and knowledge using a language that is available both for the tech-savvy and the newbies. We added this video to our home charging technology guide to answer the most common question. What is the best charger in the US?
Thank you. I think they know that - Pretty sure I'm the only one they sent the unit to! 😁
Agreed if you need a review on an EVSE there's only one place to go!
I am a short term rental host and a lot of my guests who stay here from time to time have asked about an EV charger. After watching this video I am going to buy the Tesla Universal EV charger. thanks for the great video
I have been trying to figure out which one to get for my short term rental as well. I thought I knew which one I was going to get and then heard about the Universal option form Tesla which my problem, which was deciding which plug to choose and getting adapters. Have you installed yours and if so how is it going? I'm also in a location that gets very hot in the summer so this seems like the perfect option.
Went with the Tesla charger based on several of your reviews I watched today
You're reviews are so detailed. You cover all my concerns and then some. Thanks!
The time it takes the Tesla connector to restart charging may be due to it waiting for a stable state of power for a minute. That way it doesn’t get caught in a flickering (on/off) state as the power is returned to a stable state of power.
That makes sense to me
Yes, also many other systems will start up in that minute like air conditioners and refrigerators, this ensures the EV doesn't start charging during that high load time right after power is restored.
I’ve held off purchasing a Wall connector for years, preferring to just use the UMC w/ J1772 adapter for my Volt. This is such an elegant solution I think I’m going to finally pull the trigger and get one.
This is a big deal. It will force other companies to copy, which is a good thing. The 20,000 Hilton Hotel order will force other hotels to follow, which also is disruptive. This is an industry-changing move for North America.
Why wouldn't everyone want one for their garage as well?
Thank you so much for the new test. Please be extra careful when doing this. A lot of us live in very hot climates and yes our garage is become hot enough to cook steak please use extra precautions. We care about you.
Another great video.
Yes, be careful. You don’t want to melt a charger by making it too hot. Try to keep it within the maximum rated temperature.
I resolved that situation in my garage by installing a mini split AC system. 18,000btu's to keep the garage a nice cool 72F.
Great review Tom. This is the charger to buy for anyone with a J1772 car now. Works with your current vehicle and has NACS for when all the cars eventually switch over.
Great review, thanks!
In case anyone is curious, the maximum possible score on the ChargerRater, without any “bonus” points being given, is 109. 97 out of 109 possible is pretty darn good. Even if you remove the bonus point, it’s still 96/109.
I heard that the Tesla chargers have a random XX seconds before starting to charge after a power outage. Someone said that it was so when the power was back on he wouldn’t have XXX chargers click on at once.
That could be it
In Norway, after a power outage, it's (Tesla Wall connector) starting to change again from one to three minutes to save the grid from high starting load.
I have two 80 amp Tesla Wall Connectors in my 4 bay garage at my house, which is nice to use with my R1T, Lightning and MXP. Only the Lightning can take advantage of the big power tho. Tesla needs to offer one of these dual adapter units at 80 amp!!!
Wow, thanks Tom! I love the new bake test! I’m really impressed by this unit!
Excellent review as always! This is a novel solution to an interim problem, and it makes going back and forth between connectors easy and removes the possibility of an adaptor being misplaced. I like the idea of a delay after a power outage, as the most vulnerable time when power is restored is right after they throw that switch. The last thing needed is a bunch of high current draw devices trying to restart right after the power comes back on.
Personally, I'd prefer a physical dip switch to set the breaker size instead of the app. You never know when software acts unpredictably or an accidental config change could really spoil a person's day.
I ordered one of these when your first preview video came out. Thanks for the Content, so excited to get my new wall charger!
Tom quick suggestion . My town/village/city required a separate electrical "Disconnect Box" next to the Tesla wall connector. Power goes from main panel box to the Disconnect Box to the Tesla Wall Connector. This was in the event power needed to be shut off to the Tesla connector without having to run all the way to the breaker panel which in my case is over 100 feet away. The box was outdoor rated and cost $30.00 and was no extra labor $$ to install during the installation of the Tesla Wall Connector.
I had to install that for my Ford Charge Station Pro, because it delivers more than 50-amps. But I wasn't required to do so for the Tesla Wall Connector.
@@StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney My breaker was rated for 75 amps even though it only pulls 48, but in the interest of safety , some towns require it regardless. Its nice too because the Disconnect Box can be padlocked at the on-off throw to prevent an unauthorized person from using your wall connector as well, particularly if there's outside access. Mine is inside garage, so its not an issue, but it was still required. In addition, the Disconnect Box is also double fused so if something goes wrong, chances are the fusees will blow before anything.
Love your reviews. I bought the Universal Connector and have been using it outdoors for a month. I had one issue where it wouldn’t charge my Bolt after charging a Model 3 but Tesla tech support pushed an update to it that fixed the issue. Today it’s below freezing in Western NY and I have another issue. The button on the Magic dock gets water under it that freezes. After getting the button to push down it was then stuck in the down position. I am going to have to put a bag over the unit until I can up with something more permanent to fix the issue. Something to think about for people in cold climates if they are thinking about buying this. I probably would have chosen a different model if I knew about this design flaw earlier.
Tom, your reviews are A1 and I love following you with all the charger and auto reviews. Sadly I live in the Philippines and our step towards electrification is about 10 years behind
I believe the other reason Hilton is speccing these units for their hotels is that (by signing up with Tesla Commercial Charging) they can operate as commercial charge units. This means you can configure pricing per kWh, they appear in navigation, they can do smart power sharing across multiple units, vehicles can plug-and-charge, and Tesla handles all the billing automatically. Anything close to this type of capability from a competitor (like the ChargePoint CT4000) would be many times the cost, with lower performance.
So they're a solid value for private use, but an incredible value for commercial use.
Bad news is that the mount on the Tesla does have a requirement with a ton of slack in the line. I wanted to swap my Chargepoint charger to this and it cant be done unless I re-rerun my wires
I don't own an electric car, and I want to install one of these in my shop just to have one. I plan on getting a Tesla once my younger son starts driving in a few years, so I would only get the Tesla charger anyway. Great review!
Very thorough review .... seriously considering installing one at home for our BMW I-3.... the only second thoughts we're having is over all the negative adapter issues listed in the Amazon reviews.... seems the J1772 is either getting stuck in the wall unit or in the car.... has anyone experienced such problems .... Thanks for all you do Nick
Hi Tom, I just wanted to thank you for this review. I ordered the unit 4 months ago. I just got around to completing the installation (DIY) strictly following installation instructions exactly. THHN 6 AWG and properly torqued to spec. A couple things I discovered, your concern about the J1772 latch. I would Not be concerned at all, it’s STEEL not plastic. That’s why it frosted up when you took it out of the freezer. Also, right out of the box, the unit is defaulted to 60A breaker and ALL vehicle charging. You technically don’t need to commission it to charge, but that’s definitely recommended. Also I just received the Latest Tesla App update that includes Gen 3 & Universal Wall Connector support and connectivity. The setup process was smooth and painless as long as you have the QR code from the quick start guide. It took about 3 minutes to register the wall connector to the App. From a Charge history standpoint. It basically gives you the same information as the Charging Stats feature already in the app for home charging. so it seems a bit redundant in that regard.
Hey Tom, Is this worth the extra $170 if I already own a nacs->j1772 adapter? How does this compare to the WC3 which retails for $450? Are all functions and customizability the same in both units?
As usual, a great review! Thanks, Tom!
What is the width of the univeral wall connector with the cable docked into the unit?
Actually I have been using this for my Ioniq 5 since November of last year. Purchased it for $583 from a Maryland Company called Interconnect who installed it including the Electric work for an additional $800. It works great until I took the care in for the ICCU update (which is affecting many brands of chargers). From November 2022 through September 2023 I got a consistent 11.5kW for the entire charging session now (like for others) it drops to 5.5 kW due to this update dropping the amperage into the 20's from 48 Amps.
You may be confusing this charger with another charger. This one only just started shipping today and was announced not long ago
Well done, very thorough demonstration Tom!
Great review Tom. Glad Tesla gave you the product to review.
What we really need is a billing mechanism so that a restaurant, hotel, office, or beach can put these out and recover the cost of electricity from public users (perhaps with a small profit). These are WIFI, so they can be interrogated.
Another great review! This universal connector will be our next EVSE once our old JuiceBox goes out.
I've had my Gen3 wall connector shutdown a couple of times due to overheating when charging Lightning. The Lightning will pull the max Amps the connector can give and on a 110 degree day there's not much room for error. It's never been an issue on cooler days
Excellent review! I was looking for the way to get the J1772 adapter out to charge my IoniQ5, and you had the answer. It was absent from another video I saw first. I decided to subscribe after I saw all the topics you have been covering. Thanks.
I would've loved to have this available when I got my Ioniq 5. I got a ChargePoint Home Flex, which is great hardware, but the app leaves a lot to be desired. The Tesla software game is miles ahead of the competition.
I like to see a review of the Gen 2 Tesla Mobile Connector soon!
Tom - Regarding the heat test, I think the heat shutoff sensor for the tesla wall connector is in the handle, not the white box on the wall. You need to point the heater towards the handle while it is plugged in for this to be a relevant test.
The heater is 24" wide and was heating the entire unit, the connector included. Even the wall was getting hot. I'm going to have to figure out a way to protect the wall in the future
@@StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney Tom, I agree with this comment, you need two heat lamps to do this test properly. One aimed the EVSE while it's charging, and one aimed at the charge port while it's charging. Most of the derating that happens is because the J1772 handle overheats while charging, not the main unit. There is a temperature sensor in the J1772 handle, so having that part in a room temperature environment while charging is not a true hot test.
Thanks for the review, looking for a replacement for my 4 year ChargePoint, which has been replaced when it was under warranty. Now the WiFi won’t connect anymore. Called ChargePoint, told them that the replacement is failing, they could care less. Time for a Tesla charger!
Suggestion for your charger rating system. I've noticed some chargers will let you set the amperage in one amp increments, (ie you can set it to 38 amps, or 45 amps). Useful for cars like the Ioniq 5 that overheat on level 2 charging, so you can dial it in to the maximum sustainable charge speed. Wish this charger had that (I know autel at least does), but it seems like that should be a factor in such a detailed scoring process.
The FLO X5 also lets you adjust the current in 1A increments, though it is only a 30A “charger.”
Thanks for the review. I'm in Montreal, which can have plenty of heat, rain and cold. Given the fact it is NEMA 3 only, would you recommend against an outdoor installation?
Electrician here; A NEMA 3 (rain tight) assembly will take just about everything except being immersed under water. If you have a lot of corrosion in your area for NEMA 3 assemblies due to salt air or corrosive gases, then that may be a deal breaker for you, and you will want to look at NEMA 4 assemblies that are basically sealed up completely. I live in a coastal area, and NEMA 3 is just fine for most things as long as it is not installed on docks or within a few hundred yards of the coast for any NEMA 3 assemblies with exposed connections.
Our installation will be in our driveway. Is this an outdoor unit or not?
Superb review! The best I have read or watched anywhere! Great job! I just bought a Tesla Model 3 and this is the charger that I am going to buy. Your review confirmed my research.
I live in AZ, and my garage is not air-conditioned. I will be installing this charger in my garage, and so your heat test is VERY useful. To put this in perspective, we had over 33 days in a row last summer where the temperature was over 110 F. And keep in mind, that is measured in the shade. The heat can be brutal. So testing the unit as you did for extreme heat was monumentally important.
I ordered this for my 22 Lightning pro, been having issues with my Lectron 40amp charger. Hoping for a seamless change
Nice work Tom! Tesla has some great chargers. I have two myself in power share config in the garage. The only thing that gives me pause is the size of these new units. For businesses these are a no brainer.
I was fortunate enough to get an EVSE with my MYP.
Hi from Canada/Quebec where we have very cold weather, I watched all you charger video and settled on this Tesla universal. Love the deep freeze test, I wouldn’t taught of that. I got my new KONA EV 2024 and love it! First EV. The only thing that is not working well is that when I get back home after a drive and plug in the vehicle, the charger blue light flashes and the car say « charging not completed » and the car does not charge. I need to unplug and plug back in at then It’s start charging.. not sure if you experienced anything like this. It does that every time. Not a big deal, just an annoyance really. The Tesla app does not have much setting to go through (to be honest, it is pretty underwhelming, I was hoping to see a lot more stats and features)
Keep up the good work, very informative videos and made a huge difference in my decision!
Bonjour Carl. Protégez-Vous did not rate the other Tesla EVSE well for cold weather performance. We've had a mild winter in Quebec so far this year, but have you had the charger not work on cold days? How is it in the cold?
The heat issue is when the connector is hot at the vehicle. I get around it by wrapping a wet towel on it in the summer.
Other than the integrated J1772 adapter, are there any other differences between the Universal and standard Gen3 Tesla wall connectors?
Tom, I have a 2022 Ioniq 5 and in the extreme heat, the charge port overheats at higher amperage and then derates the charger. I dont want you to damage a vehicle but wondering if the EVSE performs the same way with heat to the charge port. Thanks for all your videos and insight!
I am excited for the new app charging session and other smart stuff is little missing but overall the best wall connecter!
You might want to change your rating systems to account for a handful of use cases. Then, add up the charger scores under those use cases.
In that system, you could have a charger that is amazing, as say an indoor charger, but can't be used as an outdoor charger. That would give you a total core of 50%.
Maybe survey your subscribers to determine the most common use cases as a way to weigh the categories.
Great review, waiting on the app follow-up. If Tom's review procedure gets any more thorough he's going to have to conduct them in a hazmat suit. 😁
Tom, please review the load sharing capabilities of this and other chargers. If one has two electric cars, I have heard the Teslas talk with each other and share the power. How does this work, and do other brands do this?
Great job!! I love all the work that do!
eGMP vehicles specifically have an issue with the charging inlet overheating. Hyundai Motor Group has basically said "Deal with it" and does not appear to be planning any kind of remedy, despite the vehicles being marked and marketed as accepting up to 48A. Interestingly, this is only an issue when AC charging, not DC.
Depending on the day, in my Phoenix driveway, I usually top out at ~30A in the summer. Higher than that and the car will kill the charging session. I just got my high-power EVSE a few months ago, so we'll see how it does in winter.
Tom,
I'm sOOn getting a Rivian R1S as my first electric vehicle, and I will need to install a charger in my garage.
Since you also own a Rivian, would you rather install this new Tesla Universal Wall Connector or the Rivian Wall Charger which I could order for $500 with the vehicle?
Excellent work, thank you!
My unit went bad. Shows green light but gives charging error, no power. Worked one time. This charger doesn't have a reset button like old models
Tom,
I believe the Wall Connectors have two temperature sensors looking for cable resistance heat however, the one I have seen in the Tesla Owners Club Puerto Rico that may affect charging is the one at the handle due to the recent heat waves.
Seems like a great option
This unit has been out for over a year now. Do you think Tesla re-freshes this unit soon or is it safe to buy now?
Thank you for adding the heat test from us in AZ!
I suppose it's not an issue with EVSEs these days (quality has gone up?), but in the early days it would have been important to also rate noise. Some of the early EVSEs had obnoxiously loud contactors that would clunk quite loudly, and even worse, some of them would hum obnoxiously during the charging cycle. The GE Wattstation was particularly bad about this.
Not surprising that this product scores so highly in your tests, Tom. (BTW, not only are your tests rigorous and informative, I think they’re rather clever as well 👍🏼!)
I’m so extremely happy with my ‘21 M3 SR+, 2.5 years and 37K miles into its life.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you!
I just got mine installed. I am having an issue with it releasing from the magic adapter when it’s powered and charged. The adapter won’t release when it’s plugged in.
Hey Tom. It's great that you spend so much time on temperature effects but you kind of just gloss over the water resistant aspect by just saying it gets no points for being NEMA 3. Maybe for those that will be installing outside mention what type of protection that affords from water penetration. Keep up the great work. Thanks for all you do in the EV space.
It would be nice if units like this could work with solar production and only use that production to charge the car . All the information is on most solar apps . I understand Tesla does do this but it's not through the charger but it's through the car itself and of course it's got to be part of the Tesla infrastructure like having a power wall . This being universal non Tesla owners will buy . Hopefully we will see chargers work with solar as a standard . I understand some can do but they need a added infrastructure beyond the charger .
What I would like to see chargers get truly smart
Hopefully the Tesla app will let you release the adapter that will be the wear point if you ever need to replace it. They obviously could require a return of the used adapter with each part supplied so they can examine and discourage the use of the adapter with any other NACS plug. They are 6 months too late for my purchase dollars but honestly would prefer my ChargePoint Home Flex. I only have one EV so I’ll buy another plug that is user replaceable if ever I need to. Great review on both mine and this one. 36:09
I don't believe that will be possible
@@StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney Hope nobody drops it. 🥹
Tom, a question. We are planning a trip to Porcupine Mountins in Michigan's UP. Very few public chargers, but there are lots of campgrounds. Is it safe to charge our Bolt EUV at an RV hookup? Will we need an adapter?
Just acquired a '17 Bolt and am considering a home charging option. Just started my research and might have ended here! Thanks, Tom! It's not only compatible with my Bolt, but future proof as mentioned with NACS connector, Tesla vehicle or otherwise.
Great reviews. I am installing the Tesla Universal and installing it where I need a waterproof, locking enclosure. Can you please review some of the available enclosures that work with the Universal?
Last year I already installed the regular version of Tesla's Wall Connector, ( NACS only ).
Can I use the same mounting bracket as it is and put this unit on? ( I would keep my existing unit stored away as a spare ).
I find it interesting you’re lowering the height that you’re performing the drop test from. You used to do it from shoulder height, but the time you did it with just the NACS connecter it was more like nipple height, and when you had the J1772 adaptor installed, it was more like waist height.
I have been doing that lately because the more I thought about it, the more I realized I should drop it from the height a user would. People aren't going to hold the connector above their heads, so it probably won't be dropped from that height often. I'm always trying to reform/improve the tests.
@@StateOfChargeWithTomMoloughney Totally makes sense, though you might want to find a way to consistently drop it from the same height (maybe push it off a table or something).
I think you would want to know at what force it would break. You should break it.... It is kinda stupid / dumb doing it your way. Waste of TIME...@@roger1818
I agree with showing the charging graph for DCFC sessions. However I think we also really need to see what rate the vehicle is requesting vs what the charger is providing in real time. Because currently we have no way to know whether the problem is with the charger (i.e. it’s derated) or the vehicle (e.g. because the battery is not preconditioned). If it’s the charger then I am just wasting my time and should move. Please add this information.
Been waiting for this thanks Tom!
Thanks for doing such a deep review. I'm an EV newbie and the transition to NACS in the future had me a little concerned if I buy an EV with J1772/CCS now. This solution is future proof and flexible.
When are these supposed to start shipping, any updates?
I own this unit and installed it myself in one day. My neighbor helped some. So if you do your homework, you can install it without an electrician. However, if you are not handy, hire an electrician.
How do you compare it to the ford pro charger? I have the pro charger now for my ford lightning. Looking for a second charger at my office.
Thanks for your detailed review! Would you mind sharing the model number of the Universal Wall Connector charger? It's nowhere to be found on the Tesla site and the Instruction manual link only shows the regular Wall Connector. I'm trying to find out if this model qualifies for a rebate at our local utility.
Mine says: "Mod N: 1734412-02-D"
Thank you!
It sure is a well thought through charger. Price is great too.
Great review! Can I use this and limit it to 40 amps? I would like to convert my NEMA 14-50 to a hard wired level 2 set up but don’t want to upgrade my wiring and breaker for 48 amp.
Will it work without the app for it ? Is there a display so one can see the charging progress?
Tom, my electrician says that using two of these trips the breaker and will not pass the power company inspection (Puget Sound Energy). They are recommending installing two gen 3 ‘s which supposedly will not trip the breaker when load sharing with two cars. Can you test this, please, as what they are saying doesn’t make sense.Aren’t they the same unit only with an adapter?
I love your content. I also love the addition of adding heat to the charger while it's running. I would like to see you do that to your Ford charge pro that's behind you. I have the same Ford Charger and I have a hunch that when i charge mid afternoon on a 100+ degree day at anything over 60ish amps it overheats because it randomly shuts off and restarts a few minutes later.
Hi Tom, big fan! Had a quick question. I had my electrician install the J1772 Tesla wall charger (black one) over the weekend. It is installed outside under a covered area so it wont get rained on. However due to the cramped space, he installed the charger in a horizontal orientation, so 90 degrees to the right of what you have shown. So the charger cable comes out to the right hand side rather than under with this orientation (sideways). Is this okay and safe? It has been charging fine over the weekend. But concerned due to this orientation if water can get in. Thank you so much.
Does the Tesla software let you charge the vehicle owner for the electricity? use the same system as magic dock?
So the reason my J1772 adapter won’t release is because it hasn’t been powered up yet?
Should I buy the Tesla charger at vehicle purchase?
Wanna see the heat test on the ford evse
Did this universal one have powershare? Do you think the normal one will get powershare?
Anyone find it interesting that the Hilton group order for 20k of these is gonna take about a year to install them ALL.
Yet in China so far this year they've averaged 54,000+new ev charging piles installed for each month of 2023.
People say it can't be done in regards to evs&charging infastructure, yet China in 30 day's is installing as many or more charging piles as tesla managed to do in 11 full year's. I get they are around 4.5x us in population but man that is still some very impressive growth. 👍🏻😎
I like the review and comment. Due to the lower rating for outside impacts and living in the Pacific Northwest what are your thoughts for this charger? The charger set-up is outside (we and many do not have or use garages here) and facing the direction where most the storms come in off the Pacific (I am inland) for full storm exposure with a slight overhang of the rough with slight protection.
I have both a J1772 and Tesla.. dose the software that allows for over the air monitoring and control work regardless of the automobile that you’re charging..? Not sure if I’m wording that correctly..?
Hi Tom, great review. I've learned a lot about EVSEs & EVs from watching you, thank you. Due to your content, I have ordered a Porsche Cayenne E Hybrid that I expect in the first quarter of 2024. I assume the VW Group will eventually adopt the NACS connectors, but not sure what I should do to prepare. Do you think this Tesla Universal would make the most sense for someone in my position, or should I buy an EVSE with a J1772 connector, and get an adapter if/when Porsche adopts the NACS?
I received my two UWConnectors this week - amazed that Tesla, after having said shipments would begin in October, did in fact send me an email on 2 Oct, at 3:49am!!!, saying they'd shipped. Huh!
And they now are installed, as of an hour ago. Very, very straightforward, other than for some user quirks - I was determined to perform some operations one could not do if one did not live 189 miles from town in Alaska - sorry, you city folks!
BUT: Just a very important heads-up for any installers. Contrary to standard (USA) practice, the cable lugs are NOT in the normal { Ground - L1/N - L2 } orientation, but rather are { Ground - L2 - L1/N }. I hope that sharing this circumvents some nasty problems.
Tom: Perhaps you could post a blow-up picture of the same?
Is there anyway to block the charger from charging when your not home? If not this need to be added
Does j1772 come out only when it’s powered?? I remember you couldn’t take it out in your initial review. I just got my universal charger and cannot get it out. I haven’t installed it yet.
Tom, must these units be hard wired? Thanks for sharing your experience.
Question: when you connect the J1772 to the car, can you unplug the NACS connector only and leave the J1772 on the charging port of the car, or is this only possible while it's on the Tesla Wall Connector? You did not make this test!
No. The J1772 adapter cannot be separated from the NACS connector once it's removed from the body of the Wall Connector
Did I miss it? Do you mention any energy usage reporting? Does it tell you how many kW you've used to charge? (Or is that standard on all fixed chargers?) Great review, as always.
Another GREAT review!!! Would this be able to charge both my Chevy Volt AND my 19.2 kW Lyriq at 19.2 kW speed, or not? Thanks in advance!!!