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Tesla Magic Dock, we (EV6 users) won’t be using it

9683 Views 111 Replies 40 Participants Last post by Ev6fan, 12 d ago

npgeorgeuw

Discussion Starter · 3 mo ago

Looking at the reports while they work seamlessly, the extremely short magic dock cable means that we and Mach E owners won’t be charging according at least according to normal Tesla parking etiquette.

Yay for choices that actually work! Nay for getting your car keyed because you “BEV’d” a Tesla spot. Maybe v4 will fix it but I would doubt it. Perhaps this was Musk’s plan, open ‘‘em on paper, grab the subsidy bounty and let the war begin.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/first-charge-at-a-tesla-sc.26525/

Reactions: 3

61 - 80 of 112 Posts

pilozm

· #61 · 3 mo ago

It sounds like an cable extension would be a good product for folks that need a CCS EVs to be able to charge at Tesla's Superchargers without taking up 2 spots. A cable extension would allow the "connection" to reach. A person would connect the proprietary Tesla handle from the Supercharger to the extension cable on one end. The other end of the extension has the common CSS connector that plugs directly into the CCS EV. What are the chances someone out there is engineering this extension right now...

Bkaklinv

· #62 · 3 mo ago

pilozm said:
It sounds like an cable extension would be a good product for folks that need a CCS EVs to be able to charge at Tesla's Superchargers without taking up 2 spots. A cable extension would allow the "connection" to reach. A person would connect the proprietary Tesla handle from the Supercharger to the extension cable on one end. The other end of the extension has the common CSS connector that plugs directly into the CCS EV. What are the chances someone out there is engineering this extension right now...

Aren't V3 and V4 superchargers using liquid cooled cables?

Reactions: 3

Soullancer

· #63 · 3 mo ago

pilozm said:
It sounds like an cable extension would be a good product for folks that need a CCS EVs to be able to charge at Tesla's Superchargers without taking up 2 spots. A cable extension would allow the "connection" to reach. A person would connect the proprietary Tesla handle from the Supercharger to the extension cable on one end. The other end of the extension has the common CSS connector that plugs directly into the CCS EV. What are the chances someone out there is engineering this extension right now...

Bad idea to use an extension to transfer 250A of current. A regular extension is rated for less than 20Amps. Imagine how bulky and risky it will be. Additionally, there are sensors in the cable head which will need to be included on the extension. The cost is going to be prohibitive (ignoring the risks).

Reactions: 2

alexw

· #64 · 3 mo ago

Soullancer said:
Bad idea to use an extension to transfer 250A of current. A regular extension is rated for less than 20Amps. Imagine how bulky and risky it will be. Additionally, there are sensors in the cable head which will need to be included on the extension. The cost is going to be prohibitive (ignoring the risks).

On top of that, even if you could and even if you personally did jump through all of those hoops, so too would every single CCS user have to. Even a single vehicle who shows up without such an extension puts the hitch in the row of cars, and then you might as well not bother with the extension at all.

dc30307

· #65 · 3 mo ago

The short cables might be Tesla's way of managing losses in the cable while keeping the thickness reasonable. Their max amperage is higher than a 350kw 800v charger.

Reactions: 4

rkr

· #66 · 3 mo ago

dc30307 said:
The short cables might be Tesla's way of managing losses in the cable while keeping the thickness reasonable. Their max amperage is higher than a 350kw 800v charger.

Very true. And since Tesla designed all the vehicles that (until now) would ever connect to a SC, they could standardize the charge port location which allows the SC to also be standardized. Rear driver corner. Perfect spot, IMO.

The rest of the industry really missed an opportunity by not also standardizing the charge port location. I've seen at least four different locations for charge ports across the various EV makers, there's probably more. That complicates the design of public charger orientations, cable lengths, etc. It's quite aggravating that the industry couldn't agree on something so basic.

Reactions: 1

alexw

· #67 · 3 mo ago

rkr said:
Very true. And since Tesla designed all the vehicles that (until now) would ever connect to a SC, they could standardize the charge port location which allows the SC to also be standardized. Rear driver corner. Perfect spot, IMO.

The rest of the industry really missed an opportunity by not also standardizing the charge port location. I've seen at least four different locations for charge ports across the various EV makers, there's probably more. That complicates the design of public charger orientations, cable lengths, etc. It's quite aggravating that the industry couldn't agree on something so basic.

There are decent arguments for the front, and decent arguments for the back, but I genuinely can’t imagine why you’d put it on the back right when Tesla has been doing back left forever.

Reactions: 1

Say Watt

· #68 · 3 mo ago

EVNoobie said:
Is that walking distance to an In-n-Out?!

There is one a little over a half mile away. It's your definition of "walking distance".

There is a food court listed in the far end of outlet stores. Consider twenty free spaces for free overnight charging at two different hotels. Oggi's Sports Brewhouse is a primo nearby eatery.

t88dsm

· #69 · 3 mo ago

alexw said:
There are decent arguments for the front, and decent arguments for the back, but I genuinely can’t imagine why you’d put it on the back right when Tesla has been doing back left forever.

An argument for back right is so you can park on a street and charge without the cable sticking out into traffic. That's what I always thought anyway, after observing Teslas street charging in my neighborhood.

Reactions: 4

Bkaklinv

· #70 · 3 mo ago

alexw said:
There are decent arguments for the front, and decent arguments for the back, but I genuinely can’t imagine why you’d put it on the back right when Tesla has been doing back left forever.

Back right works well for street side charging (in the US)

rkr said:
The rest of the industry really missed an opportunity by not also standardizing the charge port location. I've seen at least four different locations for charge ports across the various EV makers, there's probably more. That complicates the design of public charger orientations, cable lengths, etc. It's quite aggravating that the industry couldn't agree on something so basic.

Like how the auto industry quickly standardized the location of fuel filler spouts on ICEV? I sure am glad they all decided over the last 110 years that a single design was best and most efficient!

That way we don't have car zooming around gas stations trying to find a pump on the correct side of the car...or having to turn and back into a pump location in a busy crowded gas station.

Reactions: 2

dc30307

· #71 · 3 mo ago

Audi had it right with availability of dual ports on some versions of the e-tron.

avh

· #72 · 3 mo ago

Some ICE cars still have the fuel filler on the passenger side. I realized this when I was in line to buy gas at Costco. A few cars in line on the right side of the stalls, no wait line on the left side for the lucky drivers that had the filler on the other side.

avh

· #73 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

The EV port makes sense to be placed depending where the on-board charger is located in the car and where the DC cables enter the battery. Both Tesla and KIA have it on the rear side of the car. Placing the port on the back means the cable from the port to internal charger is shorter (cheaper, less weight, etc.). I think this is a no brainier.

But we can argue between left and right. Tesla probably adopted the ICE drivers mentality which find it convenient to be on the driver side, so you don't have to go around the car to plug in. But driver side EV port is not ideal for street charging where the cable needs to be longer and will stick towards the road. I'm very curious where the Cybertruck port will be placed. Both Rivian and F150 Lightning placed it in the front due to the truck bed. I just don't like how Ford placed the port so far from the corner.

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Reactions: 1

wredejd

· #74 · 3 mo ago

pilozm said:
It sounds like an cable extension would be a good product for folks that need a CCS EVs to be able to charge at Tesla's Superchargers without taking up 2 spots. A cable extension would allow the "connection" to reach. A person would connect the proprietary Tesla handle from the Supercharger to the extension cable on one end. The other end of the extension has the common CSS connector that plugs directly into the CCS EV. What are the chances someone out there is engineering this extension right now...

I still wanted to back into my garage with the EV6 after I traded my Volt. So I purchased an extension cable off Amazon and extended my Level 2 charging cable. Have had no problems. I have not seen a Magic Dock but I agree it seems this extension cable should be a good solution to the parking issues. Not sure about the cable locking.

Reactions: 1

wredejd

· #75 · 3 mo ago

Soullancer said:
Bad idea to use an extension to transfer 250A of current. A regular extension is rated for less than 20Amps. Imagine how bulky and risky it will be. Additionally, there are sensors in the cable head which will need to be included on the extension. The cost is going to be prohibitive (ignoring the risks).

Ok, that is true. I am using it with my Level 2 charger, not the higher charging....

Reactions: 1

pilozm

· #76 · 3 mo ago

wredejd said:
I still wanted to back into my garage with the EV6 after I traded my Volt. So I purchased an extension cable off Amazon and extended my Level 2 charging cable. Have had no problems. I have not seen a Magic Dock but I agree it seems this extension cable should be a good solution to the parking issues. Not sure about the cable locking.

Any extension cord for DC fast charging has to be engineered to withstand the high amperage and as you mentioned the locking capabilities. You should not be able to suddenly disconnect any part of the connection suddenly, as the current is flowing.

tonester

· #77 · 3 mo ago

t88dsm said:
An argument for back right is so you can park on a street and charge without the cable sticking out into traffic. That's what I always thought anyway, after observing Teslas street charging in my neighborhood.

So what happens if your home is on a one-way street and just happens to be on the "wrong" side?

Also, an argument could be made about how having a cable running from your home to the street may not always be a good thing to do--unless you own all of the property between your parked-in-the-street car and your home, then hypothetically someone walking on a (public) sidewalk who somehow manages to trip over your cable and hurt themselves could potentially file an injury claim against you.

avh said:
Some ICE cars still have the fuel filler on the passenger side. I realized this when I was in line to buy gas at Costco. A few cars in line on the right side of the stalls, no wait line on the left side for the lucky drivers that had the filler on the other side.

Yeah, quite a few (older model-year) Fords as well as many/most BMW and MB models have the fuel filler door on the right-hand side. I would know because I've owned both a BMW and a MB...

Reactions: 1

Lamrith

· #78 · 3 mo ago

Say Watt said:
There is one a little over a half mile away. It's your definition of "walking distance".
There is a food court listed in the far end of outlet stores. Consider twenty free spaces for free overnight charging at two different hotels. Oggi's Sports Brewhouse is a primo nearby eatery.

That's an easy one, hit In-n-out 1st then charger. Relax and eat while you charge. I wish we had one up here, State probably has more CA transplants than any other, yet no In-n-Out. They went East to TN and north to ID when they could have gone due north form their OR locations and hit Here in Tacoma/Seattle? :-(

Apprunner

· #79 · 3 mo ago

Lamrith said:
That's an easy one, hit In-n-out 1st then charger. Relax and eat while you charge. I wish we had one up here, State probably has more CA transplants than any other, yet no In-n-Out. They went East to TN and north to ID when they could have gone due north form their OR locations and hit Here in Tacoma/Seattle? :-(

Doesn't In-n-Out only put up shops where palm trees grow 😁

t88dsm

· #80 · 3 mo ago

tonester said:
So what happens if your home is on a one-way street and just happens to be on the "wrong" side?

Also, an argument could be made about how having a cable running from your home to the street may not always be a good thing to do--unless you own all of the property between your parked-in-the-street car and your home, then hypothetically someone walking on a (public) sidewalk who somehow manages to trip over your cable and hurt themselves could potentially file an injury claim against you.

Yeah, quite a few (older model-year) Fords as well as many/most BMW and MB models have the fuel filler door on the right-hand side. I would know because I've owned both a BMW and a MB...

Sure, but if you have a clear design trade-off and one use case is a more common than the other, you usually don't design for the less common use case. Seems that's what Tesla did 😆 but they're probably just thinking about superchargers only

Street charging may not be ideal but the reality is it does happen frequently and can sometimes be the only option for a homeowner, especially here in socal where you have houses on hills without driveways or garages.

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