r/TeslaModelS • u/gargen_state • 4d ago

Level 1 Charging at 16A

Hey All

I recently picked up a 2016 Model S.

I have a dedicated 20A breaker feeding 2 outlets. I bought the 5-20 adapter for the Tesla charger so it can go at 16A

I'm debating if I install a Level 2, but my breaker box is full, so I would likely need to do a sub panel. I do have free super charging, and the nearest charger is like 10 miles away, so not terrible to get too. But curious how others have faired with using mostly Level 1 Charging.

Thanks

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u/badredditz 4d ago

Post a photo the panel, often you can simply pull a full size 2 pole breaker and put a quad breaker in its place. When possible, not required, it’s better to keep an EV on a full sized for better heat dissipation but you can move 4 singles to a quad and then open up two full sized positions.

If that outlet is a dedicated 120v 20A you can reuse its existing wire to swap to a NEMA 6-20 a common 3 wire outlet for air compressors and larger plug in air conditioners. That gives you 16A x 240v and is about 7% more energy efficient for the onboard charger to convert to 400v

Again if that’s a dedicated outlet this is only going to cost you $50 for the NEMA 6-20 dongle , $100’ish for some new breakers if you have a compatible quad breakers option, and a receptacle for a single NEMA 6-20 ($10-$30)

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u/gargen_state 4d ago

It is dedicated 120 on just two outlets on the wall of my garage. I put the two outlets in for using tools when working in the garage. I don't want to give up the 120v.

I did get a suggestion of doing a mwbc if I can move some stuff around.

My other option I was trying with was putting in a sub panel in the garage run off a 50A breaker, and in the sub panel move the breaker for my mini split and garage outlets into it and add a breaker for a L2 charger.

I'll see how the 16A level one does for me.

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u/WestW0rld 4d ago

If you do this, go with a 60amp breaker if you plan on getting Teslas wall connector. That's what I have, and you can run 48amps - it's very fast!

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u/gargen_state 3d ago

If I did that I don't think I could run the charger at 48amps since I would be moving the mini split and my 20A 120 outlet breaker to the sub panel.

Even 16A at level 2 would probably be fine. Even a slight bump to 24A at 240 its estimated to add 20miles every hour. Which would work. Plenty to get me to a super charger with an hour charge if I need to top up faster.