A weird charger find at Terrigal
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This is another technical charging story, for those interested. Sometimes I go out of my way to find some weird charger to try it out. You wouldn’t normally bother with this.
On PlugShare, I noticed a charger in the car park of Terrigal Hotel. I found it easily enough and parked. It requires you to bring your own type 2 cable (which I now happen to have). I plugged it in okay, but bringing, uncoiling and connecting your own cable is a pain, compared to other chargers with a cable provided, which you simply plug into your car.
For this charger, I had to download a new app, "UpCharge", and set up an account. The app is pretty bad, not native iOS, not great UI. Nothing seemed to be happening. It took a few minutes to figure out that the hardware wasn’t providing any power. I managed to find the circuit breaker switches at the bottom of the unit, and turn them on. The the app eventually showed a `Start` button.
It’s supposed to charge $0.30 per kWh. But the app seems to indicate a $2 flat fee as well. I couldn’t figure out the costing. But at least it was finally working. 11kW, the maximum AC power that our Tesla Model 3 can take.
After a few kWh of charging, I had to leave for my appointment with the car wash. I hit `Stop` in the UpCharge app, but it just showed an error screen. After a few attempts, the charger unit still wouldn’t release my cable. In desperation, I turned off the breaker switches. Then it released. What a pain.
I had spent so long sorting this out, that I didn't actually have time to go into the hotel to be a customer while waiting for the charge.
I re-coiled my heavy-ish type 2 cable, packed it into my boot, and drove off.
My takeaways:
- Terrigal Hotel thank you for installing EV chargers. But these particular ones are a pain. Please get ones that include their own cable. I think you'll get far more customers using them, and increased business.
- I would only use this current charger if I was desperate. On the plus side, it’s unlikely to be in use (because it’s a pain), so I can probably always get in.
I found it fine and not that heavy to use when I used the free charger at Coles.
We bought ours from Braumach. Their service and delivery and product is great. No issues with that.
https://braumach.com.au/products/duosida-tesla-model-3-y-…
It's perfect for road trips because not everywhere will have a convenient charger.
Wish we knew you were coming through the Central Coast as we live locally and would have liked to meet you.
It sounded like a very inconvenient charger. I have a Type 2 - Type 2 cable but have never needed it in over two years of EV driving. However, I notice that Type 2 BYO cable chargers seem to be more popular in Victoria when planning a tour there.
I guess that you are aware that there is a Tesla Supercharger at the Tuggerah Super Centre.
Cheers
Hugh Sykes and Margaret McDonald
We are available Thursday morning or Thursday after 3pm. We are also available all day Friday. We live in Erina. Meet for coffee?
Hugh & Margaret (Tesla & Kona Electric drivers)
Here are our available times:
Tuesday (today): 4-5:30pm
Wednesday: 9-11am, 1-5:30pm
Thursday: 8:30-10am
I tried to direct message you, but Facebook doesn’t seem to let me. Perhaps you’re not a “follower” of our blog?
How about sometime between 4:00 and 5:30 pm Wednesday?
I will also try messaging you.
Cheers
Hugh