Do tesla superchargers derate in winter?

[Aag12]

Seems like it's clear that superchargers can't handle sustained 500amp and the warm temps which lead to them derating.

Does this still happen in winter temperatures for the v3 posts?

I have a long road trip coming up from CO to Michigan on i80 and luckily have many options for ea + tesla. Tesla will be more reliable, plentiful, and closer to the highway but unsure if it's worth prioritizing if I have an ea close by that won't derate...

Did this same trip 2 years ago and just did ea.

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[DCFC]

In cold weather, chargers can derate too until they warm up enough. It's because the coolant can be to viscous when very cold.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

They derate in any season, pending temperature.

 

[Aardvark]

I've used superchargers in temps as low as -25 deg F in our Teslas. They ramp up more slowly but still get to their rated power. The bigger issue is the battery temp. Even with preconditioning, I would sometimes see a delay of 2 minutes before the charging would ramp up as all the power was going to battery heating first.

 

[SwampNut]

They do in summer, but not winter.

But you didn't define what each mean. Here, summer means 120 degrees, and winter means 50-80. As it should be. If your winter is below that, there are movers.

 

[Aag12]

Thanks everyone. Just getting a data point on the handle temp issues. Seems like it should be OK from That angle, but there might be other variables at play.

 

[tjrivian]

In cold weather, chargers can derate too until they warm up enough. It's because the coolant can be to viscous when very cold.

That doesn't make much sense. If it's too cold for the coolant to be viscous then the charger should want to charge at a higher current, so as to create more power losses which in turn will heat up the coolant and make it more viscous.

 

[Thedude]

They do in summer, but not winter.

But you didn't define what each mean. Here, summer means 120 degrees, and winter means 50-80. As it should be. If your winter is below that, there are movers.

Thanksgiving night.

 

[SwampNut]

Thanksgiving night.

I'll take "places that are completely uninhabitable" for 800, Alex.

 

[Papi4baby]

All mechanical/electrical equipment will “slow/derate” itself pending external factors.

 

[R1Tims]

Just made the round trip IL to MI. Snow, wind, and cold. Used Tesla and RAN chargers. Did not have any trouble or derating with them. Did notice the R1T "conditioned" the battery after the charge was complete. Thought it was odd but it happened every time for about 15 min after completed charge.
Other then the expected loss of efficiency, cold wind etc It added 1 extra stop approx 10 to 15 min more then the normal (summer) weather.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

That doesn't make much sense. If it's too cold for the coolant to be viscous then the charger should want to charge at a higher current, so as to create more power losses which in turn will heat up the coolant and make it more viscous.

Heating everything up in a hurry is not the way to avoid damage.

 

[oskeei]

Just made the round trip IL to MI. Snow, wind, and cold. Used Tesla and RAN chargers. Did not have any trouble or derating with them. Did notice the R1T "conditioned" the battery after the charge was complete. Thought it was odd but it happened every time for about 15 min after completed charge.
Other then the expected loss of efficiency, cold wind etc It added 1 extra stop approx 10 to 15 min more then the normal (summer) weather.

Similar results, 3 different superchargers and no change in charging behavior. Sidejack, the cold did make the v4 cable tough to maneuver around.

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