Tesla Wall Connector DIY Install for Less Than $40

For more than a Year and a Half, we have gotten by just fine with our Tesla Model Y solely using the mobile connector that comes with the car paired with the NEMA 14-50 adapter sold by Tesla. Now that we have a Tesla Model 3 as well, it is time to upgrade and get the Tesla Wall Connector to meet our charging needs.

The shocking thing about the Tesla Wall Connector was just how easy, and inexpensive, it can be to install. If you already have an outlet in your garage, preferably a NEMA 14-50, you can easily and quickly wire up the Tesla Wall Connector to be plug and play without worrying about dealing with high power electronics.

No need to hire an electrician, if you go this route, and its about $40 for the parts you will need to do this on your own. In about 45 minutes, I was able to wire up and plug in the Tesla Wall Connector to support charing needs of our Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3.

To do this install, you will need a couple things listed below:

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[larryetzel]

You just saved me $300, not having to pay an electrician to do this 1 hr job. You're the best!

[brianbeasley]

I did the exact same thing with my wall mount chargers. There are numerous code violations and issues which some have already been mentioned with this installation.

1) The code for the pigtail applied to the charger is that it is limited to 12" total length from the charger so it will work but it should have been shortened. (The reason for the code is that the circuit protection is in the unit, not the breaker (like a GFCI) and the code writers did not want a long cord that could potentially be easily cut. The reason the cord to the car can be long is that the unit is supplying the circuit protection in front of that and ground fault protection to that cord if it is cut or damaged.

2) The waterproof gland mentioned but not installed should have been installed for mechanical strain relief. It's nice when it also makes it waterproof to keep bugs and moisture out.

3) Tesla gives a very explicit torque specs for the tightening of the conductors and this is important to ensure it doesn't loosen up from expansion/contraction cycles. The "German torque spec" of "GuudNTite" should only be used with lots of experience. The amount of tightening required is usually higher than most users think and a torque wrench should actually be used.

4) The neutral conductor should have also been cut off and wire capped. The wire cap is important but it could then be electrical taped so the cap doesn't back off.

5) The jacket probably should not have been extended through the wire tie but that actually looks OK if it will fit. Unfortunately without the gland, this now becomes the primary mechanical strain relief and the individual conductors can end up with differential tension and weight on them (especially with the long cord). With only three conductors wire tied, there would have been less of a chance of this and the strain would have been transferred to the waterproof gland (not installed).

6) The Tesla unit should be provisioned (with the cell phone app) so that it is specified for a 50 amp breaker which is the correct breaker for a NEMA 14-50 outlet. The range pigtail used was a 50 Amp unit so that was a good choice (by default, this is the case with a NEMA 14-50 pigtail cord with the plug manufactured on).

Bottom line is that this unit will (at least initially) will work as shown but it isn't all that safe and is prone to bug infestation and broken wires due to poor strain relief. The probability is low that the feed wire would be cut with a shovel or something but if it ever is, the user is going to be surprised as their outlet becomes a welder!

Be safe and use a competent electrician if in doubt! Am I too picky? Perhaps but I have to live in the house where my unit is installed and 50 amp wires with poor or strain weakened connections can cause big fires!

[Peter-rqxn]

Thank you for making this simple to follow! I debated going with a standard 240 outlet, but decided to just take the plunge and purchase the Wall Connector before delivery of our Model 3. Even though the initial 500 fee is steep, it really makes a difference and have no regrets.

[gchetail]

This is a good solution as you can take the wall connector with you easily when you move home. Thanks for the video.

[Vintage_Dave_T]

Cool idea. I’m no electrician but I’d put electrical tape on the white wire exposed connector. To be safe.

[FrunkToTrunk]

*It’s the $500 price tag that gets me. But it looks sweet!* 🚘⚡️

[greggordon]

One suggesion and often overlooked is to make sure you use a torque screwdriver and make sure its torqued properly. Drill is not the way to properly make sure its tight. Like other said in the post I would cut back the sheeting further so you don't have to jam the wires in there, and also clip off the white wire. Other than that cool install.

[samleehamlee]

Smart and more versatile way to use the wall charger! Thank you for sharing this!!

[JohnHeng]

Hmmmm I already have a NEMA 14-50 in my garage. I was thinking that if I were to ever get a wall connector, I'd have to tear up the wall again but this video gives me another idea. Thanks! I was confused at first on why you were clipping off the connectors then I realized that it was a dryer cord which is a pretty awesome idea. This would get me from 32A -> 40A (or 29 mph -> 37 mph).

[richardheckbert]

You should have stripped the black cable jacket all the way down to the cable clamp in the bottom of the Tesla charger mount. This way the 4 cables are separate and can be easily bent and shaped into position without having to stretch them.

Also you should cut the end off the white wire and cap this with a wire nut and electrical tape.

[bspencersf]

Couple of things… As you alluded to you do need a fitting where the cable exits the base. Rather than the one you showed in the video a clamp would be required to provide strain relief for the cable. Also note that it’s generally against code to have a permanently mounted fixture connected by removable plug. I don’t really consider that a safety risk but just pointing out that it’s probably against code.

[tombournique]

I bought an old series one mobile charger from a Tesla model S. It plugs into the wall outlet and charges at forty amps on my model 3 LR.
I can unplug it and take it with me if needed, but instead I keep it plugged in all the time and keep the mobile charger that came with the car and harges at 32 amps in my frunk. This way I can use it and places that have 240-volt outlets or just use the 120 volt plug instead.

[stevenchan]

That neutral wire just hanging there is super dangerous if it touches the hot wires. Also, the wall connector is suppose to be hardwired and against code to install it the way you did it. If you're going to go through this trouble, you might as well spend $50 more and swap out the breaker for a 60 amp breaker and run a 6 AWG wires and hardwire the thing like it's suppose to be done and get the full 48 amp charge capability. The wire run is already there for you to pull and the 14-50 junction box is already there to make the hardwired connection.

[NipomoBeach]

Thanks Mr. Bearded Guy. I have also used the technique on various items. I don’t see a lot of advantage to this process. But what about mounting the wall connector to a piece of plywood with the pigtail. At that point you would have the same function as with yours, but you can attach the plywood with connector that are easy to remove. Then you have a portable wall connector. You then can simply unplug it and remove the plywood connector and take it with you. Could be a good advantage if you visit relatives with the appropriate electrical box to plug it into. I would also cut the white neutral white so you don’t have to deal with it. I’m in the process of getting a Model Y. The estimated delivery date is December 27 ish. I also purchased the wall connector. My only reservations is the WiFi connectivity. Not sure how that would affect my idea. Thanks again.

[LTdan]

I'm currently running a chargepoint for my MY LR with an adapter permanently attached since my garage already has a NEMA 14-50 outlet and didn't want to go through the hassle of ripping it out for the Tesla wall charger. However after looking at this method, I may consider it in the future. Thanks for the vid!

[Speedlimitreviews]

Have had this done for a few years now. It’s a great way to have the best of both world. Fast charging and ultimate flexibility if you ever want to change chargers or a friend comes with a non tesla EV. Great video.

[sludog]

I had a wall charger installed a few months ago. Install was cheap but the wire and breaker were super expensive because of the supply shortages. My Model 3 LR was delivered last weekend so it was torture waiting to plug my car in for two months waiting for the car. Lol Well worth the money with the faster charging and makes my finished garage look great. When it lites up charging it looks beautiful. Lol

[jamkat]

I know this came out a while back and I may have posted a comment... But I believe with my 160 mi commute up to four times a day the Tesla wall charger may be a better answer to charging at home. But something I do notice since this last winter and it's not quite over yet. The expense of charging goes up basically compared to fuel in the winter time. Because you lose a lot of energy because of temperature I do have to charge at a supercharger at least two times in a weekend. One trip to 80 mi on my commute to work and I was at almost 80% charge. I was completely down to 17%. Granted it was not a normal cold spell like north of us. I am from the Pacific Northwest and the cold spell came into single digits for a few days. It really tested my battery and charging. The expenses of course went up. Still not quite as high as fuel costs but those cold days were as equal. But my energy savings are tremendous because of less supercharging when the temperature gets above 35°.

[riccaraballo]

Man this was so easy!!! I ended up splicing a extension cable and plug it to my old dryer port. Worked perfectly!!! Thank you so much for the idea!!!

[markreaume]

we got our second Tesla (Y 4wd) 15 months ago, that bumped model 3SR+ to be used only around town - M3 has ONLY been charged on its mobile connect on a 110v outlet since then - and never been a problem, and that was a lot less than $40