When owning an electric car one question you might be asking yourself is, can you charge a Tesla in the rain?
That is totally reasonable, it is only natural to avoid the rain when around electronic devices. That is not the case with Tesla, the answer is yes. Yes, you can charge your Tesla in the rain.
I know it is not something you think you can do but you can. Thankfully Tesla figured you might need to charge your vehicle while it is raining so you are not stuck in a rain storm with a dead battery.
Your Tesla has safety features in place to avoid electric shock. There are some cases where it might not be safe to charge your Tesla in the rain. In this guide, I will be going over all you need to know when charging your Tesla in the rain.
Can You Charge a Tesla in the Rain at a Supercharger?
Yes, you can charge your Tesla in the rain at a Supercharger. The Supercharger is weather resistant and your Tesla has safety features that are in place to avoid electric shock.
Most Superchargers do not have roofs for charging purposes, so they are suitable for outdoor charging. The only exception is that during a thunderstorm you can not charge your Tesla at a Supercharger.
The reason behind that is during a thunderstorm when lightning strikes the sudden increase in electric current can damage your Tesla. When you are charging your Tesla at a Supercharger during severe weather do not stay outdoors.
Either stay inside your Tesla or go inside a nearby place that is open. Make sure that the charger is not on the ground, submerged in water, or out of its holder while charging during any storms.
If you feel more comfortable you can look for Superchargers that have a covered protective canopy, or even a parking garage during a rainstorm. But if you can not find any covered Supercharger you can still safely charge your Tesla while it is raining.
Can You Charge a Tesla in the Rain with Wall Charger?
Yes, the wall charger is safe to use during the rain. If you do not have a garage you still can charge your Tesla outdoors in the rain. Keep in mind that even though the wall connector is waterproof you still should protect it from any debris or moisture from damaging it and affecting its charging abilities.
As previously stated the wall connector is waterproof, yet if it does happen to detect moisture it will stop transferring voltage, this avoids any risk of electric shock when it is raining.
When you are not using the wall connector, keep the port in its socket or hang your wall connector facing down, doing this can prevent water from seeping through. Are you using an extension cord?
If you are using an extension cord, if it is raining water can get into the connection point of the charger and the extension cord. Make sure if you are using an extension cord keep it covered while it is raining.
Can you Charge a Tesla with a Destination Charger in the Rain?
Yes, when it is raining you can charge your Tesla at a Destination Charger. There are thousands of hotels, resorts, and restaurants that have Destination Chargers where you can charge your Tesla overnight or for a few hours while you are enjoying a nice dinner at your favorite restaurant.
Since most of these Destination Chargers use Tesla Wall Connectors (TWC), and Tesla Wall Connectors are made to protect your Tesla from moisture during a rainstorm. If you want extra protection you can get and use a waterproof outdoor charging port cover.
This is recommended especially when you are in a place that is experiencing severe rain, snow, or sleet. Using the waterproof outdoor charging port cover can give you peace of mind when experiencing hours of heavy weather and you need to charge your Tesla.
Can You Charge a Tesla with a Mobile Connector in the Rain?
No, the Gen 2 Mobile Charger should not be used when it is raining, snowing, ect. The Gen 2 Mobile charger allows you to charge your Tesla from different outlets at medium to slow speeds.
With that being said the Gen 2 Mobile Charger is not waterproof, it should be kept away from any moisture. You do not have to worry about electric shock but if your Gen 2 Mobile Charger detects any moisture in its component it will stop working.
Use a Supercharger or Wall Connector if it is raining and you need to charge your Tesla outdoors. If you have your Tesla indoors you can use your Gen 2 Mobile Charger while it is raining as long as it is away from any moisture.
Is Tesla Mobile Connector Waterproof?
No, the Tesla Gen 2 Mobile Charger is not waterproof. It is not recommended that you use the Gen 2 Mobile Charger while it is raining and your Tesla is outside.
However if your Tesla is indoors you can use the Gen 2 Mobile Charger while there is a storm going on in your area, just make sure there is no moisture getting to your charger. As stated above if there is moisture in the Gen 2 Mobile Charger components this will cause it not to work. It is advised that you use the Supercharger or the Wall Connector instead when you are experiencing weather in your area.
Also, you should never allow water to run down the length of the cable because it may enter the charging port or the electrical outlet.
Can You Charge a Tesla in a Thunderstorm?
It is not advised to charge your Tesla during a thunderstorm since it increases the risk of lightning strikes and possible water damage. However, Tesla is designed to have all cables and electronics grounded to protect it from damage caused by lightning.
If you need to charge your Tesla during a thunderstorm you can but know that there is a higher risk to your Tesla. There is a waterproof outdoor port cover that you can purchase to have the extra protection from the rain during a thunderstorm.
If your Tesla is charging and experiences any damage or water your Tesla will communicate with the charging panel using a monitoring system and stop the charging. Do keep in mind that even though your Tesla protects itself from damage either due to water or lightning, damage still can accrue.
The risk is even higher when charging your Tesla during a thunderstorm, that is why it is advised not to charge your Tesla when your area is experiencing a thunderstorm.
Can You Charge a Tesla in the Snow?
Yes, it is safe for you to charge your Tesla in the snow. There are just a few things that you need to do to ensure you do not get any water damage while charging your Tesla in the snow.
The first thing that you should do is check the charger for any snow or ice that may have gotten inside before you plug in your Tesla to charge. If the charging port on your Tesla is frozen over, the first action you might want to do is to pour hot water over the ice to melt it.
Never pour hot water over the charging port to melt the ice, and never try to force it open. Did you know that when you turn on the rear defroster on your Tesla it will also defrost the charging port?
That is correct, there is a heater within the charging port, so if your charging port is frozen over just turn on the rear defroster, wait a few minutes and you should be able to charge your Tesla.
Before you plug in your Tesla make sure that the charging port is clear of any moisture and debris. You can also thaw the ice from the charging port by turning on the Preconditioning Function via the Tesla app.
Overall it is possible to charge your Tesla in the rain and snow but be aware of thunderstorms.
As stated above charging your Tesla during a thunderstorm is a higher risk of damage to your Tesla, which is why it is advised to not charge your Tesla while there is lightning in your area.
If you want extra peace of mind do not be afraid to purchase the waterproof outdoor charging port cover, this will give you extra protection against water damage while charging your Tesla during weather.
If you are using the Supercharger but do not want your Tesla exposed to the elements you can see if there are any covered Superchargers or Superchargers in a garage. If you have to charge your Tesla outdoors in the rain, know that it is safe for you to do so.
The Supercharger and Wall Connectors are waterproof and your Tesla has safety features in place to prevent electric shock while it is raining outside.
Even if you are parked at a Destination Charger for a few hours or overnight you can still charge your Tesla in the rain safely. Like all devices just make sure there is no moisture or debris in the cables and charging port and you should be fine.