Tesla Warns Against Dangerous Supercharger Hack That Could Risk Overheating
Tesla has recently issued a stark warning to electric vehicle owners about a popular, yet potentially hazardous trick involving their Supercharger technology. Users have been wrapping wet towels around the Supercharger cable connector in an attempt to increase the charging speed—a technique that has gained traction through social media and user-shared content. Notably, an entity known as “Out of Specs” claimed that this method boosted their charging rate dramatically, from 58 kW to 119 kW.
Despite these anecdotal accolades, Tesla has vociferously advised against this practice. The primary concern from the electric automaker is the introduction of a wet towel interfering with the Supercharger’s intricate temperature sensors. This could mislead the system’s thermal management, thinking the connector is cooler than its actual temperature, potentially allowing higher currents that elevate the risk of overheating or causing damage to the system.
Tesla’s direct statement encapsulates their stance: “Placing a wet cloth on Supercharger cable handles does not increase charging rates and interferes with temperature monitors, creating risk of overheating or damage. Please refrain from doing this so our systems can run correctly, and true charging issues can be detected by our systems.”
Alongside safety issues, there are technical aspects at play. Effective thermal management is crucial for fast charging processes, where high-voltage currents naturally generate significant heat. While a wet blanket might superficially seem favorable for cooling, it primarily distorts sensor readings, which could misinform the essential management protocols instead of mitigating the heat effectively.
The community has voiced their thoughts concerning this practice as well. Dana Weick, a user in the Tesla community, highlighted the necessity for practical solutions, mentioning that while the wet towel might offer a temporary fix, better infrastructure—like shade covers at charging stations—could more effectively address the main issue of chargers overheating due to high ambient temperatures. Dana’s observations spurred further discussion on the need for extensive testing in particularly hot regions of the country to ensure that chargers continue to operate efficiently without any externally induced alterations.
Tesla continues to emphasize the significance of utilizing their technology as designed, without alterations that could potentially skew the system’s operation. The company persists in urging drivers to abstain from placing any wet materials on charging connectors, ensuring that the charging process is not only efficient but also safe and reliable for all users.
