Some Tesla owners have discovered an unusual method for boosting charging speed during hot and sunny weather: wrapping the charging cable’s connector with a wet towel. It’s well known that electric vehicles tend to reduce charging speed in high temperatures to protect their batteries. However, this unconventional approach seems to help counteract that effect in certain situations.
The Wet Towel Technique: How It Works
Discussions on Tesla forums suggest that this technique works particularly well with older V2 Supercharger stations, which lack active cooling for their charging cables. By wrapping the connector with a wet towel or cloth, the cable is shielded from direct sunlight, and the cooling effect from evaporation allows more current to flow through.
One Tesla owner reported that using this method at a V2 Supercharger station on a hot day increased their charging speed from 60 kW to 95 kW. Out of Spec Studios, a team that conducts electric vehicle testing, achieved even more significant results. After initially reaching 147 kW at 2% battery, the charging speed dropped to 58 kW at 34% battery level due to a bottleneck. However, by using a wet cloth, they managed to boost the speed back up to 119 kW.
Does It Work with Newer V3 Superchargers?
While this technique appears to have a noticeable effect on V2 Superchargers, it’s not as effective with the newer V3 Superchargers, with one exception—Tesla’s Cybertruck. Since the Cybertruck is Tesla’s first vehicle with an 800-volt architecture, it requires specialized handling at Supercharger stations, which are not yet 800V-compliant. This necessitates splitting the battery pack into two 400V sub-units to exceed 700 amperes, leading to heat generation in the cables. Consequently, the wet towel method seems to help keep the cables cooler, maintaining higher charging speeds..
Limitations and Safety Considerations
It’s worth noting that this method won’t work miracles. It might save you a few minutes, but charging speed is influenced by many factors besides cable temperature. The temperature of the battery cells themselves remains one of the most significant determinants of charging speed.
In terms of safety, this technique is generally considered harmless. Tesla’s charging ports are designed to be waterproof, allowing for charging even in rainy conditions. However, since this is not an officially recognized method by Tesla, users should proceed at their own risk.
The Bottom Line
While wrapping the charging cable with a wet towel may seem unconventional, it can offer a small boost in charging speed under certain conditions. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Tesla does not officially endorse this method, and the responsibility for its use lies with the user. Would you consider trying this technique to increase your Tesla’s charging speed? Let us know in the comments below!
