It can be difficult to keep up with all of the different charging options available for electric vehicles. Each vehicle has its type of charging port, and there are also different types of charging stations that can be used in homes or public places. So, what is the Tesla Mobile Connector used for?
The Tesla Mobile Connector is a portable way to charge an electric car using an extension cord. It’s also known as the UMC or Universal Mobile Connector. It comes in handy if you’re charging your car in different locations, but it’s not essential for charging.
Read on for more insights into what a Tesla UMC is, what it does, and some tips on ensuring your UMC lasts longer.
What Is a Tesla UMC?
A Tesla UMC is the mobile connector that comes with all Teslas sold today. Tesla owners can plug it into any wall outlet, and the other end is a standard NEMA 14-50 outlet.
This is the same type of outlet that you’d find on your dryer or stove at home. It can be plugged into any Tesla UMC wall adapter or home charger to recharge a Tesla.
Tesla UMC was designed to be used with their Wall Connector and can charge at 80 amps. They come with a handle and wheels, making them easier to plug and unplug from your car.
What Does the Tesla Mobile Connector Do?
Tesla Mobile Connector is a high-speed vehicle charger that delivers up to 32 amps at 240 volts. It’s the perfect complement to Tesla’s Wall Connector and can be used for a quick top-off when you’re at home, at work, or on the road.
The cable stored in the Mobile Connector provides power for topping off and scheduled charging. It’s perfect for indoor, outdoor, and home use and will fully charge your Tesla overnight.
In general, here are some of the reasons to have a Tesla UMC:
- It’s convenient and can charge anywhere there’s a power outlet. This allows for charging on trips to which you might not have had access before, for example, during road trips or traveling abroad.
- The UMC makes it easier to keep your Tesla topped off for optimal performance and range as often as you like. It charges more quickly than a typical home/office charging cord and is compatible with a Tesla wall connector or a NEMA 14-50 outlet.
- Charging is simple. Just plug in the UMC cord to your vehicle and press the release button on the connector.
- Compatible with other brands. Tesla UMC is compatible with most EVs, including Tesla models, Nissan Leaf, Smart EV, and Chevy Volt.
Here are 7 Nissan Leaf charging recommendations you should know in this related and helpful article that I wrote.
Here’s a YouTube video that shows the Tesla UMC’s features:
Is Tesla UMC Waterproof?
Tesla UMC isn’t waterproof, but it’s at least weatherproof. It’s best to keep it close or under a cover if you’re going to expose it to the elements for an extended period. Most people won’t have any issues with water splashing on their charge port from driving in the rain or with a little bit of snow melting off.
In addition, here are some helpful guidelines to ensure your Tesla UMC lasts for the longest time possible:
- Use an extension cord to protect your Tesla UMC from being crushed. Get proper support for the cable, not just the connector
- Don’t let water get into or sit inside of the Tesla UMC cable. If you find that it’s wet, try letting it air dry before plugging it in again.
- Store the UMC in a dry location. When you’re not using it for a long period, it’ll help to keep it in a cool and dry environment
As an added bonus to this article, I’ve created this easy-to-use charging calculator. Simply input your model, charging wattage, and charging percentage, and you will get the estimated time it will take to charge a Tesla in terms of hours. You can play around with numbers a bit just to see how charging time changes:
Tesla Charging Calculator (Time):
Estimated Time It Takes To Charge Your Tesla
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We have sent your request information to your email.How Do I Reset My Tesla UMC?
Many things can go wrong with a Tesla UMC, so if you’ve ever been faced with the error “Mobile Connector not found,” there’s a way to reset it.
To reset your Tesla UMC, you may just need to unplug, reset, and plug the Mobile Connector back in. If there’s still an error, you may need to unplug it from both the vehicle and power outlet, and then plug it back in again.
Let’s go over these steps in a bit more detail below.
Unplug the UMC
First, unplug the Mobile Connector from your car.
This will ensure that if you experience any errors while using it, such as an “error not found” message when connected, they’re most likely caused by a loose connection rather than something more serious like poor signal quality or distant location!
Can You Charge an EV in the Rain? We did some digging and wrote a helpful piece of info. Learn the IP ratings of all parts of EVs!
Press the RESET Button
After unplugging the UMC, you’ll need to reset it. Looking at your Mobile Connector itself, find a small silver button on one end of the connector. This is a reset switch. To use it, simply press down on it with either a pen or some other thin object for about 3 seconds.
Plug in the UMC
Plug your UMC back into both the vehicle and then into an electrical outlet. It would help if you never plugged or unplugged the mobile connector from both locations simultaneously, as this may cause problems with your UMC connection.
Make sure you wait until all lights have illuminated before attempting to disconnect from either location after resetting.
Unplug the Mobile Connector From the Vehicle and Power Outlet
If you still have the “not found” error, unplug your mobile connector from both the vehicle and power outlet. Then, plug it back in. When plugging back in, always plug into the power outlet first.
If all of these steps don’t solve the problem, I recommend that you contact customer support.
Best Tesla UMC Alternatives
There are numerous Tesla UMC alternatives on the market today. Depending on your needs, you can find one that’s right for you.
Siemens Adapter
For example, Siemens is an OEM supplier of several European car brands such as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. This means they have experience integrating vehicle charging into their vehicles, so they know what works best for each brand they manufacture chargers for.
Siemens (available on Amazon.com) also has the HPWC, a NEMA 6-50 outlet that you can plug your Tesla UMC into. Besides, you can use their adapter with your EVSE for much cheaper than the Tesla-branded alternative.
Clipper Creek HCS-40
The Clipper Creek HCS-40 (available on the official website) is an affordable option to charge your plug-in vehicle at home. It comes with a 25-foot (7.6 meters) cable and is UL listed for outdoor use.
Besides, it sports a slim design and offers surge protection at the outlet. It offers one of the fastest charging speeds out there, making it ideal for use in an office or home setting.
Tesla Wall Connector
Tesla’s wall connector (available on Amazon.com) is another alternative that you can use in combination with the Tesla Mobile Connector.
For example, it uses the same plug as your Model S or X but allows you to configure it for different circuits if something doesn’t work in your location.
Also, the Tesla Wall Connector is built for indoor or outdoor installation, so you can place it wherever you want.
Bosch Power Max 2
Bosch Power Max 2 (available on the official website) is a UMC-equivalent designed to charge your vehicle at home. It’s also available in two colors (black and red) and has an integrated cable storage compartment.
The charger itself is UL listed, meaning that it meets certain safety standards like most other charging equipment on the market today, but its cable isn’t waterproof like the one that comes with the Tesla UMC.
How Long Is Tesla UMC?
The Tesla UMC is 20 feet (6 meters) long and weighs 5.2 lbs (2.4 kg). It’s also a fairly slim device, being just 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) wide. These features come in extremely useful if you’re charging at home or work, as you can easily tuck the cable out of the way.
In addition to its length and weight, the UMC comes with weatherproof connectors and a thermal fuse to protect it from overheating, overloading, and short-circuiting.
What Is HPWC?
HPWC stands for High Power Wall Connector. When used for commercial purposes, it typically comes with either 50 amps or 80 amps of power which equals roughly 10 kW.
Here are some of the use-cases of HPWCs:
- High power commercial charging.
- Public chargers at airports, malls, and hotels.
- Garages are equipped with commercial-grade outlets.
Tip: You can purchase an HPWC in combination with a NEMA 14-50 outlet and UL-listed cable. If you want to install your HPWC outdoors, choose the outdoor-rated version of the same product. You can also get a single charging station that includes all components like the Bosch Power Max or Schneider Electric EV230WS6.
Should I Leave the Tesla Charger Plugged In?
It would help if you left the Tesla charger plugged in. Doing so will lead to higher energy storage capacity over time, which means more miles per charge.
Besides, the Tesla charger will stop charging once your battery is full, so it shouldn’t affect the energy storage capacity one way or the other.
Where Can I Charge My EV?
You can charge your electric vehicle in some of the most common places such as your home and office, public charging stations found at airports, malls, and stadiums, and supercharger stations.
Here’s a rundown of each of these places:
Charging at Home
The most convenient way to charge your vehicle at home is using a Model S/X Tesla charger, HPWC, or Bosch Power Max. If that’s not an option for you (due to cost or any other concern), you can opt for a standard Level 2 charger.
Public Charging Stations
The Tesla UMC is built to directly plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet. This makes it the ideal companion if you want to charge your vehicle using public infrastructure, especially if you use an HPWC or Bosch Power Max at work.
Remember that there are also HomeLink units compatible with the Tesla UMC. If you don’t have access to an HPWC or other branded products, then consider searching for UL-listed products that offer both NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 6-50 outlets.
Level 2 Charging Stations
These have a standardized plug and port for quick charging. J1772 is the most common connector used for Level 2 charging stations in North America.
The Tesla UMC comes with a NEMA 14-50 outlet, so it will work with any J1772 compatible equipment.
Tesla Supercharger Stations
Superchargers are meant for long-distance travel, not regular charging at home or work. They’re built to directly integrate into your Model S/X hood, so there’s no plugging required on your end.
The Tesla charger is rated at 120 kW, so even if you use home infrastructure (like the UMC), it’ll still charge faster than any Level 2 station out there because of how Superchargers are!
Here’s a table that compares the pros and cons of these alternatives:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
| Home Charging | You can install your own Tesla charging station/HPWC. Comes with a J1772 plug, so it’s compatible with most Level 2 charging stations out there. Probably your cheapest option. | Your power might not be consistent, depending on the number of appliances you have. You’ll need to find a NEMA 6-50 outlet if you want to install the Tesla charger at home. |
| Public Charging Stations | You can charge your vehicle at work or at public charging stations without any installation involved. The most common way to charge your vehicle.Perfect if you plan to do long trips more often than regular commuting. | Some facilities require an account before you can use their services. They might charge an additional fee for using the station. |
| Level 2 Charging Stations | The most convenient way to charge your vehicle at home or work is if you already have an HPWC or other NEMA 14-50 equipment. Most consistent power source. | You’ll need to find a NEMA 6-50 outlet if you want to install the Tesla charger at home or work. |
| Tesla Supercharger Stations | The easiest way to quickly charge your vehicle.Can reach up to 120 kW, which is much faster than other options. | Not free to use for some models. You need to have an active account with Tesla in order to be able to access the Supercharger network. |
Which options do you have?
If you can’t find a Tesla charger or simply want to explore other options, I suggest getting any of the following:
- Siemens Adapter HPWC
- ClipperCreek HCS-40P
- Tesla Wall Connector
- Bosch Power Max 2
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