Who has or is planning to get an electric car / EV Talk

[richard13]

Yes, attached garages are the best. But sometimes life choices lead one to other configurations. We live in a historic home and are fortunate have a garage at all. It like yours is detached and 50 feet from the nearest home wall. We considered trenching and burying some Cat6 coax from the home to the garage but that was quickly nixed when we found out the cost of hiring it out, or the trenching labor of DIY (I consider myself beyond the age of digging without aftereffects, and trenching 50 feet in our soil could easily be a 1-2 sixpack job, maybe more). So in our home we have 8 eeroPro mesh routers…the now old WiFi5. One of these is in the room closest to the garage and mounted on top of cabinetry on the outside wall. Another eeroPro is in the garage mounted to the wall closest to the home.

The signal is reliable in the garage, though weakened a bit. Some specifics: we subscribe to Internet service that give us 300mbps synchronously, i.e., 300mbps uploads and the same for downloads. In most locations in the home that translates to about 120mbps at WiFi devices. In the garage, we get about 30mbps near the eeroPro in the bay where we have our EVSE. That diminishes a bit to about 20mbps on the other side of the garage. That number is obviously a small fraction of our paid for speeds, but 3-4 times the necessary bandwidth to watch a Netflix 4K video (4-5mbps) without stuttering so definitely sufficient for vehicle OTA updates.

All of that said, it’s working. I do keep watching discounts for the various newer eero routers, and the WiFi 6e versions are leading me to go that direction at some point. The WiFi 7 versions are just stupid expensive; for that money I’d just hardwire everything and be done with it. Cost remains a stumbling block almost regardless of which version because I think I’d need so many devices. Our home with its plaster and lath walls and large wall thickness is a WiFi killer pretty much mandating a router in every room for any kind of reliable service. I’d hate to drill holes through historic walls and floors for cabling, but that may have to happen. And home networking remains an area of mystic confusion to me in the best case.

Thanks for your reply. The moment you said "historic home" I knew you would have difficulty. When I was a child I wanted to live in a 100-200 year old house just for the adventure. But as an adult all I see is reality. Glad that's working out for you!

But now, as you see, I have more modern problems with my current living arrangement. But I think I might be able to pull this off since it appears you have. Sure, you're in a much more temperate climate but you've overcome some of the other problems and that is an inspiration to me.

I'm going to try putting one of my Eero 6s in the garage and see what happens.

 

[SalisburySam]

After poking around yesterday, I found a few threads where people claimed to be in even hotter environments and have a node in the garage so I'm going to try that. I figure since my Eero 6s are a few years old so if one died I wouldn't be super broken up about it.

Thanks for your reply. The moment you said "historic home" I knew you would have difficulty. When I was a child I wanted to live in a 100-200 year old house just for the adventure. But as an adult all I see is reality. Glad that's working out for you!

We do love it, but it is indeed a money pit.

...I might be able to pull this off since it appears you have. Sure, you're in a much more temperate climate but you've overcome some of the other problems and that is an inspiration to me.

Although we are expecting triple-digit Fahrenheit temperatures next week unfortunately and the first time, yes, we're fairly temperate. Summer garage temps though do get up to about 125ºF/52ºC. Even at that our WiFi5 eeroPro still works. Can't speak to summer temps in an unconditioned garage in Phoenix though. I think that as long as the device itself doesn't melt, it'll probably be ok. My eeroPro's get warm in normal use; I've always wanted to drill some holes in the top and sides for better air flow but worry about hitting something internal that I shouldn't.

I'm going to try putting one of my Eero 6s in the garage and see what happens.

Good show! The biggest issue I had was finding a position for the router that the eero app said was acceptable. Until you get that confirmation it won't work. I'm assuming that with your 6's you will likely get better coverage and therefore easier placement.

 

[JT2002TJ]

Thanks for your reply. The moment you said "historic home" I knew you would have difficulty. When I was a child I wanted to live in a 100-200 year old house just for the adventure. But as an adult all I see is reality. Glad that's working out for you!

But now, as you see, I have more modern problems with my current living arrangement. But I think I might be able to pull this off since it appears you have. Sure, you're in a much more temperate climate but you've overcome some of the other problems and that is an inspiration to me.

I'm going to try putting one of my Eero 6s in the garage and see what happens.

I have my Orbi in my uninsulated shed. This will be the 4th summer. Never had an issue with it, I am in the NY area, so not heat like AZ, but it is 102 degrees F right now while it is 86 degrees F outside.

I’ll bet you will be fine…

There also may be an outdoor version of the wifi type you have. I needed an extra satellite for my orbi, I picked one up on Ebay. Mine is older (pre- wifi 6).

 

[wonderings]

I have the Tesla app now, was added by the boss. It does not show the software upgrades options, just accessories and installable upgrades. Could this be because I am not the actual owner? Or do I need to be given different access?

 

[JT2002TJ]

I have the Tesla app now, was added by the boss. It does not show the software upgrades options, just accessories and installable upgrades. Could this be because I am not the actual owner? Or do I need to be given different access?

Software updates are on the vehicle, not the app. Connect the vehicle to WiFi/hotspot. The updates come when they come. You can set the option in vehicle to advanced to get updates as early as possible. When you go to that menu in vehicle it will check once a day for updates.

When updates are pushed, they will show up even if you have already done your daily check.

When they are available the phone app will also say updates are available. Even if you are not listed as the owner. My wife gets them, and when you get a loaner from Tesla the loaners will also show the updates in the app.

 

[diamond.g]

When the feedback email address used to work, we asked for the ability to check for updates from the app. No clue if it will get added.

 

[SalisburySam]

Software updates are on the vehicle, not the app. Connect the vehicle to WiFi/hotspot. The updates come when they come. You can set the option in vehicle to advanced to get updates as early as possible. When you go to that menu in vehicle it will check once a day for updates.

When updates are pushed, they will show up even if you have already done your daily check.

When they are available the phone app will also say updates are available. Even if you are not listed as the owner. My wife gets them, and when you get a loaner from Tesla the loaners will also show the updates in the app.

All correct, except the app updates too. Updates come through the normal app update channels, App Store for iOS devices and its equivalent for non-iOS ones. The Tesla app is getting quite large reaching almost ¾GB but is the same app for managing multiple vehicles, non-Tesla charging, all car servicing, and all solar products.

 

[richard13]

We do love it, but it is indeed a money pit.

Although we are expecting triple-digit Fahrenheit temperatures next week unfortunately and the first time, yes, we're fairly temperate. Summer garage temps though do get up to about 125ºF/52ºC. Even at that our WiFi5 eeroPro still works. Can't speak to summer temps in an unconditioned garage in Phoenix though. I think that as long as the device itself doesn't melt, it'll probably be ok. My eeroPro's get warm in normal use; I've always wanted to drill some holes in the top and sides for better air flow but worry about hitting something internal that I shouldn't.

Good show! The biggest issue I had was finding a position for the router that the eero app said was acceptable. Until you get that confirmation it won't work. I'm assuming that with your 6's you will likely get better coverage and therefore easier placement.

125℉... For some reason I thought you were in the UK so this was such a surprise until I looked at your profile. 😀

I bought these "Eero hangers" from Amazon that I hope will work. I don't have any furniture in the garage so the router is plugged in there and hanging. That's another test I suppose. If that part fails, I'll have to stack some old boxes but I'd rather not do that.

 

[richard13]

I have my Orbi in my uninsulated shed. This will be the 4th summer. Never had an issue with it, I am in the NY area, so not heat like AZ, but it is 102 degrees F right now while it is 86 degrees F outside.

I’ll bet you will be fine…

There also may be an outdoor version of the wifi type you have. I needed an extra satellite for my orbi, I picked one up on Ebay. Mine is older (pre- wifi 6).

I think you are right. I looked at the specs and it does say the operating temperature can go as high as 140℉ so I'm hopeful.

I was thinking that I could also put the router in the Tesla itself and use the cigarette lighter outlet to power it with an adapter or a power station. Since I have Cabin Overheat Protection on in the car it would protect the router. But that seems a bit over the top.

 

[SalisburySam]

125℉... For some reason I thought you were in the UK so this was such a surprise until I looked at your profile. 😀

Different Salisbury to be sure. We are sister cities though and there have been some mutual celebrations from time to time. My Salisbury is in the Western portion of North Carolina in the US at about 700ft/213m elevation between the Appalachian mountains and the Atlantic shoreline. Our small city of 35,000 people sits comfortably an hour’s drive each way between the much larger cities of Charlotte to the South and the triad of Greensboro/Winston-Salem/Highpoint to the North. Yes, a very long difficult drive to the UK.

 

[JT2002TJ]

All correct, except the app updates too. Updates come through the normal app update channels, App Store for iOS devices and its equivalent for non-iOS ones. The Tesla app is getting quite large reaching almost ¾GB but is the same app for managing multiple vehicles, non-Tesla charging, all car servicing, and all solar products.

I think, and I am assuming here, he wasn’t asking about the iOS app, just vehicle software updates. But I could be wrong.

iOS software updates also come when they come, just like other iOS updates. But I have noticed that it can take days after it is available (I assume so Apple’s servers don’t get slammed). When I hear there is an iOS update for the Tesla app, I go to iOS app store, search for Tesla, and press “open” once you go into the app, it can say “update” which will let you update the app before iOS gets around to updating the app.

It is also getting big now, because it now includes the ability to view dash cam and sentry mode footage. The Tesla iOS app is one of the best product apps I’ve seen, you can do a lot with the app. There also is a Tesla watchOS app.

I have a widget on my home screen and another on the widget screen. For me it defaults to my TMY, for my wife’s phone it defaults to our TM3, but we both have both vehicles in our apps (and our 2 wall chargers, solar panels).

My home screen, you can see charging and if it is locked/unlocked. When you press on the widget it opens the Tesla app to the vehicle:

Here is the widget in the widget screen (swiping left from the home screen). This lets me run 5 commands. I chose not to have this on the home screen to prevent accidental commands being sent to the vehicle (which can and will happen if you touch the buttons):

 

[JT2002TJ]

I think you are right. I looked at the specs and it does say the operating temperature can go as high as 140℉ so I'm hopeful.

I was thinking that I could also put the router in the Tesla itself and use the cigarette lighter outlet to power it with an adapter or a power station. Since I have Cabin Overheat Protection on in the car it would protect the router. But that seems a bit over the top.

I wouldn’t do this. You want to have your satellite as stable as possible. I would just let her rip in the garage. If you power it from the vehicle, one you would have to turn on accessory power (when vehicle off), and two you would have to remove it every time you drive.

I would just leave it in the garage, and go from there.

 

[richard13]

I wouldn’t do this. You want to have your satellite as stable as possible. I would just let her rip in the garage. If you power it from the vehicle, one you would have to turn on accessory power (when vehicle off), and two you would have to remove it every time you drive.

I would just leave it in the garage, and go from there.

Yea, there's lots of drawbacks to that scenario. It was more of an exercise in what's possible rather than a serious plan.

 

[I7guy]

I think, and I am assuming here, he wasn’t asking about the iOS app, just vehicle software updates. But I could be wrong.

iOS software updates also come when they come, just like other iOS updates. But I have noticed that it can take days after it is available (I assume so Apple’s servers don’t get slammed). When I hear there is an iOS update for the Tesla app, I go to iOS app store, search for Tesla, and press “open” once you go into the app, it can say “update” which will let you update the app before iOS gets around to updating the app.

It is also getting big now, because it now includes the ability to view dash cam and sentry mode footage. The Tesla iOS app is one of the best product apps I’ve seen, you can do a lot with the app. There also is a Tesla watchOS app.

I have a widget on my home screen and another on the widget screen. For me it defaults to my TMY, for my wife’s phone it defaults to our TM3, but we both have both vehicles in our apps (and our 2 wall chargers, solar panels).

My home screen, you can see charging and if it is locked/unlocked. When you press on the widget it opens the Tesla app to the vehicle:
View attachment 2522096

Here is the widget in the widget screen (swiping left from the home screen). This lets me run 5 commands. I chose not to have this on the home screen to prevent accidental commands being sent to the vehicle (which can and will happen if you touch the buttons):
View attachment 2522095

I at most have a one day lag for the Tesla app. I pull down on the update screen to refresh it and all updates show up. I don’t think this has anything to do with the servers getting slammed.

And you are correct firmware updates when available immediately show in the Tesla app.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I at most have a one day lag for the Tesla app. I pull down on the update screen to refresh it and all updates show up. I don’t think this has anything to do with the servers getting slammed.

And you are correct firmware updates when available immediately show in the Tesla app.

I could be wrong, but I have heard that Apple rolls out updates of their apps in batches, so as to not overwhelm servers. But I have no proof, just what I heard on the web. So you might be right.

But I almost always know there is an Tesla iOS update before it shows in the list of available app updates. Also, it is odd that when you search for the app it says “open” instead of “update” until you go into the app. My 3 best buddies all have TMYs and iPhones, this happens with them, my phone and my wife’s iPhone. I also see others say to do the same in Tesla forums. Just weird.

 

[I7guy]

I could be wrong, but I have heard that Apple rolls out updates of their apps in batches, so as to not overwhelm servers. But I have no proof, just what I heard on the web. So you might be right.

But I almost always know there is an Tesla iOS update before it shows in the list of available app updates. Also, it is odd that when you search for the app it says “open” instead of “update” until you go into the app. My 3 best buddies all have TMYs and iPhones, this happens with them, my phone and my wife’s iPhone. I also see others say to do the same in Tesla forums. Just weird.

That's kind of what I'm saying. In the App store app I go into updates and then pull down. Any updates that are pending, but haven't show up now show up immediately. I've been doing it for so long I stopped questioning the behavior. Sometimes my phone shows no updates, but when I go into app updates and pull down, when the refresh occurs I see a bunch of updates.

So if you haven't tried that "pull down trick" then give it a go and let us know about the behavior.

 

[JT2002TJ]

That's kind of what I'm saying. In the App store app I go into updates and then pull down. Any updates that are pending, but haven't show up now show up immediately. I've been doing it for so long I stopped questioning the behavior. Sometimes my phone shows no updates, but when I go into app updates and pull down, when the refresh occurs I see a bunch of updates.

So if you haven't tried that "pull down trick" then give it a go and let us know about the behavior.

Yes, the pull-down refresh works to bring up apps that are in the update queue. I think the point I was trying to make is that the theory behind why you have to refresh (not Tesla app specific) is that Apple throttles updates to devices so as to not to have their servers overwhelmed (or if hosted by the developer, their servers). It is just like when an iOS update is available, for some users it shows as available immediately at 1PM EST, for others, it shows as no update available, but it does eventually show for everyone.

 

[wonderings]

Software updates are on the vehicle, not the app. Connect the vehicle to WiFi/hotspot. The updates come when they come. You can set the option in vehicle to advanced to get updates as early as possible. When you go to that menu in vehicle it will check once a day for updates.

When updates are pushed, they will show up even if you have already done your daily check.

When they are available the phone app will also say updates are available. Even if you are not listed as the owner. My wife gets them, and when you get a loaner from Tesla the loaners will also show the updates in the app.

I know the updates are done in the car, I was speaking of the add on options like FSD and the premium connection. I was going to add those myself, was not expecting the company to pay for them. In the end the company is paying for them so now rocking FSD with the premium connection plan. Love the FSD, used it for my almost hour long commute down country roads this morning and it was flawless. Set for work, it pulls out of my drive way and did everything put park in our gravel parking lot. It is pretty amazing how smooth FSD is, feels very natural. The premium connection plan is great as well, I was constantly setting up a hot spot to use my Apple Music and Audible, now there is no need for that. Slick all around package.

 

[diamond.g]

I know the updates are done in the car, I was speaking of the add on options like FSD and the premium connection. I was going to add those myself, was not expecting the company to pay for them. In the end the company is paying for them so now rocking FSD with the premium connection plan. Love the FSD, used it for my almost hour long commute down country roads this morning and it was flawless. Set for work, it pulls out of my drive way and did everything put park in our gravel parking lot. It is pretty amazing how smooth FSD is, feels very natural. The premium connection plan is great as well, I was constantly setting up a hot spot to use my Apple Music and Audible, now there is no need for that. Slick all around package.

Those should be available for purchase in the iOS app as well as in vehicle. I am unsure why they didn't show for you. Unless you are not listed as the main owner of the car but just a driver.

 

[JT2002TJ]

I know the updates are done in the car, I was speaking of the add on options like FSD and the premium connection. I was going to add those myself, was not expecting the company to pay for them. In the end the company is paying for them so now rocking FSD with the premium connection plan. Love the FSD, used it for my almost hour long commute down country roads this morning and it was flawless. Set for work, it pulls out of my drive way and did everything put park in our gravel parking lot. It is pretty amazing how smooth FSD is, feels very natural. The premium connection plan is great as well, I was constantly setting up a hot spot to use my Apple Music and Audible, now there is no need for that. Slick all around package.

Ah. Is the card on file your card, or your company's card? The billing for Super Charging and other purchases will be through that card. I assume, since you said your company has the primary account, that it is their card? (You also said they are paying for Premium connectivity, so it should be safe to assume it is their card)

I use FSD every drive. I also think the premium connectivity is worth not having to mess with hotspots. Also, you get the ability to view the vehicle cameras remotely and get sentry mode footage to your phone. It is hard to beat for the price.

 

[wonderings]

Ah. Is the card on file your card, or your company's card? The billing for Super Charging and other purchases will be through that card. I assume, since you said your company has the primary account, that it is their card? (You also said they are paying for Premium connectivity, so it should be safe to assume it is their card)

I use FSD every drive. I also think the premium connectivity is worth not having to mess with hotspots. Also, you get the ability to view the vehicle cameras remotely and get sentry mode footage to your phone. It is hard to beat for the price.

I have my own company card, just did not have the option to subscribe to anything. So there must be different levels for the keys. Boss is the main owner, he then sent me a key to my Tesla app. He only has the option to subscribe and unsubscribe. For charging I set it up with my card no problem.

 

[wonderings]

Talking to my boss today he did not sign up for the premium package so must get it free for a certain period of time. I don't see any of the subscriptions associated with the car in my Tesla app and not sure how it works on the front end when you are the main owner who gives out keys. I don't have options for any subscriptions, unless I am looking in the wrong spot?

 

[diamond.g]

Talking to my boss today he did not sign up for the premium package so must get it free for a certain period of time. I don't see any of the subscriptions associated with the car in my Tesla app and not sure how it works on the front end when you are the main owner who gives out keys. I don't have options for any subscriptions, unless I am looking in the wrong spot?

View attachment 2522310

Yeah looks like you have to be the main account holder to see the other stuff.

Premium Connectivity trial is 30 days I believe.

 

[wonderings]

View attachment 2522315
Yeah looks like you have to be the main account holder to see the other stuff.

Premium Connectivity trial is 30 days I believe.

as nice as it is will probably just go with a hotspot on my phone for simplicity. Don't need the sentry mode and can hotspot easily enough. It is slick though just getting in the car and having everything working.

 

[diamond.g]

as nice as it is will probably just go with a hotspot on my phone for simplicity. Don't need the sentry mode and can hotspot easily enough. It is slick though just getting in the car and having everything working.

I think the 99 a year option is worthwhile, personally. I like being able to see dashcam/sentry in app while out and about.