Through the OTA update in the fall of 2019, Tesla unveiled the Camp Mode feature. It was icing on the cake for Tesla owners who love to sleep under the stars.
The feature has since become very popular, and many people know how to use it. However, there have been issues related to battery drain when using this feature.
For instance, there’s a standard amount of battery consumption that this mode absorbs over a certain period of usage, but certain factors can influence the battery drain.
In this article, I’m going to walk you through everything you should know about Tesla’s Camp Mode as it relates to batteries, as well as some improvisation tips to make your battery last longer while using this feature.
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What’s the battery consumption rate for Tesla camp mode?
If you run your Tesla in camp mode, it will consume about 10 percent of your battery within eight hours of usage.
However, your battery can drain more quickly than this estimated volume, depending on the weather condition, since the vehicle will need to work harder to maintain the interior temperature that you’ve pre-conditioned.
For example, I run my Tesla Model SR on camp mode even at low temperatures for about eight hours, and in the end, it drains my battery by 15 percent maximum, which is not bad.
As you probably already know, the Camp Mode feature gives you a comfortable camping experience in your car by allowing the cabin to maintain interior lighting, temperature, airflow, and your preferred music.
P.S. : The camp mode won’t work until when the vehicle is in park.
Why does Your Tesla battery drain beyond 15% for an 8-hour camp mode?
Most people report that running camp mode on their Tesla for eight hours takes at most 15 percent battery.
Now, this is the standard estimate you can use while planning your trip. However, if you notice that your battery drain rate was mostly in the range of 25 to 30 percent for the same 8-hour usage period, there’s an issue.
If this sounds like your situation, it is normal to want to suspect the window shades. But it has nothing to do with it.
Tesla cars are usually very poor insulators, so expect your energy usage to scale based on the difference between the interior and outside temperature.
It reminds me of when I camped for a weekend in my SR with the NCA battery and heat pump.
With 68 F setting inside when outside is 55 F, camp mode consumed the battery at an average rate of 1.2% per hour.
As the temperature outside changed to around 40 f, the consumption rate went to 1.5% per hour. (The camping, though, was done in fairly dry climates.)
So there are no special tips that can decrease the battery drain rate when in camp mode, as it largely depends on the weather condition and how hard the vehicle has to work to maintain the interior temperature.
But if you are considering an extensive camping trip soon and thinking of maximizing the efficiencies with your Tesla, a lower drain rate during Camp Mode would be a HUGE benefit. Here’s what I can recommend:
My recommendation
- It would help if you took a sleeping bag or thicker blankets and dialed down the camp mode temperature by a few degrees. This will make a noticeable difference in battery usage.
- Also, instead of the Tescamp, you can use the foam or bubble insulation that van life people cut out for window shades. This will make a significant difference in energy consumption, especially when you intend to cover up all the roofs, including the pano roof.
- Also keep an eye on the setting to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary, and then ensure the fan isn’t on a high level.
What causes battery drain during camp mode in the Tesla?
The features that enable camp mode to drain the battery.
For instance, when you activate this feature, your car will begin to maintain the optimum temperature and airflow inside the cabin, based on how you’ve adjusted it to suit your convenience.
The car also maintains your lighting setup and your preferred music as you lie inside it.
In addition to these, camp mode keeps your low-voltage outlet and USB ports powered so that as you relax in your car, you can charge your smartphone, laptop, and other devices.
Part of the camp mode feature is to make the touchscreen active, allowing you to browse the internet, play music and games, and even watch movies using the Tesla theater. The latter requires premium connectivity or WiFi via the Tesla app.
All these functions that are activated in camp mode contribute to draining the battery as they run optimally over time.
Can You use Tesla camp mode on a very low battery?
If your Tesla car is below 20 percent battery, you cannot use the Camp mode feature because you will need enough battery to reach the nearest charging station.
This won’t be possible after you activate the camp mode, which could drain 10 to 15 percent of the battery.
Meanwhile, on the contrary, I have come across threads on the forum explaining how a few users used the camp mode even while on 5 percent battery power, but I’ve not tried this yet to tell you how possible it is (I wouldn’t, actually).
But if push comes to shove, maybe.
The whole point is that Tesla’s Camp Mode allows you to keep the climate control on and use other features while parked.
But keep in mind that using this mode can lead to battery drain, and the rate of consumption depends on factors such as outside temperature and battery level, but many estimates suggest that when you use the Camp Mode for 8 hours, it can result in a 5–10% battery drain.
With this in mind, you want to be mindful of the potential drain and plan accordingly when using camp mode.
Ready to improvise?
I’ve had online interactions with a few Tesla owners throughout the preparation of this guide, and a common, thought-provoking opinion I gathered was that the camp mode appears to be unneeded.
When you look at the various creative alternatives shared on the Tesla Motor Club site, you may want to agree.
Picture this: you turn off your Tesla’s lights, configure the temperatures to “keep climate on,” and then turn on the rear vents.
After doing that, you disable the dome lights and Sentry, turn off the walkaway door locks option, and then disable the alarm via the “Safety and Security” tab.
Lastly, you cover the screen with a cloth to make it dark enough to comfortably sleep.
There you have a camp mode without actually running the camp mode, thus saving your battery and getting the camp experience on your car.
However, if you use camp mode, you won’t go through all these hassles.
The bottom line here is that camp mode is an excellent feature, especially when you want to hit the open road this summer and camp in your Tesla without any city bustling disturbance.
But the battery drainage that comes with it is something you have to make plans for.
