Model S & X CCS Retrofit Install

EDIT/UPDATE (March 2023)-
Tesla has finally released an option to have this modification completed at Service Centers in North America. For a little under $500 you can have the hardware (adapter included) installed and configured on your older Model X or S. Salvage title vehicles may still need the information contained in this video if you have not completed Tesla's HV and DC Fastcharging Safety inspections ($800ish for both).
Original Info--
Tesla says you can't have CCS1 capability on your older North American Model S and Model X...yet. What they didn't tell you is that the capability currently exists in Europe and the EU hardware works on North American vehicles. Don't believe me? Just watch and I will show you how to purchase, install, and configure this hardware so you can have CCS1 DC fast charging right now!
Link to the $50 Model S and X diagnostic cable that I purchased on Ebay:
www.ebay.com/itm/394075163163
Link to Tesla Motor Club posting about doing this mod on a Model X (Thanks go out to FeeYe for starting all this!):
teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threa...
Link to a similar TMC post about doing this mod on a Model S (Thanks M0rpH3x, without this post I could not have made this video!):
teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threa...

[@cartopiagdk2456]

I think I’ve just seen the world’s best one handed mechanic working on EVs 🤩

[@harveydegree]

Great video! Certainly going to take advantage of the service mode feature when I inevitably replace my ECU as well.

[@bilbo75]

Thanks for watching the video! A shorter version is on they way. If you want more info on completing the modification, or want to purchase one of these CCS Retrofit Kits feel free to contact me at [e-mail] I do sell them on Ebay, but I can save you the $55 that I have to mark it up to cover the 13% Ebay fees.

[@Robert4390a]

This is a very good video and professionally done step by step!

[@nathvg2576]

Thanks for the video. Wondering how can we make Model S do the PowerShare capability to provide backup power to home just the like Cybertruck!

[@bilbo75]

@@nathvg2576 Thanks for watching the video. As to your question, unfortunately I’m not an expert on the topic of vehicle to home/grid. To my knowledge the Cybertruck is the first Tesla that has been built with that capability. I would think the process of trying to develop and implement that capability for your Model S would cost more than just buying a Cybertruck. If f anyone has seen any KZbinrs addressing this topic please let us know with a comment!

[@bulmariogonzalez5747]

Great video and thx for sharing; appreciate all you effort to show details. I’ve been waiting for Tesla to offer this for my 2018 X…I’m tempted to try😮

[@PtBm2975]

For $489, which includes the CCS adapter, Tesla will come to your house and install this retrofit. At least that’s what they’re doing for my 2015 model S this weekend…warrantied, professionally installed, less than the cost of an eBay kit and separate adapter.No software snafus, no loss of AC charging, no need for a friend with a thing. Plus, I can make money doing what I do while they do what they do, and if they break something they replace it.

[@bilbo75]

Patrick is correct that things have changed since this video was originally made back in November 2022. At that time Tesla did not have a program to install this hardware in North America. In early March 2023 they did start up the program. He is also correct that the new Tesla install option is WAY cheaper than this DIY option. However, if you own own a salvage titled vehicle that has failed (or not completed) Tesla's High Voltage Safety Inspection and DC Fastcharging Inspection ($800 to accomplish both), there is still no other option than this to get a full CCS1 capability. My vehicle failed the HV inspection for a small dent on the battery pack even though it passed all of the other HV/ grounding checks. So this is still valid information for some people in the Tesla community. Obviously, Patrick is not one of those people and I wish him the greatest of success doing what he does to make his money.🙂Bill

[@Solkre82]

If the tesla FC is based on Chademo, and you can get an adapter from CCS to Chademo for Telsa. Then I want one for my leaf :p

[@89five3five]

A video of the configuration file change would’ve made this video even better. Would your friend be willing to help others wanting this upgrade?

[@bilbo75]

I can definitely put you in touch so you can chat with them. They are very willing to help others out. Just send me an email at [e-mail] and I will get you their contact information.

[@bilbo75]

It would have made the video better, but no one that does it is willing to go on camera and show the process. All cars that have upgraded to MCU2 now have a cryptographic lock placed on them (thanks Tesla!) so you can imagine the type of person that does this kind of work. It is definitely not as simple as "click this menu and change CCS from disabled to enabled". If it was that kind of process I would have showed you. On the upside, if you still have a MCU1 on your vehicle I am told that this is not that hard of a process and there are certain Garage's that are Electrified on the East coast that might have the capability to do the config change. When they found out I had a MCU2 Model S they told me they would not be able to help, so I had to dig a little deeper into the interwebs to find someone that could get the job done.

[@rickkhalil]

Why didn't you show the friend doing the software configuration and some of the actual update stuff on the car screen lol $$$$$$ don't kill yourself over the filming you did a good job man. Good luck with everything.

[@bilbo75]

Thanks! I didn't show the configuration change because the people that do that kind of work have asked that I not show it on camera. But....since I filmed this video there may have been a development that makes it easier to do that portion of it yourself. It looks like Tesla has implemented a way to unlock the Gateway and make config changes while in Service Mode if you have a newer software version. Take a look at this thread from Tesla Motor Club: teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/posts/7593192/ I havn't been able to film the process yet, but let me know if anyone has done this successfully. If you are anywhere near Florida, Alabama, or Georgia and are going to do this modification let me know. I would love to film this new way of changing the CCS configuration. I am always happy to answer any questions or get you in touch with my friends: [e-mail]

[@leeyong761976]

Hello I really like your video give a lot great information. I have same situation I am driving 2019 tesla model X salvage title and I did installed ccs retrofit but give error “CCS fast charging is unavailable” so I took it off. Can you or your friend help me out to program my car so I can CCS fast charging Thanks

[@bilbo75]

It must be Californian Model X day. You are the second person from California today to ask me about getting the vehicle configuration changed to allow the CCS Retrofit Kit to work correctly. So, you have a couple options. Try to talk a Tesla Service Center into doing it...Good luck on that one. Second option is finding someone local and that has the software ability and paying them to make the change for you. Im looking into this right now. Please put your city/location in a comment so we can try to find you someone local. Finally, you can have someone do the configuration update for you remotely. To do this last option you will have to have a computer or laptop with an ethernet port as well as purchase the Tesla Diagnostic cable that you see in my video. The cables can be purchased on Ebay for around $50. I can put you in touch with someone that has the ability to make the changes remotely if you are interested. Feel free to contact me directly at [e-mail]

[@gface2011]

Great job with detailed information 👏 👌

[@bilbo75]

Thanks! I just videoed the process for doing the same mod on a Model X. I should have that video edited and out in a couple days.

[@seemagics]

I have a U.S. spec 2017 model S and have a ccs retrofit scheduled. So if they install an EU ECU and I go back to the states, I would still be able to use American SC as well as CCS1?

[@bilbo75]

Yes, (if they install it) you will be able to use it in the US as well. The kit that you see me install in the video was a kit from Europe and it works for me in the US. I had heard that Tesla would not work on vehicles from other regions at their Service Center. So a European SC would not work on a US spec vehicle and vice Versa. If they complete the mod please let everyone know here. This would be a welcome change for many Tesla owners that have to move abroad 🙂

[@AllenVos]

What are you supposed to do if you dont know anyone that will hook up to the CAN bus and change the configuration mode? Is there software and a cable you can buy to do this yourself or is this something you could drive the car to tesla and get them do change the configuration mode?

[@bilbo75]

Tesla made some changes in the last few months that actually gives people/vehicles with MCU 2 and software versions 2023.12 and later the ability to go into Service Mode and make the configuration changes themselves. No computer or diagnostic cable (or “friends”) necessary. Take a look at this thread from Tesla Motor Club to learn more. teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/diy-installing-ccs-retrofit-in-us-model-s.266509/page-7 You can also contact me at [e-mail] and I will help you through the process. If you have MCU 1 vehicle, I can also help get you set up with a friend that can help you with the config changes 🙂. Overall the DIY process is more expensive than trying to get Tesla to do the HIgh Voltage safety inspections and re-enabling SuperCharging. But if you have failed that inspection or know you have a dented up battery (which is why I didn’t pass) this is still a decent option to get you salvage Tesla DC Fastcharging again!

[@davidabuladze3065]

Hello, my tesla model S is 05/2016 but its refresh model outside, so can u tell me which one i need?

[@bilbo75]

Man you are right on the line between Pre-Refresh kit and Refresh Kit. To know for sure you would have to pull the back seat and get a look at your Onboard Charge Controller. I would guess that you probably need a Refresh Kit. If you have more questions or need help getting kits you can Email me at [e-mail]

[@ardbuijsen8735]

Don't get it, I had this done a little bit over a month ago but the Tesla service guy did't do anything in the frunk.

[@bilbo75]

What year and model do you drive?

[@ardbuijsen8735]

@@bilbo75 december 2018. It took the guy literally 20 minutes to install the hardware and then remotely the system was updated during the following night

[@ardbuijsen8735]

@@bilbo75 Wait a minute, I am mistaken. He did unplug the 12V battery. But still it took him only 20 minutes.

[@bilbo75]

Got it. The expert did the same things I did just quicker. I’m fine with that. If Tesla will do this modification for you (I.e. you don’t have a salvage title vehicle like I do) then you should definitely pay Tesla to do this for you. It’s much cheaper than the DIY method.

[@ardbuijsen8735]

True makes life a bit easier in that sense. Although you do stuff I never could @@bilbo75

[@austintube]

does it work with 2014 model s?

[@bilbo75]

Yes, you just need to buy the Pre-Refresh version of the kit. That version works on Model S vehicles built before April 2016

[@austintube]

@@bilbo75 would you please provide the link? thank you!

[@bilbo75]

@@austintubeyou can buy it directly from me without the 10% Ebay markup by emailing me at [e-mail] Or you can buy it through me at this EBay link www.ebay.com/itm/404143801474 If you have problems with the link you can always just search “Model S Pre-Refresh CCS Retrofit Kit” on EBay

[@austintube]

@@bilbo75 Thanks! do you know if Supercharging will still work after installing?

[@bilbo75]

@@austintube it should not have any affect on the status of your Supercharging. You won’t lose Supercharging if you have it and you won’t gain Supercharging if you don’t have it (salvage title vehicles)