Charger broken???

1159 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by jzchen, 6 mo ago

Sebdoc

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago

At a Casino I have parked at, I frequently charge on a ChargePoint system taking around 2.5 hours for a full charge. Recently I noticed there was one device where that little locking piece on the top was missing or broken off. I could still activate the charger but it wouldn‘t click in and lock when I tried to insert it in my car. therefore it didn’t work and was useless for my car. I then noticed at other times that some other cars, ie Tesla and Volts could work there., they must have a different female receptor. ???
then I find more and more receptors with that locking piece missing. Is this some kind of sabotage to have more chargers available for these other brands. ChargePoint and the Casino have ignored my concerns.

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4sallypat

· #2 · 7 mo ago

Chargepoint chargers are typically owned by the property owner and maintenance is usually thru an independent contractor.

They are not like the corporate owned Electrify America or EV Go chargers.

You may have seen the Tesla charge on the Chargepoint using a J1772 to Tesla adapter.

But the locking part is important for the charger to recognize a solid connection.

Ask to speak the casino principal / owner about the charger as they own and maintain them.

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Sebdoc

Discussion Starter · #3 · 7 mo ago

Thanks, the manager said it will be fixed by Tuesday. Can people just break off the locking mechanism that isn’t needed for some cars?

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EV Nerd

· #4 · 6 mo ago

Sebdoc said:
Thanks, the manager said it will be fixed by Tuesday. Can people just break off the locking mechanism that isn’t needed for some cars?

J1772 is a charging interface standard. Any compliant EV inlet should be able to use the locking tab on the J1772 plug.

I guess it's possible that a specific Tesla to J1772 adapter has an interference with the locking tab, but I find that to be highly unlikely.

I suspect it was simply broken off when someone dropped it to the ground.

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Sebdoc

Discussion Starter · #5 · 6 mo ago

Thanks, without the tab I couldn’t charge. Very strange that 5 out of 6 have tab broken. I see other cars can still use charger with the broken tab, mine won’t stay in and hold for charging to begin???

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EV Nerd

· #6 · 6 mo ago

Sebdoc said:
Thanks, without the tab I couldn’t charge. Very strange that 5 out of 6 have tab broken. I see other cars can still use charger with the broken tab, mine won’t stay in and hold for charging to begin???

Some folks at the Bolt forum have reported that they can only get some DCFC to initialize when they prop up the CCS connector. Some have reported using canes and/or extending walking sticks. I wonder if propping up the J1772 connector with something would enable charging?

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Sebdoc

Discussion Starter · #7 · 6 mo ago

Back to Casino today with tape to keep the locking clip attached to the car. Well that didn’t work because the Charge Point unit would not engage and the button on fob for starting the charge did not start it. There must be some contact needed from the clip to the car to insure a safe connection???
So, propping or taping did not work! Any other ideas?

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ClarityDave

· #8 · 6 mo ago

That tab or switch has a primary mission of telling the EVSE to shut current off before the J1772 is pulled out. So in theory you should never see arcing at the J1772 plug. But I have had similar problems using public EVSEs whose tabs have broken. In some cases I have found that if I start the charging by inserting the J1772 into the car and then depressing the lock release button momentarily, the car will charge properly. But I have not experienced any issues with the plug falling out of or away from the connector on the car.

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Sebdoc

Discussion Starter · #9 · 6 mo ago

Thank you but I’m Not sure what you’re referring to as the lock release mechanism? Is that on the fob? But the charging will not start at all? Seems to be the locking tab makes a connection that is necessary. The weird part is that I see other brand cars (not all) able to charge without the tab locked in???

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ClarityDave

· #10 · 6 mo ago

Sebdoc said:
Thank you but I’m Not sure what you’re referring to as the lock release mechanism? Is that on the fob? But the charging will not start at all? Seems to be the locking tab makes a connection that is necessary. The weird part is that I see other brand cars (not all) able to charge without the tab locked in???

The lock release mechanism is the button you must depress in order to get the J1772 out of the car once inserted.

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jzchen

· #11 · 6 mo ago

Sometimes I happen upon a charger where the internal spring is broken, (as well as the hook area to latch on is broken off). Try to raise the “button” area or lower what’s left of the hook portion into the locked position. The charger should sense it “properly engaged” and commence charging…

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