EV Charging - Failure to connect
Normally, our free public electric vehicle chargers are very reliable, but I have had reports of folks having issues with the new unit at Island Savings. I suspect part of the issue comes down to manufacturing tolerances. Anything manufactured has a range of acceptable sizes. Light bulbs made by one manufacturer have to fit into sockets made by another manufacturer, so there are manufacturing specifications. But there is always some allowable variance - wiggle room. For EV charging wands and sockets, it appears that the allowable variance is quite small, but it exists, and together with some environmental factors, the connection can fail.
Here is a really good example of manufacturing tolerance (or maybe I should call it Intolerance ???). We own two identical two cup pyrex kitchen measuring vessels - almost identical.
Normally, our free public electric vehicle chargers are very reliable, but I have had reports of folks having issues with the new unit at Island Savings. I suspect part of the issue comes down to manufacturing tolerances. Anything manufactured has a range of acceptable sizes. Light bulbs made by one manufacturer have to fit into sockets made by another manufacturer, so there are manufacturing specifications. But there is always some allowable variance - wiggle room. For EV charging wands and sockets, it appears that the allowable variance is quite small, but it exists, and together with some environmental factors, the connection can fail.
Here is a really good example of manufacturing tolerance (or maybe I should call it Intolerance ???). We own two identical two cup pyrex kitchen measuring vessels - almost identical.
Things were not working out well in our kitchen and I finally sourced an issue. If you lined the vessels up (see photo), they are not the same height. And the volume and measuring lines are incorrect on one. If you carefully measure one cup of milk into one, and then pour it into the other it is less than a cup, and if you pour it back, it is now full cup. These were manufactured by two different companies, and one of them obviously got it very wrong. Such a simple thing, but the result is that it messes with my cooking.
As EV chargers came into the marketplace, they were constructed by different companies, opening the door to manufacturing slippage. What about the car socket ? Each car manufacturer creates their own socket in the car or sources it from a provider. Again, more room for slippage. To compound matters, new chargers have very little wear and tear, so the tolerances could be quite tight. Over time, the wands can get moisture and dirt in them, that can be transferred into your car. The dirt can increase wear and tear in the car socket and can accumulate. Chargers that used to work, may be finicky, depending on the location.
If you plug in your car into a charger and it is not fully engaged, it will likely sound a few warning sounds, flash blinking lights and not initiate charging. This happens if your wand is not fully into the socket and the rocker switch on the top of the charger does not click into place to let the electricity pass. One solution which could work is to “moderately” move the wand up and down to see if the rocker switch will click in. This has worked at some locations in the past. You should also periodically check your socket to see if there is any accumulated dirt. The EV Group encourages everyone to install a charger at home and then practise cleanliness best practices. Your home charger is less likely than a public charger to accumulate dirt.
I do know that Tesla engineered a really well thought out solution with no engagement rocker switch in 2012. I’ve never heard of a connection issue with a Tesla.
All the best and hope this information is helpful. And thank you Islands Savings for providing this free service to your clients.
I encourage your respectful comments: I can be reached at : [email protected]
As EV chargers came into the marketplace, they were constructed by different companies, opening the door to manufacturing slippage. What about the car socket ? Each car manufacturer creates their own socket in the car or sources it from a provider. Again, more room for slippage. To compound matters, new chargers have very little wear and tear, so the tolerances could be quite tight. Over time, the wands can get moisture and dirt in them, that can be transferred into your car. The dirt can increase wear and tear in the car socket and can accumulate. Chargers that used to work, may be finicky, depending on the location.
If you plug in your car into a charger and it is not fully engaged, it will likely sound a few warning sounds, flash blinking lights and not initiate charging. This happens if your wand is not fully into the socket and the rocker switch on the top of the charger does not click into place to let the electricity pass. One solution which could work is to “moderately” move the wand up and down to see if the rocker switch will click in. This has worked at some locations in the past. You should also periodically check your socket to see if there is any accumulated dirt. The EV Group encourages everyone to install a charger at home and then practise cleanliness best practices. Your home charger is less likely than a public charger to accumulate dirt.
I do know that Tesla engineered a really well thought out solution with no engagement rocker switch in 2012. I’ve never heard of a connection issue with a Tesla.
All the best and hope this information is helpful. And thank you Islands Savings for providing this free service to your clients.
I encourage your respectful comments: I can be reached at : [email protected]