Damaged EVSE plug

[4cylinder]

I'm using the stock EVSE that came with my '17 Energi. Unlike more professional-looking charging stations, there is no "holster" for the plug head to rest in, so I just leave it on a cardboard box next to my car in my garage. Probably not a good idea after all due to the highly variable weather of the Midwest.

 

Today when I came home after work I found that the plug wouldn't go all the way into my port (couldn't click the latch) which was strange as I'd just charged it at work with no issues. I shone a flashlight into the port and didn't see any obstructions. I then checked the plug head and took a photo.

 

It looks like the inner green rubber seal has warped on the left (in the picture) and bent inwards between two of the pins, causing an obstruction. Am I correct? If so, any suggestions for fixing it? I'd really prefer to avoid blowing $200+ on a new EVSE.

 

Edited May 1, 2019 at 10:49 PM by 4cylinder

[murphy]

Here is what my 2013 looks like.  It has only been used about 10 times.  I installed a 240 volt EVSE in 2013.

 

 

 

 

You could try pushing the ring back where it belongs.  Do you use it in a garage?  If you can't push it back you could remove it.

 

My unit is under recall for a potential overheating AC plug.  I'm not sure how many years are involved but if yours is under recall that would get you a new one for free.

 

 

Is your car still under warranty?  If it is try to get it replaced as a defective design.  I don't know if it falls under the unique hybrid components warranty.

Edited May 1, 2019 at 11:48 PM by murphy

[4cylinder]

Thanks, that confirms my suspicions. I'll see if I can dismantle the plug and get that seal back into shape.

 

Edit: Yes, my car is still under warranty until October (bumper to bumper). Totally forgot about that - I'll see if I can get it covered!

 

I also park in a garage so in case they don't cover this, I could remove the seal.

 

EDIT: Fixed! I was able to just nudge all the warped parts back into place with a screwdriver. 

Edited May 2, 2019 at 12:04 AM by 4cylinder

[murphy]

Congratulations.  Your dealer would probably have charged you $100 to do the same thing.

 

I see you live in snow country.  Any chance that water froze the plug to the seal and pulled it out of position when the plug was removed?

Winter is supposedly over now but you might want to keep an eye on that next winter.

 

The recall I mentioned is for 2013 to 2015 cars.

[4cylinder]

Haha yeah, the stealership charges through the nose for the simplest things - they quote $80 to change my wiper blades when I was able to grab Motorcraft blades for $32 off ebay and install them myself. No doubt they'd charge $100+ just to reset a rubber seal...

 

Although I park in a garage, sometimes my car charges at public stations in rain/snow conditions and that could lead to water entering the port, and then being transferred to my EVSE plug when I get home.

[Timewellspent]

I'm using the stock EVSE that came with my '17 Energi. Unlike more professional-looking charging stations, there is no "holster" for the plug head to rest in, so I just leave it on a cardboard box next to my car in my garage. Probably not a good idea after all due to the highly variable weather of the Midwest.

 

 

 

 

 

You could get one of these so you don't have to lay the EVSE on the ground. https://store.clippercreek.com/cable-management/sae-j1772-connector-holster

[Fgolman]

I bought this and it's quite nice, includes a cable hook, too:

 

LECTRON EV Charger Nozzle Holster...

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FC9M4YF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[4cylinder]

Thanks for the suggestions. I wonder if it's safe to drill into the plastic shell of my EVSE (the part that hangs off the wall plug) as that seems like the best place to mount such attachments for those of us who live in rentals.

[murphy]

Thanks for the suggestions. I wonder if it's safe to drill into the plastic shell of my EVSE (the part that hangs off the wall plug) as that seems like the best place to mount such attachments for those of us who live in rentals.

I don't think drilling into the case would be a good idea.

Instead use these

 

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-All-Weather-Fasteners-Inches-RFD7090/dp/B00347A8EO/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Scotch%28R%29+All-Weather+Fasteners&qid=1556891226&s=gateway&sr=8-2

 

to make the attachment.

[68mustangjim]

I just had mine replaced at the dealership under a Ford service announcement look on the web it's covered there is also a thread where myself and others have posted pictures and cable management suggestions

[4cylinder]

Bump: My EVSE still works, but the green seal deformed some more (even with the wall holster I bought) and eventually fractured partially, causing part of it to repeatedly stick into the empty space and make it difficult to properly insert the plug into my car.

 

I ripped out the seal completely and the plug effortless slides in and out of my car's charge port with no issues.

 

The question is, could this cause any problems, e.g. if the port itself is wet from being left open in the rain? I park in a garage so the plug itself will always be protected, but if water/ice is transferred from the charge port without the protection of that green seal...