Charging cable frezes

Discussion in 'Cooper SE' started by Olof, Feb 10, 2021.

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  1. Olof

    Olof New Member

    Hi!

    Thanks for letting me join this forum

    I have a Mini Se and whenever the temperature goes below zero the small pin on the left side of the receptacle for the charging cable freezes. This means I can't drive away.

    I typically put in the cable when I come home from work in the evening. The car is parked outside. When I'm going to work in the morning the cable is stuck and I can't drive away. The only remedy I've found is to bring out an electrical heater and heat the receptacle until thawed.

    Has anyone on this forum encountered the same problem and have you found a solution. My garage checked with BMW and learnt it was a known problem and nothing else.

    Temperatures dropping below zero is quite common in Sweden

    Thanks for your support
    Olof
    Lund, Sweden
     
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  3. Lainey

    Lainey Well-Known Member

    Not here but I would take that in to have it fixed if it did. I do park inside a garage and rarely lock my door when I am charging at home.

    Have you also tried using a cover over the charger in case water is coming in and freezing it?
     
  4. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    I believe your MINI Electric has a different connector than the J1772 we have in the States. I've had problems with ice inside the charging lid preventing the charging lid from opening, but now I make sure to clear the ice before I close the lid.
    I have one of these EcoSolaris Eco Dome covers to prevent snow from getting in when charging outside and it works well.
    https://ecosolaris.com/produit/housse-port-pistolet-de-recharge-voiture-electrique-eco-dome/

    upload_2021-2-10_19-17-55.png
     
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  5. GvilleGuy

    GvilleGuy Well-Known Member

    Welcome, Olof!
     
  6. Olof

    Olof New Member

    Thanks for your replies!

    Insightman is correct that my car has a IEC 62196 Type 2 connector. (Is this a forum for mainly US Mini owners?)

    I asked my local BMW dealer to solve the problem but they only answered it was a known problem with no known solution.
    Thanks Insightman for the link to EcoSolaris; this is a good solution. You are better than BMW tech-suppot.

    Best regards
    Olof
     
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  8. Lainey

    Lainey Well-Known Member

    We have more people from the US, but we are not a US group only. Or not even north America like I've seen. A bit surprising that they didn't know of covers to try though. I thought those were common for those in wintery areas. While I am garaged, I knew of them. Hope that works for you.
     
  9. GvilleGuy

    GvilleGuy Well-Known Member

    We are happy to have people from all over the world hang out here. This site is probably better support than the dealerships, in some respects.
     
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  10. Toi

    Toi Well-Known Member

    A little spritz of some fluid film or other protective water dispersant could help.
     
  11. Puppethead

    Puppethead Well-Known Member

    I use spray cooking oil (PAM) to lubricate the mounts for my snow plow, the oil does work great to avoid freezing.
     
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  13. Toi

    Toi Well-Known Member

    The rodentia of my area like the taste of anything even possibly edible, I don't wish to tempt them.
     
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  14. fizzit

    fizzit Active Member

    Yeah, I had a friend in Wallingford have his pretty new Maxima totaled last year because rats ate through so much of the wiring.
     
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  15. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

  16. F14Scott

    F14Scott Well-Known Member

    It has not, for me. I suspect a microns-thin layer of liquid is not a significant insulator for 240VAC.
     
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  17. polyphonic

    polyphonic Well-Known Member

    Would preheating the cabin for 15 minutes transfer any heat to the charge port?
     
  18. Puppethead

    Puppethead Well-Known Member

    While there will likely be some heat that permeates through to the port, I doubt enough for below-zero temps. The outside is metal and a good conductor for heat loss.
     
  19. polyphonic

    polyphonic Well-Known Member

    Good point. IIRC Teslas heat the port, or at least cabin preheating helps them. The more I looked at the MINI port, I found that it has more of a buffer from the cabin.
    The box idea and lubricant sound good, but it would be nice to hear something official from MINI.
     
  20. insightman

    insightman Well-Known Member Subscriber

    Starting to hold breath.
     
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