"Unable to charge" error after successful DC fast charge session

It’s not you. These gremlins are pretty widespread. We don’t fast charge the SEs much but had some handshake issues with them on EA. All confirmed by drivers of other makes/models.

Sometimes holding the top of the plug while initiating solves the handshake problem. Also might want to read Plugshare reviews for those chargers to confirm.

 

I'd recommend unlocking the SE before removing the charging cable, that should prevent the SE from thinking it should hold onto it. I always thought the car locked the cable to the car until 100% if the car is locked, though.

 

Haven’t tried the newest units with the single cable. I have had trouble in the past with Signet, though not with the SE. I’ve only fast charged my SE on ABB. On a long trip in my i3 the ABB unit froze leaving the cable stuck. It took 20 minutes to release. Had a car full of people and pets in hot weather so it was a bit nerve-racking to say the least!

 

Ok what do I do now, I’m “unable to charge…” at home. I added 12% at a 50 kW DCFC to make it home, and pulled in with 6% showing. I plugged in and unloaded my shopping and didn’t think about it. I was flipping my home screen past the widget, and it still shows 6%, so I went to the garage and it’s “unable to charge.” Uhhhh. Help?

 

After multiple un-re-plugs and resetting the breaker, I got the yellow light to flash. It’s slowly charging now. What gremlins are these? It’s unsettling.

 

I’ve run it down below 5% a couple of times before with no issues, and that was during hot weather. Yesterday the temperature was hovering around freezing, and I wasn’t flogging the car on the way home. If it happens again, I will signal a service call.

 

Unlike us oldies, you didn't get a Level 1 charging cord to compare with your Level 2 unit. Maybe you should pick one up cheap on ebay (or, more expensively, a backup Level 2 cord). Did you try plugging your FlexCharger into a 120-Volt outlet?

 

I'm probably going to say that if you weren't able to initiate the L2 charge, it could be something like a blocked pin on the control pilot or proximity pilot. I don't think your onboard charger failed, and most of your DCFC stations are FLO with some random Chargepoint dispensers like at IGA Extra.

I mean you could try your MINI/BMW Flexcharger with 120V Level 1 (did they include a 120V adapter?)

 

I did, in fact. It didn’t occur to me to resort to it. [facepalm]

This did in fact occur to me. The DC charge was at a Circuit Électrique O&O at a Desjardins I’ve used a couple of times before. I believe it’s an ABB 50 kW unit (like the older EA combo CCS/CHADeMO boxen).

They did, but it’s packed away as a set for sale on Kijiji.

 

The chunky 50kW dark blue with start/stop buttons dispensers are FLO (Rio Tinto Alcan). They are rock solid but I have concerns over their 50kW units for snow coverage on the plug. The Level 2 non-winding pedestal ones are the best public L2 chargers.

 

I took a side-on pic yesterday, if you can identify it. I believe you’re correct (Rio Tinto/Alcan). The “holster” has a fairly tight-fitting shroud that should keep snow out.

 

Yes but the holster is only as good as the last person who puts it back. I've seen some people not even care and then the holster fills up with snow when windy (not covered like the Level 2 FLO ones).

I was looking at the Saint-Eustache one and it was FLO but the Châteauguay one is the dreaded ABB unit. The picture attached should also be ABB...the silent EV killer (at least a few Nissan Leafs in Horseshoe Bay).

 

Where are you!?

 

St-Rémi.

 

Oh I was just looking at PlugShare pictures. There are a LOT of DC fast chargers if you don't filter the results.

 

Yup it’s an ABB.

 

Yeah, this is what the Flo unit looks like.