Anyone using a Bosch PowerXPress?

[jmueller065]

If you are you may want to check your connection for heat:
http://jamiegeek.myevblog.com/2014/05/11/melting/

 

[hybridbear]

If you are you may want to check your connection for heat:
http://jamiegeek.myevblog.com/2014/05/11/melting/

That stinks. Your EVSE isn't still under warranty?

 

[jeffand]

If the plug goes in with little resistance this could be an indication of a poor connection, because full pin contact may not be made. The electrical connections on the car and plug should be inspected periodically for pitting or discoloration.

 

[jmueller065]

That stinks. Your EVSE isn't still under warranty?

I'm sure it is, however, I don't technically own it: The terms of the deal we made with the power company specify that they own the EVSE--and thus I'd like to get my own anyway.

jeffand: The plug seats the same as it always had--and the same as several local ChargePoint stations. When I ordered mine I stressed to the people handling the program and to the tech that installed it that the car will be charging at the higher current level (there was a small note somewhere in the documentation that indicated a different chordset was required for 30A operation--it is possible that they didn't heed my warnings and gave us the original chord set and this is the result after almost a year of use).

 

[JTCalif]

Similar feeling with mine (called SPX EL-50600 when I bought it, 7/2012).
After about a year of use at its 24 A setting, I felt the connection at the car was warmer than it ought to be (to my elec. engineer hand), so I switched it down to 16 A and allowed it more time (OK, but darn).
When I charge at a public Charge Point, even one that reads 6.9x kW, I feel no warmth; sure, that is outdoors, but still ...
Would be interested in an alternate connector/cord for that side of the EVSE.
(The other side has a NEMA 6-50 connector pair, after the 40 A. breakers; maybe I am a bit cautious.)

 

[jmueller065]

After about a year of use at its 24 A setting, I felt the connection at the car was warmer than it ought to be

That is exactly how mine is now--when I first got it it wasn't warm to the touch at all. Now after a year of use it is "warm". I just backed it down from the 30A setting to the 24A setting.

The real issue here is that: with overnight charging it is all done charging and has cooled down by morning. If I wasn't using the "go" times I'd never know that it was getting warm until it was too late (like my coworker: he doesn't use the "go" times because he doesn't have a regular enough schedule in the morning so the first he discovered of this is when he noticed that the vehicle connector had cracked).

My solution is going to be: Ditch the PowerXPress and get a new EVSE (The contract I signed with the power company stated that they own the EVSE anyway so I'll want an EVSE that I own when the contract expires next year--a year before my FFE lease is up).

 

[jmueller065]

Just updated the blog post with a picture of his melted vehicle side connector. If you don't want to click the link, here it is:

 

[davideos]

Check the rating on the EVSE plug to ensure it is properly rated for the higher current. Also, if you have already had a heat issue at the connector, you want to figure out how to clean the connections..