Chargepoint Issues and Fixes [Split Thread]

NIMAN

Just a bump on this thread to see if anyone has any ideas what could be giving me interrmittent issues with my charge point.

I have a 32a Polar chargemaster unit, like this:
https://goo.gl/images/6L3LT6

Every now and again, it interrupts charging, usually just after it starts, which is midnight at present, meaning I often don't find out about it until the morning, which is a pain.

The unit will have the red error light lit, I flip the trip, restart it and it ALWAYS works straight away.

I know there are no other high drain items running at the same time, like electric showers, heaters or tumble dryers, so I think its just an issue with the wiring or the unit itself.

I used to think the key part, which you turn 90deg to turn on/off was faulty, so it is permanently on the ON position now to rule that out. But it can still happen. Worked fine last night, but not night before.

I'm wondering is there the possibility that there might be a loose connection inside the box or something? Would a spark be able to open it and check? I thought that if there is a loose connection, the action of taking the charger head and putting it back into the holder might be shaking something and causing it to interrupt next time it tried to start charging?

Anyway, I am currently at a loss with it, but its getting infuriating, as I need to be able to rely on it working each and every time I plug it in. Which I can't at present. I find I'm resetting/rebooting it at least a couple of times each week.

Any thoughts welcome.

Edit: could it possibly be an issue with the 40a RCBO? Might it be worth trying another one?

Soarer

Could there be water getting into the plug somewhere?

That's what was causing something similar with my Rolec.

NIMAN

You mean the head, the bit that plugs into the LEaf itself?

And if this was the issue, why does it work fine once I do a reboot? Surely the water would still be there and cause another interrupt?

gally74

Shefwedfan wrote: »

A few people have said similar to me about Nigel Daly....every person I talked to say the install cost was +€1,000......that is mad money


To get mine installed cost me less than €300 if I remember. The charger was with the car but even if I had to buy the charger it would have been circa €600

I paid 100 for install and bought a charger brand new podpoint off eBay for 100 poumds

KCross

Niman, since you said it always works after you flip it back on I’d say it’s unlikely a bad connection.

Since it’s always tripping at the start my guess is the RCBO, as you said.

Can you post a pic of the RCBO?
If it’s a type B it would be more prone to trip and a Type C might resolve it for you.

NIMAN

KCross wrote: »

Niman, since you said it always works after you flip it back on I’d say it’s unlikely a bad connection.

Since it’s always tripping at the start my guess is the RCBO, as you said.

Can you post a pic of the RCBO?
If it’s a type B it would be more prone to trip and a Type C might resolve it for you.

Can't post a picture now, not at home.

Will get a look later. Thanks, might be worth changing it out to see if it helps.

Whats the difference in the 2 types?

Paul_Mc1988

When a load starts out it often pulls more than the breaker is rated for. Breakers allow for this and different ratings allow for more current. B type allow for 3-5 times the rated current C type allow for 5-10 times the rated current

NIMAN

KCross wrote: »

Niman, since you said it always works after you flip it back on I’d say it’s unlikely a bad connection.

Since it’s always tripping at the start my guess is the RCBO, as you said.

Can you post a pic of the RCBO?
If it’s a type B it would be more prone to trip and a Type C might resolve it for you.

Mine is exactly the same as this one:
https://www.tim.pl/wylacznik-roznicowo-nadpradowy-2p-10a-c-0-03a-typ-a-dma60c10030-609777


General Electric DMA60, except where this has 'C10' mine has 'B40'

NIMAN

https://flic.kr/p/25hoddg

Far right on that picture.

Why when I Google for 40a RCBO do many of them look half the width of this one?
Why does this have a double bar ?
(sorry, probably numpty questions, but know nowt about this stuff).

KCross

I presume you will be getting an electrician in to take a look anyway so I'd start with getting him to swap that B40 to a C40.

If that doesnt fix it, the other possibility would be the controller in the charge point, but my money would be on the RCBO based on what you've described.


On the double bar.... they call it a double pole RCBO.... your RCBO is connected to live and neutral wires and trips on either. Mine is a single pole. Not sure why they used a double pole or when its considered appropriate to do so. Ask your spark when he is swapping out the RCBO and let us all know!

NIMAN

Paul_Mc1988 wrote: »

When a load starts out it often pulls more than the breaker is rated for. Breakers allow for this and different ratings allow for more current. B type allow for 3-5 times the rated current C type allow for 5-10 times the rated current

I was just thinking about this, if there was a pull greater than the breaker can handle, wouldn't the trip on the RCBO go? That's not happening in my case, it's a red error light that's coming on the front of the charger itself. The trip never goes on the RCBO.

KCross

NIMAN wrote: »

Paul_Mc1988 wrote: »

When a load starts out it often pulls more than the breaker is rated for. Breakers allow for this and different ratings allow for more current. B type allow for 3-5 times the rated current C type allow for 5-10 times the rated current

I was just thinking about this, if there was a pull greater than the breaker can handle, wouldn't the trip on the RCBO go? That's not happening in my case, it's a red error light that's coming on the front of the charger itself. The trip never goes on the RCBO.

I thought you said it was tripping. My bad if you didn’t.

If it’s not tripping it’s not the RCBO.

NIMAN

KCross wrote: »

I thought you said it was tripping. My bad if you didn’t.

If it’s not tripping it’s not the RCBO.

Ah bugger.

No, the actual RCBO has never dropped the trip switch on it.

I only ever get a red error light on the unit itself. I had to read back thru my post from a few days ago just to check.

When I say I trip the RCBO, I do that to power down the charge point. Then reset the trip switch and the charge point works fine after that.

KCross

NIMAN wrote: »

Ah bugger.

No, the actual RCBO has never dropped the trip switch on it.

I only ever get a red error light on the unit itself. I had to read back thru my post from a few days ago just to check.

When I say I trip the RCBO, I do that to power down the charge point. Then reset the trip switch and the charge point works fine after that.

I missed the bit about the red light. I thought it was tripping, sorry.


Do you have a granny cable? Does it consistently charge OK on that? That would rule out the car being the issue.

Is your charge point tethered or untethered? If its untethered could you borrow another cable and see if that resolves it (i.e. rule out a bad connection on the cable).

After those 2 tests you are then left with it definitely being an issue with the charge point. It would then be time to open it up and figure out if there is something wrong in there like a bad controller or dirt in a contact or something.

NIMAN

I do have a granny cable, rarely use it, might try.

The charge point is tethered unfortunately.

Might have to get a spark in.

pavelpro

HI, looking for advice regarding Rolec 7kw charger.

Recently it started clicking when the car waiting for the charge or finished the charge or at last few percentage of the charge. Looks like it start and stop the charge. During this its clicking very loud as seen on video.

I did call to the Rolec support line and they said its car problem (preconditioning settings from their words) as its sending request to the charger and charger just follow request to on and off.
My thoughts on this its either charger or the lead which might be worn.

On the video car is on timed charge and the lead was just connected, the car supposed to start charge in few hours but clicks are happening every few minutes.

Will be good to hear other opinions...

KCross

Exact same thing happened mine a few months ago.

Mine was worse though.... it was clicking (restarting the charge) a few times a minute.

I had to replace the controller inside the Rolec. Its easy to replace but the part is relatively expensive (~€100). I got it under warranty though.

pavelpro

KCross wrote: »

Exact same thing happened mine a few months ago.

Mine was worse though.... it was clicking (restarting the charge) a few times a minute.

I had to replace the controller inside the Rolec. Its easy to replace but the part is relatively expensive (~€100). I got it under warranty though.

How old was your unit? I bought mine in May 16 was not using it first year, maybe few times a month but start using every night few months ago and its failed
I called to ROlec but as mine was not installed under grant, which was not possible due to house being mid terraced with pathway at the front, they refuse to go the warranty way. I used sertified electrician, but dont have any proof at that moment and cant remember where i found him.

goz83

I have my Rolec just over a year. I am very happy with it. it tripoed a couple of times due to too much current being drawn when both my Leafs were plugged in. This no longer happens because I now connect the 6.6 Leaf into the 13A socket and the 3.3 using tethered cable if both cars need power.

However, I wouldn’t buy Rolec again. I have seen too many issues online with them and when I did contact them about the tripping, they weren’t helpful. The seller was more helpful.