While reading another poster's issue with a broken EVSE adapter that occurred after being stuck in the charge port, it got me to thinking how my adapter occasionally is difficult to pull out of the charge port. While I haven't paid much attention, I imagine it may have something to do with humidity however temperature does not seem to be related as I have noticed issues both during winter and summer. Does anyone use any type of lubricant or have other tips to allow the adapter to more easily slide into and out of the charge port?
2017 Lube for EVSE?
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
You could check into dielectric grease. At least that is what my husband THOUGHT might work. He wasn't for certain on that, so definitely check the manufacturer or some other expert. FWIW
(Hubby is an ASE master tecnician who is full-time faculty in the local college program. They do have a Ford Focus in their program and he is very knowledgable, but not an expert in this area.)
(Hubby is an ASE master tecnician who is full-time faculty in the local college program. They do have a Ford Focus in their program and he is very knowledgable, but not an expert in this area.)
Joined
·
23,674 Posts
I have not applied anything to mine. I don't want a sticky, dirty mess.
If you feel the fit is a bit tight, try using some 400 grit wet & dry sandpaper on the outer plastic sleeve on the charge handle. Use water, you are basically smoothing and sanding it down a bit, but I really don't think it's needed. They will slowly wear a tiny bit with use over time.
If you feel the fit is a bit tight, try using some 400 grit wet & dry sandpaper on the outer plastic sleeve on the charge handle. Use water, you are basically smoothing and sanding it down a bit, but I really don't think it's needed. They will slowly wear a tiny bit with use over time.
I think the main thing to do is to periodically check for debris in both the plug and receptacle. Lube certainly probably wouldn't hurt but just making sure the contact surfaces, both plastic and metal pins are free of anything that might cause the connection to jam up. Perhaps an occasional squirt with some compressed air to blow out any dust/dirt that may have accumulated would be good practice. I personally have not used anything on my port or plug and although the fit is a little tighter with my L2 plug, the original 120V plug does appear to be a slightly looser fit which I've just attributed to the plug being a little more worn than the L2.
Joined
·
10,056 Posts
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/crc-industries-3325/chemicals---fluids-16461/grease---lube-16582/dielectric-grease-18218/crc-industries-dielectric-grease/05113/4176039?q=dielectric+grease
I now have a lifetime supply. My pilot signal was getting spotty and since applying this it hasn't given me any trouble.
Joined
·
6,863 Posts
My CC LCS-25 is 5 years old and still operating as designed having serviced three Volt's, two simultaneously for 18 months. But if I started experiencing any issues with how it performs and needed some technical support, I'd call them. I'm not going to try and fix something like this without first talking to the manufacture.
When my OEM EVSE got stuck on my 2012 Volt, it was because of a joint inside the handle and was not serviceable without breaking the handle apart, which I had to do to get it off the car. Luckily at the time it was still within the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty and the dealer replaced it, but I imagine that I could have lubed the joints and siliconed the handle back together if it wasn't covered under warranty. I have a 240V EVSE now, so I haven't used the OEM one in several years.
Joined
·
504 Posts
I assume we are talking about the plastic/fiberglass plug itself and not the contacts... so I don't know if you want to put dielectric grease on that. Mine was a bit difficult to get on/off so I sprayed a little WD-40 on a paper towel and just "cleaned" the surfaces of the connector (male and female side) with that. It didn't leave any residue or greasy film but it made it just slippery enough to slide in and out easier.
Mike
Mike
Joined
·
949 Posts
If someone is having real problem with EVSE plug housing (not contacts) causing friction, you'd want to use dry lube - here's an economical example by WD-40: https://www.wd40specialist.com/products/dry-lube/
Joined
·
6,369 Posts
From a quick search there was a great discussion here talking about the two aspects of this: a) seals/connector body lubrication and b) electrical pins lubrication. http://forums.aeva.asn.au/viewtopic.php?t=3962
Joined
·
2,268 Posts
My gen-1 EVSE was an absolute bear to plug in, tight to the point the plastic would creak.
I finally found a small ridge that I sanded down w/400 grit and then wiped the plastic w/a silicone cloth and it was much better after that.
I also spray it all out (car and EVSE) with contact cleaner and compressed air about once a year.
I finally found a small ridge that I sanded down w/400 grit and then wiped the plastic w/a silicone cloth and it was much better after that.
I also spray it all out (car and EVSE) with contact cleaner and compressed air about once a year.
Joined
·
2,268 Posts
yup. Anyone know where he went?
Joined
·
13,358 Posts
New job (travels a lot)
Loves the job (no longer bored out of his mind, or participating in this forum)
New car (bought an ELR)
MIA for almost a year now (for all we know, he could have been shot at some of the strange bars he frequents)
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?272546-Anyone-miss-me-)&highlight=bar
Joined
·
13,358 Posts
Back to the topic of lube...what about using Yam Lube?
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entr...with-her-yam-lube_us_5735e798e4b08f96c182eeb1
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entr...with-her-yam-lube_us_5735e798e4b08f96c182eeb1
New here.
After reading this particular thread, I realized my plug was also a little difficult when unplugging from the car, I have an OEM Voltec L2 charger. I used some leftover oil from an a/c compressor on the outside.
That helped some but I found out that the majority of the friction was being caused by the inside of the outer ring in the handle. I used silicone grease and q-tips to apply it everywhere I could reach on both the car side as well as plug handle, but obviously, NOT on the metal contacts.
Now it is smooth as silk.
After reading this particular thread, I realized my plug was also a little difficult when unplugging from the car, I have an OEM Voltec L2 charger. I used some leftover oil from an a/c compressor on the outside.
That helped some but I found out that the majority of the friction was being caused by the inside of the outer ring in the handle. I used silicone grease and q-tips to apply it everywhere I could reach on both the car side as well as plug handle, but obviously, NOT on the metal contacts.
Now it is smooth as silk.
Joined
·
4,137 Posts
^^^^Ditto, works for me, too.
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
