[miracj]

I use my EVSE for my Volt outside, which in the Northeast, means winter, snow, Noreasters etc. The cable got sliced a bit in the course of cleaning off the driveway (shovels, not the snow blower).

I was thinking of using an old hose, or other plastic tubing, sliced longways, to wrap around the EVSE cable (the long 25 foot part) to put around the cable to put an extra layer of protection. Of course, it needs to be something that can take temperature ranges of 0 degrees F to say 100 degrees F and still remain flexible (to a point).

It also may be possible to disconnect the cable at one side and slide the cable through the tube without slicing the tube.

Has anyone tried this or something similar? Thoughts and comments?

Thanks!

 

[Fyodor]

I use my EVSE for my Volt outside, which in the Northeast, means winter, snow, Noreasters etc. The cable got sliced a bit in the course of cleaning off the driveway (shovels, not the snow blower).

I was thinking of using an old hose, or other plastic tubing, sliced longways, to wrap around the EVSE cable (the long 25 foot part) to put around the cable to put an extra layer of protection. Of course, it needs to be something that can take temperature ranges of 0 degrees F to say 100 degrees F and still remain flexible (to a point).

It also may be possible to disconnect the cable at one side and slide the cable through the tube without slicing the tube.

Has anyone tried this or something similar? Thoughts and comments?

Thanks!

I sympathize with you but I think you should just bite the bullet and replace the entire cable if it can be detached. Eventually you are going to have a problem. Failing that, find a new or used EVSE, or take this as an opportunity to go to Level 2 if you have not already done so.

 

[Steverino]

I think a sliced, cold-weather-flexible hose could work. You want to remove it in warmer months perhaps to avoid trapping cable heat. Could be some work making a nice slice down 20 feet of hose.

Or, just keep the shovels away. Find the cable with your boot (that's how I find my driveway edge) and lift it above the snow.

 

[caronjeff]

Just wrap the damage with some gorilla tape and don't do it again!

 

[llninja]

How about that black insulated pipe foam with some black duct tape?

 

[LittleJoe]

Maybe something like this split wire loom conduit?

 

[miracj]

I sympathize with you but I think you should just bite the bullet and replace the entire cable if it can be detached. Eventually you are going to have a problem. Failing that, find a new or used EVSE, or take this as an opportunity to go to Level 2 if you have not already done so.

The current cable is not the point, I have a level 2. The cables are not detachable (at least for the Volt's OEM version). The point is to protect cables from damage in the future. Picking it up is not always an option as the car needs to be charging while shoveling is going on. It also is not practical to elevate it off the ground.

 

[miracj]

View attachment 129729 Maybe something like this split wire loom conduit?

Same concept. I'm not sure how much protection is offered by it, nor whether it is very weather tolerant, but it certainly is along the same lines.

Thanks for the idea contributions!

 

[llninja]

The current cable is not the point, I have a level 2. The cables are not detachable (at least for the Volt's OEM version). The point is to protect cables from damage in the future. Picking it up is not always an option as the car needs to be charging while shoveling is going on. It also is not practical to elevate it off the ground.

Well, you do have the option of not plugging in when it snows. You end up paying for a gallon of fuel rather than risk ruining a $400-500 EVSE. Spring will come (eventually in Boston, maybe by June) then go away next fall (when snow resumes in September).

 

[Steverino]

I have a level 2. Picking it up is not always an option as the car needs to be charging while shoveling is going on. It also is not practical to elevate it off the ground.

Wait, so you can't unplug the car for the 15 minutes that it takes to shovel around the car? Let's get crazy and say an hour. You can't unplug for an hour? At level 2?

 

[turboguy327]

The current cable is not the point, I have a level 2. The cables are not detachable (at least for the Volt's OEM version). The point is to protect cables from damage in the future. Picking it up is not always an option as the car needs to be charging while shoveling is going on. It also is not practical to elevate it off the ground.

Why does the car need to be plugged in while you shovel?

 

[Loboc]

How about digging the cable out of the snow first?

I'd use automotive wire loom. It is designed to be outside. Maybe get some in orange.

 

[Fyodor]

The current cable is not the point, I have a level 2. The cables are not detachable (at least for the Volt's OEM version). The point is to protect cables from damage in the future. Picking it up is not always an option as the car needs to be charging while shoveling is going on. It also is not practical to elevate it off the ground.

OK - I thought you were looking for repair ideas, and I'm sceptical that you could ever do a fully waterproof repair. In that case you have several good ideas for protection. ( I do disconnect mine when I'm shovelling or blowing snow anywhere near the car. )

 

[jbakerjonathan]

You say that it is not practical to elevate the cable off the ground. If it were practical, I can envision a simple approach to doing so:

a number of 2"x2"x4 feet posts driven into the ground adjacent to the parking area with cable standoff supports screwed into the top of the posts. The cable then can be laid on the supports elevated 3 feet off the ground. Here is a link to a support I envision. It could also be hooks screwed into the side of the supports with the cable strung along.

Field Guardian Wood Post - Polyrope Screw-In Corner Insulator - White (second pic down on left side)

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Lumber-C...encing-Electric-Fence-Insulators/N-5yc1vZc81u

(Wish I understood how to post the pic directly 8^(

 

[miracj]

How about digging the cable out of the snow first?

Even lifting it out of the snow 1st (something I did do), it still gets in the way as I shovel the path to the wall, kind of hard to reach until it is shoveled and has limited width.

I'd use automotive wire loom. It is designed to be outside. Maybe get some in orange.

That sounds like a very workable solution. I'm not sure a spiral wrap would provide protection from something dropped on it (any object might catch on the space between the spirals) and the split cable may not allow breathing, but the other wire mesh solutions may allow heat dissipation and protect it (but may require removing wire at one end - something I can do)

Thanks!