[homesteadelectric]

So my 2013 had it's original L1 charger stolen, just replaced it with a Dostar L1. This is sold by EV Charge Solutions as compatible with the Volt and there is a review on the site from a Volt owner who says it works fine.

Charge cord shows power, no faults and blue "charging" light is on steady but the dash yellow/green never comes on. Left it plugged in overnight, now getting the "unable to charge" message. No increased range so definitely not charging.

The car has never had charging issues before, have used L1 and L2 public chargers.

Other factors: Cold, around 15 degrees. Car has been stored for a week, had 28 mile range when stored.

The Dostar is rated at 120VAC, 16 A. Volt is set for immediate charge at default 8 A rate.

EV Charge Solutions is going to send a replacement but want to be sure I'm not missing something on the car end.

 

[Steverino]

Try a public charger to determine if it's the car or the EVSE that's having a bad day.

 

[srs5694]

I did a little Googling. It looks like "Dostar" and "Duosida" are the same thing, and I found a question on an eBay auction for a Duosida L1 charger in which the questioner asks about Volt compatibility "because some other sellers state that this charger does not work with the Chevy volt," but the seller claims it is compatible. This to me sounds fishy -- maybe the charger is balanced on some knife-edge of compatibility, and because of sample-to-sample differences in either the charger or the car, it sometimes is and sometimes isn't compatible; or maybe the initial production runs were incompatible but the problem was fixed for later production runs. Those are both very speculative explanations, though. Here's the eBay auction in question:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Duosida-EVS...vel-2-16-Amps-240V-3-8kW-2-in-1-/122022738374

I also found a reference to some Dostar/Duosida plugs getting stuck in Nissan Leafs, although the problem seems to have been corrected:

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=3603
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=166687#p166687

Overall, this product looks a little dodgy. Checking eBay, Dostar/Duosida L1 EVSEs seem to go for around $270, whereas automaker-branded L1 EVSEs (Nissan, Chevy, etc.) go for around $350. It might be better to pay the extra $80. If you get the EVSE that comes with the Gen2 Volt, you'd have the option of running it off a 240-volt outlet, using just an adapter plug, for half the charge time of a regular L1 charge.

 

[homesteadelectric]

Yes, I wouldn't have purchased it except there was a user review saying it worked fine on the Volt. I also liked that it is more compact than the OE version.

Just ran the car on gas to warm it up and tried a different 120VAC outlet, same story.

Good to know about the Gen 2 version being 240 or 120VAC, that does seem like an advantage.

Anyone have a used Gen 1 or 2 Voltec for sale?

 

[srs5694]

Good to know about the Gen 2 version being 240 or 120VAC, that does seem like an advantage.

Note that's very much an unofficial feature, and you need to buy or build an adapter so you can plug it into a 240v outlet. Here's a thread on the subject:

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?218442-2016-Volt-120v-EVSE-is-L1-L2-Conversion-Capable

Anyone have a used Gen 1 or 2 Voltec for sale?

I found several on eBay by searching on "Chevy Volt EVSE." Most were Gen1 units, but this one is a Gen2 unit for a good price:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-Volt-...ash=item1ebce45469:g:KgUAAOSw-KFXctQq&vxp=mtr

Caveat: I'm unaffiliated with the seller and so can't vouch for the merchandise or the seller.

 

[homesteadelectric]

Update: EV Charge Solutions sent a replacement Dostar L1 charger which does seem to be working with the Volt. Also has longer cable than first one.

Now will need to experiment with charge rate. The Dostar is rated at 16 A but I am assuming the Volt will limit that to 8 or 12?

 

[turboguy327]

Yes, I wouldn't have purchased it except there was a user review saying it worked fine on the Volt. I also liked that it is more compact than the OE version.

Just ran the car on gas to warm it up and tried a different 120VAC outlet, same story.

Good to know about the Gen 2 version being 240 or 120VAC, that does seem like an advantage.

Anyone have a used Gen 1 or 2 Voltec for sale?

I have a 2013 OEM EVSE that has been converted for L2 use but with an adapter can be used for L1.

 

[Genecpu]

The charger handle has a connection called pilot signal. This signal negotiates the charger states. This is done with resistance in both the changer handle and the vehicle. If the connections are loose or dirty making a higher resistance connection this can cause no charge. Also moisture can create some problems on chinese charger power cord handles.
I experienced an issue when it rained with my L2 charger. Dried it all out problem gone. I now have a water protective cover over handle if it is going to rain.
Cheers.

 

[Genecpu]

My charger problem returned. Took it in for service, the charger port was replaced. If the charger port experiences torque from the charger handle being leveraged or bumped this can cause the earlier charger ports to crack. This allows water to enter the part and short out the pilot signal causing no charge or error conditions preventing charging. There is a newer charger port part number 23281030 that I hope will prevent cracking.

 

[namefast]

Update: EV Charge Solutions sent a replacement Dostar L1 charger which does seem to be working with the Volt. Also has longer cable than first one.

Now will need to experiment with charge rate. The Dostar is rated at 16 A but I am assuming the Volt will limit that to 8 or 12?

The 16amp charge would come from a higher amp input like 240v. 8 or 12 amp is from 120v. I have one similar to this that came with a 3 prong dryer plug for Level 2 charging. I also made an adapter so I could use 120v when needed. For $299.99 it was a better deal and has worked flawless.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TPSP760/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1