JuiceBox 40 Fails After Only 3 Months

[MMENACE]

We had an electrician install a hardwired JuiceBox 40 charger in late June, shortly after buying our 2023 MME CR1. The JuiceBox failed this past week, less than three months after installation. Enel X, the manufacturer, is replacing the charger but I’ll have to pay the electrician to do the uninstall/install.

Is this typical for a JuiceBox? Have others seen similar issues? I’m regretting the initial hardwiring. I could simply replace it myself if it was a plug-in. If the replacement fails, I’ll look for another brand.

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[ArthurDOB]

When I was looking for an EVSE, every time a problem was mentioned on this forum it seemed to involve a JuiceBox, so I went with a ChargePoint Home Flex. It has been great so far.

 

[bshaw]

We should pin this thread as a cautionary tale for all the "hardwired is the best install method" people around here.

Just like any other appliance in your home, a plug-in EVSE is an extremely convenient feature.

 

[Maquis]

My daughter is on her 3rd JuiceBox and she’s only charging a PHEV. They’re good about replacing the failed units if that’s any consolation.

 

[shelnian]

Hardwired vs plugin doesn't make an EVSE more reliable, just safer.

 

[RickMachE]

If you know how to use a screwdriver, you don't need an electrician. Turn off the breaker. Open the electrical box that the cable goes into. Note which colored wires go to the same connectors, i.e. black JB wire goes to ___ house wire. Loosen the screws on the wires that come from the Juicebox, and pull them out of the connectors. Loosen the clamp on the Juicebox cable, and remove it from the box. Remove the JB from the wall.

Now, reverse the process.

JuiceBox is very responsive on failed units. We had a power surge here last month, melted two surge protectors, and knocked out one of the JuiceBoxes. Tried a few things with them, they sent a new unit. My wife and I swapped it out in under 30 minutes (we installed the 2nd one back in May, same thing).

 

[MachE70]

I have a plug-in JuiceBox 40 EVSE that has worked flawlessly since I got my '22 GT in May 2022. The JuiceBox app isn't very good, but I rarely use it anyway. The only maintenance I have done was to tighten the terminal screws in the 240V outlet when the plug and cables were starting to get a little warm. Now the plug and cables stay below about 100 F, or less than 10 to 15 F above ambient.

 

[thekat03]

Um. Not an electrician here, but... Don't the wire connections need to be torqued to a certain amount to ensure good connection? Which yes, can be done by a non-electrician, assuming they have a torque wrench, but getting every connection just right is more important for an EVSE than most of the wiring amateurs do in their home.

 

[azerik]

SRP (our electric co) actually sells the JB48 for $365 now. I had to think it over pretty well vs the Emporia. in the end it was a quick search on here that nixed the JB from my next ESVE.

Um. Not an electrician here, but... Don't the wire connections need to be torqued to a certain amount to ensure good connection? Which yes, can be done by a non-electrician, assuming they have a torque wrench, but getting every connection just right is more important for an EVSE than most of the wiring amateurs do in their home.

Replacing the unit with the same unit requires little knowledge in this. You can see how 'tight' they are when you're removing the old. Get about that tight. It's not rocket science. And it's not a moving part so it's kind hard to mess up the install if you just take a pic of the wiring before you remove the old one.

Truth of the matter is "every connection" is 3 wires. 2 of which don't matter if reversed (unless you're 3 phase which is few and far between). The ground is kind of obvious as it's usually bare and goes to a big green block or screw.

 

[OldEVGuy]

My JuiceBox failed the first time I used it in 2021. They did replace it quickly, and it has been working well since then. The biggest issues for me are the extremely twisted cable, and the terrible app update they did earlier this year. I gave up using it after a month of trying. Now, it’s basically a “dumb” charger, but I’m fine with that.

I’m moving, and will leave it with my current house. I’m looking at the Tesla Universal and Emporia for a replacement. I imagine Emporia, and other manufacturers, will be updating their units soon to incorporate the NACS connector.

 

[RickMachE]

My JuiceBox failed the first time I used it in 2021. They did replace it quickly, and it has been working well since then. The biggest issues for me are the extremely twisted cable, and the terrible app update they did earlier this year. I gave up using it after a month of trying. Now, it’s basically a “dumb” charger, but I’m fine with that.

I’m moving, and will leave it with my current house. I’m looking at the Tesla Universal and Emporia for a replacement. I imagine Emporia, and other manufacturers, will be updating their units soon to incorporate the NACS connector.

Funny thing about the twisted cable.

We bought our first unit in July 2021. Cable was heavy, and twisted.

Bought our second unit in May 2023. Cable was lighter, and not twisted.

First unit replaced in September 2023. Cable matches unit we just bought, not twisted and not as heavy as the 2021 unit.

In 2021, EVSEs were hard to come by, all stocked out. Ours shipped from JB HQ, and they made the unit by hand. So clearly the cable used was different.

 

[Fremont Kid]

If you know how to use a screwdriver, you don't need an electrician. Turn off the breaker. Open the electrical box that the cable goes into. Note which colored wires go to the same connectors, i.e. black JB wire goes to ___ house wire. Loosen the screws on the wires that come from the Juicebox, and pull them out of the connectors. Loosen the clamp on the Juicebox cable, and remove it from the box. Remove the JB from the wall.

Now, reverse the process.

JuiceBox is very responsive on failed units. We had a power surge here last month, melted two surge protectors, and knocked out one of the JuiceBoxes. Tried a few things with them, they sent a new unit. My wife and I swapped it out in under 30 minutes (we installed the 2nd one back in May, same thing).

My only hesitation following your advice is if a serious electrical problem occurs, homeowner insurance may not cover damages. Could be low probability, but risk needs to be assessed. May not be worth voiding insurance coverage.

 

[RickMachE]

My only hesitation following your advice is if a serious electrical problem occurs, homeowner insurance may not cover damages. Could be low probability, but risk needs to be assessed. May not be worth voiding insurance coverage.

I understand your concern. I believe it is unfounded. A monkey can loosen a screw and pull out a wire. A monkey can also do the reverse, and tighten it. This was observed by my wife, would trimmed the wire sheathing for me (steady hand). It's not rocket science.

Insurance company would have to prove that my work caused the electrical fire. They'd have no way to do that, even if they said "it started here". Great, but what caused it?

People hang light fixtures, swap outlets and wall switches all the time. They have to prove that your work caused the problem AND that there was negligence involved.

There is no license required to connected a wire in a box by a homeowner. Yes, if I wired the entire circuit into the fuse box they might have a leg to stand on if I was negligent.

 

[ArthurDOB]

We should pin this thread as a cautionary tale for all the "hardwired is the best install method" people around here.

Just like any other appliance in your home, a plug-in EVSE is an extremely convenient feature.

For the EV plan my utility offers, it had to be hard-wired, but I hear you. I wanted hard-wired though because it it offered the most amps.

 

[Just Lurking]

If you know how to use a screwdriver, you don't need an electrician.

I agree with you that this can be feasibly DIY'd, but I think it's important to note that high amperage devices are especially sensitive to the torque used to properly clamp the wires.

Instructions for DIY'ing an EVSE install should include looking up the manufacturer recommended torque for each wire nut and using a torque wrench to apply the correct amount of torque.

I've seen a couple of YouTube videos of a master electrician installing a high amp EVSE, and it struck me as a surprising amount of torque required. Could be he was just playing for the camera, but it appeared he was putting real effort/muscle into the driver in order to achieve the required level of torque.

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