Our NACS to CCS Adapter Saga

[Sikkun]

I just hold the lock with my finger and shove the thing in now. It was literally only tight the first time and even then wasn’t that hard to slam in for me.

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[bbulkow]

Literally just went through this today testing my A2Z adapter. I had already read a ton of the comments about the connection issues and I think that helped.

It still took me maybe 3-4 tries to properly seat the adapter (and this was on a literally brand new V3 Supercharger, I was very likely the first person to connect this to a car at this point). I didn't use the "putting it on the ground" method, really just kind of lightly connected it to the plug and then "slammed" it the rest of the way on with my hands.

But the one trick I noticed right away was figuring out the locking switch. It didn't seem to fully lock or unlock at first - even with nothing connected. The indicator text on each end under the switch was only partially readable for the first couple movements. So I worked the switch back and forth a couple times too to make sure just the switch would fully seat (it also helped to understand what the switch would look like once it was fully seated). That, combined with working the plug in a couple more times got it to latch correctly. Started charging no problem.

Kind of annoying, but I knew what to expect and just tried to be patient. Thing is... for the average user that doesn't have access to all of the other people and info here on the forum, this is probably a nightmare scenario trying to get it to work when you're on a trip.

I also posted a lot about what ended up working for me.

I agree it is a broken product if it requires this much figuring out, but it is useful, and a2z already has their redesign out.

I put the charger plug into the adapter, the adapter against the tire, and lean into it.

Jamming it into the ground seems like damage could happen. But the friendly tire is right there! It is softush! You have to place it just so, but i will leave that to the reader.

It also helped a lot to rotate the adapter so the critical little switch was up so i could see if it had slid back a little and was thus preventing a lock. Now i can do it without that helper.

I also carefully applied dry spray lube to the lower latch and the barrel areas where the nacs parts mate (not the electrical bits obviously).

My partner, with a bit less upper body strength, has been unable to decouple the adapter. That is arguably a worse failure. Luckily we road trip together mostly, it i am going alone.

 

[Tampamike]

This sounds just like my experience with the A2Z adapter. I could see myself trying to seat the adapter and finding it didn't go in far enough to lock. I finally wound up putting a block of wood on the ground and using that for the leverage to seat the charge cord fully into the adapter. Unfortunately I had bought my first generation A2Z adapter too long before the second generation adapter came on the market, so I missed their window for a free exchange. So I now keep that block of wood in the car for times when I can't get the cord to seat properly in the adapter.

After you’ve used 2 or 3 times, you won’t need the block of wood.

 

[phidauex]

1st post here! Yea!

My Wife and I just bought our Mach E Rally on Saturday, and are working through charging growing pains.

I'm hoping u can please help with some questions!

yesterday we tried to use our brand new Lectron Tesla Supercharger (NACS) to CCS Electric Vehicle Adapter at a Tesla charging center in Council Bluffs Iowa, but it didn’t work.

Plugshare says this site is Tesla Only. Also, ChargeHubEVMap states, “This Supercharger is not open to NACS Enbabled Vehicles with CCS Compatibility”, does that mean my Mach E won’t be accepted With my Lectron Adapter? I‘m sure I’m missing something here!

Is this a good adapater?

Thanks in advance for any answers and information!

I know the one you are talking about, and it is indeed one of the older superchargers that isn’t adapter compatible. Fortunately there is an EA station quite close at the Walmart.

Most other Tesla stations in the area, Nebraska and Iowa, do work quite well with the adapters, but I hope you like Runza.

 

[YeOldeTraveller]

I have not had an issue with the updated A2Z adapter during my testing after I received it.

Tesla App is the best, but you can start by filtering in PlugShare to only show chargers 160 KW or higher. This will filter out the V2 sites. There will still be the sites that are V3 but restricted, but there are far fewer of them. A Better Route Planner seems to also understand 'NACS with adapter', but I always double check their suggestions.

 

[Old_Norm]

I just hold the lock with my finger and shove the thing in now. It was literally only tight the first time and even then wasn’t that hard to slam in for me.

Sounds like EV porn. ?

 

[davem251]

I just hold the lock with my finger and shove the thing in now. It was literally only tight the first time and even then wasn’t that hard to slam in for me.

This! Honestly I think that half of the issues that folks have with the original A2Z adapter are based in the lock. Once I figured out how it worked, no problems. Have to make sure it’s unlocked (pretty easy to feel the lock on the NACS side) prior to inserting the NACS dispenser.

 

[CalGal]

As of August 27th, 2024 we still don't have our official Ford adapter, but getting the third party adapters hasn't gone super smoothly either. So I made a video about our little saga...if you have a free 18 minutes...

That was a FANTASTIC video! Very informative! Now I’ll know what to expect when (IF!) I ever get my Ford adapter. They keep delaying the ETA. Thanks for preparing such a great, thorough user’s guide.??

 

[ChasingCoral]

This sounds just like my experience with the A2Z adapter. I could see myself trying to seat the adapter and finding it didn't go in far enough to lock. I finally wound up putting a block of wood on the ground and using that for the leverage to seat the charge cord fully into the adapter. Unfortunately I had bought my first generation A2Z adapter too long before the second generation adapter came on the market, so I missed their window for a free exchange. So I now keep that block of wood in the car for times when I can't get the cord to seat properly in the adapter.

Did you try applying a bit of lubricant to the inside of the end where the J-3400 connector is inserted?

 

[CameraCarl]

Did you try applying a bit of lubricant to the inside of the end where the J-3400 connector is inserted?

There is not a whole lot of space in there. I hesitate to spray some kind of lubricant in there because I have no idea how it would react with the electrical contacts. Some forum members say that it will work better with time. I'm off on a road trip tomorrow and will see if the fit improves as I use the adapter more. And when my official Ford adapter arrives in September 202X I will start using it (assuming of course that the adapter arrives before the car -- or I -- die of old age).

 

[ChasingCoral]

There is not a whole lot of space in there. I hesitate to spray some kind of lubricant in there because I have no idea how it would react with the electrical contacts. Some forum members say that it will work better with time. I'm off on a road trip tomorrow and will see if the fit improves as I use the adapter more. And when my official Ford adapter arrives in September 202X I will start using it (assuming of course that the adapter arrives before the car -- or I -- die of old age).

I and others have applied a thin bit of silicone or other dry lubricant to the inner edge of these adapters. In fact, TeslaTap used to (and may still) supply a tube of silicone lube with their Tesla to J-1772 adapter because the outside of the Tesla destination chargers would often become rough from use and scraping on the ground.

You only need, and want, a thin film.

 

[AhardFSU]

Thanks! I’m new to this so have lots to learn!

The easiest thing to do if you’re in doubt is go to the Tesla website, selecting the find charging option and select to appropriate filters for NACS and you’ll find your answer.

 

[Doug&Julie]

That was a FANTASTIC video! Very informative! Now I’ll know what to expect when (IF!) I ever get my Ford adapter. They keep delaying the ETA. Thanks for preparing such a great, thorough user’s guide.??

Thank you! ..and good luck! We still don't have our Tesla / Ford adapter, but we do know it will work well whenever it gets here!

 

[CameraCarl]

I and others have applied a thin bit of silicone or other dry lubricant to the inner edge of these adapters. In fact, TeslaTap used to (and may still) supply a tube of silicone lube with their Tesla to J-1772 adapter because the outside of the Tesla destination chargers would often become rough from use and scraping on the ground.

You only need, and want, a thin film.

I'll give it a try. I think I have a tube of silicone somewhere in the garage.

 

[Doug&Julie]

If you're interested, I made a follow up video now that we have our "official" adapter...

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