Charging in Rain/Snow

[squirrels2nuts]

I'm worried about inclement weather charging since I don't have a garage. I've tried some charging port covers, but they work with magnets, and the quarter panel with the port isn't magnetic. Solutions? Should I be worried about this? Can I charge in the rain regardless of coverage?

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[SpaceEVDriver]

I don't worry about charging in the rain unless it can freeze. I do cover it when we expect snow or ice.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/product-review-macapuche-charge-port-cover.27977/

 

[squirrels2nuts]

Thanks dude, sorry for a duplicate/resolved post, I searched for rain and turned up nothing.

Maybe I'll just attach the cover I have to the wiper like the one you use.

So a little rain is fine?

 

[timbop]

As @SpaceEVDriver mentions, there is no problem charging in rain outside - except if the precipitation might freeze. I've parked my Mach-E outside for 2+ years now, and I've never had an issue. I do NOT plug in when it snows or when freezing rain might happen, though. I too tried one of those magnetic covers when I first got my car only to discover (like you did) that there is no ferrous metal around the charging port.

 

[squirrels2nuts]

Oh, word? Nice.
What is the problem with freezing rain/snow?

 

[RickMachE]

Thanks dude, sorry for a duplicate/resolved post, I searched for rain and turned up nothing.

Maybe I'll just attach the cover I have to the wiper like the one you use.

So a little rain is fine?

Weather is irrelevant. The only possible issue is getting freezing rain and not being able to unplug.

If weather was an issue, the manual would tell you that, and nobody would buy these cars.

 

[Rose 2022 Mach E]

Oh, word? Nice.
What is the problem with freezing rain/snow?

I’ve charged outside for the last year in snow and freezing rain. The only time I had an issue is when we received a couple centimetres of freezing rain and the charger was frozen in the port and my side mirrors were frozen in. I eventually got the charger disconnected but couldn’t drive the car because I couldn’t get the mirrors to unfreeze and open. I learned my lesson but had to take the day off work lol

 

[squirrels2nuts]

Oh, so I'm just imagining an issue? Is it a problem with other EVs since there are products for it?
I guess I can disable the mirror fold-in, although I've seen that be an issue for some folks on here?

 

[E. Shore Farmer]

Never had a problem with outdoor charging for the past 18 months. Car parked outdoors (Maryland) the whole time. Wish I could say the same for birds……

 

[timbop]

Oh, word? Nice.
What is the problem with freezing rain/snow?

The ice can freeze the handle to the car and the charge port door open

 

[RickMachE]

Oh, so I'm just imagining an issue? Is it a problem with other EVs since there are products for it?
I guess I can disable the mirror fold-in, although I've seen that be an issue for some folks on here?

No, it's not a problem for EVs.

Yes, there are products for it. Why? You wrote the thread... That's why. Human beings create wants that aren't needs, or needs that aren't necessary, because, they're irrational and motivated by fear, often created by companies selling products.

 

[squirrels2nuts]

I mean, I assumed that water and electricity weren't a good mix. Thanks for the enlightenment, all.

 

[RickMachE]

I mean, I assumed that water and electricity weren't a good mix. Thanks for the enlightenment, all.

They aren't. But the car companies, and EVSE companies, know that and design for it.

 

[RWG]

I would suggest that rain on the charger plug is not a good idea. After all it is a 220 volt receptacle and plug and you theoretically could get a nasty electrical shock/jolt if you touch a wet "hot" plug.

If you are worried about your safety, you could install a double pole, 220v GFCI circuit breaker in the electrical service panel. Theoretically the GFCI breaker would trip if there was a water induced problem at the charger cord plug and theoretically that would prevent a nasty shock hazard.


Theoretically . . . your choice, good luck.

PS: It is always advisable to have a qualified electrician install GFCI's.

 

[dtbaker61]

I'm worried about inclement weather charging since I don't have a garage. I've tried some charging port covers, but they work with magnets, and the quarter panel with the port isn't magnetic. Solutions? Should I be worried about this? Can I charge in the rain regardless of coverage?

quick, easy, cheap solution is to pop the hood, drape a reusable plasticized grocery bag over charge port, and shut the hood. you can run the charger thru the bag handles when plugging in, and it will do a dandy job keeping freezing rain, snow, etc out of the connection and port hinge.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...pe-to-protect-charge-port-from-snow-ice.5484/

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