Charging while raining?

adam_thedad

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Hi folks,

I see lots of posts about driving in the rain, efficiency in the rain, but nothing specific about charging in the rain. Started raining yesterday and I unplugged my MachE just in case, but was it necessary?
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hybrid2bev

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Hi folks,

I see lots of posts about driving in the rain, efficiency in the rain, but nothing specific about charging in the rain. Started raining yesterday and I unplugged my MachE just in case, but was it necessary?
Just rain, no it’s not necessary to unplug. I unplug only for lightning/thunderstorms.
 

TruWrecks

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I've DC charged my Bolt in a monsoon like rain. Not fun but it worked fine and it was safe.
 
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adam_thedad

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Just rain, no it’s not necessary to unplug. I unplug only for lightning/thunderstorms.
Well it was a Thunderstorm, so guess I made the right decision.
 

RickMachE

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No reason to ever unplug it IMO. The chance of getting hit by lightning and a surge is so remote, and it's under warranty...
 


DaMeatMan

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If your worried about water ingress into that port, causing issues such as a short, or electrocution hazards, I would not worry about this. This is something that already would be considered as part of certification for the charging protocols, as well as the physical ports and plugs.

This is not anything like trying to use an indoor appliance like a TV in the outdoor elements. But rather this is an outdoor appliance specifically designed to function in all of those outdoor elements.
 

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Hi folks,

I see lots of posts about driving in the rain, efficiency in the rain, but nothing specific about charging in the rain. Started raining yesterday and I unplugged my MachE just in case, but was it necessary?
plugging/unplugging/charging in the rain should be fine...

you MIGHT want to have plastic shopping bag, or small piece of tarp to shut in hood and drape over charge port if you are charging outside in freezing rain or snow to prevent ice buildup in the port hinge, outlet port, and charger handle thumb button so you can disconnect and close the charge port door.
 

Chainspell

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I would hope most quality charging stations have surge protection built in. Anyone know about the L2 specs? Especially if it’s UL listed?

With the amount of power going through L3 I am sure those have multiple layers of safety.
 

Chuck

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What is this thing called "rain"?
 

JamieGeek

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I would hope most quality charging stations have surge protection built in. Anyone know about the L2 specs? Especially if it’s UL listed?

With the amount of power going through L3 I am sure those have multiple layers of safety.
Your EVSE is a GFCI (which is why many have issues when connected to circuits with GFCI's in them because two in a row don't like each other).
 

shutterbug

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What is this thing called "rain"?
It's a mythical event when liquid droplets of dihydrogen monoxide fall from the sky. Rumored to be very similar to showers, but on a larger scale.?
 

HuntingPudel

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