Free Public Level 2 Charging Etiquette

[ahava3233]

You know...the crazy thing is, my old 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric did not have a button on the exterior of the car to unplug/unlock the charger.

Thus, no one could unplug it without my consent if I was actively charging (it would automatically unlock when charging complete). So, in this case, is the exterior button a downgrade in areas with public charging (I mean it IS more convenient when YOU actually want to unplug while still charging but still)? ?

Perhaps a software update to disable that button by choice may be in order?

Ford, MAKE IT HAPPEN .

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[generaltso]

Perhaps a software update to disable that button by choice may be in order?

That button doesn't do anything for Level 2 charging.

 

[ahava3233]

That button doesn't do anything for Level 2 charging.

It does for me?

(The cord locks while charging is active, unless you press the button)

 

[generaltso]

It does for me?

Level 2 plugs don't get locked to the car. Try unplugging without hitting that button first.

 

[ahava3233]

Level 2 plugs don't get locked to the car. Try unplugging without hitting that button first.

Mine gets locked...?‍ (I think, will double check tonight)

 

[generaltso]

Mine gets locked...?‍ (I think, will double check tonight)

Then your car is a unicorn.

 

[Logal727]

Mine gets locked...?‍ (I think, will double check tonight)

Then you don’t have a Mach-E haha

 

[Sam2084]

I don’t use Level 2s unless I need them, since other people may actually need them to get somewhere, and I don’t think someone else should pay for my electricity if they’re free.

OP sucks for clogging up a charger he didn’t need, the unplugger is worse for touching someone else’s things. The Tesla seems like the only good guy in the story.

Free charging is dumb, Tragedy of the commons indeed.

 

[ahava3233]

Then your car is a unicorn.

I just attempted the cable yank with no button press on an L2 charger.

It worked with two caveats.

1. I felt some resistance for a moment when I pulled the cable, then it came out. I don't recall this happening when I hit the button normally.

2. The L2 charger went into fault mode when I finished pulling...this means that it could have been the charging going into fault/stopping because I pulled on the cable, that unlocked the cable.

It seems to me like the port is at least physically capable of locking in J1772 cords as opposed to only CCS1. If so, I want an OTA .

 

[ahava3233]

Then you don’t have a Mach-E haha

My car is definitely a Mach E, and to all the haters, it's also a Mustang, lol.

 

[DevSecOps]

I just attempted the cable yank with no button press on an L2 charger.

It worked with two caveats.

1. I felt some resistance for a moment when I pulled the cable, then it came out. I don't recall this happening when I hit the button normally.

2. The L2 charger went into fault mode when I finished pulling...this means that it could have been the charging going into fault/stopping because I pulled on the cable, that unlocked the cable.

It seems to me like the port is at least physically capable of locking in J1772 cords as opposed to only CCS1. If so, I want an OTA .

The button does absolutely nothing, 0, nada, zilch for L2. It doesn't stop the charge, it doesn't do anything. It's all in your head. That button is just for L3.

The reason you likely got a fault is because you yanked it out. Push the handle button on the charge adapter, wait for the click and pull. Don't yank it out.

There is no lock on L2, unless you have the EU version of the MME (I think it locks on L2).

 

[ahava3233]

The button does absolutely nothing, 0, nada, zilch for L2. It doesn't stop the charge, it doesn't do anything. It's all in your head. That button is just for L3.

The reason you likely got a fault is because you yanked it out. Push the handle button on the charger, wait for the click and pull. Don't yank it out.

*Cough Cough*

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/so-what-does-the-button-by-the-charge-port-do.4572/

 

[ahava3233]

This in particular?

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...button-by-the-charge-port-do.4572/post-145702

FYI:

The chargers in my apartment are on a commercial network, and people visiting have to pay per kWh to that network (people who live there do not, but you still activate via their app to charge regardless).

 

[DevSecOps]

*Cough Cough*

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/so-what-does-the-button-by-the-charge-port-do.4572/

Ummm DCFC is L3 ...

The owners manual specifically says it's just for L3. What forum members said when the car was 3 months off the line is not relevant.

But what do I know ... keep pushing the button if it makes you happy.

 

[BigMach-E]

To be honest, in the nearly 2 years I’ve owned an EV, I have only unplugged someone’s car to plug in my car once, they were not actively charging, and I was desperate, new and out of town. If there is ANY other option to unplug someone else car, even if they are effectively ICEing out the charger (plugged in, not charging), don’t unplug someone else’s car.

I know that if this inconsiderate person who has their car plugged in and not charging is wrong, I know the person who has their car plugged in for 6+ hours on a free public charger is inconsiderate and wrong. But, if they are that inconsiderate, just think of how they are going to react when you unplug their car. These are folks that don’t care about other people, it’s going to elicit stuff you don’t want to deal with. It’s inconvenient to find a non-occupied charger sometimes, but a confrontation with a complete stranger can be way more inconvenient. Maybe some people dig on that, idk.

I would say that if you are on a free public charger longer than anything posted, or longer then you need to be to get to the next DCFC or home, you need to rethink your charging strategy.

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