Grizzl-E dead :(

[bshaw]

Anecdotally it seems as if the Grizzl-E has a lot of reliability issues. If so, that's a shame because I like the construction.

I don’t know that what you said is true. I don’t see a large number of grizzl-e owners writing in to say they are having reliability issues. Have you seen that somewhere?

If anything, it seems about the same number of reported issues across all chargers brands on this forum. With the exception of the Ford mobile charger — that one definitely has a higher rate of issues reported.

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[Shayne]

With the exception of the Ford mobile charger — that one definitely has a higher rate of issues reported.

Because everyone has one of those so more units more defective? Maybe it will die down now they no longer get one?

 

[DR.J56]

Someone should start a poll for EVSE failure tracking. Hmmmmm

Edit: No not me. I have no clue on all the brands out there.

 

[Scooby24]

Have no idea as mine works. It could be the number that are out there screw up what you seem to see? Appears to me Ford has a lot of reliability issues but then again I have no numerical facts on that.

I've no reason to believe there are a higher number of grizzl-e owners out there than other but when I was searching 2 years ago I could find an alarming number of threads using simple key words like "grizzl-e problem" or "not charging" versus others I was looking at. I followed it up by googling the same keywords and found the same sorts of threads across all EV forums which lead me to believe these chargers are more problematic than some others. Since that time I routinely see these threads which has solidified my opinion that this is a charger I would avoid. Sure there are going to be ones without an issue.....but the competition in this price range is heavy...becomes more of a question of why pick them versus others that aren't getting this sort of negative attention? It's just an evse...they should be simple and reliable. That's it imo.

 

[Shayne]

I've no reason to believe there are a higher number of grizzl-e owners out there than other but when I was searching 2 years ago I could find an alarming number of threads using simple key words like "grizzl-e problem" or "not charging" versus others I was looking at. I followed it up by googling the same keywords and found the same sorts of threads across all EV forums which lead me to believe these chargers are more problematic than some others. Since that time I routinely see these threads which has solidified my opinion that this is a charger I would avoid. Sure there are going to be ones without an issue.....but the competition in this price range is heavy...becomes more of a question of why pick them versus others that aren't getting this sort of negative attention? It's just an evse...they should be simple and reliable. That's it imo.

Have no idea as mine works great and will definitely be buying a new dumb plate box Grizzl-e when mine craps out if they are still around. Maybe the extreme does something? Does what it needs to do and has done that well since the beginning. The power feeding it definitely has something to do with longevity. Does not take much with electronics. A lighting strike started the electronic face plate of my dishwasher on fire.

How long ago did you do all that? Amazon reviews 4.5 stars so who knows? I read lots of the same for the MME 2 years back thinking that is getting better now but now there are more of them we may read about more problems? A lot of people buy the Grizzl-e for good reasons. When my bic lighter goes I will plug in a new one and vote on the poll. Hardwired is a hassle for no logical reason as 48A is plenty. They are cheap plug a new one in and get on with it. Get fed up with one brand try another.

 

[SWO]

I don’t know that what you said is true. I don’t see a large number of grizzl-e owners writing in to say they are having reliability issues. Have you seen that somewhere?

If anything, it seems about the same number of reported issues across all chargers brands on this forum. With the exception of the Ford mobile charger — that one definitely has a higher rate of issues reported.

Well, there was the Grizzl-E Mini which was giving everyone errors and was pulled from their site for some time (looks like it's back for sale now?). Also the issue with their plug (can't remember if it was too big or too small - giving people issues).

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/grizzl-e-charger-grrrr.22174/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/grizzl-e-classic-level-2-charger-just-died.21675/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/grizzl-e-error-message.24160/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...-fault-tight-j1772-plug-red-ring-error.23532/
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/grizzl-e-charging-issue-any-ideas.22409/

ETA: Here's the thread where people reported the Grizzl-E Mini crapping out on them and it being pulled:

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/grizzl-e-mini-availability.8083/

 

[SWO]

With the exception of the Ford mobile charger — that one definitely has a higher rate of issues reported.

I think the Ford charger gets a bit of a bad rap. It's a mobile charger. Most people run into issues using it full time. Among mobile/travel chargers, I think it's decent - certainly better than the leviton/chinese <insert word salad brand name> chargers all over Amazon.

 

[smoke20]

How does that install work? Can you do that by wiring one of the whole-house units that says to install directly on a 20 A breaker, in parallel at the equipment of concern?

There are a cascading array of surge protective devices; Type 1 down to Type 4 (MOV protected power strip fro the hardware store). Generally speaking, the voltage clamp rating is highest on a whole house Type 1 (as much as 1,000V). The whole house protector is on the 'front line' and typically worries about impulses greater than 1,000V. These protectors pass the lower impulses as they are primarily concerned about local lightning strikes and grid switching. Types 2-4 generally have lower clamp ratings (800V down to perhaps 300V) for the impulses that pass the whole house protector as well as the impulses created inside the dwelling. At this point, it comes down to the robustness of the semiconductors in the electronics we are trying to protect as the determining factor as to how low should the surge protector go. The industry will point to the use of multiple types (1-4) of protection as part of an overall protection package.

In my application, I have Type 2 protection on my ClipperCreek (only because I had one laying around figured it couldn't hurt to install it). I do use these on my HVAC indoor and outdoor units...for sure especially with the brushless DC blower motors that cost an arm and both legs WHEN they fail. I do not have a whole house protector. I am probably under-protected.

Regarding your question, I would say a whole house unit is typically classified as Type 1 and would probably best be installed on the line side of your service panel; it would then protect all branch circuits from high level impulses...thus the name whole house. But in theory there is technically nothing wrong with your statement about mounting the protector on a 20A circuit in parallel with the equipment of concern assuming everything is in compliance with the NEC and local codes.

 

[Logal727]

Another one bites the dust. Keep seeing these grizzl-e chargers failing. I ruled them out when I was searching 2 years ago because they were problematic then and still seem to be now.

Apparently they had a bad batch of components a couple years ago, mine just finally caught up, they are sending a new one in the mail and I don't even have to send this one back until I get the new one

 

[Humblest]

United Chargers customer service ?.

I purchased and started using my Grizzl-E almost three years ago with a Mini SE. I had the unit on a 40A circuit with DIP switches set to 32 A. After a couple of weeks the charger started behaving poorly (red LED instead of green and blue, didn't charge). United Chargers blamed the firmware and sent me a new unit. Last year I started to use that charger both for the Mini and for my MME (moved to a 50A circuit and reset the DIP switches to 40A). Unit has been working just fine for each vehicle.

A few months ago I did, however, have a short circuit in my NEMA 6-50 outlet that damaged the Grizzl-E NEMA 6-50 plug. United Chargers sent me a new power supply cord for free even though the root cause was not in their product.

 

[Fixbear]

Nah. Grizzl-E is meant to be opened. They put the dip switches for adjusting voltage in there. In fact when I had my problem they did ask for photos of the insides of both of mine for comparison.

There are 2 fuses inside on the lower left of the board right below the main contactor. See: Grizzl-E_Classic_Manual_V2.1.pdf (unitedchargers.com)

 

[Fixbear]

I've no reason to believe there are a higher number of grizzl-e owners out there than other but when I was searching 2 years ago I could find an alarming number of threads using simple key words like "grizzl-e problem" or "not charging" versus others I was looking at. I followed it up by googling the same keywords and found the same sorts of threads across all EV forums which lead me to believe these chargers are more problematic than some others. Since that time I routinely see these threads which has solidified my opinion that this is a charger I would avoid. Sure there are going to be ones without an issue.....but the competition in this price range is heavy...becomes more of a question of why pick them versus others that aren't getting this sort of negative attention? It's just an evse...they should be simple and reliable. That's it imo.

The ones that had the problem was the first generation and the smart version. They stopped selling the smart charger for quite a long time as they perfected it. Thier design is built to be rugged and cool in hot environments. They also had a issue with timing during the handshake to certain cars, but have also resolved that.

 

[Ghost Ryder]

I have a Grizzl-e for over 1 year and 20k miles of charging. Been flawless. But even if it went out, they seem to respond well and take care of their customers. So no worry here.

 

[Fixbear]

I have a Grizzl-e for over 1 year and 20k miles of charging. Been flawless. But even if it went out, they seem to respond well and take care of their customers. So no worry here.

I agree. I've had one in service since May 21. Changed it to a Duo in Oct 22 because we bought a second EV. And since we experience low temperatures in the winter we need both to be plugged in.

 

[bshaw]

There are 2 fuses inside on the lower left of the board right below the main contactor. See: Grizzl-E_Classic_Manual_V2.1.pdf (unitedchargers.com)

OP -- Check your fuses before starting any kind of replacement request. Its going to be faster and cheaper than sending a unit back for repairs.

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