Issues with ChargePoint Flex

[BadgerGreg]

Finally got around to installing the replacement unit that ChargePoint sent me (ironically, they accidentally sent 2 of them, separately).
After a few relatively easy wire connections, mine fired right up, connected to WiFi and seems to be working flawlessly. Now off to FedEx to send them back my faulty one AND the extra they sent!

Glad to hear you had success as well. I have a feeling that ChargePoint has some faulty WiFi hardware on some of their units. I give them a pass, given that they quickly replaced the unit (twice in my case). I can't help but wonder if your two units were sent on purpose, just in case one of them didn't work

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[BadgerGreg]

....and ChargePoint Home Flex #3 officially crapped out two days ago (WiFi connection dropped off again). Called customer service and they reset the unit remotely...still not working. They determined that the WiFi component is not functional and are (for the third time in eight weeks) FedExing me a replacement unit, covered under warranty.

In the meantime, my current unit has been reset and can't communicate with my WiFi so now I'm stuck with the factory-default 16A setting with no way to adjust it to the 48A I'm used to.

Over a two-month period, I will be on my FOURTH ChargePoint unit. Either they have a QA/QC problem with their WiFi hardware or I am their unluckiest customer ever. If the next unit craps out, I am just going to ask for my money back.

Any recommendations from other MME owners on a better home charging solution?

 

[KevinS]

Any recommendations from other MME owners on a better home charging solution?

Sorry to hear of your ongoing problems. Grizzl-E and JuiceBox seem to be other reliable brands... and then there's always the Ford Connected Charging Station.

 

[Glen]

....and ChargePoint Home Flex #3 officially crapped out two days ago (WiFi connection dropped off again). Called customer service and they reset the unit remotely...still not working. They determined that the WiFi component is not functional and are (for the third time in eight weeks) FedExing me a replacement unit, covered under warranty.

In the meantime, my current unit has been reset and can't communicate with my WiFi so now I'm stuck with the factory-default 16A setting with no way to adjust it to the 48A I'm used to.

Over a two-month period, I will be on my FOURTH ChargePoint unit. Either they have a QA/QC problem with their WiFi hardware or I am their unluckiest customer ever. If the next unit craps out, I am just going to ask for my money back.

Any recommendations from other MME owners on a better home charging solution?

Tje odds of 3, crapping out. Wow.

 

[SnBGC]

....and ChargePoint Home Flex #3 officially crapped out two days ago (WiFi connection dropped off again). Called customer service and they reset the unit remotely...still not working. They determined that the WiFi component is not functional and are (for the third time in eight weeks) FedExing me a replacement unit, covered under warranty.

In the meantime, my current unit has been reset and can't communicate with my WiFi so now I'm stuck with the factory-default 16A setting with no way to adjust it to the 48A I'm used to.

Over a two-month period, I will be on my FOURTH ChargePoint unit. Either they have a QA/QC problem with their WiFi hardware or I am their unluckiest customer ever. If the next unit craps out, I am just going to ask for my money back.

Any recommendations from other MME owners on a better home charging solution?

Very unusual. At this point I would suspect some sort of issue with the source voltage. Have you experienced any other unusual issue with house lights going bright or dimming or flickering etc?

 

[AZBill]

....and ChargePoint Home Flex #3 officially crapped out two days ago (WiFi connection dropped off again). Called customer service and they reset the unit remotely...still not working. They determined that the WiFi component is not functional and are (for the third time in eight weeks) FedExing me a replacement unit, covered under warranty.

In the meantime, my current unit has been reset and can't communicate with my WiFi so now I'm stuck with the factory-default 16A setting with no way to adjust it to the 48A I'm used to.

Over a two-month period, I will be on my FOURTH ChargePoint unit. Either they have a QA/QC problem with their WiFi hardware or I am their unluckiest customer ever. If the next unit craps out, I am just going to ask for my money back.

Any recommendations from other MME owners on a better home charging solution?

You should be able to set the limit back to 48A using Bluetooth.

 

[BadgerGreg]

Very unusual. At this point I would suspect some sort of issue with the source voltage. Have you experienced any other unusual issue with house lights going bright or dimming or flickering etc?

No other observed issues with our electric service...however, my ChargePoint is connected to a separate meter, and doesn't come off the main fuse panel. It has its own dedicated fuse box with a 60A breaker.

What you said about the source voltage may be a legit concern; our local electric utility crews have been spending a lot of time in our neighborhood trimming trees and repairing grid infrastructure, so it's possible that has caused some unwanted voltage spikes, although we didn't observe any flickering of lights during that work.

In any case, one would think that the ChargePoint hardware would be resilient enough to survive that sort of thing, given how much electricity flows through the unit.

 

[connoisseurr]

Have you been keeping track of the serial numbers to determine if you're getting a replacement unit you've already had and sent back?

 

[SnBGC]

No other observed issues with our electric service...however, my ChargePoint is connected to a separate meter, and doesn't come off the main fuse panel. It has its own dedicated fuse box with a 60A breaker.

What you said about the source voltage may be a legit concern; our local electric utility crews have been spending a lot of time in our neighborhood trimming trees and repairing grid infrastructure, so it's possible that has caused some unwanted voltage spikes, although we didn't observe any flickering of lights during that work.

In any case, one would think that the ChargePoint hardware would be resilient enough to survive that sort of thing, given how much electricity flows through the unit.

The CP stuff is usually pretty good. The HF is pretty much exactly the same components as their CPF50 which is a fleet/multi-family unit.

The neutral line for that sub panel must be bonded to the main panel very tightly but a loose neutral shouldn't really bother the WiFi card though????

Something is strange though.....
I will adk my techs and see if they have any ideas.

 

[Maquis]

The CP stuff is usually pretty good. The HF is pretty much exactly the same components as their CPF50 which is a fleet/multi-family unit.

The neutral line for that sub panel must be bonded to the main panel very tightly but a loose neutral shouldn't really bother the WiFi card though????

Something is strange though.....
I will adk my techs and see if they have any ideas.

Correct - a compromised neutral can cause wild excursions on the 120V legs, but the 240V will not be affected.
If power quality were the issue, I’d think the failures would more likely occur in the power circuitry, not the WiFi module.
If I were CP, I’d be analyzing the returned units for clues.

 

[BadgerGreg]

Have you been keeping track of the serial numbers to determine if you're getting a replacement unit you've already had and sent back?

Ha! I might have to do that.

Actually, the tech I spoke to said she would make sure they send me a new (and not refurbished) unit. I don't know if the last few units I had were refurbished, but the fact that she emphasized that makes me think that it's normal practice to send refurbished units out as warranty replacements.

 

[connoisseurr]

Ha! I might have to do that.

Actually, the tech I spoke to said she would make sure they send me a new (and not refurbished) unit. I don't know if the last few units I had were refurbished, but the fact that she emphasized that makes me think that it's normal practice to send refurbished units out as warranty replacements.

It's a good practice to follow. OCD here, I have a spreadsheet that captures every serialized device I've ever owned.

 

[BeachMam00]

It seems like this posting topic ended about a year ago. We’ll here it is about a year later and the 3rd replacement failed to connect to my WiFi again. Comments about their support techs trying their best to solve the issue is true. However they always seem to be unfamiliar with this problem when it’s been all over Google since last year. I agree that the charging aspect is great. But in Connecticut our electric provider is offering a $500 rebate on the charger BUT it must be connected to WiFi. I have Xfinity / Comcast and they sent a tech out who confirmed it’s not their problem. I have 3 other WiFi devices that work fine in the same space as the charger. If anyone has finally figured it out then please let me know. BTY. I love the Mach e!

 

[BadgerGreg]

It seems like this posting topic ended about a year ago. We’ll here it is about a year later and the 3rd replacement failed to connect to my WiFi again. Comments about their support techs trying their best to solve the issue is true. However they always seem to be unfamiliar with this problem when it’s been all over Google since last year. I agree that the charging aspect is great. But in Connecticut our electric provider is offering a $500 rebate on the charger BUT it must be connected to WiFi. I have Xfinity / Comcast and they sent a tech out who confirmed it’s not their problem. I have 3 other WiFi devices that work fine in the same space as the charger. If anyone has finally figured it out then please let me know. BTY. I love the Mach e!

You've had the same issue I dealt with. I went through three ChargePoint Home Flex units in a pretty short period of time (all had failing WiFi). My fourth unit, installed just about a year ago, has been working fine (*fingers crossed*). It's a reliable EVSE from a charging perspective; I just think their WiFi hardware is very unreliable. Fortunately, they honor the warranty and are good about sending out replacement units quickly. Best of luck getting a reliable unit.

 

[JmanMachE]

My unit worked fine for a year. When the weather got really hot (mine is outside but shaded) the WiFi failed. Went through all the procedures with their support and it wouldn‘t connect, though we tried many things. Interestingly they could see my unit on their end and were able to send it a reset, no idea how. That left me with factory default, you can’t complete initial setup without WiFi. They told me I’d be hearing from them and about a week later there was an email they were shipping a replacement. That unit is working fine (they paid all shipping but I did have the electrician do the install on my dime as it is hard-wired). Charging-wise the unit is very well built, but WiFi seems to be an Achilles. Hopefully they are seeing this trend and making improvements. Power sharing and single account also need to be on their radar.

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