Warning - Lectron NACS Adapter Recalled For Safety Defect

[jgcom]

My lectron is on the way should be here tomorrow. I won't be using the adapter that much, so I plan to just not pull on the adapter whilst charging.
Usually the sense/ground pins are longer on modern plugs so the chances of arc flash are minimal anyway.

Remember that DC arcs don't attempt to self-quench 120 times/second like AC arcs do when the polarity changes. DC can be worse than AC in this way, especially if there is an inductive source; those who have training and experience with AC might not be able to apply some of that knowledge directly.

If had a unit that didn't lock properly, I'd either return it or crack it open and take pictures for this forum.

Sponsored

 

[The Electric Duo]

FYI... When we tested, the first time I put it on it pulled right off. The second time it seemed secure but I didn't put a ton of force on it.

The A2Z adapter won't let you charge unless you can lock the adapter on the Tesla handle. Several people (including us) have commented that it can be a little tricky at first but I think it is good that you can see their safety mechanism is working.

Also, in our one video where we had some minor issues charging at a Tesla Supercharger, the Ford/Tesla adapter couldn't properly latch onto the Tesla handle. I could just pull the adapter right off and when I tried to charge, it wouldn't let me. The A2Z adapter was able to lock on and we were able to charge.

That might show that not all handles are created equally and that the "hole" that the adapters lock into might have some variations that can create issues under certain circumstances. It's a good reminder to test it out every time and to do a quick visual inspection of the handle and the adapter no matter which one you are using.

As for Lectron, I emailed their PR contact that has answered some questions for us previously. I sent them the link to this thread and I will let you know what they say.

 

[azerik]

Do that in a rain storm, once.

 

[grein002]

I've canceled my Lectron order and ordered the A2Z one, for this, and one other reason:

I was waiting on the sidelines, watching the Lectron availability. I had already created an account on their site. On 3/28/24, I received an email from them saying "adapter is now in stock!". I went ahead and ordered on based on this email. The next day, I got another email from them saying "It will arrive very soon". Then, nothing. The order page continued to say unfulfilled. On 4/3/24, I emailed them asking if it might arrive by 4/6/24, as I was going on a road trip. Their response:

"The first batch of Vortex plug has been shipped out to early pre-sale orders. We are expecting the next batch of stocks to arrive within the next coming weeks. Rest assured that we have your order active and is on top of our priority. We'll send you a shipping confirmation email once your order is on its way from our warehouse, including a tracking number for you to monitor your delivery.

The good news is that our manufacturing process is in full swing to ensure that you receive a top-notch product."

So clearly, the initial "we have them in stock!" email was untrue, and a ploy to generate additional orders.

An additional email to them suggesting this was answered, several days later, with a variation of the above response with no acknowledgement of the false statement of the original email.

This left a bad taste in my mouth regarding this company. The defect described in this thread was the last nail in the coffin for me.

Rich is the irony in the "ensure you receive a top-notch product" part of their email.

 

[pygolpher]

Maybe this is why Lectron is taking forever to ship out. I'm still waiting on the pre-order of them to ship, which I ordered 2 weeks before their email that things were available. Maybe time to head on over to A2Z.

 

[ARK]

Everyone should cancel their Lectron order ASAP.

So that I can get mine sooner.

I'll just remember not to try to unplug it from the NACS connector, and if someone tries to tamper with it they will essentially get flashbanged.

Sounds like a feature, not a bug to me!

It is both morally (and legally) questionable to do something that could result in massive harm to someone for a small violation, like messing with your charging cable.

It’s sort of like putting a ‘no trespassing, no dogs allowed’ sign in your yard, then sprinkling it with dog poison - hey, you warned them to stay off.

I wouldn’t be so indifferent to others electrocuting themselves to death near your car because they might try and unplug you while charging.

 

[Robob]

I also assume that the part the adapter interfaces with on the Tesla side can wear down meaning that well used supercharger handles will be easier to pull out than others.
seems like it could be wear and tear on the Tesla side.
At a certain point it comes down to common sense. The handles are a wear item, the adapter will wear in time as well.

So people need to just pay attention when dealing with high voltages in general. Although common sense is lacking these days..

 

[troublebot]

I wouldn’t be so indifferent to others electrocuting themselves to death near your car because they might try and unplug you while charging.

pfft, you're no fun

 

[Mikee]

I know. I didn't even get to see the arc flash. Bummer.

You may have to use your eclispe glasses for that!

 

[load97]

He’ll yeah! Now that’ll get attention!!

 

[Mach1E]

My lectron is on the way should be here tomorrow. I won't be using the adapter that much, so I plan to just not pull on the adapter whilst charging.
Usually the sense/ground pins are longer on modern plugs so the chances of arc flash are minimal anyway.

That’s great until someone else unplugs you (see multiple other threads on the subject).

Good news is they’ll probably only pull that move once in their lives!

 

[Robob]

Just doing quick googling around it seems like it is a common issue with well used superchargers that the handles do become worn and won’t lock into vehicles or back into the charger. So it’s possible that your experience with the locks may vary depending on how much use your local supercharger gets. Even the at home chargers seem to have had some issues of falling out of the car/cradle on the wall

 

[kltye]

Just doing quick googling around it seems like it is a common issue with well used superchargers that the handles do become worn and won’t lock into vehicles or back into the charger. So it’s possible that your experience with the locks may vary depending on how much use your local supercharger gets. Even the at home chargers seem to have had some issues of falling out of the car/cradle on the wall

Wait, I thought J3400 handles are essentially indestructible, compared to the paper mâché CCS1 handles?!

/slightly tongue-in-cheek

 

[manicsubmersion]

This is an update on the Lectron issue from the Inside EV website:

"The version Tom Moloughney tested did not have this design flaw and latched as intended. But considering how few of these adapters have shipped at this point, this is concerning. Tom reached out to Lectron and they provided a preliminary statement."

"We are analyzing the problem and doing a deep dive. Once we understand the root cause and the number of units affected, we can provide more guidance. At this point, we believe that only a small number of units are affected. The issue can be fixed with easy mechanical change to the latch."

 

[MellowJohnny]

<snip>
... which could potentially hit the signal/ground pins and possibly do serious damage to your modules.
</snip>

Always cover your modules before unplugging...

Sponsored