Warning - Lectron NACS Adapter Recalled For Safety Defect

[Hammered]

True, but I don’t know if the response after pilot break is fast enough for the situation at hand. J1772 spec is 100 ms, which is not especially fast for a yank-out (I don’t know the spec for ISO 15118). There still may be some arcing during the removal before the charger can stop, which could potentially hit the signal/ground pins and possibly do serious damage to your modules.

With breaking of any combination of wires emergency shutdown must occur within 30ms, with a current not exceeding 5 amps allowable after 30ms.

https://morth.nic.in/sites/default/files/ASI/File2757.pdf

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[Alutacon]

Warning - A safety defect has been found with the Lectron NACS adapter that allows the Supercharger cable to unplug WITHOUT pressing the latch release. This can cause a dangerous blinding arc flash if the Supercharger cable was pulled out without pressing the latch first. Charging will not be stopped before cable removal, hence the arc flash risk. Charging expert Branden Flasch discovered the defect.

It appears the NACS latch pin was installed backwards or has a bad profile, so the ramp is facing outwards instead of inwards. This means you have to press the latch down to insert the cable, but it will pull out WITHOUT squeezing the latch release. It should function the opposite way, push in, lock, and NOT release when pulled.

This issue may only affect some Lectron adapters. Please see this video for more information. If your Lectron adapter has this defect, please DO NOT USE IT and contact Lectron. This is a serious safety risk.



NOTE: This issue does not affect the Ford NACS adapter. Only the Lectron branded adapter.

4/15 Update - Lectron has provided a statement:

Not surprised.

 

[Dhruval Shah]

I reached out to Lectron and got this reply from customer service department.

 

[azerik]

in the twenty first century we're swinging back around to illiteracy...............

???

I'm thinking Lectron was just getting ahead of the game by zapping the living crap out of anyone trying to snag one of these adapters. Eventually word will get around..

 

[4sallypat]

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.

Thank you for that followup with Lectron.

And you are 100% correct about the A2Z adapter being locked before charging.

Today, I had to put the A2Z adapter on the ground w/ case as a cushion, and press the Tesla NACS plug into the adapter in order to slide the lock lever.

Once that happened, it charged flawlessly.

Even peaked at 112 kWh when it started at 20%.

Stopped at 90%.

Saved money compared to charging at home where the rates are almost double that of Tesla membership rate!

 

[SWO]

Does it really baffle you? It's the only modern EV to not show any basic charging information.

I am really jealous of Rivian showing kw, amps requested, amps delivered, etc. The cost is cherry on top. Kind of a gesture aimed at humiliating Ford without saying "see what you can do when you are serious about software and don't order modules from 10 different suppliers?"

It's annoying for sure but your comment isn't exactly fair as Ford uses charging tech (P&C, Charge Assist) that the vast majority of makes don't. Not having to download a dozen apps and stand there trying to activate a charger in the cold is a huge plus....and you can see charging speed on your phone.

 

[redgrandam]

It's annoying for sure but your comment isn't exactly fair as Ford uses charging tech (P&C, Charge Assist) that the vast majority of makes don't. Not having to download a dozen apps and stand there trying to activate a charger in the cold is a huge plus....and you can see charging speed on your phone.

I don’t know why there isn’t more plug and charge agreements. If the charging networks could get together and use some kind of system that is more universal for plug and charge (ie you don’t need to set up with every network) it would change charging completely.

In Canada my GM EV can plug and charge at FLO. Nowhere else.

My Mach E can not plug and charge ANYWHERE currently in North America.

Blue oval network doesn’t even include one of the larger networks, Electrify Canada.

 

[zvez]

I don’t know why there isn’t more plug and charge agreements. If the charging networks could get together and use some kind of system that is more universal for plug and charge (ie you don’t need to set up with every network) it would change charging completely.

In Canada my GM EV can plug and charge at FLO. Nowhere else.

My Mach E can not plug and charge ANYWHERE currently in North America.

Blue oval network doesn’t even include one of the larger networks, Electrify Canada.

I'm with you on this. I don't understand why they all can't set things up so one membership in ANY charging network makes you a member of all charging networks.

 

[Mach1E]

I'm with you on this. I don't understand why they all can't set things up so one membership in ANY charging network makes you a member of all charging networks.

Because money.

Same reason I have to pay 8 different companies for streaming TV.

 

[vortix]

I don’t know why there isn’t more plug and charge agreements. If the charging networks could get together and use some kind of system that is more universal for plug and charge (ie you don’t need to set up with every network) it would change charging completely.

Though plug & charge only works with EA and Tesla, you can still use the Charge Assist app in the built-in nav to activate chargers across many charging networks and bill them to the credit card attached to your Blue Oval Charge Network account. It is an extra step - but works pretty well.

 

[rcechinel]

It's annoying for sure but your comment isn't exactly fair as Ford uses charging tech (P&C, Charge Assist) that the vast majority of makes don't. Not having to download a dozen apps and stand there trying to activate a charger in the cold is a huge plus....and you can see charging speed on your phone.

One thing doesn't excuse the other. I'm pretty sure Ford is the only one not showing charging details. P&C is great and Ford was the first one doing it (after Tesla, I think). But that was back in 2021. And NOTHING to show for since. As I said, they don't take software seriously.

 

[Robob]

Anyway about the adapter, I just received mine. And I haven’t tried it in a charger yet but here is a look at the locking tab.
It seems like the retaining spring is strong and the handle is overall very hefty and feels well built other than this reported issue.
I will update once I go up to the supercharger to test.

 

[The Electric Duo]

I just heard back from Lectron. They stated that there was an "early version" of the adapter that has this issue but the ones shipping now do not have that problem. If yours has the problem, contact Lectron to have it replaced.

I'm guessing that some of the prototypes or test adapters sent to some influencers had this issue. Hopefully it wasn't all of them that they sent out. In any case, test it out and try to get it replaced if you think yours has this fault.

 

[redgrandam]

Though plug & charge only works with EA and Tesla, you can still use the Charge Assist app in the built-in nav to activate chargers across many charging networks and bill them to the credit card attached to your Blue Oval Charge Network account. It is an extra step - but works pretty well.

Charge assist doesn’t exist for many of us (not sure why). I believe I could use the app, but they still don’t include the largest network in Canada on it.

 

[wholesome]

I reached out to Lectron as well (waiting on my order) and they said this:

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