annoying cap(s) on evse ...

Pretty much keeps dust out though, even if it isn't water tight.

 

The mating J1772 connectors are designed to a detailed SAE standard which, among other things, is intended to provide a "10,000 cycle life with exposure to dust, salt and water."

You can read about the J1772 standard here: https://www.sae.org/binaries/content/assets/cm/content/standards/chargingprimer.pdf

By removing the protective storage covers, you will reduce the effective useful life of the connectors. Electrical connectors deteriorate from exposure to general environmental hazards including dust, dirt, humidity, and even insects.

Of course, on a realistic note, if you reduce the intended 10,000 cycle life of your charging connectors by half, that's still 5,000 cycles -- enough to plug and un-plug your Prime twice a day for almost seven years.

As with a tube of toothpaste, replacing the cap after use is just good practice. If you live alone, it's totally up to you. If you are married, there may be eventual unpleasant consequences.

 

I gather the theory is that it is the waterproof part, and it does indeed seem to me to be waterproof.

 

I plug in more like three times per day, so mine will presumably eventually need to be replaced after 9ish years, depending on how long the battery survives.

I’ve been assuming the battery will gradually degrade over time too, since it’s not liquid-cooled, and since I cycle it a lot.

 

Paging @jerrymildred ...
I understand he "pretends" to be an electrician at times.

 

1st world problems....

 

I use a small amount of dielectric grease and it seems to help with the tight fit of my Duosaida L2 EVSE. It's still tighter than I'd like, but better. Actually, with regular use, it's not likely to corrode since the friction will tend to clean it, but I'm a little concerned about the physical stress are the car's connector with having to pull to hard to disconnect. Hence the grease. I'd previously tried a small shot of lithium grease, but the Permatex dielectric I'm now using seems to last longer. Just don't over apply it and get a build up.

 

I agree, it's a poor design. The cover should be built into the door and no dangly bits. (I can't believe I said that. <g>) And it's vertical!

I use both covers, it's humid here and then there's the pollen and dirt, it's very hard on electrical connections.

 

I agree that the cap on the EVSE is useless. Mine fell off some times ago and lost it. Have not replaced it. Just curious. Are J1772 connectors on public charge station have cover on them? I would think they get more exposure to outside elements than the ones used at home.

The cap on the port, on the other hand, I have been using it. I have read some comments by others who forced the charge port door closed with the cap in the holder position resulting in door jamming. It's either to place onto the holder or let it dangle, but dangling maybe safer??? Japanese version of PRIME has CHAdeMO port in the place of the holder, so I guess they have to let it dangle.

 

Unless you never, ever charge the car outdoors when its raining or snowing, its better that the port is not sealed so that it can drain. The only thing worse than water getting in the port area is it staying there.

While the cap may not be waterproof, water isn't the only thing that get in the plug area (see dust, debris or bugs).

That being said, its like any car modification, if you want to do it and feel the risk is acceptable, go for it. No one can tell you yet whether its going to cause problems in the long-term because the Prime simply hasn't been around long enough to know.

 

I'm on my third PHEV and none of them came with or used these rubber plugs; no issues. FWIW

 

So, you replaced the whole plugin??

 

LOL, umm, I meant a PHEV aka plug-in vehicle. I'll edit that.

 

I figured you were so frustrated with the failure you replaced the whole vehicle.

 

in the pip, the cap is built into the door, so you don't have redundancy. i wonder why they changed it?

no problems reported in almost 8 years that i recall reading about.

 

I think grease would mostly just attract dirt and dust. If the contacts are made of an appropriate metal and kept clean and dry, you shouldn't need to add anything.

I recently found a moth making a cocoon under the rubber cap of my EVSE cord.

 

I put up a big electrical box on the wall and found a thing to screw in the side that's shrouded and lets me dock the EVSE plug in it when I'm not charging. It's just plastic, and it acts like a big hood, so I don't worry about stuff getting up there. I did find a spider there once. meh.