ClipperCreek J1772 plug not cooperating

[alexrov]

I rely largely on local charging in my hometown, which has a bunch of these ClipperCreek stations near my office. They look like this:



All of these charging stations use a J1772 plug, which I connect to my J1772->Tesla adapter, which connects to my car. However, the way these plugs work is that they "clip" onto the adapter to register a solid connection. If they don't clip on successfully, then there's no current flowing to the car.

I'm having significant trouble getting the plugs to clip lately. Despite fiddling with it for 15 minutes today, I was unable to get it to register a solid connection with the J1772 adapter, and I had to give up on getting a charge. Other cars with native J1772 support seem to be working just fine.

I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this problem and if they have a solution? Here's what it looks like:

 

[Az_Rael]

I rely largely on local charging in my hometown, which has a bunch of these ClipperCreek stations near my office. They look like this:

View attachment 229244

All of these charging stations use a J1772 plug, which I connect to my J1772->Tesla adapter, which connects to my car. However, the way these plugs work is that they "clip" onto the adapter to register a solid connection. If they don't clip on successfully, then there's no current flowing to the car.

I'm having significant trouble getting the plugs to clip lately. Despite fiddling with it for 15 minutes today, I was unable to get it to register a solid connection with the J1772 adapter, and I had to give up on getting a charge. Other cars with native J1772 support seem to be working just fine.

I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this problem and if they have a solution? Here's what it looks like:

View attachment 229247 View attachment 229248 View attachment 229249 View attachment 229251

I had a problem with my home clipper creek unit getting a solid connection with my car. I called clipper creek and they had problems with earlier J1772 handles so they replaced my unit. Those photos look like the old handles (my new one is all black), so it might be that issue.

Doesn't help much in your situation, but if people are reporting problems on plugshare for the unit, you could report it to the owner and have them call Clipper Creek

 

[MIT_S60]

I've had this problem with one public Chargepoint that I couldn't get to work, and a GE Wattstation that required force to get to latch.

 

[alexrov]

I've had this problem with one public Chargepoint that I couldn't get to work, and a GE Wattstation that required force to get to latch.

Sadly, even with force, I couldn't get it to work.

Doesn't help much in your situation, but if people are reporting problems on plugshare for the unit, you could report it to the owner and have them call Clipper Creek

I'll try calling the city, but I doubt they'll do anything, because it is a free station. I had thought that this was a problem with the J1772 adapter and not the station.

 

[SageBrush]

I'll try calling the city, but I doubt they'll do anything, because it is a free station. I had thought that this was a problem with the J1772 adapter and not the station.

Try a couple other J1772 stations to sort out where the problem lies.

Here is a photo of my CC J1772 handle:



If I'm not mistaken, the latch has a switch in it as a safety feature, and I think it has to lie flat (parallel to the tube underneath) to be active. A flat latch corresponds to the button on the handle in the up position. The latch in your photo appears to be raised so a couple possibilities come to mind:

1. The Tesla adapter is not inserted fully
2. The latch spring mechanism is jammed/stuck
3. Either the end of the latch or its mate inside the Tesla adapter has warped a little and the misalignment prevents the latch returning to the level position.

 

[SageBrush]

I was staring at the photo I took of my J1772 handle and it finally dawned on me that the handle may be easily disassembled by a few screws. Perhaps this is a DIY repair if CC will sell a new latch.

 

[jelloslug]

We have some CC units just like those at work. One of them devolved a problem with the handle and CC replaced the entire cable assembly.

 

[miimura]

Check the big green O-ring inside the J1772 handle. Sometimes they get out of place and prevent full insertion. Worst case, pull it completely out.

 

[alexrov]

If I'm not mistaken, the latch has a switch in it as a safety feature, and I think it has to lie flat (parallel to the tube underneath) to be active. A flat latch corresponds to the button on the handle in the up position. The latch in your photo appears to be raised so a couple possibilities come to mind:

1. The Tesla adapter is not inserted fully
2. The latch spring mechanism is jammed/stuck
3. Either the end of the latch or its mate inside the Tesla adapter has warped a little and the misalignment prevents the latch returning to the level position.

I agree that the switch is in the wrong position, but there doesn't seem to be any way to make it latch.

1. It's inserted fully, and even substantial force won't make it go anywhere. Its flush with the handle.
2. Could be... I can manipulate the thumb switch at the top of the handle to make it go up and down, but it won't cause the little notch to enter the fully latched position.
3. Certainly possible, but I don't know how to be sure. If it's a problem with the adapter, it's simple enough to get a new one. If it's the handle, I'll need to ask the city to make the fix.

Check the big green O-ring inside the J1772 handle. Sometimes they get out of place and prevent full insertion. Worst case, pull it completely out.

Thanks for the advice! Can I do this without disassembling it at all?

 

[miimura]

Thanks for the advice! Can I do this without disassembling it at all?

No need for disassembly, you can try to push it in with a straight blade screwdriver or just pull it out with needle nose pliers.

 

[David99]

Is it just that one station? I have tried countless public stations and Clipper Creek are by far the best and most reliable. Those worked all the time on the first try while many other stations had all kinds of random issues.

 

[gregd]

Check the big green O-ring inside the J1772 handle. Sometimes they get out of place and prevent full insertion. Worst case, pull it completely out.

I've had occasional trouble with some of these O-rings. Not a problem specific to Clipper Creek (my troubles were on a ChargePoint station at work). Just reach in and remove it, but do let someone know about it before it rains...