Does your HPWC make a loud thunk when charging starts?

[jboy210]

HI,

I just have an HPWC installed. It works fine, but I noticed it makes a loud thunk when it starts charging. Does everyone else's do this? I assume it is a relay.

I was just surprised that it is quite a bit louder then the mobile charger when it engages at 120V/12A.

 

[Batt Car]

I have 2 HPWCs and the older one makes an audible loud click when it starts charging. My new one is silent. I recall when I wired the older one there was a pretty healthy relay in it so I assume that is making the thunk you hear.

 

[Sparrow]

My 6 year old HPWC makes a sound not even as loud as snapping your fingers. I would certainly not call it a thunk.

I have an old Roadster charger that does thunk.

 

[Sparrow]

I will add that the thunk for the old Roadster EVSE as well as the thunk from my Clipper Creek units are normal. The relays in these units make a strong physical clunk. By comparison the Tesla HPWC is extremely quiet.

 

[brkaus]

HI,

I just have an HPWC installed. It works fine, but I noticed it makes a loud thunk when it starts charging. Does everyone else's do this? I assume it is a relay.

I was just surprised that it is quite a bit louder then the mobile charger when it engages at 120V/12A.

The relay needs to be able to handle 80a. The HPWC relays are only open/closed.

The car controls how much current it pulls, up to the limit advertised by the HPWC (via the dial switch setting)

 

[jboy210]

The relay needs to be able to handle 80a. The HPWC relays are only open/closed.

The car controls how much current it pulls, up to the limit advertised by the HPWC (via the dial switch setting)

Thanks. It is pulling 40 A. Circuit/wiring is set so I can replace the HPWC with a NEMA 14-50 outlet if my next EV is not a Tesla.

 

[jboy210]

I have 2 HPWCs and the older one makes an audible loud click when it starts charging. My new one is silent. I recall when I wired the older one there was a pretty healthy relay in it so I assume that is making the thunk you hear.

it is brand new, Elon signature charger. I assume that is the newest unit.

 

[bmms8]

Mine does the same thing. I have the Elon signature connector

 

[brkaus]

Thanks. It is pulling 40 A. Circuit/wiring is set so I can replace the HPWC with a NEMA 14-50 outlet if my next EV is not a Tesla.

Good plan.

My point was the relay is sized pretty large to handle max current case, so it gives a pretty solid click.

 

[jboy210]

Good plan.

My point was the relay is sized pretty large to handle max current case, so it gives a pretty solid click.

Makes sense. I just wanted to ensure it was nothing to be concerned about. Sound like it is more or less normal.

 

[ajdelange]

There's an 80A mechanical contactor in there. At least that's what's in the piece that arrived at my door a few days ago. Such a contactor is going to produce a pretty good thunk when it opens or closes.

The mobile charger, conversely doesn't have to handle more than 48 A and can be subject to some pretty rough handling. I'll bet it's got a silent SSR (Solid State Relay).