Walgreens Chargepro Problems

[GeekGirls]

Has anyone else had problems with the Chargepro network that appears to be ubiquitous at Walgreens? I don't have a Chargepro card but the instructions displayed by the unit state that you can use your card OR just start charging, presumably because they're not charging for, er, charging. Seems simple enough. Once plugged in the station claims it has started and then stops shortly thereafter, and shows that charging is "complete." I have used my J1772 adapter with ChargePoint stations successfully.

Any insights? Problems or successes?

 

[aviators99]

Has anyone else had problems with the Chargepro network that appears to be ubiquitous at Walgreens? I don't have a Chargepro card but the instructions displayed by the unit state that you can use your card OR just start charging, presumably because they're not charging for, er, charging. Seems simple enough. Once plugged in the station claims it has started and then stops shortly thereafter, and shows that charging is "complete." I have used my J1772 adapter with ChargePoint stations successfully.

Any insights? Problems or successes?

I thought that all of the Walgreens were using ChargePoint? I haven't heard of Chargepro. And I also thought that all of the Walgreens were chargeing $0.49/kWh, which is ridiculous, especially considering there are oftentimes other ChargePoints within walking distance that are free.

 

[K Hall]

I also thought that all of the Walgreens were chargeing $0.49/kWh, which is ridiculous, especially considering there are oftentimes other ChargePoints within walking distance that are free.

All of the Walgreens in my area are free. Actually 97% of the Chargepoint systems here are free.

 

[TEG]

I thought that all of the Walgreens were using ChargePoint? I haven't heard of Chargepro. And I also thought that all of the Walgreens were chargeing $0.49/kWh, which is ridiculous, especially considering there are oftentimes other ChargePoints within walking distance that are free.

I have seen different EVSEs at different Walgreens. And different rates charged.

Some have Coulomb Chargpoint... Some have SemaConnect ChargePro.
350green seems to be an entity that was involved in the installs.

SemaConnect | CrunchBase Profile

...SemaConnect installations and accomplishments include successful deployments of over 150 ChargePro charging stations in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. SemaConnect announced the largest commercial order of EV Charging stations when they partnered with 350Green for the national launch of 1,500 charging stations across the U.S. at major retail locations including Walgreens...

 

[jaanton]

It's good to hear that the Model S works with Chargepro. Roadsters have problems with them. Many if not all of these stations have a tight 5mA GFCI which most Roadsters will trip immediately. The station has LED light which go red when this happens along with a cryptic error.

 

[GeekGirls]

It's good to hear that the Model S works with Chargepro.

How did you come to that conclusion? I've had no luck and none of the posts in this thread seem to indicate success - just confirmation that some Walgreens locations do indeed use ChargePro.

 

[Robert.Boston]

I might be mistaken, but I believe that Chargepro equipment uses SemaConnect's SemaCharge Pass. I've got one of these because we drive down to the Philadelphia/Baltimore area fairly often, and SemaConnect has a decent network there.

 

[GeekGirls]

I might be mistaken, but I believe that Chargepro equipment uses SemaConnect's SemaCharge Pass.

You are correct, though I haven't seen any other charge stations on their network here. The instructions on the station seem to indicate that the pass is optional when charging is free. It does indicate that it is charging when connected as well – it just stops before current ramps up. You've successfully used one of their chargers with a Model S, then? Please confirm.

 

[Robert.Boston]

You've successfully used one of their chargers with a Model S, then? Please confirm.

No, I haven't tried charging at one yet -- I needed the east-coast SC network built out before I could get down to Philly. I got the card, along with cards for Blink and ChargePoint, as a proactive measure.

 

[dsm363]

It's good to hear that the Model S works with Chargepro. Roadsters have problems with them. Many if not all of these stations have a tight 5mA GFCI which most Roadsters will trip immediately. The station has LED light which go red when this happens along with a cryptic error.

Is there a way around this (maybe lowering charge to 20A)?

 

[JPP]

The Walgreens I have charged at here in the SF Bay Area use Sema EVSE. Even if free you need a SemaConnect account and app/RFID card to activate. Worked just fine and similar to a ChargePoint (30A @ 208+V).

 

[Lloyd]

I have used Wallgreens in San Diego without issue. ModelS

 

[dsm363]

Even with the Roadster? I am using the Tesla J1772 cable and can't get it to work on three separate EVSEs. Thanks.

 

[hcsharp]

Even with the Roadster? I am using the Tesla J1772 cable and can't get it to work on three separate EVSEs. Thanks.

They definitely won't work with Roadster 2.x and a few Model S have had problems as well. These stations were made by Schneider who admitted there was a mistake made in the design, but refused to replace or repair any of them. ChargePro was their economy brand and they had lots of problems. They discontinued that line and started making new hardware, most commonly branded EVLINK which was released fall of 2012. Last I heard you could still buy ChargePro but it's now using the same hardware as the EVLINK stations, and it's more reliable (works with Roadster, MS).

 

[loganss]

I've charged my Model S in to several Walgreen's chargepro units on the East Coast without an issue. I'm no longer supporting Walgreen's though since they're charging a ridiculous rate.

 

[Curt]

I haven't had a problem with my Roadster 1.5 - I've used the ChargePro units at several Walgreen's locations in the Mid-Atlantic.