Abandoned Lectron Adapter

[Dmsail]

I charged my Tesla at a supercharger station in Fremont, California today and I noticed that someone had left a Lectron adapter attached to the cable on the stall next to me. I tried to remove it and it wouldn’t budge.
This was exactly what I was concerned about when I received my Lectron Vortex adapter a couple of weeks ago. I had read that some people were having trouble removing the Lectron adapter from Tesla connectors so I decided to try the mechanical fit on my Tesla charging cable at home. It went on with a tight fit and was extremely hard to get off. I ended up removing it while wiggling it back and forth vigorously while depressing the release latch. I was relieved that I got it off but decided to try it on a second Tesla connector that I have. This one was even tighter. I could not remove it by hand. I finally got it off by using a C-clamp to depress the latch as much as possible while simultaneously prying on the Tesla connector with a very beefy screwdriver. This left some ugly gouge marks on my Tesla connector and the Lectron adapter. The Lectron adapter is now “broken-in” and easily attaches and releases from all three of my Tesla connectors. I then had confidence that I could use the adapter at a Tesla supercharger to charge my R1T without it getting stuck. It worked fine.
I emailed Lectron and pointed out that they might have a problem with some of their Vortex adapters. I got a reply saying that I should only use the Vortex with Tesla supercharger stalls. I replied that I knew that and I was only trying it out for the mechanical fit. They did not seem to acknowledge that they might have a quality problem on some of their adapters. They said they would accept a return for a refund within 30 days if I paid the shipping cost. Even though it is kind of beat up now, it works so I will keep it for now.

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[brancky3]

Yikes, first the flaw that allowed it to come off WHILE charging and now this flaw that doesn’t allow it to come off at all.

 

[Vantripping]

I had great difficulty removing the Lectron adapter from a supercharger. I almost left it there attached also but finally after several minutes of very hard pulling, wiggling, and every combination of process it released. It released easily from the vehicle. A friend called me yesterday for help with removing his Lectron adapter from the supercharger after same experience with his adapter. I too emailed Lectron and got a similar response with nothing about appreciating the info and only that I need to follow their removal process, which I did and explained that to them in my email. Perhaps these will work fine with use but left me without confidence to try again for fear of damaging something or leaving attached to a supercharger.

 

[Hopper]

Yikes! Mine should ship soon and I appreciate the advice. Has anyone tried a lubricant?

 

[opnwide]

Tom just covered this very problem in his latest “State of Charge” video…

 

[ndmiller]

Yikes! Mine should ship soon and I appreciate the advice. Has anyone tried a lubricant?

when I got mine, I wiped the inside down with pledge and put a drop of oil on the moving parts....after hearing the stories.

 

[emlo]

Tom just covered this very problem in his latest “State of Charge” video…

Sounds like Lectron had 2 issues, one that wouldn’t lock, then the revision or reproduction doing the opposite. Sheesh. Sounds like I better order the a2z in addition to my Lectron.

 

[TexasBob]

I had the same problem with mine ~five weeks ago. I contacted the company and tried to explain the problem but they were so fixated on the previous latching problem that they would not even engage the conversation. I returned it and bought an A2Z instead.

Buyer Beware and test thoroughly before heading out the door.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Only issue with A2Z is very first use. After that it’s still snug but take much less effort to insert and seat fully. Still have to use quick forceful motion to pop it on, just not to the point of needing to pound or slap it.

With the Lectron, sounds like less effort is required if you leave it connected to charge port, remove Supercharger plug first. Just like Lectron recommends. This way the adapter is firmly affixed to something (in this case a 7k lb vehicle) and easier for you to manipulate the plug release. Should return with a Rivian and get a free adapter.

Both adapter manufacturers need to do some fine tuning with their dimensions. User experience need to be resistance-free right out of the box.

 

[sub]

For those with troubles, have you tried leaving it attached to the car so you have something to pull against?

 

[HaveBlue]

For those with troubles, have you tried leaving it attached to the car so you have something to pull against?

That is the instruction from lectron. Remove the Tesla plug. Then remove the adapter from the car. Pray it doesn't reinitiate charging while you are fiddling with it.

 

[Riviot]

they were so fixated on the previous latching problem that they would not even engage the conversation.

 

[Epzey]

when I got mine, I wiped the inside down with pledge and put a drop of oil on the moving parts....after hearing the stories.

Pledge is an awesome idea. What sort of oil if I may ask?

 

[Hopper]

Pledge is an awesome idea. What sort of oil if I may ask?

I’m thinking of a silicone spray.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Pledge is an awesome idea. What sort of oil if I may ask?

I’m thinking of a silicone spray.

This would only reduce surface-to-surface friction slightly? namely the plug and adapter housings, which is more applicable to the A2Z. It seems the problem with the Lectron is the size (and/or shape) of the locking tab.

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