A2Z Adapter Recall: Typhoon v1 Exchange Program

[MountainBikeDude]

Before anyone knee-jerk react to this news... WATCH THE VIDEO. IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT LOOKS.

TLDR:

• The adapter is not dangerous.
• But because of changing standards—which sounds to be finalized now—the plastic locking pin may wear and provide less locking force after 10,000 uses.
• There is also some dispute over temperature of the adapter if subjected to 500A for 1 hour (which almost never happens with current crop of EVs).
• To remove any doubt, A2Z has decided to go ahead with recall and offer customers an exchange for the Typhoon Pro (which has a metal locking pin).
• A2Z will contact customers via email (not mentioned is how they will deal with those who bought one secondhand).
• NHTSA will announce recall tomorrow (11/8)
• Certification (UL2252?) of the Typhoon Pro is coming soon.

100%. Who will ever charge 10,000x at a supercharger? For example, that's once every day for 27 years.

I commend them for stepping forward to do the exchange, yes it's a hit for them, but it sure buys brand loyalty. If you know a company stands behind their product, especially after they've sold it to you. HUGE.

Cheers @A2ZEV

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[smunro622]

Question…, not the brightest bulb but who charges at 500 Amp for over an hour? This really seems to be the problem statement

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

100%. Who will ever charge 10,000x at a supercharger? For example, that's once every day for 27 years.

I commend them for stepping forward to do the exchange, yes it's a hit for them, but it sure buys brand loyalty. If you know a company stands behind their product, especially after they've sold it to you. HUGE.

Cheers @A2ZEV

Even if we could charge at 500A, all existing pack sizes from Rivian wouldn't take 1 f'ing hour. Sounds like that third party engineering group was trying to torpedo and sink A2Z.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Question…, not the brightest bulb but who charges at 500 Amp for over an hour? This really seems to be the problem statement

No one [not us]. We're capped at 220A with our Rivians.

 

[oskeei]

Maybe I will be only one, but keeping mine. Son also painted it to make it look like a bloody hand had held it to detur theft.

Kudos to A2Z for thier actions.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Maybe I will be only one, but keeping mine. Son also painted it to make it look like a bloody hand had held it to detur theft.

Kudos to A2Z for thier actions.

If you are original purchaser, and A2Z is offering straight across exchange, take it. Painted or not. The Pro is substantially improved.

 

[smunro622]

No one. We're capped at 220A with our Rivians.

ok thank you so this really isn’t an issue why do they need to be replaced… is this Tesla putting g pressure on them as Ford and GM have the same issue

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

ok thank you so this really isn’t an issue why do they need to be replaced… is this Tesla putting g pressure on them as Ford and GM have the same issue

My guess, to be compliant and avoid future litigation. Risk mitigation/management. Head off a problem before it is one. Feel free to ask @A2ZEV directly.

 

[smunro622]

Even if we could charge at 500A, all existing pack sizes from Rivian wouldn't take 1 f'ing hour. Sounds like that third party engineering group was trying to torpedo and sink A2Z.

Thank you my thoughts also

 

[Redline]

ok thank you so this really isn’t an issue why do they need to be replaced… is this Tesla putting g pressure on them as Ford and GM have the same issue

I think this is Tesla thing. They said they simply couldn't come to an agreement so they're doing the recall.

 

[Foobar]

Hang on a sec - Tesla and Rivian say they will not support the use of third party adapters and if anything happens, you're liable. So does this now mean Tesla accepts the use of the Typhoon Pro as it meets its safety requirements?

 

[Redline]

Hang on a sec - Tesla and Rivian say they will not support the use of third party adapters and if anything happens, you're liable. So does this now mean Tesla accepts the use of the Typhoon Pro as it meets its safety requirements?

That's weird isn't it? I was thinking the same thing when I watched the video.

 

[iamnid]

No one. We're capped at 220A with our Rivians.

I think you're confusing Amps with kW. Nevertheless, 500A would mean the pack was charging at 440V which is also unlikely to occur for an hour considering it's a 400V nominal pack with a 459V maximum.

I think what's really happening here is that the UL certification is being finalized and these are metrics they will have to hit to be "UL Certified." Presumably, once this certification is determined, Rivian and other manufacturers will say it's ok to use an adapter as long as it meets UL certification.

They want to be able to say their adapters are UL certified and the original Typhoon won't be able to say that -- so they're encouraging getting the older adapters out of the market.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Hang on a sec - Tesla and Rivian say they will not support the use of third party adapters and if anything happens, you're liable. So does this now mean Tesla accepts the use of the Typhoon Pro as it meets its safety requirements?

We don't know that yet. And officially Tesla has not said anything about the Lectron, which is now being sold by GM and Ford.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I think you're confusing Amps with kW. Nevertheless, 500A would mean the pack was charging at 440V which is also unlikely to occur for an hour considering it's a 400V nominal pack with a 459V maximum.

I think what's really happening here is that the UL certification is being finalized and these are metrics they will have to hit to be "UL Certified." Presumably, once this certification is determined, Rivian and other manufacturers will say it's ok to use an adapter as long as it meets UL certification.

They want to be able to say their adapters are UL certified and the original Typhoon won't be able to say that -- so they're encouraging getting the older adapters out of the market.

Rechecked pages I pulled up and you are correct. We're capped at 220 kW. Not 220A.

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