DC Charging issues

[rjte84]

Hi!

I had some issues with DC charging today (Level 3 Florida Power & Light). I used the same chargers in the past (350 W and 200 W) no issues at all, just plug & play. Today it was nightmare: it wouldn’t connect, showed the red led and the console message was “disconnect & plug in again” (the Rivian app only said vehicle problem).

I started playing with the cord as I noticed the plug was slightly loose. Whenever I held the plug I would hear the click and charging will start but then it will drop after 3-4 minutes. I arranged the cord so it will not “pull down” the plug and finally started to work properly.

Is this a normal issue with DC charging? I read some posts on the forum and responses were mixed. Just looking for some tips as I don’t usually use DC charging except for my infrequent trips from South Florida to Central Florida

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[SwampNut]

This is normal for Electrify America charging, not others, certainly not Superchagers.

 

[bigsky]

I had the unfortunate choice of having to use an EVgo charger on one of my trips, the only choice for miles around. I ran into the same issue where the charger would start, then shut off unexpectedly. What I found out:
1. The dispenser cable was too short
2. Pulling up to it as close to the dispenser as I could, still not enought. The charger cable hardly reached the R1S port, and it felt as if once plugged in, the charger cable was putting undue pressure on the R1S port and would tend to pull cable connector somehwat away from R1S port. Both EVgo dispensers had the same issue of shutting off.
3. What worked for me finally after several tries is parking the R1S not perpendicular but parallel to the dispensers and right up against them. This time, the dispenser cable was long enough, and I was able to start charging right away.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

If you heard/felt a click upon plugging in and neither of the soft/hard resets resolves it, it’s probably a backend issue with the charging network. Try another charger or site. I wouldn’t call it normal but it does happen, with certain networks that have bad software and bad maintenance.

 

[rjte84]

If you heard/felt a click upon plugging in and neither of the soft/hard resets resolves it, it’s probably a backend issue with the charging network. Try another charger or site. I wouldn’t call it normal but it does happen, with certain networks that have bad software and bad maintenance.

I haven’t tried to reset the car (I was about to and the it worked). I tried 3 stalls with the same issue. My next charge should be in a EA station, which I used flawlessly last time and then I’ll try again the same FPL station. Let’s see what’s happen.

 

[rjte84]

I had the unfortunate choice of having to use an EVgo charger on one of my trips, the only choice for miles around. I ran into the same issue where the charger would start, then shut off unexpectedly. What I found out:
1. The dispenser cable was too short
2. Pulling up to it as close to the dispenser as I could, still not enought. The charger cable hardly reached the R1S port, and it felt as if once plugged in, the charger cable was putting undue pressure on the R1S port and would tend to pull cable connector somehwat away from R1S port. Both EVgo dispensers had the same issue of shutting off.
3. What worked for me finally after several tries is parking the R1S not perpendicular but parallel to the dispensers and right up against them. This time, the dispenser cable was long enough, and I was able to start charging right away.

I think my problem was the same as you: the cable/cord pulling away the plug

 

[BCondrey]

No, this is not normal. 400 volts at 500 amps is a scary amount of juice. I see any issue with the charging cable or handle, I'm looking elsewhere.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I haven’t tried to reset the car (I was about to and the it worked). I tried 3 stalls with the same issue. My next charge should be in a EA station, which I used flawlessly last time and then I’ll try again the same FPL station. Let’s see what’s happen.

Yeah using EA, even at the very same stall, is like gambling. Sometimes glitchy, other times uneventful.

 

[rjte84]

Just an update: I tried the EA charger and it was a nightmare. First stall couldn’t connect, then switched to next one and after 10 min of “playing” finally started to charge at staggering 40 kw (350 kw charger). After 19 min, it dropped out. Called EA service support and they reset the stall but no luck. Something weird I noticed was an error message in the dashboard (Fast Charging Unavailable: Wait until plug cool down). I reset the truck, same issue. Others cars were having issues also (BMW and Chevrolet) but after stall reset they were able to charge.

I had a Level 2 charger close by my hotel so I plugged in the truck overnight and managed to get enough range to get home (~250 miles). Now I was wondering if the car was the issue, so I stopped in a ChargePoint charger on my way back: 1st try got a “plug not fully connected error” after 2 seconds. Tried again and managed to charge for 3 min. Then “hot plug” error. Continued my trip and stopped in my original service station (FPL charger). 1st try only managed to get 2 min charge and the again the hot plug error. Moved to another stall, same error. Moved again and finally got 20 min of steady 128 kw charge (200 kw charger).

I don’t know what to think now. I’ll open a service ticket so they can check it out

 

[emoore]

Just an update: I tried the EA charger and it was a nightmare. First stall couldn’t connect, then switched to next one and after 10 min of “playing” finally started to charge at staggering 40 kw (350 kw charger). After 19 min, it dropped out. Called EA service support and they reset the stall but no luck. Something weird I noticed was an error message in the dashboard (Fast Charging Unavailable: Wait until plug cool down). I reset the truck, same issue. Others cars were having issues also (BMW and Chevrolet) but after stall reset they were able to charge.

I had a Level 2 charger close by my hotel so I plugged in the truck overnight and managed to get enough range to get home (~250 miles). Now I was wondering if the car was the issue, so I stopped in a ChargePoint charger on my way back: 1st try got a “plug not fully connected error” after 2 seconds. Tried again and managed to charge for 3 min. Then “hot plug” error. Continued my trip and stopped in my original service station (FPL charger). 1st try only managed to get 2 min charge and the again the hot plug error. Moved to another stall, same error. Moved again and finally got 20 min of steady 128 kw charge (200 kw charger).

I don’t know what to think now. I’ll open a service ticket so they can check it out

Sounds like it’s your vehicle that’s the issue. Hopefully Rivian can fix it quickly.

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