How to charge with NACS adapter?

[MidnightRivian]

Can the A2Z be used with the Tesla NEMA mobile charger?

You need the AC adapter Tesla to J-1772 adapter for Home chargers and destination chargers.

Please do not use the DC Fast Charger adapter on the mobile charger.

Tesla To J1772 adapter (Tesla Destination Charger for Hotels / Shopping centers) | Up to 80A | 20kW | 12 Months Warranty

Sponsored

 

[GRC]

quick question regarding the tesla destination chargers; if you have the correct adapter for it; is it safe to assume all the destination chargers will work with the rivian with the adapter? I downloaded the tesla app and setup an account and added my vehicle as 'rivian' and noticed now when I look at the charging app, it only shows the superchargers (all the destination chargers don't show anymore...) It showed previously before I setup my account and used as Guest.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Asking a favor: Mind giving me the ending of your VIN? Curious as to where I stand in the adapter queue. Thanks.

Thread is about a aftermarket adapter. Not the official one Rivian is providing, which is distributed by delivery date, not necessarily by VIN. This week, March through May ‘22 deliveries were asked to confirm their addresses.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...acs-adapters-shipping-to-rivian-owners.28995/

 

[Captain JB]

It's not so much the slider lock, it's the tight tolerance of the adapter until it's broken in with use. If the Supercharger plug isn't fully seated in the adapter, the slide lock will not be free to slide to the locked position—because the notch in the plug isn't lined up with the locking tab. Once the plug is fully seated, and notched lined up with locking tab, the switch is so easy to move that you'll be second guessing whether it move at all or moved enough. Furthermore, this slide lock is essentially a on/off switch. Without it being switched on (locked), it will not pass charge or comms between car and Supercharger (A2Z have said as much). This adapter is so precisely made (a hair too large than necessary) that even the CCS1 side puts up a small fight. You have to align and apply force in just the right direction... or wiggle it. The NACS side, by second and third use, it only took me one determined try to get the plug to seat fully. I've used it 4 times now.

Here's what I recommend to A2Z newbies:

• Before you head out, look at the slider switch itself. Because the lock/open letterings are not color-filled, it can be difficult to see where the switch sits in either extremes. When fully engaged in either direction, the switch itself should cover up the words.
• Take a small rubber mallet with you. Because, believe me, using a [malleable] tapping tool is a lot less painful than hitting the edges of the CCS1 end with your flesh and bone.
• Upon arrival at the Supercharger, take a look at the plug. Observe the wear mark on it. You should see a clear line between warn and untarnished surface. This line will provide visual reference on whether the plug is seated.
• If inserting NACS to adapter by hand and without aid of a mallet, slow and smooth is not the technique. A burst of force is the way.
• At times, if enough force is used to tap/pop the adapter into place, that momentum will cause the slide lock to engage on its own. So if you go to slide the lock and it doesn't budge, and you can see the plug is fully seated, don't panic. This could be the reason and you're actually good-to-go.
• Alternatively, instead of a mallet, you can try installing the adapter on the Rivian first. Then, the NACS plug into the A2Z. This will make your adapter a stationary target, and the Rivian a 7k+ lb bench vice, giving you better phyiscial/mechanical leverage on manipulating the NACS plug. If this is what you decide to do, reverse the steps once charging is complete. Coincidentally, this is the method Lectron recommends for their adapter. Their adapter will still pass charge even if the mechanical lock isn't engaged, but plug fully seated. That's what their recall was about. The A2Z lock is more than a mechanical lock, it's also a electronic fail-safe. If you slide to unlock during charging, charging will stop (but don't do it).

Thanks soooo much for this excellent explanation! JB

 

[jcrigler]

Well it worked but it took some muscle to get the adapter connected

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Well it worked but it took some muscle to get the adapter connected

Congrats. Subsequent attempts will get easier. Prior to my first attempt, I bought s00nish's 3D printed cap (CCS1 end) for sake of drop protection. While having difficulties getting the plug to seat, I realized the cap's larger flat surface area would hurt less and transfer force better. It did. So subsequent sessions, I kept the cap on when I give it a slap. I over-compensated on second session, slapped it hard enough where the slide lock engaged from momentum. Third session I dialed back the force, but forgot to check the slide lock. It wasn't locked, but started charging as soon as I moved it to the locked position (while still attached).

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Can the A2Z be used with the Tesla NEMA mobile charger?

quick question regarding the tesla destination chargers; if you have the correct adapter for it; is it safe to assume all the destination chargers will work with the rivian with the adapter? I downloaded the tesla app and setup an account and added my vehicle as 'rivian' and noticed now when I look at the charging app, it only shows the superchargers (all the destination chargers don't show anymore...) It showed previously before I setup my account and used as Guest.

I must've deleted my previous responses by accident. For sake of others joining the convo... This Supercharger adapter by A2Z is for DC Fast Charging (aka DCFC or Level 3).

For mobile and Destination chargers, you need a Level 2 adapter (NACS to J1772). The lower two pins of your Rivian's charge port is not utilized for Level 2 charging, so that end of the adapter would match the circular portion of your charge port. And it would look just like the J1772 plug that comes attached to your Rivian-provided mobile charger. A2Z does make one of these.

Some Destination chargers are configured to be Tesla-only. Check ahead with owner/operator of each Destination charger (hotel or AirBnB). As far as I know, hardware wise, Destination chargers are exactly the same as the Wall Connectors by Tesla. So whatever Tesla app that is used to control each charger, probably has a Tesla-only toggle that can be switched on/off. If Destination locations are now showing up in your Tesla app, check your filter settings.

 

[NC-Rivian]

Corrected typo. If Tesla member, Tesla app is the only way to initiate charge and be billed at the discounted rate. Initiate charge with app, before you plug cable and adapter into charging port.

FYI … the $12.99/mo “membership” pays off at about 110kW. You are able to start and stop the membership monthly and I only buy it when a road trip is coming up. Also, some Tesla SC are less expensive - I generally stop at Newnan GA and Commerce GA because, for some reason, the per kW cost is much lower.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

FYI … the $12.99/mo “membership” pays off at about 110kW. You are able to start and stop the membership monthly and I only buy it when a road trip is coming up. Also, some Tesla SC are less expensive - I generally stop at Newnan GA and Commerce GA because, for some reason, the per kW cost is much lower.

Correct. I do not charge at home (can't). So I'm membered-up indefinitely. A little over two sessions a month, break even on the membership. Remainder of the month, all savings. Beats EA Pass+. And definitely beat having to wait at EA (6 chargers or fewer) and until late at night to charge.

There is another way to save even further, via the BlueDot app and using their debt card as your Tesla account's payment source. But you have to preload that debit card with funds and deal with some other minutiae.

 

[NC-Rivian]

Correct. I do not charge at home (can't). So I'm membered-up indefinitely. A little over two sessions a month, break even on the membership. Remainder of the month, all savings. Beats EA Pass+. And definitely beat having to wait at EA (6 chargers or fewer) and until late at night to charge.

There is another way to save even further, via the BlueDot app and using their debt card as your Tesla account's payment source. But you have to preload that debit card with funds and deal with some other minutiae.

Besides BlueDot, I use my Sam’s Club card for charging purchases and the card rebates 5% of the cost. Other cards will do something similar. Every little bit helps … and adds up over time.

 

[Jaimito]

I have a Lectron adaptor. Haven't able to get it working. When plugged in, Rivian display says to update my payment method on the app. But it's already has a credit card on file. On charging accounts, it is linked to Charge Point. No other charging services are available to link.

For those of you that have plug and charge working with Lectron adaptor, anything I can try before contacting Rivian support? My guess it's not the adaptor, but so far I haven't got it to work once yet.

 

[emoore]

I have a Lectron adaptor. Haven't able to get it working. When plugged in, Rivian display says to update my payment method on the app. But it's already has a credit card on file. On charging accounts, it is linked to Charge Point. No other charging services are available to link.

For those of you that have plug and charge working with Lectron adaptor, anything I can try before contacting Rivian support? My guess it's not the adaptor, but so far I haven't got it to work once yet.

Use another credit card? The adapter is just a pass thru so if you can get a charge then the adapter is working fine. It’s your Rivian account.

Sponsored