How to charge with NACS adapter?

[jcrigler]

I just got my A2Z adapter and was wondering exactly what I need to do to use it at a Tesla Supercharger:

-- Do I need the Tesla app?
-- Give Tesla my Credit card some how?
-- Can I even use the Tesla App with the R1S?
-- Don't think the chargers have a card reader, so I'm thinking this is not like EVGo or EA...

I am hoping someone how has done this can give me some hints.

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[N7Rivian]

It's very easy.
Just attach the adapter to the charger and plug in. No app is needed to start. Just make sure a card is attached in your Rivian app.

You just need the Tesla app if you want the membership for cheaper prices.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

-- Do I need the Tesla app?
-- Give Tesla my Credit card some how?
-- Can I even use the Tesla App with the R1S?

No and yes.

You can simply plug-and-charge, as long as you have a payment method already associated with your Rivian account. Using this option, you will be charged the standard rate Tesla decides to charge, per kWh, non-Tesla customers. This is higher than what they charge Tesla owners. To see rates, you can download the Tesla app (without providing credit card), poke around and see what any Supercharger sites cost within any 24 hour period.

On occasions, if plug-and-charge doesn't work, for whatever reason, you may need to use the Tesla app (with your own Tesla app account and payment info) to initiate charge.

If you decide to take advantage of the ~20% discount from Tesla, by enrolling in their $12.99/mo membership, you will have to initiate charge with the Tesla app. If you simply plug-and-charge, you will NOT be billed at the discounted membership rate. Full price only. To Tesla's backend and the charger, you'd be seen as a non-member.

-- Don't think the chargers have a card reader, so I'm thinking this is not like EVGo or EA...

Whether it's Rivian or Tesla app, payment is done through credit card associated with each account. No physical credit card is involved, other than when you set up your accounts online and look at your cards for account numbers and security code.

Lastly, not all Supercharger sites are open to Rivian owners. Only ones the Rivian app and nav shows you. Tesla app account, made as a non-Tesla owner, will also show you which ones are accessible to you. It's all very simple and self-explanatory. Download the Tesla app and poke around. Tesla designed the app well and in plain english. Misinterpretation would be... surprising.

 

[jcrigler]

Thank you both for the guidance. Very excited to try it out

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Thank you both for the guidance. Very excited to try it out

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.

 

[MidnightRivian]

Thank you both for the guidance. Very excited to try it out

Test your adapters ahead of time to make sure you're familiar with how they lock / unlock.

Also double check you have your billing all set before you go on a road trip and go through all this for the first time.

You will have to activate your charging session using the Tesla app if you want membership prices.

Make sure you have a credit card on your Rivian profile in your Rivian app if you want to use plug and charge.

 

[eskudo12791]

It's very easy.
Just attach the adapter to the charger and plug in. No app is needed to start. Just make sure a card is attached in your Rivian app.

You just need the Tesla app if you want the membership for cheaper prices.

I've never gotten mine to just start, had to prompt it from the Tesla app every time

 

[evcars4all]

just got my A2Z adapter and was wondering exactly what I need to do to use it at a Tesla Supercharger

The most important part of using an A2Z is the little sliding lock on the underside. Work that sucker back and forth a dozen times even before getting to a supercharger.

When you get to the supercharger, put the A2Z on the end of the charging wand. You have to push it ALL OF THE WAY ON.

Now, slide that little slide. You may have to keep continuous, and at times IMMENSE pressure on the end of the adapter to keep it snug against the charging wand.

If you think you got the slider locked, try pulling the adapter off. If you can, it wasn't locked. Until you have that adapter LOCKED on, don't even think about trying to charge your Rivian.

Things will get easer with more use, but that first charge with an A2Z can be a bastard.

 

[SPITmadFIRE]

Everything above is spot on, but I'd also add the A2Z adaptor starts out new with a pretty tight fit on the NACS side. You may want to practice before you need it on a trip, and plug the NACS plug into your adaptor a few times over and over to get used to it. You have to push it all the way in, then manually push the locking tab with your thumb until it locks. It may feel tough, but it should move/click into place if done correctly.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

The most important part of using an A2Z is the little sliding lock on the underside. Work that sucker back and forth a dozen times even before getting to a supercharger.

When you get to the supercharger, put the A2Z on the end of the charging wand. You have to push it ALL OF THE WAY ON.

Now, slide that little slide. You may have to keep continuous, and at times IMMENSE pressure on the end of the adapter to keep it snug against the charging wand.

If you think you got the slider locked, try pulling the adapter off. If you can, it wasn't locked. Until you have that adapter LOCKED on, don't even think about trying to charge your Rivian.

Things will get easer with more use, but that first charge with an A2Z can be a bastard.

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).

 

[ndmiller]

wiped mine down with pledge and drop of oil on the slider before I used it the first time.

 

[Singletracker]

Silicon spray on a Q-Tip. Rub it around interior surfaces of the adaptor. This helped for me. Clean and not messy. Note - I DID NOT just start spraying into the adaptor and all over the contacts. Not sure that would be a good idea.

 

[jcrigler]

ok, all good suggestions. I will report back on my first encounter. I will try a bit of lubricaiton on the lock mechanism and try wiping down the plug. Eager to try this and will report back on my experience.

 

[SJH-DE]

I just got my A2Z adapter and was wondering exactly what I need to do to use it at a Tesla Supercharger:

-- Do I need the Tesla app?
-- Give Tesla my Credit card some how?
-- Can I even use the Tesla App with the R1S?
-- Don't think the chargers have a card reader, so I'm thinking this is not like EVGo or EA...

I am hoping someone how has done this can give me some hints.

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

 

[WFR1S]

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

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