L2 Charging Stops - Pin Possibly Overheating Due to Defect?

[mkhuffman]

I have been experienced L2 charging problems for the last few months. I noticed this thread that seemed to be similar to what is happening with my truck:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...ging-intermittently-pauses-and-resumes.44523/

But I think my issue might not be the A2Z extension cable. So I am asking for help from the forum.

Today, I had multiple charge sessions interrupted after adding about 10% SoC. I decided to clean the pins on the receptacle and plug with rubbing alcohol and a Q-Tip. As I was doing that, I noticed a significant difference between the two 240V hot pins. IMO, both pins should be identical.

Can a forum member take a picture of your receptacle so I can compare it to mine? This is what mine looks like:

It seems to me the left pin (circled in yellow) should be identical to the right pin. But they look significantly different.

Is this normal, or maybe this is why my L2 charging keeps stopping?

BTW - after a charging stop, I measured the temperature of the left pin and it was 135F, while the right pin was 120F. I think the pin is overheating.

Also BTW - since I cleaned the pins, it charged successfully without stopping. IDK. Maybe the pins are just dirty. Dirty pins increase resistance and heat, and can lead to an overheating plug.

Thanks in advance for anyone who is willing to check out their receptacle and post a picture.

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[VSG]

Your circled pin looks correct. The other one is missing the truncated conical "hat" that should be on the end. That really shouldn't matter much as far as the charging goes since the contact is made by pinching the sides of the pins rather than just on the end of the pin. But several other people have had this happen over the years so it's worth getting it replaced by Rivian while it's still under warranty.

 

[mkhuffman]

Your circled pin looks correct. The other one is missing the truncated conical "hat" that should be on the end. That really shouldn't matter much as far as the charging goes since the contact is made by pinching the sides of the pins rather than just on the end of the pin. But several other people have had this happen over the years so it's worth getting it replaced by Rivian while it's still under warranty.

That is so interesting. Because the "black" pin on the left was hotter than the metal pin on the right.

The ground pin at the bottom is also not black. The only back one is the one on the left. All your pins are "black"?

Here is another pic.

 

[VSG]

The only two pins with the hat are the two AC power pins on top. Yes, those two pins on my Rivian are both black and have that hat.

The ground pin looks fine, same as mine. It doesn't carry significant current.

 

[mkhuffman]

The only two pins with the hat are the two AC power pins on top. Yes, those two pins on my Rivian are both black and have that hat.

The ground pin looks fine, same as mine. It doesn't carry significant current.

Thanks man. It sounds like this is not likely the cause of the pins overheating, and the charging stopping. Maybe it really is the A2Z extension cable. Or maybe the fact I cleaned the pins will make a difference.

In case anyone else has this issue, I will post updates as I am trying to figure out the cause.

 

[VSG]

Missing the end cap on that pin gives you a reason to have Rivian take a look at it and fix it. They may have to replace the entire charge port - it probably comes as a unit. Then if there is a problem with charging caused by your charge port, that should get fixed too. Or at least they will probably see the same problem when they test your replacement...

 

[DCFC]

The one side missing the black pin cap is an indication that it got too hot; that enabled the cap to get loose. It may be lodged in the mating connector. How were you measuring temp? If using a flir, shiny objects often don't show correct. Matte colors typically show temperatures the best on flir cameras.

I always charge at the lowest current possible to get enough juice by the time I leave in the morning.

 

[DCFC]

Also, extension cables are another big resistor in the electrical circuit, so everything gets hotter. If using an extension cable, turn down the current.

 

[mkhuffman]

The one side missing the black pin cap is an indication that it got too hot; that enabled the cap to get loose. It may be lodged in the mating connector. How were you measuring temp? If using a flir, shiny objects often don't show correct. Matte colors typically show temperatures the best on flir cameras.

I always charge at the lowest current possible to get enough juice by the time I leave in the morning.

Not a camera, but possibly the same principle.

This isn't when I measured the pin. I was trying to see if the cable was getting too hot.

I pointed the laser at the pins when checking the temp.

 

[DCFC]

Not a camera, but possibly the same principle.

This isn't when I measured the pin. I was trying to see if the cable was getting too hot.

I pointed the laser at the pins when checking the temp.

Those types of IR guns typically have a cone of detection. The further away it is from what it's measuring, the bigger the area. Usually somewhere on the device, it shows this cone angle. So whatever measurement it's giving will be some average over the area.

 

[mkhuffman]

Those types of IR guns typically have a cone of detection. The further away it is from what it's measuring, the bigger the area. Usually somewhere on the device, it shows this cone angle. So whatever measurement it's giving will be some average over the area.

That makes sense, and it is what I think it is doing is well. I tried to hit just the pin with the laser point when taking temp measurements.

 

[ndmiller]

Also, extension cables are another big resistor in the electrical circuit, so everything gets hotter. If using an extension cable, turn down the current.

+1 that's the cause of the excess heat the extension cable. I would take it into a SC for them to look at it unless you're better at diagnosing EV charging ports.

 

[mkhuffman]

+1 that's the cause of the excess heat the extension cable. I would take it into a SC for them to look at it unless you're better at diagnosing EV charging ports.

It stopped charging again tonight, and this is after I cleaned the pins and sockets. So a dirty connection is not likely the cause.

It definitely could be related to the extension cable, but it is an awfully odd coincidence the socket on my truck appears to be defective.

When it stopped tonight, I measured the pin temperatures. The black one was hotter than the copper colored one. Not sure that makes sense when @VSG pointed out that the black pin is normal, and the copper colored one is not.

This isn't a huge issue, but if it turns out the extension cable is the cause, I want to contact A2Z to see if they can provide a replacement. The extension cable worked fine for many months until just a few weeks ago. Wear and tear? Rivian socket issue?

 

[Time2Roll]

Do the pins heat up if the extension is not used? Does the extension have any heat damage?

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