Yes my Mini does this exact thing. Come home, plug in, get very long estimate to charge up. Then in about 10-15 seconds get Reduced Charging message. Then I stop the charge (either in Mini Menu, L2 Menu, house circuit breaker, or just pull the connector off the car.) Then I reconnect the car to start the charge again and the error message goes away and the car’s estimate to charge up is much quicker indicating the onboard system is using the normal higher power. My L2 unit has an app that shows what it is doing. Here is a screen shot two sessions. First one, only ~3.6kW15amp then the next session after I restart ~7.2kW/32amp.
At list is 2 of as as proof is something wrong with SE and we are not crazy but a dealer is not going to take care of this once they can’t replicate conditions in their dealers shops .I’m not electrician with degree of engineering but I reaserch a lot and in my opinion contactor in onboard SE charger is overacting taking charge AC from home wall charger convert to DC and if any spike in voltage occurs is closing flow of voltage to a car .at least is doing correct job.Those devices contactors react in nanoseconds to prevent damage to a car that’s why reduce charging occurs.This is not right Bmw should take this to consideration before **** happen and some of SE’s start burning our garages/ homes .I introduce my problem to geniuses from BMW concierge relations over a phone and I was not able to get phone / email to engineering BMW group from BMW headquarters to talk to someone knowledgeable to introduce my concern.
Met with Mini this morning including the service manager who came across the road from BMW. Told them about the 208 Volt vs 240 Volt issue and we tried charge session- no errors of course. They’re keeping the car for a day or two anyway to dig around and see what they can see. They also asked me to write up a report for them with as much detail about the issue as I have (including your ideas about commercial L2 voltage vs residential) and they will send it all off to BMW for review. I asked if they could get in touch directly with a factory engineer to discuss the issue and they said it’s never been done at their dealer level that they know of. Seems like lots of layers of administration. I told them my biggest issues are: > battery or other components are being damaged > this issue wont be covered by warranty if it takes time to show damage > inconvenience of having to manage the workaround and potential extra cost of other transformers at home that shouldn’t be necessary Also your point about charging safety and fires is a great point and I’ll add that So - we’ll see what happens. I’ll post back with any updates.
Copy my responses on a subject and give this to your dealer as he is willing to forwarded to BMW and mention a contactor on onboard charger bc I think this is a week link of reduced charging
Interesting Update - Mini has discovered a fault in the a module called the KLE which sounds like a part of the battery charging and management system. They told me they were surprised to learn that there is actually one in stock in the area they will swap in to see if this cures the problem. So naturally I start Googling BMW and KLE and what do I find….a Technical Service Bulletin for KLE errors on the i3. Remember that funky EV they used to make a while back? I’ve heard much of that EV architecture was evolved for the Mini SE. Not sure if the i3 issue is at all the same (the bulletin speaks only to reprogramming) but the component has thrown errors before. I also found a bulletin for the KLE unit on some 3 and 5 Series BMW hybrids. The direction in those cases is to replace the unit. There is discussion on some forums for those cars and sounds like the part is expensive new $4K+ but can be found online used for <$500 if you can find the right unit. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2018/MC-10143558-9999.pdf Anyway, they’ve got approval from HQ to try a replacement as the first concrete step. Won’t be able to do it for a couple weeks but I will keep reporting. @Rexsio - maybe time to call your dealer again!
Here’s what the unit looks like in the wild- at least on the 330 hybrid. Not sure if this is where one finds it on an SE…
Contactor not contractor the unit is filed with gas and completely seal and I will wait for your SE resolution than I get touch with dealers with all info if you put them on forum Thanks Rexsio
I find out on English Mini F 56 forum at February 2021 dealers we’re replacing KLE units bc SE’s was not charging at all doesn’t matter what they try to fix.I mean forum in England.Replacement fix a charging essue
Still waiting for my appointment for the swap. They asked for two weeks, then three more… Apparently swapping ppls summer tires back on are considered priority appointments this time of year.