When I got home from work tonight and tried to plug in, I found my port door frozen shut. Any suggestions for freeing it up? Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Gently bump it with your hand to break any ice. Try that. If it is the lock, you might need to pop the hood and release manually. Sent from my SM-G930V using Inside EVs mobile app
You can free it by pouring hot water on it; best if you have a teakettle. Problem with that is that it tends to get water down in cracks where it will freeze, creating the same problem again. Permanent fix is to park your car in a garage that's above freezing temp. If you don't have one at home, use an underground parking structure and leave it there for a few hours. When you do get it un-frozen, squirt some WD-40 into the hinges and any latch mechanism, if present; that will help repel water.
You can do like this guy @ 5:59 of this video and prevent accumulation by doing this: I added the foam just on the top https://insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/modifications-and-tweaks.5009/page-3#post-54890
Anticipating the same issue, I did the same foam-strip fix to my door. It does seem to help keep water out of there; I have yet to see how it helps once said water solidifies. For all I know cracking the charge door open after certain sequences of weather might just rip the foam right off. _H*
That works well, but don't turn it up too high or you might damage the plastic trim. Sent from my SM-G930V using Inside EVs mobile app
I added PPF to the door in anticipation of the ice issue.It helped as i could,and did smack it harder to open it Then there's the charging port itself.Lower CCS part had ice trapped neatly inside, below the white connectors! Swiss army knife,used the phillips piece to carefully break the ice,then dig it out because the CCS plug would still NOT plug in. There has to be a gasket, weather stripping solution because spraying de - icing,even WD-40 stuff into the area will damage the paint,port...
You don't have the dust caps on when not in use? I am trying to figure out how ice got into the lower CCS.
Somehow the freezing rain,wet snow squeezed into the lower CCS insert during my charging start,and finish . Caps covering the substance intrusion kept it from draining,exit garage,drive in sub zero,ices up... I was just happy to have no electrocuted myself trying to dig out the ice.The Chargepoint CCS plug ALSO required some clearing of ice/snow mix.
I was thinking of using an insulated lunch bag, so while its charging and the door is wide open, it kinda covers it like a shrowd.
Actually, just seen this. But ill find a cheaper solution. Ecosolaris Eco-Dome winter EV electric car J1772 charging port lid cover protection for Hyundai Kona - KO version (GREY) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07ZZDR333/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_61qZDb25HJNVA
Funny, the US Amazon seems to only have covers for the Leaf. I take a simple/cheap approach: I have a piece of heavyish sheet plastic about 2 ft square, and I clamp the hood down on one edge at the top. I sliced a slot near the left edge, and the open charge door sticks out through that. Everything else stays dry underneath. For sitting still while charging, obviously; it wouldn't survive wind from driving... _H*
Even more basic, when charging exposed to fowl weather I jam a piece of cardboard over the connector/ port assy. Works in driving rain or snow and is recyclable.
I am not sure I trust your functional solution in places with freezing rain.That cardboard gets soggy,and freezes,jams behind the charge door? I am sure that's what happened to me,the wet snow, ice got behind the door during driving,or charging outside.Garage overnight,it all melts,then froze up when I drove,creating the conditions for whatever melted to ice up. @XtsKonaTrooper that thing's expensive.I am not sure it would sit over the Kona's hatch because we don't have a raised hood door flap like the leaf. Insulated lunch bag,any water proof bag that can handle wind,freezing rain,and snow would work.Thinking of something used for camping,like those waterproof backpack covers that can be found at Mountain Warehouse. It could hook over the flap,and the charger itself with the elastic,maybe?
It's not listed as available on Amazon, but here's the source for the Kona cover: https://ecosolaris.com/en/produit/hyundai-kona-eco-dome-ko-charging-port-winter-protection/ . The price is CDN$59.95 plus big taxes and shipping.
Honestly that just looks like a modified lunch box cooler bag. I think I will pick one up for a couple of bucks next time I'm in the thrift store vs $84 shipped/taxed(or $118 if you want expedited shipping, lol).
Ok, the cooler ended up costing only a $1 from the thrift store and I have yet to put in a precision cut for the J1772 plug to pass through but I think this is proof of concept