a concern for northern PIP owners

once built up a bit water will spill out of door opening so can only pool so much. its designed to charge inside or out, rain or shine so I would not be too concerned.

 

Hmmm....

I'm having a hard time imagining what you are talking about because I have charged outside multiple times in heavy rain and not noticed the potential problem you are talking about.

You are right, though, that if this happens in winter time (in Minnesota, where I live) it could be a real problem. Water turning to ice is not good (as evidenced by all of the road repair that is needed every summer here in Minnesota).

There are definitely going to be some new aspects to plugging in when winter arrives. Freezing rain will also not be fun! (I may need to borrow the 'heat gun' our technicians use at work for shrink tubing on my charge cable connection! )

 

isn't the charge port covered by a special molding in the door that closes over it?

 

Yes it is, there are also drain holes as well. This is a non issue.
The biggest issue could be during freezing rain/sleet sticking to the charging handle, making it a challenge to remove.

 

Depends what you mean, when charging there is no moulding covering the area


and the does does nto close when charging. (the port is well protected when closed and not charging).

Looking at the angle I can see how water might get in there (but never into the actual "hot" area of the EVSE because of the way the plug works with double baffles).

But even a few drips falling/splashing as one unplugs could cause problems. (I've read of both leaf and volt's where people got water into the EVSE. The circuit will protect itself, but will not charge in that state).

I think the bigger issue might be freezing in place.. but if the charge is delayed the resistive heating inherent in charging should keep it reasonably above freezing in VA. (Maybe not fargo).

 

Decided to look into it more.. Found nice posts at gm-volt.com.
The J1772 was designed for anti-freezing
so it should be fine. Here is an image about it





Here is a bigger pdf on the design/testing