ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: oobflyer on February 09, 2015, 10:30:50 PM
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Does the 2015 charging cord fit into the frame like the 2012 bikes?
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Does the 2015 charging cord fit into the frame like the 2012 bikes?
I think it does. I have a photo (too large to post here) of a factory 2015 SR model and it looks like I can see a bit of the charging cord sticking out of the frame tube.
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Is the frame the same from 2013-2015? I'm curious because I picked up my 2015 last week and it didn't have a charging cord inside the frame. The cord that came with the Quic charger works for the bike charging, but it is too thick to coil up and put into the frame.
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The frame tube is the same. You can pick up a 14AWG cable from monoprice.com; I recommend getting a short cable as well as a long one for less resistance / heat dissipation when it reaches.
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I'm waiting to hear back from the dealership - there was supposed to be a charge cord included with the bike - got lost during shipping I guess.
But thanks for the link - I see they only cost a few bucks if I do need to order one myself.
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Fyi, my cord started buzzing and tripped my breaker the other day. It's my fault for getting it wet repeatedly. There was a little corrosion at the tips and it was arcing out the front between black and earth. I cut the bike end apart to check for faults and it was perfect.
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Fyi, my cord started buzzing and tripped my breaker the other day. It's my fault for getting it wet repeatedly. There was a little corrosion at the tips and it was arcing out the front between black and earth. I cut the bike end apart to check for faults and it was perfect.
Ouch! Glad the breaker worked and you didn't have a worse problem.
This is one reason I regularly charge with a 6-foot cord that's just kept in the garage all the time.
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Well, after bugging the dealership a few times I now have three cords, none of which would even come close to fitting into the frame (they keep sending the same type).
I sent an email directly to Zero asking about the charging cord - and received no reply.
I guess it's a relatively minor thing - just seems awfully strange that an electric vehicle would be delivered without a charging cord :o
I didn't hear from other 2015 SR owners - did your bikes come with a cord that fits into the frame? Maybe Zero discontinued this tradition? Would love to solve this mystery ???
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I just went in the garage, and no, my cord doesn't fit in the frame. It's a beefy 14ga thing that doesn't fold very well, and there's an internal stiffener or something in the frame about 13cm in that necks it down and keeps the cord from sliding all the way in.
And yes, I got the cord with the bike, along with 2 keys, and a Zero branded USB key that had a PDF of the 2014 owner's manual.
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The cord that came with my 2013 (and it must be original as it has a US to UK plug adaptor on it) will not fit in the hoist point of the frame either.
I don't think that storing the cable in the frame is a good idea myself, to exposed to the elements.
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Mine fits in the frame.
I don't like the idea but I used this method a few times with a backpack full of stock.
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The 14 gauge charging cord that came with my 2014 S fits just fine in the frame hole, which is smooth inside with no obstructions. I carry it around all the time and use it when I visit my daughter. However, I agree that it takes a little bending and force to stuff it into the hole. Spraying a little silicone lube into the hole helps smooth the stuffing process. ;) I bought another 14 gauge charging cord from an Amazon vendor and have that plugged into my garage outlet all the time so that I don't have to pull out the cord in my bike's frame. (Or do I have the replacement cord stuffed into the bike and is the original cord plugged into my outlet? ??? After a while, all of these cords start looking alike. ::) )
I might also add that around Christmas I saw a 2015 factory SR at the Skylonda parking lot and it had a charging cord crammed into its frame hole, too.
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Just picked up my 2015 SR on Saturday. The charging cable was folded up and inserted into the frame from the factory. It was very tight but it fit.
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You could always try folding the cable for stowage while it's warm from charging a few times so it's more flexible.
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Well - that cleared things up ;)
I can always carry a cord in a side case or top box - but it would be nice to have a cord with me if I decide to go for a ride without the box/cases.
You could always try folding the cable for stowage while it's warm from charging a few times so it's more flexible.
Tried that.
2014 S fits just fine in the frame hole, which is smooth inside with no obstructions
The 2015 does have some sort of plastic ring in the middle of this hole that narrows it a bit.
Just picked up my 2015 SR on Saturday. The charging cable was folded up and inserted into the frame from the factory. It was very tight but it fit.
Lucky!
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2014 S fits just fine in the frame hole, which is smooth inside with no obstructions
The 2015 does have some sort of plastic ring in the middle of this hole that narrows it a bit.
Okay, so that's news that wasn't obvious from my 2015 test ride; the actual hole bore seems indistinguishable. Perhaps Zero silently reacted to some mild reports of cable slippage. I don't feel like I have a real problem with this on my 2013 model.
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KenMack, did you have the "some sort of plastic ring" in your frame? That may be the problem Oobflyer.
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Step one ... purchase the following:
14ga TURNIGY Silicone wire (get 1m black, white, green @ about $1.4/m of equal lengths)
Get some connectors you like (can be water proof if you want to be extreme) or use Anderson PP15-45 connectors (you will need 12)
14ga nema 5-15 to C13 cable
Cut the standard cable (third in list) near connector terminals and tint wires, crimping on terminal pins and sliding into stacked connectors.
strip ends of TURNIGY Silicone wire and tint, crimp into terminal pins, and slide into stacked connectors.
Problem solved.
More work? ... yes. But any solution is going to be more work.
I have 15' of TURNIGY Silicone wire I use when I am out and about with the PP45 connector terminals on both ends so I can swap out different adaptors as needed. (thanks to DocBass for that setup suggestion ;)
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some sort of plastic ring
I'll try to get a picture of it later tonight.
14ga TURNIGY Silicone wire
I like it!
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You can see that there is some sort of 'ring' in the middle of the tube. There wasn't anything like that on my 2012, maybe it's new for 2015?
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KenMack, did you have the "some sort of plastic ring" in your frame? That may be the problem Oobflyer.
Confirmed. Mine looks like the pics posted by oobflyer. Charging cord still fit but it was tight. Guy at the dealership was complaining a little as he was pulling it out to go over the bike with me before I rode it home.
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I can see how that ring would be an issue when trying to insert the charging cable into the frame. My 2014 S has nothing like that and my cable has never even moved an inch when inserted. It is plenty tight without the ring. If the ring was in my bike, I doubt I could insert the cable at all. ???
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The ring in the middle of the two going to swingarms the shock mount.
I really wouldn't recommend anybody putting the charging cord in the rear swingarm I've lost all kinds of stuff out of the rear swingarm like that it is not an ideal place to put anything if you want to carry your charge cord remove the two seat bolts and convert them to Alan heads carry the Allen head with you and put it in the triple clamp whole if you put a tiny bit of electrical tape there he will stay in the triple clamp hole and your cord will be safe under the seat
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My cord certainly won't fit under the seat of my 2015. There's very little room under there. I could carry a pack of cigarettes in the very back, but that's it. I couldn't put a thin paperback book under the seat.
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If I don't hear anything from Zero (no response yet) I'll try the silicone wire idea - I could trim it to the length that will fit in the bike frame (5'?)before attaching the two end connectors (I will probably go with a NEMA 5-15 and a C13).