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[calamarichris]

When plugging in the charge tank, should the dash respond the same as it does when you plug into a standard household outlet?

Do you have to download a Volta app or something?

The free Volta EV charging station across the street didn't work when I plugged it into my chargetank.

Sorry if this has been covered in another thread, but our search function will not let me search for "volta" alone--shows everything with "voltage" as well.

Am going to be irresponsible again tonight and take her for a spin on the coast.

[DPsSRnSD]

Are you keyed on before you plug in? I don't know anything about Volta, but I do know that even the free Chargepoint station my wife uses all the time requires a Chargepoint card or app code.

[calamarichris]

Thanks for the response.

Not sure how to key on. (?)  Sorry, am completely new to this. Do you simply mean that the ignition key is turned on? I tried that.

Have tried to download Volta's app, but my ancient Iphone 4s doesn't seem able to load it.

Is there a chance the charging station simply wasn't working?

[DPsSRnSD]

Yes, the bike's power key. Does the station show any signs of life? Are there instructions on the station that might offer a clue why it's not working? Look at the button on the top of the plug. That button has to be up all the way when the plug is fully inserted on the bike.

[DPsSRnSD]

The website offers:

"How to Use Volta Free EV Charging Stations

"No account or membership is required to charge on the Volta network. Simply pull up and plug in. Just make sure your EV is set to charge immediately!"

If you can't get it to work, you should report it here: http://voltacharging.com/report-an-issue

[togo]

Volta stations are plug in and It Just Works on most vehicles.

I've certainly used them on Zero SR with Diginow chargers, and
on Chevy Volt, and had no issues.

Have you tried other Volta stations?  Have you confirmed with other
EV drivers that the specific Volta station and plug in question actually
charged their vehicles?

Have you been able to charge at other J-plug stations, e.g. ChargePoint?
(ChargePoint do required activation, by RFID card or by their app.)

It's good to check stations on PlugShare, other EV drivers report issues
there, and it can be nice to see other people reporting failure at the
same station, knowing that it's the station and not your own vehicle
that's the problem.

[calamarichris]

Thank you for the informative responses.
I'll try it again, and see if the other station there (it was occupied) works with the bike.

I'm concerned there might be a problem with my charge tank as well. Sounds like they were fiddling with the firmware and took a long time to ship my bike. Will try again this weekend and report back.

[togo]

It's possible, but try a station that you know other EVs aren't avoiding : - )

[calamarichris]

This particular Volta station is free, so there's almost always someone parked there. S'not like those Leaf drivers are eschewing free electrons.

[calamarichris]

Got it to work. Either turning the handlebar kill switch to off, or putting the kickstand down, or both was enough to get it going. Free electrons! What a time to be alive!

[togo]

This particular Volta station is free, so there's almost always someone parked there. S'not like those Leaf drivers are eschewing free electrons.

Or worse yet, prius plugin.  Guy was charging at 2800 watts IIRC, didn't know that was slow, just knew it was free, so he occupied the only stall at potrero for hours some electric motorcycle could have used for 45 minutes.