ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: JaimeC on June 21, 2021, 06:26:37 PM
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How long do these things last? I just noticed last night that the cord was pretty hot (almost unbearable to touch). This is the original cord that came with the bike in October of 2018. I'll admit I haven't been using it as often as I did with the 2016 model because of the updated charging recommendations AND the Charge Tank I have installed. I'll have to order a new one but I was wondering if there was any consensus on how long they last till they need to be replaced, and if there was anything (beyond not using it) that would slow down the wear? Thanks.
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1. Charge with the OBC at 220 volts, cuts amps in half. If you have a dryer outlet in your house you can plug into that with an adapter. Or a Tuscon EV adapter/splitter to the OBC.
2. Some people here have modified the plug so it goes in deeper into the socket for better contact.
3. Get a new cable before this one dies and takes the OBC with it.
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If I had a dryer outlet I could access for the bike, I wouldn't bother with an adapter to use the charge cord, I'd buy something like this since I have the charge tank: https://is.gd/yXrMv3
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Then you are left with options 2/3. There is a D'Addario 12 gauge Amp cable you could try instead of the stock one.
https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Accessories-Power-Cable-America/dp/B078V9K14V/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=daddario+12+awg+amp+power+cable&qid=1624285076&sr=8-3
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The OBC power cord that came with my 2018 S always seemed a little light to me, so I replaced it with a 12 gauge cord that I bought off of Amazon and it barely gets warm. If yours is cooking I would not use it anymore until you can replace it with something better. If you don't it will likely melt at one of the two connections at either end, which will be no fun disconnecting and repairing.
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Then you are left with options 2/3. There is a D'Addario 12 gauge Amp cable you could try instead of the stock one.
https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Accessories-Power-Cable-America/dp/B078V9K14V/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=daddario+12+awg+amp+power+cable&qid=1624285076&sr=8-3
Thank you for that link! I guess I wasn't using the proper search terms because it never popped up for me.
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I can chime in that I use that D'addario cable and it works great.
-Crissa
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I can chime in that I use that D'addario cable and it works great.
-Crissa
But did you notice this review?
"It's just a Chinese cord rebranded for DAddario you can buy it from the original Chinese company Yung Li or on eBay for 5.00 to 10.00 then pay 30.00 for this one by DAddario. Only difference from the DAddario and the original Yung Li is the DAddario version has red plugs."
-Don- Reno, NV (Now headed for Auburn on my Zero SR)
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I tend to ignore one-star reviews if the majority of them are far higher...
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But did you notice this review?
"It's just a Chinese cord rebranded for DAddario you can buy it from the original Chinese company Yung Li or on eBay for 5.00 to 10.00 then pay 30.00 for this one by DAddario. Only difference from the DAddario and the original Yung Li is the DAddario version has red plugs."
Yes. I can't verify it. The eBay listings are poorly organized, have images not matching the description, and have shipping costs but don't say where they ship from. I do often buy from ebay, but never from listings that have image or location errors on them.
Yung Li is the manufacturer, but what difference does that make? It does what it says it does. Rating it because of the price ignores the packaging.
-Crissa
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Yes. I can't verify it. The eBay listings are poorly organized, have images not matching the description, and have shipping costs but don't say where they ship from. I do often buy from ebay, but never from listings that have image or location errors on them.
Yung Li is the manufacturer, but what difference does that make? It does what it says it does. Rating it because of the price ignores the packaging.
-Crissa
Looks like all they did was to paint the ends red and jack up the price. BTW, does it say the rating anywhere? I assume it's 15 amps continuous, 20 amps for shorter times.
-Don-( In Cisco Grove, charging my Zero SR now at 3.3 KW (86% SOC) Was charging at 7.2 KW at 50 % SOC when I started).
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Yes. I can't verify it. The eBay listings are poorly organized, have images not matching the description, and have shipping costs but don't say where they ship from. I do often buy from ebay, but never from listings that have image or location errors on them.
Yung Li is the manufacturer, but what difference does that make? It does what it says it does. Rating it because of the price ignores the packaging.
-Crissa
Looks like all they did was to paint the ends red and jack up the price. BTW, does it say the rating anywhere? I assume it's 15 amps continuous, 20 amps for shorter times.
-Don-( In Cisco Grove, charging my Zero SR now at 3.3 KW (86% SOC) Was charging at 7.2 KW at 50 % SOC when I started).
My 12 gauge cord, with its two red painted ends, is stamped 3/C, whatever that means. ???
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My 12 gauge cord, with its two red painted ends, is stamped 3/C, whatever that means. ???
Perhaps what we already know, three conductors.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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My 12 gauge cord, with its two red painted ends, is stamped 3/C, whatever that means. ???
Perhaps what we already know, three conductors.
-Don- Auburn, CA
That makes sense. :-[
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@ 55 fast miles/commuting day, I do a LOT of charging.
I’ve found that the weak link is the crimp connections on the end of cords.
I’ve replaced both ends of a 6’ 14awg cord with plug/socket that has screwed (clamp) connections.
Ive removed a bit from the end of the c13 plug to allow greater insertion/contact.
Also replaced the OBC frame mounted socket with a screw clamp type.
All 3 connections run just slightly above ambient.
I’m crossing my fingers the the connections @ the OBC are robust enough.
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The ends are red plastic, not paint.
It's 12 gauge, 300v insulation, and says so on the jacket.
Amperage is based upon the total package... Ends, length, wire gauge, how much flexing, operating temperature. It isn't labeled such, though.
And that's how resale works. Someone buys or orders something from a factory, then puts it in their store next to their other products, and sells it. It's not 'jacking up the price'.
-Crissa
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They also sell this one the Power Cable Plus:
https://www.daddario.com/products/accessories/cables/power-solutions/iec-power-cable-102/
https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Accessories-Power-Cable-America/dp/B078V6DS9F/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=daddario%2B12%2Bawg%2Bamp%2Bpower%2Bcable&qid=1624285076&sr=8-3&th=1
This one could be useful if you want to power the OBC plus an ELCON 3.3 from the same source, but it would be pushing it in terms of amps.
I would rather buy it from D'Addario than take my chances on EBAY where the description does not always match what you will receive.
Same reason I bought my charger from ELCON instead of straight from TC in China.
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@ 55 fast miles/commuting day, I do a LOT of charging.
I’ve found that the weak link is the crimp connections on the end of cords.
I’ve replaced both ends of a 6’ 14awg cord with plug/socket that has screwed (clamp) connections.
Ive removed a bit from the end of the c13 plug to allow greater insertion/contact.
Also replaced the OBC frame mounted socket with a screw clamp type.
All 3 connections run just slightly above ambient.
I’m crossing my fingers the the connections @ the OBC are robust enough.
Great tips!