Recall: Power Outlet May Cause Charging Cable to Overheat (20-24) APB6 - December 13, 2023

[Bigb]

Porsche is on a roll with the recalls! I don’t use the cable they gave but it won’t hurt to have another. I wonder if it will still be as bulky as the current version.

Part of the timing likely for "slow news" time of the year, or so the cynic in me thinks.

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[Hawk]

Went with direct 6 gauge hardwire to non porsche evse... No regrets. But good to see them caring about this. Think with the rest of electric models coming it's now more important to support the infrastructure to enable sales.

 

[Bognar67]

Does anyone know if it is valid for EU plugs with the standard equipment Mobile Charger Plus (not Connect)?
-Thx.

 

[kort]

is there any timeline as to when the parts needed will be available at the service centers?

 

[daveo4EV]

Does anyone know if it is valid for EU plugs with the standard equipment Mobile Charger Plus (not Connect)?
-Thx.

North American only - there are fewer problems (if any) for the European PMC+/PMCC…

 

[Bognar67]

North American only - there are fewer problems (if any) for the European PMC+/PMCC…

Thanks a lot David.
I use my one at my weekend apartment frequently and living it plugged in so long on 12A (household) connection usually for more than 24h in an underground garage without a control/check so could be an issue.

 

[daveo4EV]

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/PORSCHE/TAYCAN/4%2520DR/RWD#recalls

in other news:

Tea Kettles may cause water to boil
Bullets may cause guns to fire
Batteries may cause EV motors to draw power

 

[DerekS]

I'll get my (still in shrink wrap) PMCC upgrade I guess, but I'm not pulling the Wallbox. It has been dead reliable.

 

[whitex]

Reading this brought up a memory. Tesla had the exact same recall many many years go (2014 IIRC), except it was not for a cable, but the NEMA-14-50 adapter plug. They sent out a new plug with a temperature sensor, and asked for the old one to be mailed back in the same box with a pre-paid label. It was quick and easy and they managed to get it done very quickly. Didn't Porsche study Tesla EVSE while designing a Taycan years later?

Tesla however did not have a problem with wires being too thin, Porsche does. I don't see anything in the recall about wires getting thicker. If they keep the same wires, the temperature sensor will essentially become the new neutering as the wires will heat up in decently summer ambient temps.

I also wonder how the temperature sensing will work with existing PMC+/PMCC, will it just shut off charging or will it throttle it and if so will it be 50% cut or gradual (I don't even know if PMC+ can do gradual).

 

[whitex]

as noted prior the wimpy North American NEMA sockets can not handle the awesome power of German engineering!!!

"Leave it to the Germans. Even their appliances crave power." - Martin Crane

 

[whitex]

ok we have a thermal sensor - what are they going to do with it? it is a 'fuse' or data for the eVSE - if it's "data" - we'll need a software update - that's fine for the PMCC - but what about the PMC+?

The cable has 6 signaling pins besides 4 power and 1 ground. Only 3 4 are used for 120V cable, 4 3 for NEMA 14-50 cable. Not sure what the encoding on these, but they are more than likely there to signal the current capability. It's possible the designer had some forethought (perhaps from studying Tesla EVSE's) to include an input for a temperature sensor. Alternatively, maybe they just have the cable change its signaled current rating, so NEMA 14-50 drops to 30A when sensor reaches some threshold temperature, and to 15A when it reaches the next one, and signals cable not plugged in when about to reach melting temperature? Whatever the capability they use, it must already be in current firmware, since they've showed us they cannot update PMC+ firmware.

EDIT: Corrected the number of pins above (had them swapped around).

 

[whitex]

it will be a missed opportunity to no upgrade the wire gauge

Hopefully they took the opportunity ? , just didn't say so in the recall - avoid bad optics.

 

[EXOTIC3]

Sold my Plaid. Have a 220/240 charger outlet I was using for Tesla. So I can’t use the Porsche charging unit/ cable once my turbo arrives?.
Thx in advance

 

[whitex]

how many of these power cables do they need to replace for VW/Audi/Porsche - there's a lot of them

It might only be Audi/Porsche. VW's, at least the ID.4 my parents thought of buying in Canada, came with Level 1 charger only and VW recommended Electrify Canada (Canadian arm of EA) branded EVSE for level 2.

 

[whitex]

why did it take them 3.5 years to capitulate?

Typical corporate BS.

1. Do nothing, wait a year, see if the problem solves itself
2. Try the cheapest thing possible (advisory for industrial socket), wait a year
3. If problem still exists, try the next least expensive remedy (neutering firmware update and legal CYA stickers), wait another year
4. If still a problem, try the next thing - replace cables with ones including temperature sensor, wait a year

Right there is 3 years. Their recall/replacement through dealers is also archaic. Every Taycan owner has an online account. Cheapest would be to notify them all via app/email, then send them new cables, asks to send old ones back in same box with pre-paid shipping (wait, did I come up with that or just copying a solution?), then make sure, if possible, that the latest firmware requires new cables to operate so people tempted to not send back the old cables have a limited used market to sell to.

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