Public charging is easy once you know how. Learn the steps here. Tips on parking and how to remove the charge plug when it gets stuck! Only one car can use the charger at once. Despite each EVSE having 2-3 cables, only one can be used at a time. For instance, we cannot charge our i3's while a Nissan Leaf or a silly Tesla is charging.
OMG, that last tip about charger getting stuck was great! It happened at my first public charge! Scared me enough to find your video. Thanks!!!
Haha, yeah. It happened to me again the other day. Wooden chopstick is probably the easiest way. Glad you got it figured out.
Great video!!! Just got my car and need to go on a trip. I feel confident now!!! Thank you
I actually would never recommend an ev to be used for a “trip”. Long distance or road trip, just rent a gas car.
Awesome guidance! Thank you!!!
Sure thing! Glad this helped. One of those who commented, recommended inserting the connector at a slight upwards angle to get a better fit. Not sure if that will really work, but perhaps worth a try if you have issues with the EVGo EVSE's like I did in this video.
Very informative and helpful!
Great! Glad you got something out of it.
Thakks for this video… I’m a new i3 owner and these are great tips
You’ll want to avoid public charging most of the time.
When attaching the CCS cable, make sure you hold the heavy cable plug up so the charger can engage the safety pin. It may take a few seconds, listen for the pin to engage. It was clear in your video you didn't accomplish this. The charge station must recieve a "all clear and connected" signal from the plug before it activates 400 volts to the cable. Failing to do so results in exactly the failure to connect message you received. It's a quirk of the chargers and the i3. Once you've mastered the correct connection procedure, you'll connect everytime, the first time.
Interesting. Thanks for the tip. Can you elaborate? Meaning hold the connector there for longer before letting go?
@@Funcentric Yes. Don't just plug it in and let go. Plug it in, making sure you're holding it up. If it sags even a bit from the weight, the i3 won't recognize it. You can verify the i3 has connected to it, by listening. You'll hear the safety catch whirr into place. Takes about 3-4 seconds.
@@perrywales It worked! I gave it a try and no issues! Thanks! Never knew about this. I appreciate you sharing this.
Thank you! Great tips
Sure thing. Glad it helped.
The little hook. Thats for the slot in the cap to hang on then it doesnt flop off when you pull out the DC plug.
Ty sir I'm getting a 2014 used i3 this Friday tyvm for all the tips!
Cool, just make sure the battery capacity is in good shape before you put down your money. Google, "secret menu i3". Full capacity is 22kwh. So you want to make sure it's not too far off from that.
@@Funcentric ty for replying, how long you think this car will last? I plan on driving 60mi everyday, I just hope it will be worth every penny
@@Funcentric BTW how much range would I lose if I drive at 75mph?
@@Funcentric its at 13.3kwh :( i really dont want to go thru the hassle of returning it but...
@@ferocity1054there’s a 100k miles warranty on the battery. BMW may honor it so cross your fingers
The RC car is great idea!
Haha, yeah I got bored.
Yea that was great 👍🏻
@funcentric - great video - thanks I just purchased an i3 and boy is it an interesting task. Just out of curiosity is Volta compatible? I’ve tried to charge using Volta 3 times to no avail.
Yes, the Volta's work with the i3. Some Volta stations are just new and may not be operable. Possible that the kiosk is installed, but just not working yet.
@@Funcentric thank you.
thanks!
Sure! Glad it helped!
There is a manual cord to pull on "emergency charge release" in the trunk. No nail clipper needed :D
That’s only to release the door flap. We’re talking about the tab that holds the connector on place. That one does not offer a release cord unfortunately.
@Basic I have an i3, That cord IS ONLY FOR THE CHARGER DOOR! Check your facts before you so confidently post wrong and misleading info. 😩
Please read your manual. There is a release cord for both the door flap AND the charge port. Its hidden under a black foam plastic piece at the bottom back of the passenger door. Pop it off and you'll find two blue release cables. DO NOT push the pin back with any other implement. You stand to get seriously injured and damage the pin mechanism.
@@FuncentricREAD YOUR MANUAL
How charge the car if on a public charger the charging clipper (pin) is broken?
It should still work. The pin is only to lock it. No pin just means it won’t lock. But it should still hold in place and charge.
If that happens I think you should use something plastic and rubber the hard plastic due to current is running through it unless you want to get fried
Yes, a chopstick would be perfect. There’s no metal parts however to worry about though when using something conductive since the connector is plugged in and no metal is exposed.
How long does it take to charge the I3 at one of these stations? Thanks
I would never recommend anyone charge from zero state of charge. Generally L3 chargers will charge ipvto 80% in 30 minutes. That’s a general rule throughout for all vehicles. Larger batteries will just charge faster. Smaller ones will take longer. Don’t expect to be at a public charging station for more than 15-30 minutes.
Sticking metal objects into a 50Kw socket, relying on an unknown charger and car to switch off the current is Mad! Also that plug did not look fully in at any point.
It may have been the angle. The connector was definitely fully inserted. I agree with you about metal into a socket. However, what you’re seeing here is metal on a plastic tab to release. I understand it might look sketchy to you, but with the connector stuck, there’s actually no exposed conductive metal element that poses a risk. Thank you for your concern though.
Just leased a ‘21 i3…coolest car ever. Will NEVER own and ICE again. However, until we move in our new home about a month from now, I have to public charge. Great video showing the reality of public charging. I noticed the need to angle the connector upward slightly on the CCS to hear that snap…at least at Electrify American…which seem to be the best in the Mid-Atlantic area, that I’ve seen.
@@Skyking6976 awesome! Happy that your enjoying the car and found the video useful. Thanks for the tip about angling the connector. I’ll try that next time too.
@@Funcentric why not just use the emergency unlock pull cord in the rear hinge of the i3?
@@pmac6584 that only releases the door - not the latch that secures the connector to the socket.
There’s a button on the back suicide door sill that unlocks the charger plug in case it’s stuck
If I'm understanding the pull cord that you're referring to, that only releases the panel that covers the charge port. It doesn't actually release the connector.
Anyone know if it's okay to leave car plugged in even after fully charged?
Yes, it’s okay. The car will run down slightly and the charger will trickle charge. Manual says that in vacations, you should keep it plugged in.
Is there a way to limit the charging to 80%?
You're probably reading about all the myths about charging only to 80%. That's not really a real thing for owners. It's just something people who are dabbling about EV's say. There is no way to limit the charging to a particular state of charge on the car side. Your home Level 2 charger may have a way to do it via WiFi. You'll want to charge to 100%.
How long will it take to charge my 14 i3 on one of those public charging stations?
1. You wouldn't want to arrive at one with an empty tank as regular practice. It's only really meant to top off and with all the folks misunderstanding the use of EV's, you'll be competing with other EV's with long range who think they need more range than they really do. 2. From near empty to 80% would take about 45 minutes. It charges faster the more empty it is. The more full, the more slowly it will charge. Most of the time, you'll be charging just to top off, so maybe 5-20 minutes. 3. Most chargers charge by time as opposed to the amount of "juice" or kwh. Electrify America is one of the few that do charge by the amount of juice. 4. Some chargers will top out at 80% and won't let you go any further, FYI. 5. Don't rely on public charging stations for regular use. If you are in the USA, I wouldn't recommend getting an EV at all unless you have charging capabilities at home.
@@Funcentric yes I live in california, always charge it at home. I use a 120v at home to charge it, Is it true they sell i3 with out the capabilities for fast charging (with out those 2 round connectors inside the charging door compartment)?
@@poundermonster Yes, but it was only the 2014 i3 that has the Level 3 charging as an optional upgrade. Everything in 2015 production model onwards had the Level 3 as standard.
@@Funcentric thanks! mine is a 2014 and it looks like yours.
@@poundermonster Cool, then you're all set for Level 3 charging at the public stations....assuming Teslas and other long range vehicles aren't hogging them up.
Thanks for helping me decide not to get an electric car. lol
It’s definitely not for everyone. Don’t even get one if you don’t plan to have a level 2 charger at home in the USA. Public charging isn’t the way to go in the States. Costs as much to charge at a public charger as gas for a car that gets 25mpg.
Public charging still a lot of faffing around, maybe in another 5 years the set up will have improved, only by that time electric prices will be what your paying for gas.
In Norcal, prices for public charging is pretty much the same cost for gas for a car that gets 25mpg. Public charging isn't really for regular use in the States. As long as people keep demanding 300+ mi range cars to drive their 30mi a day, there really is no sense in having public charging. The companies doing it are just taking a silly gamble. We won't see anywhere close to 50% of cars on the roads being EV's in the USA until people open their eyes and educate themselves about EV use. Most people don't drive 300mi a day. But as long as they keep thinking they do, costs for these cars will be high. Even if it were to match, people would still pay for gas cars b/c they see EV's as an inconvenience w/o understanding how it all works. Even most Tesla drivers still don't know.
Forward one year later: gas in California is over $5 dollars and and at one point $7 dollars.
Yup, craziness. In the long term as gas prices fluctuate, I don't need to be so aware of prices of gas since the tank only holds 1.5-1.5 ish gallons and I rarely use it.
Plug in first then do the rest
?
@@Funcentric The instructions on the EVGo app (at least on my phone) say to plug your vehicle first then do the rest. Perhaps that is the problem why it fails sometimes. It's something to try. I have never had DC charging fail on me (Florida, 2019 i3S, EVGo)
@@richarddib oh i see what you’re saying. That might be a new functionality. The EvGo app and EVSE’s have gone through some changes in the past few years. I’ll give that a try next time.
car will time out then if you are slow doing the rest.
Cool video! I'm working with a company who manufactures EV chargers and Adapters. We would love to collaborate with you. Do you have an email address we can send the details?
Sure, You can dm me on instagram or message me on Facebook as “Funcentric on Insta”
Seems like a big pain in the ass to me.
Which is exactly why it should just be done at home.