I hope these aren't dumb questions, but I'm gonna ask them anyway. I have 2 scenarios where I'm not sure what to do both of which are weather related. 1. If the car is plugged in overnight or really just anytime and a thunderstorm rolls in, is it best to go unplug the car out of fear of an electrical surge from lightning? I'm not sure how advanced the electronics are with surge protection and maybe it's not a big deal to leave it plugged in but I want to make sure I know the best practices. 2. Is it safe to charge the car outside if it's raining? I should have access to a 110V outlet at work in the next month or so and I was wondering if it's safe to charge it up while it's raining or if the rain could damage the charger or the car. Appreciate any help.
2. Is it safe to charge the car outside if it's raining? I should have access to a 110V outlet at work in the next month or so and I was wondering if it's safe to charge it up while it's raining or if the rain could damage the charger or the car. Caveat emptor and all that, but I've charged mine in the rain a fair amount. I used to put my baseball cap over the door and plug, but got tired of having a wet hat. I do like how the LEAF's charge port door protects the whole arrangement somewhat, but then with a bit of wind it might actually be worse...
I don't know exactly where I saw it (sorry) but I remember reading somewhere that both of those practices are discouraged. IMHO, chances are you'll be ok, but do you really want to risk it for the extra 12 or so miles that day?
1. Technically the car is insulated from the ground via the tires. So there should be no path from the the lightning striking the house or whatever and flowing through the EVSE cable to the car and then to ground. In addition, I would hope that there is a surge protector of some kind in the GFCI in the EVSE. But good questions! 2. I've charged outside in the rain many times, including today with no problem. EVs, in general would not be too useful if you could not charge in the rain. The J1772 connector has no power flowing through it until after it begins communicating with the car, so there is no shock danger. Mike
My wife's 08 Solara was parked outside last summer and electronics took $6500+ hit (500 deductible) from lightning hitting ground 3 feet away. Think of lightning as a naturally occurring EMP weapon. I unplug my pip in garage if t-storms are about, even tho whole elec panel is surge protected. That strike did trip the surge breaker, but did have to get new cable line from pole, and new garage door safety sensors.
Me too. Although I did have my Gen II Prius destroyed by a lightning strike while parked on the curb by the house back in Summer 2011... hey, lightning never strikes twice, right?
