[Wendyglhansen]

I have been trying to charge my 2015 Renault Zoe at home, using one of those chargers you put in the normal 3 pin UK plugs. I am sure it used to work when I did it in the past, but now I keep having issues. The charging will start and then after about 10-15 minutes it will just stop. I have tried to just restart the charging every time, but everytime it will stop again. I am not sure why this is happening. I know it is not the charger, as my partner uses it for his Renault Zoe and he has no problems.
Does anyone know why this could be?

 

[dk6780]

I know it is not the charger, as my partner uses it for his Renault Zoe and he has no problems.

Does your partner use it at the same address or somewhere different? The Zoë is notoriously sensitive to Earthing arrangements so it could be the house.
To track down the issue try using a public charge point and see if your car works there, then try your partner's car at your house.

 

[BogieMan]

It is unlikely that it is an earthing issue as the earthing check is done once before the charge starts.
Are the Zoen R or Q variants ?
Are there any error messages on the dash ?

 

[Andy-Zoé-User]

How about charge timers on the r-link radio? they are not set are they?

In other words set to 'Always Charging' and see if that works

 

[Wendyglhansen]

It is unlikely that it is an earthing issue as the earthing check is done once before the charge starts.
Are the Zoen R or Q variants ?
Are there any error messages on the dash ?

I am actually not sure if it is R or Q. All I know it is Renault Zoe Intens 2015. There are no area messages. It starts off fine and everything looks normal. Then 10-15 minutes later it just turns off. With no error message or anything.

 

[Wendyglhansen]

How about charge timers on the r-link radio? they are not set are they?

In other words set to 'Always Charging' and see if that works

I do not have any charge timers. I have never used those. Everything is as normal. It works everywhere else, just not in my house with 3 pin plug.

 

[Wendyglhansen]

Does your partner use it at the same address or somewhere different? The Zoë is notoriously sensitive to Earthing arrangements so it could be the house.
To track down the issue try using a public charge point and see if your car works there, then try your partner's car at your house.

My partner use it at home as well. The exact same plug. Everything is fine for him, but not for my Zoe.
I normally charge it in public at Polar chargers and there it is fine. So it is the 3 pin charging that is the issue.

 

[grahamcheese]

Do you use an extension cable?

 

[Wendyglhansen]

Do you use an extension cable?

Yes, my partner got an industrial one. Should be able to handle it.

 

[Andy-Zoé-User]

Yes, my partner got an industrial one. Should be able to handle it.

not so much the 'handle it' as in the amperage of the extention cable , but sometimes the granny cables just dont like being plugged through extension leads ... could be because of the earthing when using extension leads, but if your partner has used it on another zoe and it does not cut out and works fine it sounds like nothing up with the charger. But the car your putting it on that stops after 10-15 minutes sounds like all of a sudden its telling your charger "hey, I am charged to 100% now so stop charging".

At what percentage does it cut off the charging? .. and is there any red flashing ZE on the charge port or does the ZE blue light just go off at the charging port? when it cuts of prematurely?

 

[srichards]

How hot does the 3 pin plug plastic back feel and how hot is the type 2 plug when it's just stopped?

 

[Padrino]

I will offer a wee bit unorthodox solution....Funny enough this happened to me as well when I've used Granny cable at a friend house. After restarting six (yes 6) times with the same result I've decided to have the same approach as I had when my Rlink was reset few weeks back...... Just unplugged the main power pack switch (driver footwell) and the rest is history. 😆
After reconnecting the battery the car started charging again and the next morning was 100%.

 

[yoh-there]

Oh dear........... Sorry to be that guy, but you're not seriously suggesting to just rip the safety plug, a 13-ish page procedure for the dealership with all sorts of safety precautions? Yes I know, with applying the proper amount of logic, it's "kinda fair" to shortcut the route somewhat but. Oh well, I won't go into that further as I am fairly sure under this comment a old pro-contra discussion will erupt again. So apologies for that, I will shut up, but to the OP: if you don't know what you are doing, please don't do that.

My genuine advice would be a quick stop at the dealer. You probably have old firmware. If you have CanZE (Sorry, shameless self plug) you can check it yourself, otherwise, let them handle it. With the latest (for the technically inclinded: at least 0854 on the LBC), most charging issues are over, and if there still are, it's almost always with good reason.

 

[dk6780]

to the OP: if you don't know what you are doing, please don't do that

Seconded. Don't play with 400 volts carelessly.

 

[Padrino]

OK @dk6780 and @yoh-there ...I will not argue with your points. However I've seen with my own eyes what Renault service are doing. Other than waiting for 30 min....nothing else. They just pulled the plug out. The same people that want to charge you £95 quid to replace 12V battery.....
Once again, I know what it says in the manual.....but I've seen the people who MUST know, what they are doing in real life. So......I will stop here

 

[G.a.r.y]

This is the car going to sleep due to the fairly slow charge rate of the granny cable, i've seen it happen before, the dash just goes black and when you open the door it wakes the car up and it starts again. It is more likely to happen with a quick charge model of Zoe (there are a few variants) and if you have not had the BMS update which corrected a few issues. If you use a faster charger such as a 7kw charge point it is less likely to happen.

If you're not planning on getting a home charge point then you could see if a local Renault garage are receptive to doing a BMS update - some arent interested in electric vehicle issues and so its a pain to get them to understand the issue and do anything.

Best of luck.

 

[BogieMan]

This forum is excellent due to guys like Gary who are knowledgable and helpful.

On my previous Zoe, a 2016 R240, I booked my car in twice at a Renault dealer for a BMS update but it never got done. It is a lengthy procedure which involves powering the main battery down and needs "clip" ( Renault diagnostics ) connected for a long period so is unavailable for other jobs. Hence the cost can be a bit high.

But Gary's post means there's most likely not much wrong with your car or charging system.

 

[Andy-Zoé-User]

something else just popped into my mind just now , is the granny cable/charger with the 3 pin 13a plug 10a or more OP? - (should have the amperage rating printed on the label on the back of the electronics box on the granny cable) .. only I dont think Zoe likes chargers that are 10a and under