CCS1 Adapter Cable

[Nobody Famous]

CCS1 i3 owner here. I’ve been looking around at options for CCS2 adapters, given the ever expanding NRMA network in NSW. I’m curious on what level of interest there is in other purchasing the same. I was going to make a Poll, but the option seems to be hidden.

We may be able to get a quantity discount(?) Indications are that it would be cheaper than the SETEC that others have purchased.

[4Springs]

I know someone who might be interested, but I'd need an indicative price.

[Nobody Famous]

I know someone who might be interested, but I'd need an indicative price.

Below $1000, just not sure how far below.

[4Springs]

Ok, I reckon this is pretty interesting, so I made a news post on the main AEVA website. You can view it here: https://aeva.asn.au/news/fast-charging-your-bmw-i3/
Hopefully this advertises the idea a bit further.
As a branch secretary, I send an email to our membership each month with these sorts of stories.
At the bottom I've given a couple of ways for people to make contact. Let me know if you want to supply some other means of contact.

[Nobody Famous]

I received the sample cable I ordered last week and have given it a quick test at the new Chargefox Charger at Shell Cove. Admittedly the battery was half full so didn’t I get to stretch the charging power. However I saw 48kW for a short time before it tapered off. I don’t have anything to compare to as the CCS1 I occasionally use doesn’t have a display. Maybe someone has more details on the charging limits on the i3. I plan to try at least 1 NRMA Charger in the next fortnight.

Speaking more with the manufacturer in China it seems there would need to be a significant quantity to achieve a worthwhile discount (~50+). I highly doubt there are that many CCS1 i3’s in Australia let alone those wanting an Adapter Cable. The additional costs associated with distribution probably cancel any benefit anyway, as the cable is about 4kg.

Therefore the simplest option at the moment would seem to be via Aliexpress for AUD$745 delivered. It is listed as 0.5m, but you may be able to adjust that (I received 0.3m as per drawing). The price is much better than BMW upgrade prices, as well as the SETEC cable that was said to be US$1000+ when exchange rates were better.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001042456147.html
(Note: GST is added at checkout)

It should be noted that the cable is rated at 150A, but this should be fine for all the 50kW chargers I plan to use.

[Nobody Famous]

Successfully charged to 80% on the Mittagong NRMA Charger. Cable didn’t break a sweat

[Nobody Famous]

The 150A rating is well within the i3 charging ability.

[Nobody Famous]

Another successful test at Berry NRMA 50kW charger

[Nobody Famous]

Working well on a ChargeFox Ultra Rapid Charger, though nowhere near 350kW

[Peter.Gorton]

"...though nowhere near 350kW"
Given that the i3 has a maximum DC Rapid Charge rate of 50kW, it wouldn't be that near 350kW...

[Nobody Famous]

"...though nowhere near 350kW"
Given that the i3 has a maximum DC Rapid Charge rate of 50kW, it wouldn't be that near 350kW...

Though closer than holding the CCS2 plug up against the CCS1 socket

[icegoffy]

I bought the same cable but somehow not able to charge at chargefox 50w station, on the chargefox app it says connecting, then saying something will start shortly, but on the charging port there is no light up of the LED, called the support, said reset station, still no luck

[Chuq]

I'm not a CCS1 car owner so my thoughts probably aren't that relevant, but....

I would think that effort (or money) is better spent:

(a) Convincing BMW to provide free or subsidised port replacement as they did in New Zealand
(b) Replacing all existing CCS1 fast charger cables with CCS2 cables

This is one that AEVA could support but of course it's one for a BMW i3 owner to push.

Do we know how many vehicles are affected?

[icegoffy]

Just an update, the khons adapter is working good now, khons sent a replacement clip i installed it and its all good

[ianckilgour]

Hi Icegoffy
I'm having the same problem with the cable at 50kW and 350kW Chargefox stations - appears to start charging but never makes it.
Could I ask what you had to do to fix it?
thanks a lot
Ian