Portable 110V cord anti-theft device

[honoreitiscom]

The other option I have seen discussed is to simply roll the front tire over the cord. $0. :-) But could squeezing the cord between tire and pavement cause wear on the cord?

I've done this a few times. No cord damage (yet!)

[N Riley]

I would recommend GM build the cord so that once plugged into your Volt you put a special key into the top of the connector and lock it. It could be "locked" with a special button on the key fob also. This would "lock" the charge cord to the Volt and prevent someone from easily removing it from the Volt. Should be a simple fix to the charge cord connector and car using metal bars that slide out or rotate outward in the connector and into metal slots in the car's charge port. Some of you engineers at GM can run with my idea if you want. Just give me some credit for the idea. I can go into further details about my idea if anyone is interested.

[Rusty]

I would recommend GM build the cord so that once plugged into your Volt you put a special key into the top of the connector and lock it.

Already covered by the SAE 1772 standard:

8.3.6 Unauthorized Access – For unattended public access charging, the coupler should provide a means to engage a locking or latching mechanism to reduce the likelihood of tampering or unauthorized removal

IIRC the Leaf locks its cord when the doors are locked. I don't know why GM didn't choose to lock the cord.


I think it was a mistake to not do so.

[Mybatcar]

.

There cant be much of a demand for Volt chargers right now, unless the thieves can take enough of them to create a market for them.

Some low-life will steal the charge chord just for the price of the copper.....


Steve in Boca Raton #313

[Bill R.]

Padlock Method: I wrap a loop of the supply cord around a wheel spoke and then padlock the end of the loop to the cord itself. The remaining space under the hasp of the padlock is way too small to allow a thief to slide the J1772 connector back through. The only downside I see so far is that this makes the Charge Cord effectively shorter.

[BamaSteve]

I even sugguested that we use a cord cover like what is used in an office to protect it some from the tire. Or the other big suggestion was to keep the charger in the car and run the plug to the charging port and an extention cord to a plug out the window. I would rather use gas than to have to keep all of that stuff in the car.

As neither are theft proof (just deterrents), I like the wheel attachment variation because it's less likely to cause damage. I can see the mirror potentially getting snapped off or the black finish marred. The other option I have seen discussed is to simply roll the front tire over the cord. $0. :-) But could squeezing the cord between tire and pavement cause wear on the cord?

[Joule Thief]

Yea, I would feel a lot better about the cable hooking around a wheel spoke instead of the mirror. It's almost a fun challenge for them to break your mirror.

As neither are theft proof (just deterrents), I like the wheel attachment variation because it's less likely to cause damage. I can see the mirror potentially getting snapped off or the black finish marred. The other option I have seen discussed is to simply roll the front tire over the cord. $0. :-) But could squeezing the cord between tire and pavement cause wear on the cord?

@JetJock, I like your solution and came up with almost the same idea before reading this thread. I considered using the mirror, but like others was concerned about somebody breaking it off. Instead I opted for a longer cable lock allowing me to lock it to the wheel. Another advantage of this setup is you can easily slide the cable lock up and down the J1772 cable and potentially lock it to other "things" like a fence post if you desire.

Here are some pics and basic DIY instructions if others want to copy my setup, it cost me about $5 in parts from Home Depot and took approximately 10min to assemble. I agree this is a deterrent since a determined thief could just get a lock cutter, but it still prevents an opportunity theft and makes me much more comfortable about leaving my $400 L1 EVSE or $830 L2 EVSE (SPX Power Xpress) unattended.

I used vinyl coated 3/16" cable to both protect the rim and waterproof. As you can see below it easily fits in the hatch EVSE stowage area.







DIY Instructions:
1) From Home Depot I purchased 4 1/2ft of vinyl coated galvanized 3/16" wire cable along with 1/4" crimp ferrules, Velcro straps, and a pad-lock of choice (I happen to like the relatively new Speedial Master Locks allowing fast 1-hand unlocking but will probably switch to a weatherproof lock).
Note 1: There are other cable options including 3/16" uncoated stainless steel cable and 1/4" cable (coated and uncoated). Both would have been stronger (i.e. tougher to cut through), but I really wanted the vinyl coating and could not find any crimp-on ferrules large enough for 1/4" vinyl cable. Also the 3/16" cable is much easier to work with.
Note 2: I deliberated on the best cable length going anywhere between 3' to 6'. Shorter is easier to manage, longer gives you access to more locking options. Ultimately I decided 4' was the best balance, so I bought 4 1/2' expecting to use 3" on either side to make the thimble loops.
DSCF0609.jpg

2) On one end, insert the wire into the ferrule to create a thimble loop. I made the loop as small as possible. Then crimp using a bench vise (unless you have a better tool available, my vise is the only tool my arsenal up to the task).
Note 1: This requires exerting a LOT of force!
DSCF0612.jpg DSCF0611.jpg

3) On the other end, create a similar thimble loop, this time wrapping around the J1772 cable. Then crimp using bench vise.
Note 1: Adjust the loop snug around the J1772 cable, but leave a small amount of slack so that it can slide up and down as needed.
DSCF0615.jpg

4) Attach the Velcro strap and you're done!
DSCF0617.jpg

See more pics in my album here:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/album.php?albumid=54

[solar_dave]

Nicely done!

[MIN FUEL]

Sorry JetJock, but I think Joule Thiefs is better. With yours I can already see the ebay listing....120V charging cord and matching Volt mirror for sale. They say ex burglers make the best security people, so someone with thief in their tag probably makes the best anti-theft device!

[black88mx6]

Joule Thief

Nicely done, now to do the same thing to my extension cord, and attach it to the handle of the charger. If they want to take my 100 foot they will need to cut something.