Portable 110V cord anti-theft device

[Voltster]

I think rather than going to all the trouble of locking up my charger and having to worry about it when I stay at a hotel, I'll just use gas as my fuel source.

It's nice that we have a choice.

[daryllafferty]

I just started using a 12 gage, 15 foot extension cord that connects to my EVSE and I put my EVSE in my trunk. I then have both cables coming out the bottom of the trunk, the 12 gage to the 120 v outlet and the J1772 to the port on the car. This way it keeps my EVSE dry and secure. I got the idea from another thread on this forum.

Sounds like a great, simple solution. Has closing the trunk lid on the cord since December caused any damage to the cord or trunk?

[daryllafferty]

Since reading this, I think I've come up with a better solution, as I posted in this thread.
I just run the cord around the wheel spoke and lock it to itself.



It eliminates the need for a separate cable that could be cut without damaging the charger. This would be difficult to remove without cutting the cord itself.

[agggilli]

Since reading this, I think I've come up with a better solution, as I posted in this thread.
I just run the cord around the wheel spoke and lock it to itself.



It eliminates the need for a separate cable that could be cut without damaging the charger. This would be difficult to remove without cutting the cord itself.

This one is by far my favorite yet, simple yet effective. Kudos to all that have posted. It is very interesting to see how everybody has different ideas for solutions to the charger theft issue.

[silvercorvette]

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.

I agree it may cost more to buy a replacement mirror than a charger. The only time I charged away from home was in motel on my trip to NY. All I did was drive the tire on top of the cord. I did not want to put the full weight on the cord and risk damaging it so I just rolled the tire over the cord enough to keep it from being taken. I did not plan ahead but if I have to do it again I will bring a rubber mat and wrap the mat around the cord to protect the cord.

[MTN Ranger]

I found a new one today. Someone actually sells a purposely designed cord protector for EVs!

https://www.connectorprotector.com/s...rotector.html#

[Fulgerite]

I think someone should make the J1772 connector with a padlock hole drilled in the release button. This way you can lock the release button. If you can't press the release button you can't steal it. (Without wire cutters.)

I also think the public chargers should have a solenoid in the J1772 that LOCKS the release button until the owner comes back to the charging station and terminates the charge with his ID card.

[John_Hatchett]

I think someone should make the J1772 connector with a padlock hole drilled in the release button. This way you can lock the release button. If you can't press the release button you can't steal it. (Without wire cutters.)

I also think the public chargers should have a solenoid in the J1772 that LOCKS the release button until the owner comes back to the charging station and terminates the charge with his ID card.

I veto the public charger lock. If the vehicle is fully charged I should be able to unplug it and start charging my own vehicle without waiting for the owner to return to the station. If my vehicle is charged I am ok with someone unplugging mine.

[astrand1]

I veto the public charger lock. If the vehicle is fully charged I should be able to unplug it and start charging my own vehicle without waiting for the owner to return to the station. If my vehicle is charged I am ok with someone unplugging mine.

+1. In fact when I park at LAX I even put a sign on the dash telling others the date and time that it's ok to unplug me. Since some may not know about the green light flashing on our cars. I want to contribute to the goodwill of our little community. In fact I was at a khols a few weeks ago that had a free chargepoint charger. When I came back there was a leaf parked next to me and he had left a nice note under my wiper asking if I could plug him in when I left. I was happy too. I think things like this is the kind of mind frame that I hope we can all stay in no matter what kind of EV we have.

[Joule Thief]

I think someone should make the J1772 connector with a padlock hole drilled in the release button. This way you can lock the release button. If you can't press the release button you can't steal it. (Without wire cutters.)

I also think the public chargers should have a solenoid in the J1772 that LOCKS the release button until the owner comes back to the charging station and terminates the charge with his ID card.

Fulgerite see my post 25 in this thread, there is a J1772 connector with a padlock hole made by Yazaki. The funny thing is this was the original J1772. All the designs that came after didn't include this. Most public EVSEs including Blink and Coulomb use this connector.

Daryl your solution is similar to mine. I agree your method is better in that you have to cut the EVSE cord rather than a cable. The only downside is you lose a foot or two of cable length in the process which is probably not a big deal in most cases but that's why I decided to use the cable instead.

I prefer either of these to driving over the cord or running an extension cord through the window. Driving over requires you to get out of the car, set it up, then back in the car and drive over the cord. Plus the risk of cord damage. Running a cord through the window also takes more time and requires leaving your window down. And both consume some cord length. But my favorite by far would be the padlock hole on the Yazaki plug - too bad GM didn't use this on the Volt L1 EVSE. And the added bonus is no one could steal or tow your Volt while the J1772 is locked to it!