GE WattStation Problem Thread (Was: Dead on Day 2 of use.)

[smkettner]

I would like to hear a LEAF that was repaired and went home and it failed again on the GE Wattstation.
Sounds more guilt by association. Dealers all well known for making up any story to blame the consumer.

[davewill]

I would like to hear a LEAF that was repaired and went home and it failed again on the GE Wattstation.
Sounds more guilt by association. Dealers all well known for making up any story to blame the consumer.

The problem being that nobody is likely to make that test and take the chance they'll be hung out to dry for an expensive repair. The only way to resolve it is for GE to get involved in one of these situations and prove/disprove the allegation.

[bowthom]

Hello,
Just wanted to chime in here. Mine was the first Leaf to suffer a diode failure of the charger in April 2011. If you look at the circuit diagram there is no way that the GE Wattstation can over power the diode. It is protected by circuits / components which limit current and voltage. About the only thing that could get in there would be a high voltage negative spike on the ground from a lightning strike (cause of the #2 failure in Tennessee). They tried to blame my TIG welder but the car was 30 miles away when it failed.

The only other possibility would be a static discharge not shunted because the ground pin on the J1772 connector is recessed and not connecting first.

I suppose if the contactor is putting out a sizable negative spike when disconnecting, that could have an effect if the circuits are not sufficiently isolated. But if that were true it would not have passed the UL tests.

Just my .02

Nissan replaced the charger under warranty.

[smkettner]

bowthom, so you went home and used the same Wattstation with no issues since?

[Benjenn]

We weren't willing to take any chances by using the GE Wattstation again. Nissan took such great care of us getting the car back to us so quickly and GE really couldn't tell us anything. If it is working fine for others, that's great. I just know what happened to us and since it seems to have happened to others, too, I'm good with switching to the charger Nissan recommends to be on the safe side. It didn't cost much more... less than $200.

[Gizmoe1164]

Gentlemen,

I sure wish I had stumbled on this thread before I purchased my GE Wattstation from Lowes, because I'm sort of stuck in this same blame game between Nissan and GE here on Oahu. I purchased my Leaf on 24 May 2012. I was never contacted by Nissan's preferred EVSE guys for a home evaluation etc., so when I picked up the Leaf the salesperson suggested I do as many other new Leaf owners have done is pick up an EVSE L2 charger from Lowes or Home Depot, so I did just that. As it happens, my oldest son is a licensed electrician, so I got the GE Wattstation for $995 less 10% off because I'm retired Military with Zero cost for the installation. I watched my son install the thing and it's not rocket science at all. Anyway, 4 days later the Leaf would not accept a charge at all, either from the GE L2 EVSE, the Nissan supplied L1 charger or at the Dealership L2 charger. It took my dealership 2 weeks to get the necessary parts in stock in order to repair my brand new car....bummer. In the mean time, the Nissan Service guy gave me a phone number to GE Resolution. I called them and they were helpful. GE is sending via FEDEX 2dayAir, a replacement Wattstation with a return lable for the supposedly defective unit. The GE Resolution guy said that GE and Nissan engineeres are working closely together to decide on just what the problem is. Nissan on the other hand advised me to not under any circumstances reconnect my Leaf to a GE Wattstation, and if I did and the Leaf charging system crapped out again, Nissan would not cover the repair under warranty. The GE Resolution guy told me there are in addition to my Leaf, two other Leafs here in Hawaii with the same problem. Until I stumbled on this forum, I had no idea there were a lot more. I sure hope they get their collective act together soon.

Gary

[LEAFer]

Now that kickahaota has reported same trouble ... in another thread ...

Is it only me or is it time for GE and/or Nissan (not for the car, but GE may not have contact info if sold via Home Depot etc) to issue an IMMEDIATE RECALL AND NOTIFICATION to all EV owners until the issue is resolved !?

[Rauv]

I've had 1100 charging miles with a GE EVSE. Hope it continues that way, and well after the 3 year (?) GE warranty.

[ehserEV]

Hi all, I am new to this forum, but my husband and I are in the process of purchasing a Leaf and I popped on to compare EVSEs. I like the look of the WattStation, but reading this thread makes me nervous about purchasing one. Does anyone have experience with the Schneider or Eaton charging stations?

[smkettner]

I use Schneider virtually every day since about September. Never any issues.
I also use a Leviton 160 about once a week recently with no issues.

I have not read a troubled post about either of these.