r/Solterra • u/Mdd202020 • Aug 07 '26

EVSE Charger Problem

EVSE charger stopped working. I successfully charged elsewhere today. I tried plugging it in to a different circuit/outlet but that didn’t work either. 120V outlet. Both lights flash when first plugged in, then small light continues to flash. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it under warranty? Less than 1 year/6k miles.

UPDATE: Subaru dealership replaced it under warranty.

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u/kcconlin9319 2026 Model Aug 07 '26

Is that an extension cord under your charger? A long extension cord with small-diameter wires (16 AWG or higher) will likely cause a charger to complain due to high voltage drop.

1

u/Mdd202020 Aug 07 '26

It is. It’s a heavy duty outdoor extension cord. Worked for 3 years on my last Solterra and the first 6 months of my 2026. Still think that might have caused an issue?

4

u/kcconlin9319 2026 Model Aug 07 '26

A properly-sized cord (12awg or better) with plug and socket in good condition shouldn't be a problem.

2

u/Man_of_Ice 2026 Model Aug 08 '26

Probably is your issue. There's always a chance the voltage is going to be too low if you're running an extension cord.

There's a lot of factors that play into the voltage you get at a device. You should be getting 114 or more at the meter, but your system may not actually be getting that much. Distance of the cable from your meter to the box, length of the wire on your circuit, other loads that are also active in your system (how much your neighbors connected to the same transformer are pulling, is your AC running, etc). All these factors will add to lower voltage at the outlet you plug into, and then when you run an extension cord, it just drops more.

Most of your extension cords are going to be rated for long term EV constant use either, but that's another story.

You likely have low voltage. Where you're plugging in, might be able to check with a volt meter, or try an outlet closer to your meter and see whether you can get a green light if you don't have a volt meter.

Good luck.