Daily maintenance and care of the charger shell material

The daily maintenance and care of the shell materials of electric vehicle chargers need to formulate targeted plans based on the material characteristics (such as PC/ABS, aluminum alloy, flame-retardant plastic). The following provides systematic guidance from three dimensions: material classification, maintenance methods, and fault handling:

First, daily maintenance methods

1. Cleaning and maintenance

PC/ABS material

Tools: Microfiber cloth, neutral cleaner (such as 3M All-purpose cleaner), car wax cream.

Step:

Wipe the surface dust with a damp cloth and avoid using alcohol-containing solvents (which are corrosive).

Stubborn stains can be wiped with a diluted neutral cleaner and rinsed off with clean water.

After drying, apply car wax paste to form a protective film and delay aging.

Frequency: Once a month (once a week for outdoor use).

Aluminum alloy material

Tools: Stainless steel cleaner, car coating agent, soft-bristled brush.

Step:

Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the dust from the heat dissipation holes to prevent blockage.

Wipe the surface oxide layer (if it turns slightly black) with a stainless steel cleaner.

Apply car coating agent to enhance corrosion resistance.

Frequency: once every quarter (once a month in coastal areas).

Flame-retardant plastic material

Tools: Soft cloth, warm water, special polishing paste for plastics.

Step:

Soften the surface stains with warm water and wipe with a soft cloth.

Apply plastic polishing paste to the scratched area and grind in the same direction.

Avoid high temperatures and direct sunlight (such as on the dashboard of a car).

Frequency: Once every two months (once a month in high-temperature environments).

2. Protective measures

Outdoor charging station

Install a rain cover (IP65 grade) to prevent short circuits caused by rainwater infiltration.

Regularly inspect the sealing strips of the rain cover. Replace them if they are aged.

Portable charger

After charging, store it in a waterproof storage case (such as the Pelican 1040 model) to avoid squeezing and deformation.

Original foam shock-absorbing pads should be used during transportation to prevent damage from drops.

Second, fault handling and repair

Material aging and repair

Cracking of PC/ABS

Reasons: Long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays and sudden temperature changes.

Fix:

Clean the cracked area and sand it smooth with sandpaper.

Apply the special glue for PC/ABS (such as Loctite 326) and apply pressure to cure for 24 hours.

Spray the surface with the same color paint to restore the appearance.

Aluminum alloy corrosion

Reason: Acid rain, salt spray environment.

Fix:

Sand the corroded area with sandpaper (800 mesh or above).

Apply aluminum alloy anti-rust agent (such as WD-40 Specialist).

Severe corrosion requires replacement of the casing (with a cost of approximately 200 to 500 yuan).

2. Physical damage repair

Scratch repair

PC/ABS: Use a car scratch repair pen (color matching), fill along the scratch and then polish.

Aluminum alloy: Minor scratches can be wiped with metal polishing paste (such as Autosol).

Deformation repair

Flame-retardant plastics: Slight deformation can be corrected by slowly heating with a hot air gun (below 60℃) and applying external force at the same time.

Aluminum alloy: Severe deformation requires return to the factory for repair (with high costs).

Third, precautions

Avoid chemical corrosion:

Do not use cleaning agents containing ammonia or chlorine (such as 84 disinfectant), as they will accelerate the aging of the material.

Sulfides in the exhaust gas of fuel vehicles can corrode aluminum alloys. Charging piles should be kept away from exhaust outlets.

Temperature control

The long-term working temperature of PC/ABS material should be ≤85℃; otherwise, it will soften and deform.

The blockage of the heat dissipation holes in the aluminum alloy will cause the internal temperature to rise and needs to be cleaned regularly.

Child protection

After storage, the portable charger should be placed out of the reach of children to prevent the casing from being damaged due to biting.

Fourth, Summary

The maintenance of the charger casing needs to be planned based on the material characteristics:

PC/ABS: Focus on UV protection and scratch prevention, and apply wax regularly.

Aluminum alloy: Focus on anti-corrosion and anti-clogging, and apply regular coating.

Flame-retardant plastics: Focus on preventing high temperatures and deformation, and avoid compression.

If the casing shows severe aging or damage, it is recommended to contact the brand's after-sales service to replace the original casing (for example, the cost of replacing the casing of a Tesla charging pile is about 800 to 1,200 yuan), to avoid losing more than you gain. Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of the casing by 3 to 5 years and reduce potential safety hazards.