[evtinker]

I may have mentioned this before, but this seems like a missed opportunity for EVSE manufacturers. Adding a light to the plug, maybe shining out around the pins, and perhaps triggered by the release button would make charging at night much easier. Virtually all the public charging stations I have used don’t have sufficient lighting to make things easy, and at home I usually plug in by touch rather than walk to the other side of the garage to turn the light on. The light circuit on my garage door opener died over a decade ago.

 

[Racer X]

On my 2020 Bolt EV LT I installed a stick on chargerlight. $29 and it automatically switches on when you open the port door and shuts off automatically. The original batteries lasted for 2 years on mine.

 

[j z]

Cut length to size and just tuck it in around the perimeter of the chargeport. It fits perfectly snug in there and does not interfere with the charge plug or door.
View attachment 47435

this works great, thanks for sharing

 

[FlashBoltEUV]

I bought this charge port light from a seller on Etsy. It is 3D printed with a switch that activates when you open the charge port door and then shuts off automatically after 30 seconds. It works really well in my EUV and only cost $30 plus tax and shipping which was very low.

Chevy Bolt EV & EUV Charging Port Light - Etsy

 

[JDPaskal]

Why not use flashlight mode on your cellphone when needed?
Price is right... free.

 

[gillmj24]

Why not use flashlight mode on your cellphone when needed?
Price is right... free.

A light J1772 plug sure but a heavy CCS plug at a public charger (ok those are usually better lit but not always) takes two hands to do it safely.

Nissan, Tesla have had lights on the charge ports without an extra $495. Nissan Leaf just 2 simple LEDs that shine left and right on the Chademo and the J1772 receptacles. It's easier than putting Supercruise in a car and shouldn't cost 1/5-1/4 of supercruise.

 

[jmcbrew]

Why not use flashlight mode on your cellphone when needed?
Price is right... free.

For me, it’s mostly because I already have my hands full when I’m getting out of the car. I use the same stick on light as the OP. Works great, and cheap! I’m on the original battery, even though I have accidentally left it on all night.

 

[rudiger]

Cut length to size and just tuck it in around the perimeter of the chargeport. It fits perfectly snug in there and does not interfere with the charge plug or door.
View attachment 47435

Cut length to size and just tuck it in around the perimeter of the chargeport. It fits perfectly snug in there and does not interfere with the charge plug or door.
View attachment 47435

Out of curiosity, why did you go with green? There appear to be other colors, and blue might be a better choice. Or maybe even red since that's the color that has the least impact on eyes adjusting in darkness.

The best color for illumination is probably white but, unfortunately, that's the 'one' color that's 'not' available.

 

[you27]

Out of curiosity, why did you go with green? There appear to be other colors, and blue might be a better choice. Or maybe even red since that's the color that has the least impact on eyes adjusting in darkness.

The best color for illumination is probably white but, unfortunately, that's the 'one' color that's 'not' available.

no particular reason. I guess because OEM light is green so I went with that.

 

[rudiger]

no particular reason. I guess because OEM light is green so I went with that.

Didn't know the OEM light was green. If that's what GM is using, I hope there's a good reason, at least good enough to use the same color for an aftermarket light, as well.

 

[p7wang]

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[ElectricSlide]

Hi there,
Found a cheap and easy way to add a light inside the charge port. Bought these super small stick-on LED lights on Amazon. Batteries are replaceable and they are waterproof. Some of the reviews mentioned that they don’t stick super well so I’ll probably use some 3M indoor/outdoor mounting tape to beef that up.

I first tried sticking it along the inside vertical edge of the port itself, just outside of the actual round port receptacle but that made it harder to press the on button plus I noticed some resistance when closing the port door. It seems as if the oval rubber gasket on the door actually fits slightly inside the port opening and was hitting the LED so I opted for mounting it on the door itself. There seems to be plenty of clearance when closing.

The only word of caution I would give with it on the door is to not press the light to turn on without bracing the port door from behind. That’s a lot of stress to put on what appears to be plastic hinges.

Where I placed my light, I can easily put four fingers on the outside of the door and press the on button of the light with my thumb, putting no stress on the door hinges. You could place it a little higher as well if you have smaller hands.

Here’s the link to the lights.

LUXPRO Waterproof Micro LED Puck Lights - Adhesive Lighting Ideal for Under Cabinets, in Tackle Boxes, or On Bookcases - Includes Batteries - 5 Pack
https://a.co/d/0YaseMF
View attachment 47393 View attachment 47394

I use a similar light glued (the self-stick backing plus some added silicone adhesive) to the door, closer to the outer perimeter of the door to avoid the jack/receptacle, and to clear the charging door plunger switch.

Unfortunately, the light I used had a thinner, somewhat flexible construction that allowed the internal power cells to lose continuity.
Is the light you used quite rigid?
Does it have a push-on, push-off switch?

Mounting a light in this area seems to
direct illumination onto the needed area better than the flexible ring wrapped around/behind the jack/receptacle—too much light directed into the user’s eyes instead of onto the face of the jack/receptacle.

 

[ElectricSlide]

Hi there,
Found a cheap and easy way to add a light inside the charge port. Bought these super small stick-on LED lights on Amazon. Batteries are replaceable and they are waterproof. Some of the reviews mentioned that they don’t stick super well so I’ll probably use some 3M indoor/outdoor mounting tape to beef that up.

I first tried sticking it along the inside vertical edge of the port itself, just outside of the actual round port receptacle but that made it harder to press the on button plus I noticed some resistance when closing the port door. It seems as if the oval rubber gasket on the door actually fits slightly inside the port opening and was hitting the LED so I opted for mounting it on the door itself. There seems to be plenty of clearance when closing.

The only word of caution I would give with it on the door is to not press the light to turn on without bracing the port door from behind. That’s a lot of stress to put on what appears to be plastic hinges.

Where I placed my light, I can easily put four fingers on the outside of the door and press the on button of the light with my thumb, putting no stress on the door hinges. You could place it a little higher as well if you have smaller hands.

Here’s the link to the lights.

LUXPRO Waterproof Micro LED Puck Lights - Adhesive Lighting Ideal for Under Cabinets, in Tackle Boxes, or On Bookcases - Includes Batteries - 5 Pack
https://a.co/d/0YaseMF
View attachment 47393 View attachment 47394

Thanks for the post. I’ve been using another, similar product for the last couple years,

Small Stick On LED Lights - BUTTON LAMP™- Panther Vision

Our BUTTON LAMP™ Ultra-Bright, Stick on LED lights have all the power of a regular lamp, but in a tiny, economical package. Shop Today!

www.panthervision.com

BUT, it doesn’t work well in this application. The shell seems to be too soft/flexible/subject to temperature, so the batteries lose contact. I had to cut open the case, solder the battery/connections, and reseal.

The product you suggest is more rigid (though a bit bigger). I mounted the previous product on the charge door, outside of the elliptical seal, but the LUXPRO fits best where you mounted it (I didn’t think there’d be enough clearance, but it fits!) I’m just a little concerned that any impact on the charge door might push the light into, and damage, the charge port—we’ll see. An impact there would probably be severe enough to damage the port, anyway.

I prefer the door placement of a light. It is positioned to cast light into the “work area” better than a comparatively flat/recessed light that would shine primarily into your eyes, away from the area of interest, despite the trendy, futuristic look. I also leave a lower charge port 3D printed support, that one one the members offered for sale, to assist with DCFC plugs, so a wrapped “rope” or “snake” light could only wrap the upper portion of the charge port recess.

 

[gillmj24]

I bought this charge port light from a seller on Etsy. It is 3D printed with a switch that activates when you open the charge port door and then shuts off automatically after 30 seconds. It works really well in my EUV and only cost $30 plus tax and shipping which was very low.

Chevy Bolt EV & EUV Charging Port Light - Etsy

Mine does not turn on when you open the charge port the first time. Have to close and re-open, or just press the button.

Also the double stick tape failed in less than a week and it wasn't even that cold here (35 this morning). I have better tape that I'll have to cut to fit, but disappointed so far...

 

[IStream]

Have you contacted the seller?

 

[gillmj24]

Yes, I asked if it was normal operation that it didn't turn on the first time you opennthe door, waiting to hear back. My wife was out trying to charge and said "something just fell out, what is it?"

 

[IStream]

Please report back on what you find out. Mine's sticking fine but if he had a run of bad switches or other issues, it'd be nice to find out.

 

[FlashBoltEUV]

Mine does not turn on when you open the charge port the first time. Have to close and re-open, or just press the button.

Also the double stick tape failed in less than a week and it wasn't even that cold here (35 this morning). I have better tape that I'll have to cut to fit, but disappointed so far...

Your experience is completely different from mine. Mine works every time flawlessly and stayed in place even when the temperature dropped down to single digits F. My questions are 1.) Do you push the charge port door in slightly when you open the door or do you push it delicately? I always push it a little and 2.) Did you clean the port before sticking on the tape? If there is any dirt in there, it could be interfering with the adhesive.

 

[Tom HB]

Yes, I asked if it was normal operation that it didn't turn on the first time you opennthe door, waiting to hear back. My wife was out trying to charge and said "something just fell out, what is it?"

I just received mine last week. It works the same. It appears to me the switch used is a press to operate the light type. Its got a 20 second auto off timer. I close the door and the light goes on. If I open I have to press the button for the light to come on. I’m expecting shorter battery life because of this.
I‘ll probably keep it, but would not recommend or would not have bought it if I’d have known that the switch is actually the opposite of what it should be.

EDIT! CORRECTION!!!!!!!!
I just verified as long as I don’t press the button manually to turn on the light, the light will not turn on by simply closing the door. So opening and closing the door will not cycle on the light. I would recommend this light. Just be aware it’s manually operated. Press the button and the light comes on. I’d rather do that then have it on when I open the door. This should help the battery last.

 

[BoltEUV]

Cut length to size and just tuck it in around the perimeter of the chargeport. It fits perfectly snug in there and does not interfere with the charge plug or door.
View attachment 47435

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