[North America] - FAQ: the ultimate guide to the Porsche EVSE PMC+/PMCC/PWCC

[daveo4EV]

Recent forum post about Porsche EVSE which had cable replaced and software updated by the recall:
Charger Fault - Device Temperature Too Low

wow a whole "new" set of problems - impressive…

 

[daveo4EV]

based on a few early reports - I'm going to suggest that the new power supply cable is at best a mixed bag - the thermal sensor does in fact seem to be present and do it's job (hot temps lead to reduced charging rate/current) - but also faulty thermal sensor data can "confuse" the unit and it will refuse to operate - there does seem to be thicker wire (8 AWG) - but so far that does not seem to make things dramatically better…

I think Porsche has successfully release a new power supply cable that will avoid "melting" cheaper-non-industrial grade NEMA sockets in North America…so yeah they've accomplished that goal.

so far based on published reports I've seen nothing that makes the PMC+/PMCC a reliable/effective EVSE - it seems to me it "sucks less" than it did - but is still not a high-quality EVSE with the recalled power supply cable…

my 100%-biased opinion is you're still better off with an alternative EVSE even if your unit has the new part

I welcome actual experience, pictures and data…

the top alternative EVSE's remain (in random order)

• Wallbox
• ChargePoint Flex
• Juicebox
• Tesla Universal Wall Charger
• Autel
• virtually any other non-Porsche EVSE

YMMV - but the PMC+/PMCC are problematic EVSE's even with the recall parts installed.

 

[daveo4EV]

also testing your new power supply cable with your Porsche EVSE during a heat wave might not give us the best data as to if the new cable is actually an improvement (unless it works really really well for an 8 hour marathon charging session in ambient 120F weather)

 

[d00d]

The Tesla EVSE drops from 10 kW to 5 kW after about an hour in hot weather, unless it's the car doing that.

 

[Jonathan S.]

The Tesla EVSE drops from 10 kW to 5 kW after about an hour in hot weather, unless it's the car doing that.

I definitely have no such problem with my Tesla Universal Wall Charger. Temps though probably haven’t gotten much above 80F.

 

[d00d]

It's been mid to upper 80s, although it may be how it's wired, I'll have to take a look at that.

 

[vallejojo]

Looks like there is another wall charger being released soon. https://shop.porschedowntowntoronto.com/products/porsche-wallbox
Help is on the way!

 

[Tooney]

Porsche EVSE with "new charger cable":
New charger cable plug points away from wall
July 31, 20224

 

[daveo4EV]

Porsche EVSE with "new charger cable":
New charger cable plug points away from wall
July 31, 20224

post #1 updated at @Tooney request - new cables seem to have better wire gauge, thermal sensor, but have the NEMA 14-50P oriented "away" from the wall - meaning you have to twist the cable to plug it in - if true for all "new" recall cables this is an embarrassing failure of design/details in the recalled cable - Porsche seems to be handicapped in dealing with this product - they managed to snatch defeat from the Jaws of Victory at the last moment!

 

[daveo4EV]

Porsche EVSE with "new charger cable":
New charger cable plug points away from wall
July 31, 20224

I just unpacked my original PMCC from my 2021 Cayenne eHybrid…

recall cable matches the original/natural orientation of the pre-recall factory cable - mine twists and re-orients quite easily - in my mind this is a non-issue - but people are welcome to their own opinion.

in my case plugging in the original unit also required the cable to be 'twisted' - there appears to be sufficient flexibility in the cable materials that this does not appears to place un-do stress on the cable - it has quite a bit of "twist" freedom with minimal resistance.

the requirement to "twist" the cable NEMA 14-50P head to plug it into the wall matches original product 100% - this is not new with the recall cable based on my factory unit.

 

[daveo4EV]

Progress, Progress, Progress

new NEMA 14-50/6-50 cables seem to be available in limited quantities but they are trickling out…

software update for the PMCC unit seems to be in place - no release notes, but the even-money guess is the software update is required to integrate with the new thermal sensor embedded in the new cables - if the cable gets too hot presumably the new software will reduce the charging load (slowing the charge speed) to reduce the thermal demands - but no official notice - but reasonable speculation…

the PMC basic and PMC+ units had no obvious way to update software - so those owners have been out of luck to date - that now seems to be resolved

https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/threads/tsb-wpu1-–-pmc-supply-charging-cable-with-nema-power-plug-and-updating-charger-software-july-5-2024.20778/#post-318390

so it would appear - Porsche now has all the moving parts in place - new cable and software that they can provide the remedy for the recall…

this update should have the power supply cable running cooler - and it should no longer melt sub-standard NEMA sockets if the cable experiences thermal stress

YMMV - but those are the facts as I know them to be as of this date/time

 

[intown]

Thanks all for this thread and all the other questions and answers. I have tried to read as much as I can.

I just purchased a 2023 Taycan Cross Turismo with the 19.2 KW option. Super excited for it to arrive.


Based on it being the Fall of 2024. I had a few questions:

1. Does the PMCC (Porsche Mobile Charger) still suck? Is it worth buying & using? If you need a new charger to keep in the car, would you purchase this or get a 3rd party one?

2. Does the PWCC (the dedicated wall charger) work well? If you were looking for a 19.2 KW charger would you consider this for $1,600? or would a less expensive 3rd Party one work just as well?

3. Is the new version of the PWCC out yet? Would you consider it?

4. Is the full 19.2 KW capacity really needed? Or does a 12 KW charger work just as well? The car has the larger battery and will be used for around town trips, nothing major.


Thanks so much!

 

[daveo4EV]

Thanks all for this thread and all the other questions and answers. I have tried to read as much as I can.

I just purchased a 2023 Taycan Cross Turismo with the 19.2 KW option. Super excited for it to arrive.


Based on it being the Fall of 2024. I had a few questions:

1. Does the PMCC (Porsche Mobile Charger) still suck? Is it worth buying & using? If you need a new charger to keep in the car, would you purchase this or get a 3rd party one?

2. Does the PWCC (the dedicated wall charger) work well? If you were looking for a 19.2 KW charger would you consider this for $1,600? or would a less expensive 3rd Party one work just as well?

3. Is the new version of the PWCC out yet? Would you consider it?

4. Is the full 19.2 KW capacity really needed? Or does a 12 KW charger work just as well? The car has the larger battery and will be used for around town trips, nothing major.


Thanks so much!

welcome

1. the PMCC is still a 9.6 kW big and heavy mobile EVSE - with the new cable it sucks less but is still less than ideal - I'd recommend you start with it - and if its making you unhappy don't hesitate to replace it - but if it works fine for you - no reason to spend the money
   1. basically as long as it works and gives you no drama put up with it - the moment it's temperamental bail out and don't look back - some people have literally no issues - others it's a nightmare and replacements are better - good news it's easy to swap if it's not going well and will only take a couple of days for the new EVSE to be ordered and show up.
2. the PWCC is better and adjustable in terms of amps to match your breaker size - it works well by all accounts but has reported issues with non-Porsche EV's - but works well with Porsche EV's - it's a bit pricey and it's hardwired, but it's one of the best options for a full 19.2 kW charger if you can pair it with a 100 amp dedicated 240V circuit
3. I don't know if the new PWCC is available - no idea if it's any good
4. "needed" is such a loaded term - faster is always better but sometimes makes no difference - a full charge at 9.6 kW can take 10+ hours (from 10% or less to 100%) - with 19.2 kW it will take 6 hours or less for the same charge - that being said most daily driving is 30% or less battery usage so 9.6/11kW is more than enough to top-off the battery in 3 hour or less overnight while you're sleeping
   1. you wont' find many 19.2 kW charging opportunities while away from home - they just are not a thing in North America - so if you get it it will only be beneficial if you have a 70/80/90/100 amp EVSE installed at your home/work/vacation home
      1. otherwise many/most/nearly-all chargers you use while away from home are 9 kW or less (6 kW is very common) - so the 19.2 kW max rate is "wasted" for most "public" commercial charging.
   2. the question is: does it matter to you if it take 3 hour or 1 hour to charge your daily use while you are sleeping? Either way the car will be ready by 7 or 8 am no matter how long it takes based your profile/timer schedules…many feel it makes no difference how fast the car charges overnight cause you're not waiting for it. And they have a 100% completely valid point.
   3. charging speed only matters while you're waiting - and if most of your charging is overnight - it doesn't really matter how long it takes.

good luck and welcome!

 

[intown]

@daveo4EV Thanks so much for all the information! And makes sense.

I will see what shows up in the car, sometimes you never know.

Given the price, need to be hardwired, will probably start out with a 9.6 KW or 12 KW charger. They are fixing the brake recall, so it could be several weeks before it arrives.

I do not see many days when I will be putting big miles on the car, even then most days would be 20 to 40 miles.


Thanks again!

 

[Tooney]

I recommend not relying on any Porsche-branded EVSE if you are in USA. Should you ever need support, troubleshooting, answers about installation or operation, Porsche dealer service and PCNA customer service will not be able to help you.

For more info and reviews of home EVSE than you ever wanted to know, check out Tom Molouhney State of Charge YouTube channel.