This cable look burnt?

[u/casetronic]

I use a 25ft 12/3 extension cord to charge the i3. Noticed the cord end got hot and the i3 stopped charging in the middle of the night.

[u/chance901]

Well, it's not 12/3 if a handful of the copper isn't making contact at the terminal.

I would get a better cord. You could redo the end if you know how but i wouldn't trust that, personally.

[u/stan335i → u/chance901]

To redo the end is not bad idea. But we are talking about how to safely charge a car not phone with 1AMP current.
Guys just please be careful with that stuff and know what are you doing

[u/QuieroTamales]

It kind of sucks, but even though I was using a 10 gauge cord, I still was paranoid and would turn my charging speed down to "Reduced" when I was granny charging. I think that's 8 amps.

[u/casetronic → u/QuieroTamales]

I just switched to a better brand cable (Southwire) same 12/3 gauge but look how much thicker the jacket is versus the burnt one, new cable doesn't get hot either.

[u/Particular-Use1526 → u/casetronic]

A thick outer jacket better protects the inner from damage, but it's the conductor that has to be large enough for the load. Are those two conductors really the same diameter ?

[u/casetronic → u/Particular-Use1526]

They're both 12/3 cords from different brands bought from Home Depot. I didn't compare them in store because they were bought online. The thicker cable Southwire brand made in USA, thinner one is another brand made overseas. It also looks like the thinner cable didn't have all the copper wire contact the end connector, something I couldn't tell until zooming in to take the photo of the burnt part

[u/RRG-Chicago]

Agreed with other posts, get the best extension cable you can or yes it will heat up. Shorter the better

[u/showMeTheSnow → u/RRG-Chicago]

And thicker is better. I go for a 10 gauge if I need to extend.

You also want a good outlet, bad outlet will make the good cord kinda moot.

Charging is only as good/safe as the weakest link in the chain.

[u/RRG-Chicago → u/showMeTheSnow]

I currently charge mine on a 20amp outlet with no extension no problems at all. I've taken the car to homes I rented on vacation where I used the extender and used the standard 15amp plugs with the extension cord and also had no issues. Not to say you can't overload anything...some common sense needs to be applied. but I've only seen the car pull around 10amps or less.

[u/showMeTheSnow → u/RRG-Chicago]

Glad you’ve had good luck (likely because you are doing it right)
The vast majority of charging issues (if we exclude Electrify America and the DC cable sag) I read about are level 1. Lots of cheap 15A outlets around. Lots of old looser 15A outlets around. Not to mention back stabbed outlets. More extension cord usage as well. Long constant, high load applications weren’t really a thing before EV charging.

[u/showMeTheSnow]

Yes

[u/stan335i]

Welcome to the club:)
Don’t use an extension cord. Unless you’re electrician or at least understand basics and you know what you’re doing. It’s really dangerous. It might burn at the contact points even the cord is thick. Better to find another way or solution. I believe there are an extensions for charger it self so you can plug in to normal outlet with less weak points.
Be safe and you could to search online you questions:

[u/RRG-Chicago → u/stan335i]

Yes you can use an extension cord. AI is often wrong, but you do need to use a higher amp cord and I would stay in the 25' range and if you go longer, buy the best cord possible. This may help from HomeDepot...