[brian_]

The connectors that I have are female and have a number molded on: "FIP NW18-90 PA66 GF 30". There are two different size connectors the other one has molded on it: "FIP NW16-90."

It appears that

• NW is a VDA connector type specification for coolant connections
• 16 or 18 is the size portion of the standard dimension spec (so the connector is NW16 or NW18 size)
• 90 is probably the angle (a right-angle connector)
• PA66 and GF30 are a material specification - from a supplier web page:
  • "PA66 (GF30 housing and retainer) stabilized against heat and hydrolysis effect for direct contact with coolant"

Do these connectors have female pipe threads in the other end? Then "FIP" would be "Female Iron Pipe", meaning inside threads of the NPT ("National Pipe - Tapered") type.

Knowing what the codes refer to might help in searching for connectors. There appear to be a few suppliers of NW16 and NW18 quick connectors, but I have no idea of a suitable source for small quantities.

 

[dlud]

It appears that

• NW is a VDA connector type specification for coolant connections
• 16 or 18 is the size portion of the standard dimension spec (so the connector is NW16 or NW18 size)
• 90 is probably the angle (a right-angle connector)
• PA66 and GF30 are a material specification - from a supplier web page:
  • "PA66 (GF30 housing and retainer) stabilized against heat and hydrolysis effect for direct contact with coolant"

Do these connectors have female pipe threads in the other end? Then "FIP" would be "Female Iron Pipe", meaning inside threads of the NPT ("National Pipe - Tapered") type.

Knowing what the codes refer to might help in searching for connectors. There appear to be a few suppliers of NW16 and NW18 quick connectors, but I have no idea of a suitable source for small quantities.

The other one end is a male ribbed end with corrugated tubing sealed with a heat shrink material. The fitting looks similar to the Norma PS3 16. Unfortunately they aren’t widely available in the US. I did find one on line and ordered it for comparison.

 

[MesquiteTim]

Cooling connector for 6,2 kWh Tesla battery module - EVcreate

Elbow cooling connector for modules from Tesla 100 kWh battery pack.

www.evcreate.nl

I found this one a couple of months ago. I think someone found a compatible connector on this forum but I can't recall the conversation off the top of my head. Maybe a search here will turn up something?

 

[dlud]

Cooling connector for 6,2 kWh Tesla battery module - EVcreate

Elbow cooling connector for modules from Tesla 100 kWh battery pack.

www.evcreate.nl

I found this one a couple of months ago. I think someone found a compatible connector on this forum but I can't recall the conversation off the top of my head. Maybe a search here will turn up something?

I did look at that connector in my search and it is different than the female connectors on my T 3 battery pack.

 

[remy_martian]

That's for the S/X module, not the 3.

 

[dlud]

That's for the S/X module, not the 3.

Yes. I think I may have the correct connector identified. I ordered one to verify and will update on receipt.

 

[dlud]

I ordered and received a Norma PS3 90 degree NW16 connector. It looked hopeful as a match for the Tesla 3 battery pack coolant connectors. However, the dimensions are wrong...it doesn't work. The search continues.

 

[remy_martian]

Might have to make one 😬

So you can't get one from a salvage yard and modify it?

Did you check with the Tesla parts department to see if they have a repair kit which might have a connector in it, as they do occasionally leak, iirc?

 

[brian_]

Did you check with the Tesla parts department to see if they have a repair kit which might have a connector in it, as they do occasionally leak, iirc?

Tesla's online parts catalog only shows some external components of the battery pack (skid rails, etc), not internal components... so no plumbing connectors. It appears that if a Tesla service centre needs to fix an internal leak, they swap the entire battery pack.

 

[dlud]

Might have to make one 😬

So you can't get one from a salvage yard and modify it?

Did you check with the Tesla parts department to see if they have a repair kit which might have a connector in it, as they do occasionally leak, iirc?

I'm currently checking with a couple of salvage yards to see if they have just the connectors. One option is to thread the inside of connectors on the battery pack but that would be my last choice as I am thinking that it would weaken a part that is already vulnerable to cracking/breaking from what I understand.

 

[remy_martian]

A closeup pic of that connection would be nice...

 

[dlud]

A closeup pic of that connection would be nice...

Here is the one I’m trying to replace.

 

[remy_martian]

I meant the mating end...

 

[dlud]

Here are photos of the smaller male part of the quick connector. The id is 12mm.

 

[remy_martian]

So, I'm guessing the ID doesn't matter and that there's an o-ring that mates with the OD and a clip retains the fitting on one of those grooves.

Should be pretty straight forward to machine if you can't find a ready-made one. Could even resin 3d print some. So, not a dead end if you can't find or mod an existing one.

 

[dlud]

No, the id doesn't really matter except that in looking at different manufacturers of quick connects for coolant a number of them list them by id. For example, Dorman 800-290. I'm hoping that someone at some time has identified the manufacturer/model used by Tesla.
You are correct: there is an o ring on the inside of the female connector and a wire retainer holding the connectors together.

 

[remy_martian]

You sure the ID that's listed is the flow diameter? Seems strange that it's not the mating pipe OD.

 

[dlud]

You sure the ID that's listed is the flow diameter? Seems strange that it's not the mating pipe OD.

I agree. They do refer to male barbed fittings by Id for some of the connectors. Odd.

 

[remy_martian]

This one?

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