Rodent Season

[john1000uk]

Its that time of year again. Does anyone have any thoughts on, should we leave our charging cables trailing on the ground whilst overnight charging for potential chewing on by rodents?
I was thinking of a light coil of the cable around the charger to shorten it enough so it hangs in the air a foot or so up on its way to the car.

 

[Ruislip Resident]

Never had it happen.

 

[Ian Key]

As far as I know no one has reported any problems with rodents chewing charging cables. The problem with having it up in the air is if someone walks into it and damages the car's charging port.

 

[john1000uk]

Yes worth thinking about ( walking into it).

 

[Alb]

My car is under camera surveillance during charging and the only creatures I've seen are cats, foxes and hedgehogs. All of them completely ignore the cable.

 

[john1000uk]

Nice one.

 

[dsimpkins]

You could always spray the cable with anti-marten spray. It's designed to be used on electrical cables to deter rodents from chewing on them. It's either scent based, or leaves a sticky texture. Suggest a scent based one for this use.

 

[Biker67]

Spraying the cable with a solution of peppermint oil mixed with water. Will keep mice from chewing it. Not sure if it works for rats as well?

 

[john1000uk]

Interesting

With a partner who has a keen sense of smell I regret non of the scented methods will be used.

 

[dsimpkins]

The scent based ones use pheromones of rodent pedators, so possibly not detectable by even the most sensitive of noses.

You could spray it on the ground where the cable normally is. It's designed to be used in sheds, garages, and loft spaces too.

 

[john1000uk]

I use the removable cable. Ridiculous as it seems its too big a chance to take that my beloved will smell it.

 

[Jazzyboy]

How big are the rodents where you live....wow

 

[salty]

 

[Giller]

Never ever had an issue.

 

[Giller]

View attachment 46007

Need cheese Gromet!!

 

[john1000uk]

Looks like Salty has nailed it

 

[Pete G]

It is not just the charging cable we need to be worried about with rodents.
A rat chewed on my 12 volt battery and ate a hole in one corner. And also ate a hole in the brake booster hose. The car threw up all sorts of fault codes and went into turtle mode when I tried to use it.
Fortunately I found the hole in the brake booster hose, and replaced it with a piece of plastic hose and the problem was fixed.
I now park our car in a brick shed that is on our land about 80 metres from the house. The carport at the house is just not safe for the car until I enclose it and rodent proof it.

 

[T1 Terry]

WD 40 works wonders, it is known as Cat P*ss in the trade around here, so there might be something to the colloquial naming ..... I do know not even rabbits will chew on anything sprayed with it.
Most definitely do not roll the cable up when carrying any load, between the heat problem and the electrical anomalies you could/would produce, the cable being chewed would be the least of your problems ........

T1 Terry

 

[T1 Terry]

View attachment 46007

The teeth and ears are smaller and less facial hair than the local variety, the rest is a close facsimile, often seen balancing on a high chair outside the pub drinking beer, then riding off on their Milwaukee tractors .......

T1 Terry

 

[MG Clive]

It sounds like a good (but expensive) way to eliminate the rodent population, I suspect they would only chew through the cable once