Tesla NACS to CCS Adapter Release Button Extender

⚠ Safety Concerns ⚠

• There was some concern by folks that this could lead to people disconnecting the NACS cable while charging was still engaged. I’ve done some research and discovered that there is, in fact, a mechanical locking mechanism to prevent this.  If you look between the two charging pins on the CCS side you’ll see a small pin. This is engaged when the CCS side is inserted into the car and physically prevents the NACS release button from working. This is why all instructions ask you to insert the adapter onto the cable first, then insert it into the car. 
  

  

Description

This is an attempt to make it easier to press the NACS release button on your NACS to CCS adapter from Tesla.  After you remove the adapter from the car, you need to then release it from the NACS cable.  The button is on the bottom of the unit in an awkward location.

This idea was initially inspired by a fellow Rivian club member asking if anyone had experience with https://makerworld.com/en/models/1222088-release-lever-for-official-tesla-nacs-adapter.  That adapter actually works quite well.  You naturally squeeze the lever to release the button as you're holding onto the adapter.  The only thing I didn't particularly care for was the fact that it protrudes out and can easily get caught on something if you're storing your adapter in a door pocket or something like that.  So, I set out to come up with a different solution that was as form-fitting as possible and this is what I came up with.

Installation/Use

📷  See the photos.  They're in assembly order.

The large block will be inserted where your thumb would normally go when pressing the release button.  It's designed to fit very snugly and stay in place.  This is actually the only thing holding it to the adapter.  However, because we're working with tapered edges and plastic on plastic, it needs a little bit of help to stay in place.  I placed a very small strip of double-sided tape (I just used normal Scotch brand) on the release button itself (the side your thumb would press against).  Then, just slide this extension into the hole.  It's slightly tapered, so it should engage with the tape only once it's almost all the way inserted.  Just press firmly and it should sit pretty much flush.  That's it.

Now that it is installed, you should be able to insert the NACS cable and a new button will be available on the top-side of the cable.  To release the NACS cable, I find this to work well/feel natural:

1. release adapter from the car

2. hold adapter in your non-dominant hand

3. hold NACS cable in dominant hand with thumb on button extension

4. depress button extension to release lock on NACS cable

5. use the pressure of your thumb to "push" the adapter off the NACS cable.

Printing  

• Nothing too exciting here, but I do recommend a sturdy material.  I'm using PETG-GF for mine (Tinmorry Frosted Carter Yellow).

• Print flat with the large block facing the bed.

• Enable snug supports.

• I used the default 2 perimeters and 15% gyroid infill, but you could enable more perimeters to help make it stronger.

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