How to set up BrilliantSmart plug

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PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#300579 20-Sep-2022 09:09

I want to use a BrilliantSmart WiFi controlled plug to manage the charging of my EV.
What I want to be able to do is:
Only on the days I want to charge, I want to say "Charge for 8 hours but delay the start of charging until 11.00pm".
I can find no instructions to tell me how to set this up.
I have bought a BrilliantSmart 20676/05.

Can anyone help me with this? (go easy - absolute newbie)

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#2970366 20-Sep-2022 09:19

Maximum Load2400W, 5V 1500mA

If you're intending to use this to switch the entire charger on and off, then it's way way way way way outside spec and I wouldn't even bother. It could I guess be used to switch a much higher current relay of sorts, but please don't use it direct.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

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rp1790

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#2970368 20-Sep-2022 09:20

These plugs are either on or off, so you are looking in the app to create a scheduled event starting "ON at 11pm" and "Off at 7am".

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2970370 20-Sep-2022 09:23

Yes, I'm wanting to set up such a schedule, but can't see how I can achieve that without it being an everyday event.

The plug is rated at 10amps and the charger only charges at 8 amps, so should be quite safe to use for this purpose.

trig42

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#2970371 20-Sep-2022 09:23

Talkiet:

Maximum Load2400W, 5V 1500mA

If you're intending to use this to switch the entire charger on and off, then it's way way way way way outside spec and I wouldn't even bother. It could I guess be used to switch a much higher current relay of sorts, but please don't use it direct.

Cheers - N

2400W is 10A.

So long as the OP is only using a 10A charger, this plug will work, though right at it's design limit.

I'd assume the BrilliantSmart plugs have an app you download to use them. You'd just need to create schedule in the App.

OP - does your car not have a scheduler built in?

Talkiet

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#2970372 20-Sep-2022 09:26

Oh - I had no idea there were car chargers that slow!!!

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

trig42

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#2970373 20-Sep-2022 09:26

PSLog: Yes, I'm wanting to set up such a schedule, but can't see how I can achieve that without it being an everyday event.

The plug is rated at 10amps and the charger only charges at 8 amps, so should be quite safe to use for this purpose.

It won't matter if it's an everyday event. If the car is plugged in, it will charge according to the schedule. If not, then the plug will turn on at 11pm and off at 7am, but not do anything else (like leaving a power switch on, the power isn't going anywhere).

rp1790

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#2970374 20-Sep-2022 09:27

PSLog: Yes, I'm wanting to set up such a schedule, but can't see how I can achieve that without it being an everyday event.

The plug is rated at 10amps and the charger only charges at 8 amps, so should be quite safe to use for this purpose.

Yes, you'd need to set the schedule to be every day, and just physically plug in the charger on the days you want it to charge...then the plug will turn on at 11pm that day and off at 7am the next.

Talkiet

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#2970376 20-Sep-2022 09:30

The most complex option is to integrate the plug with a home automation system like Homeassistant where you can use more complex day and time based rules... That's a lot of effort though and homeassistant loves pushing updates with breaking changes so it's a lifelong management commitment.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

openmedia

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#2970378 20-Sep-2022 09:50

Pair the plug with the Tuya App and you can provide schedules via the app.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Stu

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#2970379 20-Sep-2022 09:53

If the Brilliant Smart app is limited to every day of the week, use a different app. For my Brilliant Smart devices I use Lenovo Link Pro. Scheduling is better, at the very least. You could also use the Tuya Smart app (but I can't recall what the scheduling options are like).

ETA: beaten to it. Too slow typing on the phone!

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davidcole

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#2970401 20-Sep-2022 10:12

I thought most evs had their own way of scheduling. I wouldn't have thought running a $<insert price of car here> through a $20 rebadged tuya smart plug would have been advisable.

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PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2970427 20-Sep-2022 10:59

Open Media, that seems to be the best solution.
Tuya have provided a comprehensive user manual whereas BrilliantSmart provided (essentially) nothing.
So, if I can't set it up now, it will be my own fault - not just a complete lack of instructions.

#davidcole. Sure it's an expensive (for me) car but I don't see what possible damage could be done to the car by using a cheap and nasty smart plug to control the timing of an 8 amp charger. Can you explain? (I have been using an even cheaper electro-mechanical timer for the same purpose for the last 3 years or so)

davidcole

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#2970433 20-Sep-2022 11:14

PSLog: Open Media, that seems to be the best solution.
Tuya have provided a comprehensive user manual whereas BrilliantSmart provided (essentially) nothing.
So, if I can't set it up now, it will be my own fault - not just a complete lack of instructions.

#davidcole. Sure it's an expensive (for me) car but I don't see what possible damage could be done to the car by using a cheap and nasty smart plug to control the timing of an 8 amp charger. Can you explain? (I have been using an even cheaper electro-mechanical timer for the same purpose for the last 3 years or so)

I'd have thought the draw on the smart plug might be too much. And maybe no risk to the car, but risk that the smart plug fails/overheating/catch fire.

I've used a bunch of these brilliant plugs (I changed the firmware to something else), and if its like mine it has a usb port on it. If I charge an ipad with that, it gets really hot - but lamps seem ok in it. But they do not draw very much.

PSLog

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2970436 20-Sep-2022 11:21

Interesting.
My plug sounds the same as yours (with a USB socket) but it is rated at 10amps whereas the actual charging load is 7.5 amps. I would not have thought these would be allowed on the market if they were not capable of safely delivering 10 amps (with a safety margin.
The electro-mechanical plug that I have been using gets warm during charging - but never hot.

michaelmurfy

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#2972017 23-Sep-2022 10:31

PSA: DO NOT RUN A SMART PLUG AT 10A FOR A SUSTAINED PERIOD OF TIME!

I've seen multiple examples on the EV communities of smart plugs internally melting due to sustained load. A regular wall socket can also melt internally at a sustained load of 10a also if it isn't terminated correctly, or is a cheaper plug (also seen multiple examples of this).

If you're going to be using this smart plug to charge your EV then always set your charging ampage to 8a or lower.

@PSLog I did see you mention you charge it at a lower ampage so you should be fine but this is a PSA for everyone else before getting a smart plug. I would personally recommend something a little better than a Tuya based smart plug or even investing in a proper EVSE but I'll leave this one up to you.

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