EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) for Home Use

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#2918255 25-May-2022 09:35

I'll veer back on topic. Evnex called me about my dual charging question. For now they can't offer dual chargers with balancing, but they are working on this. Their proposal is to install 2 chargers and join then via Ethernet ready for when the software gets an update, hopefully later this year.

Temporarily we will soft lock one charger to 16A and load balance the 32A one to mitigate any risks and once that update is tested and rolled out the 16A limit can be removed. As we will be using 2 leafs I can't see any of this being an issue this year before the update so sounds like the best solution if I know eventually it will be doable.

Price wise I'm very impressed. Anyone thinking they may need 2 should absolutely look to get them done at the same time. Having two moves us in to a non standard install for both and the extra over the standard install for one I would think barely covers the cost of the rcd let alone the charger and cabling. This may be slightly discounted though as they have said can we be a test site for the software for dual monitoring.

everettpsycho

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#2919178 26-May-2022 21:17

everettpsycho: Price wise I'm very impressed. Anyone thinking they may need 2 should absolutely look to get them done at the same time. Having two moves us in to a non standard install for both and the extra over the standard install for one I would think barely covers the cost of the rcd let alone the charger and cabling. This may be slightly discounted though as they have said can we be a test site for the software for dual monitoring.

This was a pricing error, turns out they forgot to include the price if the second unit so we're massively undercharging me. $1300 just got added to the price of the quote so giving me food for thought again.

The ev power ones are tempting but I'm really struggling to find any feedback on the units, or real world photos.

https://oemaudio.co.nz/electric-vehicle-charging-products/ev-wallchargers/bcp-smart-dlb-wall-charger-32a-1p-load-bal

The temporary solution put forward by evnex may be what I end up with using another charger, for now 2 chargers limited to 16A will be plenty with one being load balanced just in case. In future I can't see us ever needing two full 7kW chargers so one being permanently soft locked to 16A shouldn't cause us too many issues as by then the range would be greater than the leafs offer.

michaelmurfy

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#2919188 26-May-2022 21:41

@everettpsycho Assuming you’re looking for a standard Type 2 charger you considered the Tesla Gen 3 chargers? They can charge any car and can load balance too (they’ve got WiFi) and come in at a cost cheaper than you’re looking at.

Just pay a sparky and job done. No need for a RCD. I’ve got a Tesla charger (also a Tesla) and have been impressed with my unit which is mounted in the elements outside.

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michaelmurfy

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#2919190 26-May-2022 21:49

Here's some screenshots from the web interface if you're interested:

Under Access Controls you can configure only specific Tesla's (for example, my wall connector will only charge my car) or allow all Tesla's or all EV's.

everettpsycho

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#2919194 26-May-2022 22:05

@michaelmurfy unfortunately the leaf uses type 1 cables, nice idea that ticked every box except having the right cable.

I was leaning towards just going untethered for whatever I get, the ones with sockets tend to have type 2 sockets the same as most public AC chargers so it's a lead I'll need with any car regardless and will avoid having to pay a sparky to replace the evse or cables if we end up with a type 2 car down the line. Also handy we could use either in either car if we end up with a mixture later which is likely to happen. I assume you can't just swap out the type 1 cable to a type 2 on these things and would need to purchase an entirely new evse to get a different connector, or use an adapter at the cars end.

cthombor

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#2919399 27-May-2022 11:59

michaelmurfy: @everettpsycho Assuming you’re looking for a standard Type 2 charger you considered the Tesla Gen 3 chargers? They can charge any car and can load balance too (they’ve got WiFi) and come in at a cost cheaper than you’re looking at.

Just pay a sparky and job done. No need for a RCD. I’ve got a Tesla charger (also a Tesla) and have been impressed with my unit which is mounted in the elements outside.

I think OP requires a standard Type 1 AC charger. They have a 24 kWh Leaf, and has said "For now if we get a second car it will likely be a cheaper 24kW leaf as the two combined should cover our needs." AFAIK the Tesla Gen 3 wall charger can't be equipped with a Type 1 tether, nor can it be equipped with the Type 2 socket that is NZTA's recommendation for public AC charging stations, nor does Tesla offer a Type 2 to J1772 adaptor.

I *think* the Gen 3 Wallbox normally sold in NZ would have a Type 2 tether. It's possible to purchase an off-brand adaptor that'll fit on the end of a Type 2 tether and plug into a Leaf. I believe the use of any of these off-brand adaptors is considered unsafe by SNZ... which of course doesn't imply that you'd electrocute yourself if you did use one... but it would be an additional expense and I think a bit of a nuisance for the OP. So... yes... technically it is possible to "charge any car" with a Tesla Gen 3, that's not so simple for what I'd guess to be the majority of EVs in NZ (these being Nissan Leafs, mostly used imports).

Even so... the Tesla Gen 3 Wallbox is quite a bit cheaper than the Evnex charger, and the offbrand Type 2 to J1772 adaptors aren't very expensive... so if OP is fine with a bit of "unsafe" practice then it might well their least-expensive option. Furthermore if they carry the adaptor around with them, they can charge at public AC charging stations which (contrary to NZTA's recommendation) have a Type 2 tethered cable.

BTW I think the Gen 3 wallbox is rated IP55, and the Evnex E & X series chargepoints are IP54... so I think neither is suitable for mounting outdoors... but that's for the installing electrician to advise!

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MikeAqua

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#2919437 27-May-2022 14:11

I'm swapping my neighbours leaf for my pajero for two weeks, while he is on holiday in a borrowed caravan. I'm going to try the leaf as a work runner for two weeks and see how I find it.

What do I need to charge it? Obviously I won't be installing a dedicated charger for a two week trial. The leaf will be parked outside, next to a single phase welder outlet. I believe it is a 2016 model (imported used).

Also if I run the heater and window defrost for 10 minutes while it's plugged in (can I do that?), will the battery stay topped up? I like to start the day with a nice warm car.

Mike

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#2919449 27-May-2022 14:35

MikeAqua:

I'm swapping my neighbours leaf for my pajero for two weeks, while he is on holiday in a borrowed caravan. I'm going to try the leaf as a work runner for two weeks and see how I find it.

What do I need to charge it? Obviously I won't be installing a dedicated charger for a two week trial. The leaf will be parked outside, next to a single phase welder outlet. I believe it is a 2016 model (imported used).

Also if I run the heater and window defrost for 10 minutes while it's plugged in (can I do that?), will the battery stay topped up? I like to start the day with a nice warm car.

Quite probiably your neighbor will lend you the leaf with a 8 amp charge cord in the boot. (If not, and they only have a fixed EVSE, you will need to use their charging setup at their house)

These have a 10A domestic plug, a short cord, a brick with the EVSE (safety gear) in it then an approx 4 - 5 meter cord to a plug to plug in the leaf.

We have charged our leaf for 18months / 15,000km odd using such cord, with the brick inside on the kitchen bench, and the cord running out the window to the car.

Not that the brick bit is not always water resistant, and is often not outdoor rated. You will need to check this if the outdoor socket is in a weather exposed location, and if needed provide weather protection for that part of the cord. Either by running the cord out a window instead, or some temporary weather protection for the socket / brick (Plastic sheet, perhaps cut from a trash sack, taped to your wall to keep everything dry?

Note that the EVSE brick isn't the charger (just some safety gear and a relay so the pins in the car plug are dead when the car is unplugged), so very low heat output.

Also note that the car plug of the is intended to be used outdoor's, so no need to keep that part dry.

An 8Amp cord charges at about 10km/h, so 80 - 100km overnight, pleanty for most commutes.

Regarding running the heater while the car is plugged in, yes you can do that (we often would plug the car in and leave the aircon on with a sleeping child and a baby monitor in it). If I recall correctly you need to push the break pedal and start button to get the heater / air con to work (only the fan would run in accessory mode without pressing the break peddle). Quite capable of charging & heating at the same time

You can also set the climate timer, so the car does it automatically. - When I did this my leaf with the battery set to long life mode (charge to 80%), it didn't re-start the charge session when the heater came on. Assume it would set to 100% charge, but not sure what the threshold the charge would need to drop to to kick in the charger again.

MikeAqua

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#2921327 1-Jun-2022 10:47

Thanks for the advice. I've confirmed the neighbour has a portable charge cord as you've described. The outdoor socket is well protected but it's the older style 15A welder outlet with a round earth pin so not suitable. But I can run the cord out a window from an internal plug in the garage.

I'm planning to use the heater while plugged in in the mornings, so I get into a nice warm car.

I'll be interested to see how this goes. Nominal range is 135km which is ample for my general commute but I have a few longer trips around the 150km mark during that time.

Mike

everettpsycho

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#2924130 8-Jun-2022 22:49

My dual charger question I've decided to just bite the bullet and asked evnex to just install both. Ultimately I asked on the leaf group on Facebook as well and got not very helpful comments thst no one could back their claims if they'd had a less than perfect experience. There was only a couple if hundred dollars between evnex and a sparky installing the two ev power units and it just seems like evnex are continuing to develop their platform and also actually suggested how to make it work as good as it can and being local I can approach then if needs be. I'm not optimistic I'd get much out of beny if I supplied any feedback.

For now with a pair of leafs it's total overkill but it should mean we have enough to get back cars up to a enough range without trailing cables through the house or having to swap chargers in the middle of the night.

Dingbatt

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#2932009 20-Jun-2022 10:34

As part of our house electrical upgrade plan, the electrician has offered a ‘Smappee EV’ EVSE as an alternative to the EO Mini Pro 2 unit he also installs. Does anyone have any experience with the Smappee? It is $1000 more expensive than EO or Evnex and all three offer load monitoring via a CT clamp. Where the Smappee is different is that it can be part of a pretty comprehensive home energy monitoring and control system (adding $3000).

Or I go with a Tesla Gen 3 and do the load monitoring manually.

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RobDickinson

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#2932012 20-Jun-2022 10:40

That.. sounds spendy

Dingbatt

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#2932035 20-Jun-2022 11:24

RobDickinson:

That.. sounds spendy

Yes, I agree. I look at it as spending the CC rebate I got to achieve the best energy use.

It is part of an overall strategy that I hope will eventually see solar panels and a battery added to the mix. So what I am trying to plan is to not have to re-do stuff in future. The Smappee system would allow control of our high load items as well as optimising solar and battery use. But it is definitely a 'nice to have' when the sums are done.

I see there is a Home Assistant plug-in for the Tesla Gen 3. I may have to investigate that further

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Obraik

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#2932089 20-Jun-2022 12:37

The Tesla Wall Connectors are fairly dumb devices as they rely on the car to do all the smarts. If you intend on having non-Tesla vehicles then an EVSE that is designed with the intention of being controlled that way is probably the best route to go.

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Dingbatt

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#2932201 20-Jun-2022 15:06

Yeah, I guess I like just being able to push the button on the plug to be able to open the charge port. How decadent is that!
In some EVs you have to actually manually open the charge port*. Still, I guess I would get used to using my watch app or maybe even Google Assistant if I don’t want to touch the car😒.

Most of the ‘smarter’ wall connectors are about $600 more than the TG3. And then need a T2/T2 cable added for additional $300.

* (I know you can open the Tesla’s port by touching it if the car is unlocked).

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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