EV6 Charging Quirks and Features

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Master Geek
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#2984840 19-Oct-2022 19:02

Shindig:

As a side observation, it reads like you're having some enjoyable time figuring out ownership of an EV6? Can't wait to join you mate.

I feel a meetup coming on, like old times when I was part of the Renault Clio RS scene back in the UK! Bring on those Clio 182s, they were quick.

The EV6 isn't quite a 'hot hatch' at over 2 tonnes but I'm sure you are going to enjoy it when yours arrives. Handling is way better than I expected from something this big and the torque makes overtaking lanes going up the Kaimai's a whole lot of fun. :-)

And yes... it is always fun working out exactly how a new toy works too!

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Ultimate Geek
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#2985272 20-Oct-2022 13:15

Wasn't sure whether to post this query here, but it is an EV6 and relates to charging, so .....

I have a Wallbox Pulsar Plus EVSE installed in the garage (new build just completed). For some reason, my EV6 seems to be charging at a max of around 4.5kW rather than 11kW. 4.5kW is reported by both the onboard display and the Wallbox app.

It is a 3-phase supply and the sparky has, I believe (and I was watching!), set the current max in the Wallbox to 20A. My basic understanding of electricity is that from an ~400V supply this should allow for a max of about 14kW - more than enough for the 11kW onboard charger. I had wondered whether it was affected by battery level but I have just run the battery down to about 30% and plugged in - and again I am getting about 4.5kW max (just checked this minute after 30 minutes on the charger). The sparky is back next week to do some stuff, but I thought I would see if there is anything obvious I am missing before he comes. Thanks.

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
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trig42

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#2985279 20-Oct-2022 13:47

400V x 20A = 8kW, in perfect conditions.

240V x 20A = 4.8kW, about what you're seeing.

Is your EVSE 3-phase (ie., can it take 400V in)?

(EDIT: I may have the whole thing wrong, I'm not sure how 3-phase works)

RunningMan

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#2985337 20-Oct-2022 14:39

@edge your calculations are correct. Something in the chain is only single phase for some reason though. Is the type 2 cable 3 phase?

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#2985345 20-Oct-2022 15:01

RunningMan:

@edge your calculations are correct. Something in the chain is only single phase for some reason though. Is the type 2 cable 3 phase?

Good question @RunningMan! I had just assumed that the tethered (i.e. hard-wired in) cable would cope with 3-phase as standard since it was attached to a 3-phase capable EVSE! I will go back to the supplier and just double check. Thanks.

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

RunningMan

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#2985348 20-Oct-2022 15:10

If it's tethered, it should be fine, would be very surprised if it wasn't. More for untethered BYO cable, plenty are only single phase.

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Ultimate Geek
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#2985356 20-Oct-2022 15:40

RunningMan:

If it's tethered, it should be fine, would be very surprised if it wasn't. More for untethered BYO cable, plenty are only single phase.

Ah - OK. So it should be fine. I've just sent a query to the supplier anyway so will see if he has any suggestions. I know they offered the option of a 7m cable instead of the standard 5m cable (I went with the 7m) where I think they (evready) swapped it out. But they specialise in EV stuff so I am assuming they wouldn't muck it up!!

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— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

RunningMan

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#2985364 20-Oct-2022 15:49

I guess it's possible they swapped in the wrong tethered cable, but I'd hope they wouldn't make such a basic mistake. For a first check, look at the plug and see if the bottom 2 large pins are populated (they're the 2nd and 3rd phases).

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#2985385 20-Oct-2022 16:22

RunningMan:

I guess it's possible they swapped in the wrong tethered cable, but I'd hope they wouldn't make such a basic mistake. For a first check, look at the plug and see if the bottom 2 large pins are populated (they're the 2nd and 3rd phases).

Not sure how to figure out if the pins are populated (do I have to isolate and pull plug apart? In the meantime, I looked at the plug and noted that it has 32A 250V stamped on it (photo below) - this does not fill me with confidence!!

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

RunningMan

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#2985390 20-Oct-2022 16:47

The 2P+E isn't promising for 3 phase! Got a photo of the end of the plug - the pins?

Scott3

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#2985398 20-Oct-2022 17:33

trig42:

400V x 20A = 8kW, in perfect conditions.

240V x 20A = 4.8kW, about what you're seeing.

Is your EVSE 3-phase (ie., can it take 400V in)?

(EDIT: I may have the whole thing wrong, I'm not sure how 3-phase works)

Your top calculation is irrelevant to EV's. You have calculated how much power a single-phase load wired phase - phase would draw (A common configuration for cheaper 400v welders and the likes).

Three-phase EV's will draw equally from each phase, so will get 3x the single phase power. i.e. 230v x 20A x 3 = 13.8kW.

However the EV6 is fitted with an 11kW charger, so this is the max it will be able to draw (16A per phase from a three-phase feed). Should note that AC charging above 11kW is pretty rare with current EV's.

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Scott3

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#2985448 20-Oct-2022 17:40

edge:

Not sure how to figure out if the pins are populated (do I have to isolate and pull plug apart? In the meantime, I looked at the plug and noted that it has 32A 250V stamped on it (photo below) - this does not fill me with confidence!!

Yeah, that is a single-phase cable.

In an NZ context, the 2 phase + earth will be being used as 1 phase, neutral and earth. If you look at the plug, there will be two blank area's where no pins have been fitted. Three phase cable will have two extra runs of wire, and every pin location in the plug will be full.

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#2985481 20-Oct-2022 19:55

Thanks all for the input. Pretty sure the cable/plug are the issue from the above comments. Have also looked at the cable details and the info I have found does confuse me a little. Have added some more photos below: 1. plug pins; 2. cable markings; 3. snip from Ratio Electric (cable manufacturer) website. This may help some of you experts confirm whether it is plug or plug and cable that is the issue. The cable markings indicate its rated at 450/750 but the website states 32A / 230V (assuming I have read all the markings etc correctly!). Haven't heard back from the supplier yet.

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

RunningMan

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#2985483 20-Oct-2022 20:19

Yep, cable doesn't have enough conductors for 3 phase, but the plug does have all the pins there. It's the cable off the single phase version.

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#2985519 20-Oct-2022 21:57

RunningMan:

Yep, cable doesn't have enough conductors for 3 phase, but the plug does have all the pins there. It's the cable off the single phase version.

So, one last (I think!) question. I'm a bit confused as to the suitability of the plug. If all the pins seem to be there but it still says 32A/250V and 2P+e - are these two things mutually exclusive?? i.e. could the plug function correctly in 3-phase mode drawing 11kW if the cable was correct?

Thanks again for all the sage advice :-)

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

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