Opinion on OpenEVSE

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ockron

21 posts

Geek

#300793 5-Oct-2022 04:01

Hi all,

I see more EV's on the road daily and decided that I will join the revolution. As I get further down the road it becomes clear that the the standard charger that comes with the car is not ideal and a better solution must be found and those solutions are not cheap!!

I would like to know if anyone on here are using or used OpenEVSE before and what your experience was.
OpenEVSE - Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions

I like what I read about OpenEVSE and the platform/software seems ideal - and it is a lot more affordable that anything I can source in NZ.

I have solar installed and OpenEVSE allows me to set the charging times to make us of off-peak rates and to divert any excess solar to the EV.

I welcome any advise about home chargers and the associated pitfalls.

jonathan18

7407 posts

Uber Geek

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#2977561 5-Oct-2022 05:59

There’s already a dedicated thread on EVSEs, so it’s probably worth posting your queries on that:

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=293309

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

TommySharp

126 posts

Master Geek

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#2980457 11-Oct-2022 07:54

Hey Mate, did you make a decision on what charger to go with? I have been looking at the OpenEVSE chargers too...

siyuan

184 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2980571 11-Oct-2022 11:53

I also wanted to get OpenEVSE, but realised that it wouldn't have an S-DOC for it, so scratched the idea. I instead got one of these Wallpods, it happened to use the same microcontroller as OpenEVSE, and there's port of the firmware that I managed to get working. Not quite the same as OpenEVSE, but close/good enough as I can control it from Home Assistant with the MQTT interface now.

TommySharp

126 posts

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#2980572 11-Oct-2022 12:02

What would be the downside of not having S-DOC?

TommySharp

126 posts

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#2980573 11-Oct-2022 12:05

siyuan:

I also wanted to get OpenEVSE, but realised that it wouldn't have an S-DOC for it, so scratched the idea. I instead got one of these Wallpods, it happened to use the same microcontroller as OpenEVSE, and there's port of the firmware that I managed to get working. Not quite the same as OpenEVSE, but close/good enough as I can control it from Home Assistant with the MQTT interface now.

Had not seen the Wallpods, did you have to wait long for stock?

djtOtago

1125 posts

Uber Geek

#2980646 11-Oct-2022 14:06

TommySharp:

What would be the downside of not having S-DOC?

Without a S-DOC, an electrician will not / should not install it.

siyuan

184 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2980708 11-Oct-2022 15:37

TommySharp:

Had not seen the Wallpods, did you have to wait long for stock?

I actually bought the very last one with the solar switch, but there were still other non-solar ones available and also the new gen 2. Not sure when they became out of stock, I'd suggest you contact the supplier to find out whether they still intend to import some more.

The other option is to ask around here, I remember seeing at least another member here with the same model, see if they are willing to sell you theirs. Chances are they'd be interested in upgrading theirs to a smart EVSE.

ockron

21 posts

Geek

#2980741 11-Oct-2022 19:09

siyuan:

I also wanted to get OpenEVSE, but realised that it wouldn't have an S-DOC for it, so scratched the idea. I instead got one of these Wallpods, it happened to use the same microcontroller as OpenEVSE, and there's port of the firmware that I managed to get working. Not quite the same as OpenEVSE, but close/good enough as I can control it from Home Assistant with the MQTT interface now.

Hi, I noticed that you were unable to set the charging current to below 32A.
Did you manage to solve the problem or do you think that it is an issue with the OpenEVSE controller or firmware.
According to OpenEVSE the firmware should automatically adapt.

ockron

21 posts

Geek

#2980743 11-Oct-2022 19:15

TommySharp:

Hey Mate, did you make a decision on what charger to go with? I have been looking at the OpenEVSE chargers too...

I sent OpenEVSE an email to clarify some questions.
At this stage I am probably going to go with OpenEVSE as this is the closest competitor

siyuan

184 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2980772 11-Oct-2022 22:04

ockron:

Hi, I noticed that you were unable to set the charging current to below 32A.
Did you manage to solve the problem or do you think that it is an issue with the OpenEVSE controller or firmware.
According to OpenEVSE the firmware should automatically adapt.

Yes I eventually got that working, but I'm not sure what fixed it. At some point I broke the wifi module after a firmware update, after flashing both the wifi module and the main controller with the latest version, charge current can now be set.

TommySharp

126 posts

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#2997940 18-Nov-2022 12:19

I've had my openEVSE up and running for 2 days now and I like it WAY more that the unit it replaced....
No silly app to install on my phone just to get it working...

And it talks to Home Assistant like a dream!
My goal is to get the Solar Divert working to use up excess solar during the day and also a full speed charge between 9pm and midnight to use up some free power :-)

siyuan

184 posts

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#2997989 18-Nov-2022 12:58

Curious where you bought your OpenEVSE from?

TommySharp

126 posts

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#2998252 18-Nov-2022 22:04

siyuan:

Curious where you bought your OpenEVSE from?

I grabbed one from here.... Took about a month to arrive which was sooner than I expected :-)

https://store.openevse.com/collections/all-products/products/advanced-kit