Post by repete on Oct 25, 2021 22:55:04 GMT 11
We are looking to install a 7kW AC charger for our new (grey import) 62kw e+ Leaf.
I've found three options - not sure if there are more that I've not found?
Zappi - has an Eco mode that varies it's charge rate to match the solar output down to the 6amp/1.4kW vehicle cutoff, when it just keeps pulling any extra power from grid.
Eco+ mode stops charging when solar goes below the 1.4kW threshold and resumes when the sun returns. This gives problems with some cars whose chargers only permit a certain number of disconnects per charge before declaring a fault and blocking further charging. It seems the Leaf is not one of these. Has a built in display and buttons so can run stand-alone, or via an app. Can use but doesn't need internet with additional base unit.
Smappee - has a mode where you can tell it how much charge you want by some time in the next 24 hours. It learns from the recent solar and household power use history, plus a weather forecast and actual current conditions, then forecasts how much power it will be able to draw from solar. It schedules solar charging first, off-peak next and finally any remainder from peak. eg. if the car is plugged in during the evening, but you don't need it charged until the next evening the unit will only pull the amount of off-peak it predicts will not be filled by tomorrow's solar, it will then charge off solar during the day. If there is less solar than anticipated it will make up the shortfall with grid power in time to be charged when required. Requires an internet connection as the smarts run "in the cloud". If internet fails it currently falls back to trickle charge. All control via the app.
Smappee have won the contract to supply EV chargers for Amazon UK so presumably they are pretty solid.
EO Mini Pro 2 - 3 modes, Solar, where it tracks solar output down to the 1.4kw threshold, then remains at that level. Off-peak. Scheduled, where you tell it when to charge and for how long and it uses whatever power is available. All control via the app.
Wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these?
TIA
I've found three options - not sure if there are more that I've not found?
Zappi - has an Eco mode that varies it's charge rate to match the solar output down to the 6amp/1.4kW vehicle cutoff, when it just keeps pulling any extra power from grid.
Eco+ mode stops charging when solar goes below the 1.4kW threshold and resumes when the sun returns. This gives problems with some cars whose chargers only permit a certain number of disconnects per charge before declaring a fault and blocking further charging. It seems the Leaf is not one of these. Has a built in display and buttons so can run stand-alone, or via an app. Can use but doesn't need internet with additional base unit.
Smappee - has a mode where you can tell it how much charge you want by some time in the next 24 hours. It learns from the recent solar and household power use history, plus a weather forecast and actual current conditions, then forecasts how much power it will be able to draw from solar. It schedules solar charging first, off-peak next and finally any remainder from peak. eg. if the car is plugged in during the evening, but you don't need it charged until the next evening the unit will only pull the amount of off-peak it predicts will not be filled by tomorrow's solar, it will then charge off solar during the day. If there is less solar than anticipated it will make up the shortfall with grid power in time to be charged when required. Requires an internet connection as the smarts run "in the cloud". If internet fails it currently falls back to trickle charge. All control via the app.
Smappee have won the contract to supply EV chargers for Amazon UK so presumably they are pretty solid.
EO Mini Pro 2 - 3 modes, Solar, where it tracks solar output down to the 1.4kw threshold, then remains at that level. Off-peak. Scheduled, where you tell it when to charge and for how long and it uses whatever power is available. All control via the app.
Wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these?
TIA
