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Post by quaternary on Dec 20, 2014 14:38:03 GMT 11
I've been on PlugShare looking at the half dozen or so DC fast chargers that are in Australia.
It looks like there are a couple of Aker Wade units, couple of Fuji, a dabble in Schneider, and a Tritium Veefil.
The thing that strikes me is - with one exception - how incredibly ugly they are. Take the Schneider, for example - it's uglier than a Vogon!
The exception of course in the ugly stakes is the Tritium Veefil. It's actually a pretty good looking unit, and Australian made as well. And it supports more than one standard, ie both chademo and combo2.
Anyway, with something that is so obviously functional as a DC unit, I should be ignoring looks.
What I can't help thinking, if a DC charger is something that is actually a necessity for someone to get from point A to point B during a commute, say, they also need it to be reliable.
So how do these different units compare in terms of reliability? Do some tend to have more down-time than others, for example?
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Post by gabzimiev on Dec 20, 2014 16:43:04 GMT 11
don't forget that DBT unit on the north island.
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Post by leafboi on Dec 20, 2014 21:23:49 GMT 11
So how do these different units compare in terms of reliability? Do some tend to have more down-time than others, for example? Both the Fuji units here in Melbourne have given me a headache at one time or another. The 'downtime' really depends on the host. The unit at Moreland is always looked after so if it's out of order it's fixed very quickly. Swinburne on the other hand over the past two years I've been using it has infrequently been 'offline' for weekly stinks. I'm sure the Sydney guys have as much to say about their unit being down a lot too. If the host is pro ev then it's no problem. When the unit is just 'there' on the hosts site, it's a problem. |
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Post by quaternary on Dec 21, 2014 19:57:40 GMT 11
Both the Fuji units here in Melbourne have given me a headache at one time or another. The 'downtime' really depends on the host. The unit at Moreland is always looked after so if it's out of order it's fixed very quickly. Swinburne on the other hand over the past two years I've been using it has infrequently been 'offline' for weekly stinks. I'm sure the Sydney guys have as much to say about their unit being down a lot too. If the host is pro ev then it's no problem. When the unit is just 'there' on the hosts site, it's a problem. Ahh, that's really interesting, thanks. One question - when these fast chargers go offline, and say you were the first person to visit since it went offline, is there anyway of knowing before you get there? For example, do the chargepoint / plugshare apps somehow get automatically notified that the charger is down? |
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Post by gabzimiev on Dec 21, 2014 20:13:43 GMT 11
also note that the aker wade and I’m pretty sure the fujis and DBT are only heat rated to 40degreeC it does get hotter than that in Sydney and we can normally expect the one in Sydney to fail on hot days. this isn't really a reflection on the unit but a poor purchase decision. WA has a camera to ensure you don't turn up and it's ICEd therevproject.com/trials/dc-charging-trial.php it has a bosch monitoring system. |
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Post by leafboi on Dec 21, 2014 21:03:47 GMT 11
The ChargePoint app is pretty good and if the unit is offline it says so there. But sometimes the unit is fine and when it starts charging an error occurs, this has happened only twice to me, at Swinburne, in the early days.
Now it gets a lot of use. At least 3 of us on this forum frequent it. Who knows who else. So I'm guessing with increased use some increase of reliability has followed.
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Post by jacky on Dec 21, 2014 21:52:48 GMT 11
The ChargePoint app is pretty good and if the unit is offline it says so there. But sometimes the unit is fine and when it starts charging an error occurs, this has happened only twice to me, at Swinburne, in the early days. Now it gets a lot of use. At least 3 of us on this forum frequent it. Who knows who else. So I'm guessing with increased use some increase of reliability has followed. It happened on Saturday afternoon. On the chargepoint app, it indicated the charger wasn't available. However, when I arrived 45 mins later, it worked fine and the app was saying it is available. Not sure if there was some communication errors between the charger and chargepoint. In general, the information on chargepoint app is reliable. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2014 7:42:41 GMT 11
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Post by quaternary on Jan 1, 2015 20:43:44 GMT 11
Thanks for those links above. That makes some sobering reading!
And interesting issue about the heating woes in Sydney!
Another thing I've read from time to time is the issue of 'resetting' (whatever that might mean) the units after the emergency stop button has been pressed, which can cause delays getting units back online again. Is that more of an issue with some models more than others?
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Post by gabzimiev on Jan 1, 2015 20:52:58 GMT 11
Thanks for those links above. That makes some sobering reading! And interesting issue about the heating woes in Sydney! Another thing I've read from time to time is the issue of 'resetting' (whatever that might mean) the units after the emergency stop button has been pressed, which can cause delays getting units back online again. Is that more of an issue with some models more than others? yeah the heating woes in sydney is pretty bad I’ll be in New zealand in a couple days and the weather reports for north island are like tops of 25 can't wait! so when the e-stop is pressed apparently the chademo specifications says it must close the CB to the transformer. this on some units then requires a suitability qualified person to open the charger and turn it back on. the veefil guys attempted to avoid the false presses by putting the button behind the glass that you see on fire alarms. (yet to see if it works as enough of a deterrent or just means you now have to replace the glass regulatory too). |
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Post by quaternary on Jan 2, 2015 6:46:37 GMT 11
So does the emergency stop button take down the charger if it's pushed when the charger is sitting idle (ie not in use) - eg if it gets pushed by a random person passing by, attracted to the big red button; or does the emergency stop only taken down the unit when current is flowing?
And congrats on coming to NZ! Are you coming to Christchurch? Let me know and we can have a trans-Tasman Leaf-meet. And a city tour EV-style.
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Post by gabzimiev on Jan 2, 2015 9:16:26 GMT 11
yes the Schneider electric ones certainly did the e-stop worked when idle.
no sorry skipping Christchurch land in Wellington and then travelling north to Auckland.
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Post by quaternary on Jan 3, 2015 7:53:35 GMT 11
That's too bad. Have a great trip in the North Island. And I hope you spot a few Leafs.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2015 10:13:50 GMT 11
Please note that the UWA Veefil unit has a possible issue with its start and stop buttons.
They tend not to respond when pressed.
Upgrade is scheduled for next week.
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Post by jeffjl on Mar 26, 2015 22:06:57 GMT 11
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Post by gabzimiev on Apr 30, 2015 21:33:51 GMT 11
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Post by leafboi on Apr 30, 2015 21:43:59 GMT 11
Yeah I want to but it's hard if it's only 9-5 m-f available. My next free weekday is next Thursday Friday next week so I might take a trip over to see.  |
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Post by leighf on May 10, 2015 21:21:56 GMT 11
What really annoys me is that I've had my LEAF for nearly three years and driven to work every day with no reasonable access to charging. As soon as I left that job this new charger was installed less than 1km from where I was working! Is that Murphy's Law or what? Leigh |
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Post by gabzimiev on May 13, 2015 23:36:32 GMT 11
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Post by jeffjl on May 25, 2015 23:26:31 GMT 11
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Post by empowerrepower on May 25, 2015 23:32:00 GMT 11
23 fast chargers, in a small country such as NZ, I'm soooooo jealous! How extraordinary that such great infrastructure is being set up when there are only 250 EVs in the country. To the NZ-ers here, enjoy (sigh).  |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2015 14:59:39 GMT 11
can't spell Auckland correctly "expected to be deployed in Aukland in June 2015" hopefully they will fix the bugs by then www.plugshare.com/?location=57171seems i've been going through the whole error list error 1, 17, 32, 39, 40, 50, 60, 70 error 5 if imiev is switched on. also would be good for them to remove the 80% fast charge stop. UWA veefil currently charges BMW i3 to 100% in 1.5 hours = 30mins to 80% + 1 hour for last 20% i-miev charges to 82% in 30 mins then to 94% in 34 mins. |
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Post by dholms on May 27, 2015 1:29:32 GMT 11
can't spell Auckland correctly "expected to be deployed in Aukland in June 2015" hopefully they will fix the bugs by then www.plugshare.com/?location=57171seems i've been going through the whole error list error 1, 17, 32, 39, 40, 50, 60, 70 error 5 if imiev is switched on. also would be good for them to remove the 80% fast charge stop. UWA veefil currently charges BMW i3 to 100% in 1.5 hours = 30mins to 80% + 1 hour for last 20% i-miev charges to 82% in 30 mins then to 94% in 34 mins. Is the Veefil charger running at full capacity there in WA? |
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2015 9:51:24 GMT 11
Yes 50 kW on Bmw i3 and tesla model s
Unlike Brisbane Bmw dealership
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Post by empowerrepower on May 27, 2015 11:35:44 GMT 11
It is great that BMW Bris let the general public use their Veefil, even if it's limited to 80% (think that is due to power system limits at the site). I just rang Marcello from Veefil to ask about how plans for the South-East Qld fast charger highway are going, and he tells me that there are ongoing negotiations, but nothing firm.  Apparently, it costs about $40K for the equipment, ands $10K for installation, so it is difficult to make the business case - whoever installed them would need to have other reasons, such as their own fleet of EVs. I wanted to get up-to-date info, as I'm sure I'll be asked about recharging at the upcoming EV display at the WED festival on June 7th. You can find out more about it here: wed.org.au/pages/innovation/ |
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Post by dholms on May 27, 2015 19:58:39 GMT 11
It is great that BMW Bris let the general public use their Veefil, even if it's limited to 80% (think that is due to power system limits at the site). I just rang Marcello from Veefil to ask about how plans for the South-East Qld fast charger highway are going, and he tells me that there are ongoing negotiations, but nothing firm. Apparently, it costs about $40K for the equipment, ands $10K for installation, so it is difficult to make the business case - whoever installed them would need to have other reasons, such as their own fleet of EVs. I wanted to get up-to-date info, as I'm sure I'll be asked about recharging at the upcoming EV display at the WED festival on June 7th. You can find out more about it here: wed.org.au/pages/innovation/I've had a chat with some guys there and they stated that they couldn't even give away some of their first units. I was thinking about asking of the places the currently have a level 2 charger if they'd be willing to take an old unit and just pay for the install. An example would be Kunara organic cafe. As the $5,000 install would be covered with coffees and lunches quite quickly. |
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Post by reecho on May 28, 2015 21:57:03 GMT 11
New Circontrol Trio DCFC's for Perth thanks to RAC.  |
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Post by stewartm on May 28, 2015 22:57:15 GMT 11
To the query on reliability, I noted in the UK and France forums some software issues causing downtime on the DBT combo units. These are Chademo, CCS, Menekes AC/DC units. I did have one in Lorient that took three days to repair. In saying that I ran into the service guys for the DBT at Le Faouet and they said since install they had little hardware failures but some software problems. These were 85kW units that would do two cars at once.
So look forward to getting back there and taking my other LEAF out of storage.
As per the profile photo on the left..
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Post by jeffjl on Jun 5, 2015 17:48:09 GMT 11
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2015 18:07:54 GMT 11
imiev not even mentioned by name though pricewise it is the EV that is $16k
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Apparently, it costs about $40K for the equipment, ands $10K for installation, so it is difficult to make the business case - whoever installed them would need to have other reasons, such as their own fleet of EVs.
