[EVKaren]

I'm interested in getting the OpenEVSE as my home EVSE but I have a situation where I'd like the control unit to be inside the home and the cable snakes outside, to near the car (the standard cable will reach just fine). My Bolt is usually outside and I don't want to have to open the garage door if I don't have to.

I was wondering if the OpenEVSE required someone to click the charge start button on OpenEVSE for it to initiate the charging. I'm fine doing it over wifi, I just don't want to open the garage door if I don't have to.

 

[Mike95465]

You could set the charge schedule for a short time period that you wouldn’t normally be charging. 12:00-12:01

Doing this would put the EVSE in sleep mode outside of this range requiring pushing the button or using WiFi to start charging.

Only downside I see would be in the event that you were charging during the scheduled time that it might shut off charging one you cross the scheduled off time threshold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pike Bishop]

It's a button, but not a Start button. The metal button on the v4 OpenEVSE and the touch sensitive pad on the v5 version are programming buttons.

When you connect your BOLT to the OpenEVSE, the OpenEVSE detects a change in pilot signal and begins the charge. All is automatic.

I have used the v4 as a portable charger and placed the control box in a variety of locations that made accessing the unit inconvenient: such as in a basement connected to an unused dryer outlet with the charging cable snaking out a basement window. The OpenEVSE always charged without having to do anything.

 

[EVKaren]

Great, thanks, Pike! That really answered all my questions! I was confused with the description of what the button on the OpenEVSE did.

I was leaning towards a JuiceBox but I'm leary of boxes that require internet connectivity to get full functionality (businesses go out of business, cloud businesses fail; security, etc.) so the OpenEVSE model really appeals to me.

 

[Slappy McGee]

The botton puts the charger in “sleep” mode so it won’t charge if you plug in a car, otherwise it will start as soon as you plug in. Conversely, if you’re in sleep it won’t start charging when you plug in unless you hit the button.

If you want to get fancy, the WiFi module allows you to connect, configure, and start/stop charging. If you really want to get fancy it also supports MQTT and throttling based on solar output.

Like all open source stuff it’s very feature-rich and technically well-executes, but the docs and user experience are a little lacking.

I highly recommend the WiFi option and it’s probably worth confirming the unit you order has the latest firmware, otherwise updating requires a programming tool and some patience.

Overall I really like the unit. I now have it reporting to my home automation system so I can start/stop if I need, and also track usage and estimated electrical cost and fuel $ savings.

 

[NY-Rob]

@EVKaren .. .check with your power/utility company for EVSE rebates before purchase.
Our utility (PSEG-LI) will give you $500 back as a check or as an account credit if you purchase an approved EVSE like the $549 JuiceBox Pro.
I just got my $500 check a couple of weeks ago, so the JuiceBox Pro cost me $49.

 

[EVKaren]

Thanks!

I'm in the SF Bay Area.

For better of worse, PG&E of Northern California only offers a rebate on the car itself (https://www.pge.com/en_US/residenti.../clean-fuel-rebate-for-electric-vehicles.page) and not the EVSE.

Right now, I'm using the included EVSE with a NEMA 14-50 to 5-15 adapter cable (240vac @ 16A) and it's working fine, especially as I don't commute with this car. But there might be times when I do need to do back to back driving and then a real EVSE might be important.

I guess the main reason to get the OpenEVSE even when I don't really need it is, I'd love to know how many kWh are being used for charging and in which time slots, so I can make sure that it's compliant with my TOU billing as well as how much this car is costing me.

 

[GregBrew]

Thanks!

I'm in the SF Bay Area.

For better of worse, PG&E of Northern California only offers a rebate on the car itself (https://www.pge.com/en_US/residenti.../clean-fuel-rebate-for-electric-vehicles.page) and not the EVSE.

Right now, I'm using the included EVSE with a NEMA 14-50 to 5-15 adapter cable (240vac @ 16A) and it's working fine, especially as I don't commute with this car. But there might be times when I do need to do back to back driving and then a real EVSE might be important.

I guess the main reason to get the OpenEVSE even when I don't really need it is, I'd love to know how many kWh are being used for charging and in which time slots, so I can make sure that it's compliant with my TOU billing as well as how much this car is costing me.

A bit of clarification...The included EVSE charges at 12A at 240V, not 16A.

 

[p7wang]

Right now, I'm using the included EVSE with a NEMA 14-50 to 5-15 adapter cable (240vac @ 16A) and it's working fine, especially as I don't commute with this car. But there might be times when I do need to do back to back driving and then a real EVSE might be important.

Where did you get your cable and how much did it cost?

 

[EVKaren]

Where did you get your cable and how much did it cost?

I made it myself. It's not difficult if you've done any electrical work in the past, but I wouldn't recommend it if you don't know your ground from a neutral. You can buy them on eBay. It's about $20 in parts if you make it yourself, about $50 if you buy on eBay.

And thanks to @GregBrew for correcting me -- yes, it's 240VAC at 12A (not 16) - so 2.88 kW for the bundled charger. It'll take around 20 hours to charge from 0% to 100%.

I'm looking into the OpenEVSE (240VAC @ 40 amps in my case, so 9.6kW or just about quadruple) in case I start commuting for longer distances more often.

ps. Does anyone have an OpenEVSE discount code? Please PM me!

EDIT: I'm horrible at math.

 

[GregBrew]

I made it myself. It's not difficult if you've done any electrical work in the past, but I wouldn't recommend it if you don't know your ground from a neutral. You can buy them on eBay. It's about $20 in parts if you make it yourself, about $50 if you buy on eBay.

And thanks to @GregBrew for correcting me -- yes, it's 240VAC at 12A (not 16) - so 2.88 kW for the bundled charger. It'll take around 20 hours to charge from 0% to 100%.

I'm looking into the OpenEVSE (240VAC @ 40 amps in my case, so 9.6kW or just about quadruple) in case I start commuting for longer distances more often.

ps. Does anyone have an OpenEVSE discount code? Please PM me!

EDIT: I'm horrible at math.

The maximum the Bolt will draw is 32A at 240V AC (7.68kW), even if the EVSE advertises more than that.