OpenEVSE - Open Source Charging Station

[chris1howell]

End of year sale. Complete 30A kits with New Poly Carbonate Enclosure, 20" Ultra Flexible J1772 cable and Input cable.

Basic $369 Includes Red, Green, Blue Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Standard $399 Includes Monochrome Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Deluxe $449 Includes Red, Green, Blue Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Current Measurement Coil

http://store.openevse.com/products/30a- ... nput-coard

[VegasBrad]

Heads up to the community, another member here let me know the fed passed the extention for the 30% tax credit up to $1000 for EVSE'S and installation. Bought in 2014. I will provide a invoice through my business to anyone who purchases a evse from me. I build them exclusively with Chris's surface mount component OpenEVSE boards. They are amazing, small and reliable. I sell in the private for sale section.
I really wish there was more notice for this rebate.

[chris1howell]

OpenEVSE Tools

Testing a charging station is a common topic on the OpenEVSE forum. OpenEVSE firmware/hardware performs an extensive self test function built in, the average builder does not need any specialized equipment. For those who wish to extend the hardware or firmware more extensive testing may be prudent. Over the years, I have collected many tools to help test various aspects of a Electric Vehicle Charging Station. Recently I have searched for (and found) a better tool, but more on that topic later.

My current tool bag consists of:

A Digital Multi-meter (with Frequency Measurement) - $100
DSO Quad scope (Frequency and duty cycle) - $200
No Contact Current measurement meter - $75
Fluke IR Thermometer - $90
Fluke No Contact AC detect - $30



In total about $500 in tools to test a Charging station. This is just too much for the average builder so I started a search for tools to offer on the OpenEV store. I ordered a lot of different units and finally found something great...







I have put together an exclusive package for the OpenEV Store that does everything my previous suite of tools did at less than half the cost. The center of the OpenEV package is the Extech (A FLIR Company) Multi-meter. Also included is a set of standard probes, current measurement probe and a case. The meter has a built in IR thermometer and can read both Frequency and duty cycle.

So in summary you can measure,

-Pilot Signal Frequency
-Pilot Signal Duty Cycle
-Temperature IR
-Temprature Type K probe
-AC non-contact Current (up to 200A)
-Current inline (up to 20A)
-AC Voltage
-DC Voltage
-Resistance

[VegasBrad]

Very cool! thanks for posting this

[NoMoShocks]

I have a two year old Aerovironment EVSE-RS where the Control Board has gone bad.

A new control board costs more than the whole EVSE, so I am thinking, the OpenEVSE Plus v3 Control Board could provide a good fix as it looks like it is all set to control the 240V coil on my existing contactor.

My broken Aerovironment unit has all the input and output wiring, current sense coils, 240 VAC coil on a 50 Amp contactor which is the same one sold with the 50A Open EVSE kits all installed in a weatherproof poly enclosure.

So, can someone confirm for me that all I need is the control board and a display? I have reviewed the Build Wiring Diagram and it looks much the same as what is in the Aerovironment unit. I thought I could go with the RGB LED display to shine through one of the existing Aerovironment light pipes, and then maybe rig up the existing Areovironment Start button which I believe would connect through the RGB LED display. I am reluctant go go with the LCD displays as I would have to figure out how to cut a window in my Aerovirnment enclosuer.

Does the Open EVSE control board automatically start charging when the EV is connected, or is it necessary to push the Start button?

Thanks,
Larry

[chris1howell]

Hi Larry that sounds like a great project for an OpenEVSE v3 and a LED module. I can't tell what the GFCI coil is in the AV but if its a CR8420-1000-G then you can use that too... Total cost should be right around $100...

I would put the LED on the top light pipe and then use paint or nail polish to color the others with the OpenEVSE color code.

Yellow Connected
Blue Charging
Red Error

No need for a button OpenEVSE auto starts.

[mwalsh]

I have a two year old Aerovironment EVSE-RS where the Control Board has gone bad.

The EVSE-RS has a 3 year factory warranty, in-home for AV installs and mail-in for self installs. Have you tried contacting them about getting it repaired?

[NoMoShocks]

I have a two year old Aerovironment EVSE-RS where the Control Board has gone bad.

The EVSE-RS has a 3 year factory warranty, in-home for AV installs and mail-in for self installs. Have you tried contacting them about getting it repaired?

Well, there is a story behind that. I bought the EVSE-RS from an EBAY seller who stated that he had bought an extra one for work but never installed it. I thought $750 was a good deal as they were $900 at the time. When it broke, I contacted Aerovironment, and they said the warrantee was only good from original purchase date for purchase direct from them. I made the argument that the Nissan branded unit came with a manual that specifically stated warranty was from date of original installation. Then they responded that my S/N had been stolen from them and they had already written it off. I'm assuming there is no warrantee protection from stolen property, but I just realized, maybe I should check with EBay and PayPal regarding their protections.

[NoMoShocks]

Hi Larry that sounds like a great project for an OpenEVSE v3 and a LED module. I can't tell what the GFCI coil is in the AV but if its a CR8420-1000-G then you can use that too... Total cost should be right around $100...

I would put the LED on the top light pipe and then use paint or nail polish to color the others with the OpenEVSE color code.

Yellow Connected
Blue Charging
Red Error

No need for a button OpenEVSE auto starts.

OK, it is DONE! The Aerovironment is reborn as Open EVSE. Chris, I took your suggestion by color coding the unused Light Pipes to indicate the various conditions but I put the active LED in the 4th position where the label is Charging. So pleased with the results.

[bowthom]

Hello Chris and all,
I just wanted to post a bit about how nice my Open EVSE has been. Very reliable charging everyday. Nice, very nice & thanks.

Don

P.S. My project build is back on page 120 of this thread if you are curious.