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Can you remove car in the octopus app in Devices > cog top right then Device preferences. Then add the hypervolt only?
or try adding a car that isn't on list as advised here
On his screenshot he has the car (Audi in his screenshot) controlling the charger rather than the charger (hypervolt in my screenshot) controlling the charge
I beg to differ, he connected OIG to his car API rather than the charger and then OIG is able to query the SOC. in this way you can tell it to charge to x% rather than add x%. OIG then controls the charger telling it when to stop. Except it didn’t work.
As per @bruneep post OIG will try and query the car (well the API in reality ) for an accurate SOC as a preference as it can the forecast how many kWh you will need accurately and thus budget network load accordingly. When IOG relies on the user to tell it how much charge to put in this is invariably not going to be as accurate. As @bruneep says - try adding a car that is not compatible.
phenomenal amount of unnecessary overthinking on this thread!
Not really, there are many ways to use IOG and it’s useful to many to understand them IMO. Yea you can just plug and go and I’m quickly deciding that that is the best option actually but I’m making an informed decision which is what I like to do. YMMV.
No, either the car or the charger needs to be linked to IOG. If there is no API access for the car you can still use IOG if you have a compatible charger.
Yes, I guess I meant there needs to be API access for either car or charger.
How do they know I don't need it? Do I need to submit a route map of the day ahead
Well, they know how much energy you're putting into the car each time. If you're always asking for 100% but putting in 5kWh one day, 10kWh the next, then 60kWh a week later then they might start asking questions?
On his screenshot he has the car (Audi in his screenshot) controlling the charger rather than the charger (hypervolt in my screenshot) controlling the charge
I beg to differ, he connected OIG to his car API rather than the charger and then OIG is able to query the SOC. in this way you can tell it to charge to x% rather than add x%. OIG then controls the charger telling it when to stop. Except it didn’t work.
I cancelled the experiment 🙂 it did work connected to the car but I did throw up a lot of odd timers and so was not ideal . I contacted Octopus and they facilitated me connecting via the Hypervolt.
Over 700 posts about charging an electric car. Shouldn’t it just be “plug it in, unplug when finished”? It looks very complicated and has certainly discouraged me from using one.
It can be as simple as that, but obvs this is a 'man chat' so optimisation with a bit of one-upmanship is all part of the game.
Cost is another big factor, using off-peak rates and smart charging can reduce the cost of a 'fill up' from £20 to £6.
That's all I do. OK, occasionally I adjust the fill on the car's app from 80% as normal to 100% if we are doing a big run, and very occasionally I have to switch to manual mode to make it charge out of the cheap hours. Otherwise, plug it in and I either get enough to get to 80% or 5 hours, whatever comes first.
It doesn't have to be complicated and it only really gets complicated when you try to make it as cheap as possible.
You can just plug your car into your charger and hit the boost button to charge whenever you like. Then get the car to stop the charge when it reaches your desired level. Couldn't really be much simpler and you'll still charge for far less than you would on a public charger (probably less than half the price). But that's still around the 25-30p/kwh mark and you can get a lot cheaper if you can live with a bit of faff.
Next level is a tariff that gives you a set number of hours (usually overnight) at a set low price. Now you are going to need to set up some kind of schedule (e.g. through the app for the charger) to make it start charging at a set time (unless you are awake at that time anyway). A bit more effort to set up but it's basically set and forget and you then just plug in your car in the evening and as long as you can get enough juice in the time you are allowed you'll be ready to go in the morning. This may be the sweet spot for many people and you can (currently) get rates as low as 8p/kwh for around 5 hours each night (sometimes for the whole house). That gives you around 35kwh of charge each night which is around 105 miles per day or 38k miles a year, which is plenty for most people.
But you can shave a tiny bit more off that price (7p/kwh or even slightly less) and eek out a few more house of cheap charging (and cheap electricity for the whole house) if you are prepared to go for a smart tariff where your supplier controls the charger. You don't usually end up saving that much money but some people enjoy trying to save every penny. There are a few downsides though.
It relies on a communication between your supplier and either your charger or your car (on top of the one between the charger and the car). So that's an extra layer of complexity, which inevitably means it's a bit less reliable. More steps in the chain means more things to go wrong.
If your supplier can't communicate with your car directly then it relies on you telling it how much you need each night, which is an extra level of faff each time you plug it in. Yes, you can just set a big number (bigger than you will ever need) and then set a charge limit in the car so it always tops up to that level without you having to change anything each night. But you are removing the ability of the supplier to plan the charge (as you are asking for more than you really need) and that ability to plan is why they gave you that lower rate. So don't be surprised if they try to stop you doing that in future.
You are starting and stopping the charge multiple times each night. Probably fine but some cars (Kia, Hyundai etc) are know to suffer from premature failure of the AC charging circuits, so it could potentially accelerate that failure.
I've been using IOG with my Kia EV3 for a few months and it does work fine, but I am thinking of dropping to the regular (dumb) OG for the reasons above.
I've just read this on the Hypervolt website..
How long will your Hypervolt device be supported for?
Hypervolt will issue updates to your Home 3.0 up to 3 years from the date of purchase or 5 years if you've also purchased an extended warranty.
Link - Device Security
Anyone know if this is actually correct? Surely software updates are available FOC for the lifetime of the device..?. Seems pretty sneaky to bury this info in an obscure page about EVSCP regulations in the FAQ section... It does say Home 3.0 rather than the later Home 3 Pro model though.
I've been using IOG with my Kia EV3 for a few months and it does work fine, but I am thinking of dropping to the regular (dumb) OG for the reasons above.
Good breakdown of the options 👍🏻
Quick question:
Is there anything stopping you simply fitting a commando socket on a 32A circuit and automatically switching that on and off using something like a shelly and a solid state relay?
Very simple, same charging rate and no charger required.
I've been using IOG with my Kia EV3 for a few months and it does work fine, but I am thinking of dropping to the regular (dumb) OG for the reasons above.
Good breakdown of the options 👍🏻
Quick question:
Is there anything stopping you simply fitting a commando socket on a 32A circuit and automatically switching that on and off using something like a shelly and a solid state relay?Very simple, same charging rate and no charger required.
PEN fault protection? DC earth leakage protection? Stopping the charge by cutting power to the charger is also not an ideal way of doing things.
A SSR with 32A on it will also get super-hot.
There are countless older chargers available for peanuts. Get an old Podpoint charger and use the Shelly to switch the keyswitch contacts inside, which will do a far smoother job of controlling the charge.
PEN fault protection? DC earth leakage protection?
I'm fairly sure there are commando sockets with the required protection built in - but you're probs right about it not really worth the saving over a 'real' charger.
I've done work for a charger manufacturer and the number of failures was "surprising" 🤐 - just seemed like there may be a more reliable way.
The commandos not the issue. That's a fairly standard way of doing things usually with an ohme or similar plugged in It's the shelly /SSR that is the issue
Gotcha.
Shelly and a contactor then! 😉
Oops! To be fair it is 7 years old and it had developed a habit of not releasing the cable after a charge, which I should have investigated sooner.
Hypervolt or Ohme as a replacement?
I’m on octopus go rather than the intelligent tariff and it needs to play nicely with a polestar 4 and a Hyundai Kona.
Ohme obviously cos that's what I've got. No issues with mine so far, lost connection once but switching it off and on sorted it. Quite literally plug and go. On Intelligent Octopus.
Hypervolt obviously !
3 pin plug (unless you are driving more than 25 miles a day)?
Hypervolt ordered.
Now, should I have a bash at fitting it myself? The cable from the previous charger is already there. How hard can it be?
🤔
Hypervolt ordered.
Now, should I have a bash at fitting it myself? The cable from the previous charger is already there. How hard can it be?
🤔
Hypervolt chargers are physically a doddle to install but you need to ̶p̶a̶y̶ ̶a̶ ̶b̶r̶i̶b̶e̶ be an accredited installer in order to fire it up for the first time and connect it to your account.
Edit: I've just had a quick look at their website and it seems that this is no longer the case and the installer app is available to everyone.
My Hypervolt was installed last week. It's very neat. I had the installers use an EV-Ultra from Doncaster Cables so network connectivity is Cat5.... Fired up instantly.
Now all I need is the car which is in Germany currently I think...
Zappi Glo going in Friday.
Used a public charger today just to familiarise my self in a no pressure scenario.
Wow that's one expensive way to fuel a car can see why folks with no off-street parking are pissed. My colleagues focus rs mountune gets better return on fuel costs.
We seem to have grown a bunch of tight arse leccy car drivers at work. We do a salary sacrifice scheme, and it's been pretty popular, first lot are just about to pick their 'new cars' after the three years. The down side is the chargers are rammed. Despite everyone having home chargers, they want the free electrons.
Out of six of us in a meeting, three were discussing charging, and getting a spot this morning. All highly paid individuals. I had to giggle as I'd cycled in. I said, I'll keep my dirty diesel and fill it once a month (I don't do enough miles to justify an electric car and the van is for trips).
Our scheme also has a direct affect on our pension scheme, and I'd rather work's contribution on £500 plus a month goes into mine (at over 20% contribution).
Must also say we have banks of 4 chargers (so 8 cars) over 4 floors of a multi story - so 32 cars, but there are regular issues with charger faults, despite them being new within the last year !
If anyone has a VW and the flap over the charge port starts playing up with the locking, buy a cheap spare from ebay, unlock the car and don't plug the electric switch connector in when you replace the actuator. Friend paid £400+ for a fix at VW, fixing ours was £22 and 15 mins with a trim tool and torx bit. Not like anyone is going to syphon your watts.
as I’ve been doing lots of work miles recently I’ve been successfully using Tesla with a month subscription. It’s about half the price of most of the rapid charges admittedly with a slightly dirty feeling of supporting Elon.
pulled in today at Thurrock services (godforsaken place) as the app says my non-Tesla EV can charge there and tried three charges on which worked. no advanced warning that they are out of commission on the app Tesla seem to be pulling up and working first time.
@pedlad have a look at the Ionity subscription if there are chargers where you need them.
£10.50 per month (rolling) and 43p per kwh.
Any wide experience with bp chargers? I’m planning to use them on an upcoming trip to Scotland (Perth and Inverness specifically) but reports on faecesbook suggest that users commonly have problems.
I'm at my wits end with the doughballs at Octopus
I eventually got my money back via CC chargeback due to their inability to arrange an install for a home charger
No sooner had I got the money back they suddenly announced they've got me an installation appointment for the 11th of February (3.5 months from order to install despite them telling me it would be 4 weeks). I tell them not to bother as I've had my money back. I've emailed them several times about it saying don't send anyone as I've had my money back.
For the past week I keep getting countdown emails from them saying "I hope you're excited, it's only X days until your install. If there's a problem with this date, please email us to let us know" which I do, and they ignore.
I'm actually not going to be around on the install day but I'm genuinely curious to see if someone turns up. I'll be keeping an eye on my doorbell camera!
An absolute shambles
Any wide experience with bp chargers? I’m planning to use them on an upcoming trip to Scotland (Perth and Inverness specifically) but reports on faecesbook suggest that users commonly have problems.
Used in Glasgow area, no problems other than expensive.
Arnold clark are reasonably priced but means sat on a garage forecourt
Re BP
IMO still suffer a bit from older legacy infrastructure chargers, but also have good new chargers. I've used their older chargers in obscure place like Malton North Yorks which was at the back of a dark old closed down pub car park. In all cases on longer journeys I plan before hand what my best options are which are places with more than one charger. BP still probably aren't on my sort list unless no other options. Although the newish BP charger local to me looks very good (never used it because I can charge at home). Mostly on longer journeys I go for locations with multiple chargers and BP usually just have one charger so would be a plan b or c option or if there is no better option (like Malton at that time). Probably worth pointing out that I still operate in a mindset from 5 years ago when the charging landscape was different.
Probably look at the specific locations on charger apps to see what the current status is of that BP charger and have other options in mind.
Probably worth pointing out that I still operate in a mindset from 5 years ago when the charging landscape was different.
The BP garage round the corner from me in central Scottish Borders has seven 150kW chargers. All of the then show as working and rarely more than one in use at any time. There are expensive at 79p but I guess you are paying for the speed. I think you might get a “free” Costa coffee from the machine when you charge your car.
Hypervolt charger installed and up and running.
Very tidy piece of kit, easy install and setup. Well it was once I'd worked out what an MPAN number is and where to find it 🙂
.....turned out my Zappi Glo - was infact a Zappi 2 - which is quite useful - detects excess from the solar and punts it to the car. the glo didnt do that.
mums got a glo - its super easy to use by comparison.
I've got charger install going on right now. Paid ChargedEV back in Dec, they scheduled install on 24 Dec which I had to postpose as my grant confirmation from Energy Saving Trust had not come through. ChargedEV then scheduled for 26 Jan which they cancelled. They rescheduled to 9 Feb then tried shifting it to 25 Mar. I kicked up a stink as I would have lost my £400 grant to they slotted it in today.
Poor lad installing it was sent up from Middlesborough, so nearly 2.5-3hrs drive. He was promised it would be a 3 hour install, despite me telling them in advance it is a complex install, through several walls and really long cable run. He has been here nearly 6hrs already. Appears to be doing a really neat job though, impressed with his workmanship and effort.
I've been running the numbers again and again and sticking with Fuse EV tariff always comes out cheaper than using Octopus. I just cant shift enough house electricity usage over to night time to offset the higher daytime cost of Octopus. So it will cost more to charge my car on Fuse but, overall, my total electricity annual cost will be £300 cheaper than if I go to Octopus.
The Octopus daily uplift doesn’t work for me with a smallish (19kWh ) PHEV battery either and works out more expensive even if I charged from flat every night which I’m never going to do… Someone told me OVO don’t increase the daily tariff when you get the cheap rate night time one but I haven’t yet looked or done any maths.
.....turned out my Zappi Glo - was infact a Zappi 2 - which is quite useful - detects excess from the solar and punts it to the car. the glo didnt do that.
mums got a glo - its super easy to use by comparison.
The solar capability is the main reason I went for Hypervolt over Ohme. Just nee to get the panels and battery now 😆
Anyone know about the "Demand Flexibility" scheme. Looks like £5 a month paid to me for being enrolled. I think I need to charge for at least 10 hours a month but the supplier can pause charging when demand is high/grid needs balancing. The email was from Sync Energy as I've got one of their charge points installed, they auto-enrolled me but it's easy to opt out or just temporarily pause for next charging sequence.
Anyone have any experience of being part of this?
Anyone know about the "Demand Flexibility" scheme
It goes by different names for different suppliers but is basically a reward for reducing your usage when grid load is high/dirty. You normally get plenty of notice and it's usually an hour around peak evening time so unless you need a full charge by 8pm there's not much downside.
Thanks - so essentially free money. I'll stay opted in!
Any wide experience with bp chargers? I’m planning to use them on an upcoming trip to Scotland (Perth and Inverness specifically) but reports on faecesbook suggest that users commonly have problems.
Used in Glasgow area, no problems other than expensive.
Arnold clark are reasonably priced but means sat on a garage forecourt
Our local Arnold Shark have free tee, coffee and biscuits for everyone including charging customers though...
Another question related to my upcoming trip - I've noticed that different apps give different status for "available" chargers at the same location. Anyone else see this? Any comments on which are the more reliable ones?