In this thread: External Garage - Charging
I mentioned that I was building a new DIY charge point, using off-the-shelf parts. Rather than take that thread off topic, I thought I'd start a new one, although I fully accept that not many are likely to be that interested in tinkering like this.
In that other thread @LukeUK wrote this:
and @dakaix wrote this:
I've opted to try out the new Viridian EVSE module: EVSE Protocol Controller 2.0 (EPC 2.0)
This comes with open PEN detection for £124.80 (inc VAT), and for another £50 plus VAT also includes the same DC leakage protection device I'm already using with my home brew charge points, the Western Automation RCM14, so has the required DC leakage current protection, so only needs a suitably rated Type A RCD or RCBO upstream, and doesn't need an earth electrode.
Other parts needed are a couple of 32 A contactors (I'm using a couple of Iskra ones I happen to already have as spares, but they are only about £12 each, inc VAT (see here: https://www.tme.eu/en/details/ika232-20_230v/contactors-main-modules/iskra/30-046-833/), plus some DIN rail contact blocks, some short lengths of 6mm² wire for internal connections and ideally some cable ferrules and crimp tool to make the wiring neater. The whole thing would easily fit in something like an empty garage CU box.
Because I need E7 off peak switching, I'm adding a DIN rail time switch to control the Viridian EVSE, plus I'm also adding variable current settings, plus the option to turn the charge point off, or run it only during the off-peak E7 period. Adding that extra functionality adds maybe £20 to the cost.
BTW, my reason for doing this is partly fun, and partly to remove my homebrew PIC based charge points with code I wrote years ago. They work fine, but use GPS modules to control the time switch function and rely on code I wrote years ago, and which I've modified a few times over the years. As I get older I'm trying to replace my homebrew controls with off-the-shelf stuff, that's properly documented, so that others have at least some chance of maintaining or repairing it in future.
I mentioned that I was building a new DIY charge point, using off-the-shelf parts. Rather than take that thread off topic, I thought I'd start a new one, although I fully accept that not many are likely to be that interested in tinkering like this.
In that other thread @LukeUK wrote this:
I've found a couple of open source projects. Have you seen these, or any others?
OpenEVSE - Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions
Smart EVSE | Open Source EV charging
I know there's a difference between tinkering with your own software, rather than someone else's...
Luke
and @dakaix wrote this:
Be interested to know what you're using for DC protection. I built my own OpenEVSE charger (in a QUBEV box) during the summer but haven't installed it yet as I haven't sorted DC protection out, all the spark's I've spoken to so far were only interested in installing MATT:E units which I don't have space for.
I've opted to try out the new Viridian EVSE module: EVSE Protocol Controller 2.0 (EPC 2.0)
This comes with open PEN detection for £124.80 (inc VAT), and for another £50 plus VAT also includes the same DC leakage protection device I'm already using with my home brew charge points, the Western Automation RCM14, so has the required DC leakage current protection, so only needs a suitably rated Type A RCD or RCBO upstream, and doesn't need an earth electrode.
Other parts needed are a couple of 32 A contactors (I'm using a couple of Iskra ones I happen to already have as spares, but they are only about £12 each, inc VAT (see here: https://www.tme.eu/en/details/ika232-20_230v/contactors-main-modules/iskra/30-046-833/), plus some DIN rail contact blocks, some short lengths of 6mm² wire for internal connections and ideally some cable ferrules and crimp tool to make the wiring neater. The whole thing would easily fit in something like an empty garage CU box.
Because I need E7 off peak switching, I'm adding a DIN rail time switch to control the Viridian EVSE, plus I'm also adding variable current settings, plus the option to turn the charge point off, or run it only during the off-peak E7 period. Adding that extra functionality adds maybe £20 to the cost.
BTW, my reason for doing this is partly fun, and partly to remove my homebrew PIC based charge points with code I wrote years ago. They work fine, but use GPS modules to control the time switch function and rely on code I wrote years ago, and which I've modified a few times over the years. As I get older I'm trying to replace my homebrew controls with off-the-shelf stuff, that's properly documented, so that others have at least some chance of maintaining or repairing it in future.