OpenEVSE - Open Source Charging Station

[chris1howell]

I started a Google Code Open Source project for the "OpenEVSE" based on the DIY EVSE http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=2736
I just started populating the site with info and a basic schematic. There is much more to come...

Take a look and contribute if you can.

http://code.google.com/p/open-evse/

[KevinSharpe]

many thanks Chris... this is a fantastic step forward for us all

[LeafTalk]

This is great news. Thank you Chris.

I think this is going to be a game changer.

[adric22]

So you could build your own EVSE? That sounds great but wouldn't the J1772 connector still be the most expensive part?

[chris1howell]

Today the cable is the most expensive part, once they are more common the premium price should come way down. The rest of the EVSE can be built for under $100.

[KJD]

So you could build your own EVSE? That sounds great but wouldn't the J1772 connector still be the most expensive part?

Yes the J1772 plug is an expensive piece.

http://www.tucsonev.com/index.html

[johnr]

So you could build your own EVSE? That sounds great but wouldn't the J1772 connector still be the most expensive part?

Yes the J1772 plug is an expensive piece.

http://www.tucsonev.com/index.html

Not necessarily. Apparently you can import them from China for about $50, or even less in quantity. Not sure about shipping or tariffs though, and there's no way to know if it would fit well except to buy one and see. http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/49035 ... ug_CE.html

[KevinSharpe]

Apparently you can import them from China for about $50, or even less in quantity. Not sure about shipping or tariffs though, and there's no way to know if it would fit well except to buy one and see.

The problem is that the quality varies enormously between vendors... I've been told about a J1772 plug that got stuck in a Leaf and required disassembly of both to remove it.

[surfingslovak]

The problem is that the quality varies enormously between vendors... I've been told about a J1772 plug that got stuck in a Leaf and required disassembly of both to remove it.

Kevin, I'm wondering what happened to the vendor quotes you were getting for the J1772 connector. I would only recommend Dostar, if we could not get a more reputable vendor to supply us. Problem is that most of them are geared towards volume orders and corporate clients.

[KevinSharpe]

Kevin, I'm wondering what happened to the vendor quotes you were getting for the J1772 connector.

Most of the vendors want very large volume commitments and that's proving difficult for us because in the UK the government has now committed to using "mennekes" connectors on our charging stations.

We have therfore manufactured a 32A mennekes-to-j1772 cable which is being tested by a number of Leaf drivers in the UK. Here's one being used yesterday;

http://www.leaftalk.co.uk/showthread.php/4688-Testing-Ecotricity-s-charging-points

We are making some minor changes to the cables based on the feedback we have received and will manufacture a new version early next year with a target retail price of £200 (~$320) initially. I fully expect this price to drop during the year.

I'm not sure that I can help you in the US because we are no longer planning to buy just J1772 connectors but rather complete cables...

I would only recommend Dostar

They do make good products... only problem I have with them is the lack of a locking mechanism at the car (something we've had requests for).