Mods for the Blink EVSE ! (was Fix)

[davewill]

I didn't try to locate a serial console port, but I suspect there is one. There are a lot of unused connectors, and it appears the OS is stored on a micro-SD card. The cellular modem appears to be connected via a standard USB port.

-Phil

Unused connectors? Do you mean it uses a standard USB connector? Usually you would replace that with something that can better stand up to vibration, etc... An off-the-shelf logic board, perhaps? The reason for my guess is that their main logic board could have easily encompassed the EVSE functioning and the usage monitoring, but they instead spent extra money on self-contained modules for those two. I'm beginning to think they bought all three off the shelf and then just wrote some software to do the "smart" functions.

[davewill]

Nevermind, I looked back at the photo and saw the Ecotality silk screen on the main board. Curious that it doesn't say, "Blink", though.

[evnow]

Moved to the Blink sub-forum.

[whoami]

So while we're on this subject, all the SW for the linux micro is located on a micro SD card on the bottom side of the linux box. Its a standard FAT partition they boot the linux kernel off and two EXT2 partitions on the SD card. The second parition (EXT2) is the main root partition and the third partition is a backup for failed upgrades.

The UI is a web browser on port 8080, the backend software is written completely in Python. They do indeed run iptables to keep you out. But some simple mods and you can enable ssh.

The second board is the J1772 centric board that runs a PIC. The PIC controller code has been at 1.8 since I've gotten the Blink. They have not upgraded this firmware. The PIC code looks good and is very stable. The PIC signals over both serial/uart as well as 5 GPIOs. The GPIOs indeed differentiate the difference between charging and just plugged in. The most recent firmware fix of this was a complete joke. 5-10 minutes of software.

As Ingneer points out the whole EVSE is a complete joke. It looks like a garage shop build. The software is equally as garage shop.

We will just leave it at there will be firmware available soon that actually woks as well as display the correct info and puts the micro to sleep. Wow a novel concept!

While I am on the HW, the build is done so poorly with a significant amount of bypass caps and other current draining items. It really needs a complete redesign. For anyone who is considering purchasing a Blink. Just don't go there. For those of us who get the boat anchors for free, keep it for the 2 years then we'll take care of it.

[Ingineer]

Nice first post! =)

[GroundLoop]

Hell yes!

[Spies]

Wow! Thanks for the report and pics Ingineer as well as whoami's first post.

I was curious if either of you noticed what WiFi chip or module the unit is using and if it is soldered or possibly socketed to the main board. I was also curious if they shut down the WiFi and the cellular radio when using Ethernet. Someone mentioned that a zigbee radio might be in there too.

[DaveEV]

who is this whoami guy, anway?

Thanks for the info on the Blink internals - I have to think with the system being so easily hackable (apparently since it was hacked together) how long it will take for a big modding community to build around the Blink in spite of all it's built-in "features". It will appeal to many exactly because of it...

[Spies]

I have to think with the system being so easily hackable (apparently since it was hacked together) how long it will take for a big modding community to build around the Blink in spite of all it's built-in "features". It will appeal to many exactly because of it...

I am looking forward to playing Doom on my Blink while it charges the Leaf Probably look pretty sweet on the Blink DC Fast Charger's 42" daylight readable, LCD color display and sound system and make those 30 minutes charges seem like seconds

[TomT]

If you are a member of the free EV Project, disconnecting it clearly would violate your reporting contract and could result in you forfeiting the Blink, so just be aware of that if you elect to do this... Of course, after three years you can do whatever you want!

That being said, I love this!