openinverter forum

Posted: **Sat Jun 06, 2020 4:27 pm**

I have designed a new circuit board that will handle the EVSE signals and provide indications for Proximity detect and Pilot signal.

Features:
1- Pilot signal control, READY and CHARGE state switching via simple 12V input
2- Pilot signal detection, if any signal is present on the Pilot signal provide 12V output
3- Proximity detection, if plug resistors detected provide 12V output
4- Provide conditioned Pilot signal so SimpBMS can read the Control Pilot current limit

I have ordered the first PCBs will be looking at making up a batch once the design is validated.

Would anyone with OR without a SimpBMS be interested in this as a product?

Posted: **Sat Jun 06, 2020 4:42 pm**

I for one am obvious candidate. Since I will took my Arduino DUE circuit out to use Simpbms I will need replacement for EVSE cp sensing.
I already tried to build a circuit that would digitally tell BMS to start charging, but since you know it better I will go with yours.

Tnx

Arber

Posted: **Sat Jun 06, 2020 6:05 pm**

Definitely interested. How will this interface to the SimpBMS? I am just hoping its on the less costly side of the spectrum, but I do appreciate the quality of the products you put out, Tom.

Thanks,
-Matt

Posted: **Sat Jun 06, 2020 6:18 pm**

mdrobnak wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 6:05 pm Definitely interested. How will this interface to the SimpBMS? I am just hoping its on the less costly side of the spectrum, but I do appreciate the quality of the products you put out, Tom.

Thanks,
-Matt

It will create the 12V AC present signal and can use the 12V charge enable output to actually request power from the EVSE.

The biggest benefit is that it can then calculate the AC current limit based on the Control Pilot and use that to manage the DC charger.

Should probably mention that the 4 pin header is a jumper to select the different Proximity Signal settings based on the Type 1 or Type 2 and if you have a resistor in your socket.

Pricing is yet to be decided, however there is no programming once it has been tested i can just have it produced and then it can be shipped as is without further work so should be quite cost effective. Shipping would probably be close to the sales price.

Posted: **Sat Jun 06, 2020 7:53 pm**

tom91 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 6:18 pm Pricing is yet to be decided, however there is no programming once it has been tested i can just have it produced and then it can be shipped as is without further work so should be quite cost effective. Shipping would probably be close to the sales price.

You can count me in as a test candidate since i have a working CP sensing with my charger allready installed. I can compare this with my previous setup.

Posted: **Sat Jun 06, 2020 8:08 pm**

tom91 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 6:18 pm
mdrobnak wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 6:05 pm Definitely interested. How will this interface to the SimpBMS? I am just hoping its on the less costly side of the spectrum, but I do appreciate the quality of the products you put out, Tom.

Thanks,
-Matt
It will create the 12V AC present signal and can use the 12V charge enable output to actually request power from the EVSE.

The biggest benefit is that it can then calculate the AC current limit based on the Control Pilot and use that to manage the DC charger.

Should probably mention that the 4 pin header is a jumper to select the different Proximity Signal settings based on the Type 1 or Type 2 and if you have a resistor in your socket.

Pricing is yet to be decided, however there is no programming once it has been tested i can just have it produced and then it can be shipped as is without further work so should be quite cost effective. Shipping would probably be close to the sales price.

Sounds good to me!
-Matt

Posted: **Sun Jun 07, 2020 5:35 pm**

Happy to test / buy one of these when available.

Posted: **Mon Jun 08, 2020 4:21 am**

Awesome! Please put me on the list of testers / buyers.

Posted: **Wed Jun 24, 2020 7:36 pm**

So had to make a revision, had not used the comperator before.

Now all tests out fine. So I am ready to order a small batch to start selling. First need to work out an enclosure solution.

Please have a read of the Manual and let me know if it all makes sense or if there are questions.

Posted: **Wed Jun 24, 2020 8:08 pm**

Reached out to Hammond Mfg to get quotations on enclosure modification costs.

Hopefully I will have some sort of price point figured out end of this week or beginning of next.

Posted: **Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:44 am**

That looks really good.

Manual is clear this is for AC Charging, but I have one question:
If used with a CCS socket, do you see any interference with making the same socket support DC fast Charging later with another controller for the CCS communication? Or would that upgrade most likely also replace simpcharge controller for AC Charging? I guess this.

Posted: **Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:21 am**

JaniK wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:44 am Manual is clear this is for AC Charging, but I have one question:
If used with a CCS socket, do you see any interference with making the same socket support DC fast Charging later with another controller for the CCS communication? Or would that upgrade most likely also replace simpcharge controller for AC Charging? I guess this.

The SimpCharge will have to be replaced by the DC/AC Charging Controller as It needs to be in full control plus the DC controller will also handle the AC charging side due to the nature of the signals and required checks on the signals.

Posted: **Thu Jun 25, 2020 11:55 am**

Thanks for clarifying, I was thinking about it sharing the type2 CP/PP/PE pins while writing, but because I wrote the question, I wanted to get confirmation for that.

As for type1 AC + separate chademo for DC charging, this should not be an issue?

Posted: **Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:51 pm**

JaniK wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 11:55 am As for type1 AC + separate chademo for DC charging, this should not be an issue?

Yes no issue the DC and AC charging here are even two seperate plugs so not shared at the socket and signal level. It all depends on how you handle it with the Vehicle Controller or BMS logic.

Posted: **Mon Jun 29, 2020 6:48 pm**

I do not know if its appropriate to discuss pricing anywhere but in the sales section, can create a topic there if required. Will create one once the first batch is in.

Having done testing I am ordering a batch and some enclosures to go with it. Hopefully will have an update on timing.

Pricing works out at 30GBP including VAT, seeing that this will have an enclosure it should be ok to ship with letter postage.

Posted: **Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:29 pm**

tom91 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 29, 2020 6:48 pm Pricing works out at 30GBP including VAT, seeing that this will have an enclosure it should be ok to ship with letter postage.

I would order one for testing please.

tnx

A

Posted: **Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:45 am**

Nice work

Posted: **Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:31 pm**

Does it just trickle the charger or is there a way to adjust/limit the actual current drawn by the charger according the CP PWM signal ?

Posted: **Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:28 pm**

prensel wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 5:31 pm Does it just trickle the charger or is there a way to adjust/limit the actual current drawn by the charger according the CP PWM signal ?

No it does not, as described earlier in the post. In combination with the SimpBMS it can do more.

Posted: **Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:35 pm**

Very investing idea , I am toying with idea of doing something similar but instead of output to simpbms, I would like to output a configurable 0-5v and or can bus signal indicating max power available based on pilot signal for controlling a charger that doesn't have J1772 support.

Posted: **Fri Jul 03, 2020 5:37 pm**

paaa wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:35 pm Very investing idea , I am toying with idea of doing something similar but instead of output to simpbms, I would like to output a configurable 0-5v and or can bus signal indicating max power available based on pilot signal for controlling a charger that doesn't have J1772 support.

You could do but that would require a controller ect. this board/product is meant to be as simple as possible so it will consume a very tiny amount of energy when not in use and be very simple to use and produce thus keeping costs down.

Posted: **Tue Jul 14, 2020 3:44 pm**

Count me in on one unit for testing! Send me a PM when you are able to send

Posted: **Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:15 pm**

Any news Tom?

Posted: **Thu Jul 30, 2020 7:23 pm**

langoo wrote: ↑Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:15 pmAny news Tom?

my pcb assembly supplier had some delays at their end but has told me the PCBs have shipped this week.

So hopefully I can provide an update soon once they are tested.

Posted: **Sat Aug 08, 2020 4:53 pm**

Good news everyone I received the pcbs and housings this week. Completed testing and now I am finishing the documentation.

The integration with the SimpBMS is also completed, had it all running on the bench in a hardware in the loop setup.

Pricing will be 32gbp including vat for the SimpCharge with mating connector.

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