MG5 LR & zappi home charger

MartinReid

MartinReid

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Some MG5 members might recall my post regarding the purchase of a home charger (I won't mention the name here so as not to confuse this thread).

I'm now researching the myenergy zappi (and HUB) home charger. So am looking for advice from any MG5 EV Long Range owners who use it. I notice that Spinynorman, LongRangeDave, EVsince2016, FormerOctavia amongst others have posted about the zappi.

For this thread car = MG5 EV Long Range (ordered but not yet delivered)
Changer = myenergy zappi fitted in the garage (considered but not yet ordered)
I don't have any other power source (eg.. Solar, Wind or Battery backup)
I'll number my queries to help later contributors.

(1) I've read somewhere about an issue with the car not waking up to receive a 12:30 to 04:30 charge. It was written that the car was plugged in around 18:00 hours, the car wakes up ready to take the charge then not receiving one (because it is not the time) the car goes back to sleep. When the time schedule on the charger (12:30) tries to wake the car up to take the charge. The car doesn't wake up and doesn't charge. Is this a real issue? I've contacted myenergy support and who replied "This does not affect the MG5, we have many customers who have the MG5, using timed boost charges with no problem"!

(2) Can I use the charger just using the screen controls and without using the smart phone app?

(3) Are there any owner/users in Lancashire who can recommend someone to install and commission the charger?

(4) Did any other members have the charger installed before they had the car? How did the installer commission it without connecting to a car?

Sincerely and in good faith
 
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My experience with the original MG5 did show a (car) timeout for scheduled charging.
If it was plugged in more than 12 hours prior to the timed charge it would fail.
 
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When I had my charger installed (Podpoint) the installer had a dummy load (basically a small electric heater)
I'm still waiting for my car, but even if I had it, I'd rather they didn't use my expensive car to test that the charger works...
 
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Alb said:
My experience with the original MG5 did show a (car) timeout for scheduled charging.
If it was plugged in more than 12 hours prior to the timed charge it would fail.
Click to expand...
Thanks Alb...

That raises 2 issues

(1a) Was that an MG5 (short range)?
(1b) would it have failed in this example? - Plugged in 17:00 scheduled charge 12:30 to 04:30
 
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MartinReid said:
Some MG5 members might recall my post regarding the purchase of a home charger (I won't mention the name here so as not to confuse this thread).

I'm now researching the myenergy zappi (and HUB) home charger. So am looking for advice from any MG5 EV Long Range owners who use it. I notice that Spinynorman, LongRangeDave, EVsince2016, FormerOctavia amongst others have posted about the zappi.

For this thread car = MG5 EV Long Range (ordered but not yet delivered)
Changer = myenergy zappi fitted in the garage (considered but not yet ordered)
I don't have any other power source (eg.. Solar, Wind or Battery backup)
I'll number my queries to help later contributors.

(1) I've read somewhere about an issue with the car not waking up to receive a 12:30 to 04:30 charge. It was written that the car was plugged in around 18:00 hours, the car wakes up ready to take the charge then not receiving one (because it is not the time) the car goes back to sleep. When the time schedule on the charger (12:30) tries to wake the car up to take the charge. The car doesn't wake up and doesn't charge. Is this a real issue? I've contacted myenergy support and who replied "This does not affect the MG5, we have many customers who have the MG5, using timed boost charges with no problem"!

(2) Can I use the charger just using the screen controls and without using the smart phone app?

(3) Are there any owner/users in Lancashire who can recommend someone to install and commission the charger?

(4) Did any other members have the charger installed before they had the car? How did the installer commission it without connecting to a car?

Sincerely and in good faith
Click to expand...
The MG5 does not have a scheduled charging programme so when you plug it in it will connect to charger (once you lock the car). You may be getting confusion with other cars that do have a timer programme, and not set up correctly may fight the charger for control. There is no problem regarding doing the control from the Zappi screen. The app does not give full control, but you need the hub to get the olev grant and more importantly firmware updates. Any reference to it not waking up at night is just a matter of poor setup or that the user hasn't unlocked the Zappi before rushing into the house.
I have two Zappi chargers and never had a problem with my MG5 or my wife's Renault Zoe. The Zoe is set to 'always allow charge' and I control everything via the Zappi's. Regarding installer commissioning they use a switching device which puts a fake resistance onto the charger so that we can conduct live electrical tests. A car is not required to commission, but it is always nice to demonstrate that it works to the client by showing it charging their car.
 
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There was an issue of the car timing out after x hours, but my understanding from reading through the forum is that it was resolved in a software update. Some time ago.

Martin most chargers will require a smartphone for the initial setup. Once you've set your regular schedule all you need to do is plug the car in, or not. You'll only need to interface with it if you want to charge. outside of this time.

My charger will be installed prior to the car arriving (all going well), and I too would not want my new car being used to test the charger after installation. I'll need the fast charger to be able to recharge my daily commute each night during cheap hours but the standard 'granny' charger will work as an alternative leaving it on over several hours and costing more money.

The grant (£350) for home charging ends on the 31st March (that's installed, not ordered) and I believe a lot of installers have frozen orders so they can beat the deadline for all the orders already on the books.
 
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MartinReid said:
Thanks Alb...

That raises 2 issues

(1a) Was that an MG5 (short range)?
(1b) would it have failed in this example? - Plugged in 17:00 scheduled charge 12:30 to 04:30
Click to expand...
It was a Standard Range car and it wouldn't have failed in your scenario. I was just trying to point out that even when the schedule is controlled by the Charge Point, the car doesn't wait indefinitely.
 
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Alb said:
It was a Standard Range car and it wouldn't have failed in your scenario. I was just trying to point out that even when the schedule is controlled by the Charge Point, the car doesn't wait indefinitely.
Click to expand...
Does the car know it's plugged in if you just plugged a type 2 cable in to it without plugging the other end into anything ?
I was thinking maybe if the charger was totally off, would it wait indefinitely then start to charge when the charger was switched on ?
 
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Alb said:
It was a Standard Range car and it wouldn't have failed in your scenario. I was just trying to point out that even when the schedule is controlled by the Charge Point, the car doesn't wait indefinitely.
Click to expand...
I have heard of this 'time out' from previous threads and, although it has never affected me , makes sense. If after 12 hours of making the first contact with the charger no charge has been supplied it would decide that the charger was faulty and disconnect.
 
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Kithmo said:
Does the car know it's plugged in if you just plugged a type 2 cable in to it without plugging the other end into anything ?
Click to expand...
Haven't experimented, but I could imagine it detecting a plug being inserted into the charging port in which case it may still lock it in place (when the car is locked) regardless of whether it was connected at the other end.
For a charge to be enabled however, I think that a pilot connection needs to be made and that would only occur if the other end of the cable was plugged in to a live charging point.
 
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The Zappi seems to have a workaround to the timeout issue. The MG5 is clearly not compliant with the charging standards but the Zappi can wake it by doing its automatic reset that occurs when charging doesn't start as expected. There are some settings which can help to prevent the Zappi from erroneously concluding that the car is fully charged.
 
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I have only had the Zappi 2 fail to charge my MG5 (SR) on one occasion. This was because the charging cable did not lock into position when I locked the car. I now listern to make sure the charging connector to the car locks and I have not had a problem since.
I got Octopus Energy to install my Zappi 2 and they were the cheapest around.
 
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Petriix said:
The Zappi seems to have a workaround to the timeout issue. The MG5 is clearly not compliant with the charging standards ..
Click to expand...
What are these charging standards that the MG5 is not compliant with ?
 
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abucksdiver said:
When I had my charger installed (Podpoint) the installer had a dummy load (basically a small electric heater)
I'm still waiting for my car, but even if I had it, I'd rather they didn't use my expensive car to test that the charger works.
Click to expand...
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and input. There is a lot here so no offense meant if I don't respond to you personally.

LGUK.. I knew I had read about this issue.. It is good to hear that you think it was cleared up by a software update... This corresponds to a note from myenergy about the MG5 and zappi quote from their email "1b) This does not affect the MG5, we have many customers who have the MG5, using timed boost charges with no problems."... And yes we are all rushing to get the charger installed before the end of March.

abucksdiver.. I hope who ever installs mine does the same.

Justin.. I must have been unclear I didn't want to give the impression that the MG did the scheduling that will be handled by the zappi. It is a good point about the HUB handling the firmware updates and it is particularly satisfying to hear you have never had an issue between MG5 LR and zappi.

Petriix.. myenergy sent me a PDF of the zappi user manual. I read though it and didn't see anything about your 'work-a-round' automatic reset. And if you can point me to the correct section of the manual regarding "There are some settings which can help to prevent the Zappi from erroneously concluding that the car is fully charged." That would be helpful.

Dickie0121... Point taken - make sure the charging cable is locked (both ends) also "I got Octopus Energy to install my Zappi 2 and they were the cheapest around." do you mind publishing what you paid?

Sincerely and in good faith
Martin Reid
 
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MartinReid said:
Thank you everyone for your thoughts and input. There is a lot here so no offense meant if I don't respond to you personally.

LGUK.. I knew I had read about this issue.. It is good to hear that you think it was cleared up by a software update... This corresponds to a note from myenergy about the MG5 and zappi quote from their email "1b) This does not affect the MG5, we have many customers who have the MG5, using timed boost charges with no problems."... And yes we are all rushing to get the charger installed before the end of March.

abucksdiver.. I hope who ever installs mine does the same.

Justin.. I must have been unclear I didn't want to give the impression that the MG did the scheduling that will be handled by the zappi. It is a good point about the HUB handling the firmware updates and it is particularly satisfying to hear you have never had an issue between MG5 LR and zappi.

Petriix.. myenergy sent me a PDF of the zappi user manual. I read though it and didn't see anything about your 'work-a-round' automatic reset. And if you can point me to the correct section of the manual regarding "There are some settings which can help to prevent the Zappi from erroneously concluding that the car is fully charged." That would be helpful.

Dickie0121... Point taken - make sure the charging cable is locked (both ends) also "I got Octopus Energy to install my Zappi 2 and they were the cheapest around." do you mind publishing what you paid?

Sincerely and in good faith
Martin Reid
Click to expand...
It's not in the manual, just in the compatible settings. You can increase the 'End Charge' time to prevent the issue with the Zappi thinking the car has finished charging and switch 'Infinite PWM' on to ensure the CP signal remains on while the car is plugged in.

The fault/reset seems to be an automatic step that the Zappi does when the car fails to correctly respond to the change in CP line voltage. Apparently the MG will only recognise the signal to start charging if the voltage is briefly dropped from 12v to zero where the standard actually dictates that the car should indefinitely monitor the voltage for any change.

I initially had a few issues with stop/start charging until I tweaked the settings, but there have been some firmware updates as well. It now works well with a couple of caveats: smart boosts require the car is already charging in Eco mode otherwise it will fail to respond in time for the test procedure; and restarting charging in Eco+ mode will be delayed for a minute while the car doesn't respond then the Zappi does the fault/reset and it finally starts charging.
 
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Sounds very complicated. Never had any problems with my rolec just set it when you want it to start and stop 7 days a week. With the ev energy app and Octopus Go simple.
 
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Petriix.. You clearly know your way round the zappi on an MG5...

Have you any observations on this conversation I had with Robert at zappi? (Remember I don't have solar, wind or battery storage)

(my email to Robert) Am I correct that once the charger is installed and is up and running I can operate it without access to the mobile phone app? For example page 14 Boost timer.

ECO+
BOOST TIMER
Start Dur Days
00:30 4h00 MTWTFSS
00:00 0h00 -------
00:00 0h00 -------
00:00 0h00 -------

If the charger has the above Boost Timer Settings and the car is plugged in on any particular evening the charger immediately tries to charge with ECO energy (of which there is none) and waits until the TIMER Setting to charge at FAST mode rate from the grid. Is this 'plug-in and leave' assumption correct?

(Robert from myenergy answers)
Yes you can operate the device without the app, however if to you plan on claiming the grant, the hub has to be installed as part of the requirements for the grant. The way you have interpreted the instructions for setting a timed boost are correct.

Petriix.. Also.. Finally when the zappi is actually installed. If I have any difficulties, how do you feel about me sending you a personal message for some guidance?

Slipstream... It may be complicated to 'set up' but as I outlined at the start of the thread, I'm looking to install a charger that I can use without using an app.

So to wrap this up, I've completed myenergy's on line application and am awaiting quotations. Then we shall see if I can get one installed before April

Thank you again everyone for your contributions it has all been very thought provoking
Sincerely and in good faith
 
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MartinReid said:
Petriix.. You clearly know your way round the zappi on an MG5...

Have you any observations on this conversation I had with Robert at zappi? (Remember I don't have solar, wind or battery storage)

...

Petriix.. ...

Slipstream... ...

So to wrap this up, I've completed myenergy's on line application and am awaiting quotations. Then we shall see if I can get one installed before April

Thank you again everyone for your contributions it has all been very thought provoking
Sincerely and in good faith
Click to expand...
If you type an @ sign in front of the username it works better @MartinReid
 
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MartinReid said:
Petriix.. You clearly know your way round the zappi on an MG5...

Have you any observations on this conversation I had with Robert at zappi? (Remember I don't have solar, wind or battery storage)

(my email to Robert) Am I correct that once the charger is installed and is up and running I can operate it without access to the mobile phone app? For example page 14 Boost timer.

ECO+
BOOST TIMER
Start Dur Days
00:30 4h00 MTWTFSS
00:00 0h00 -------
00:00 0h00 -------
00:00 0h00 -------

If the charger has the above Boost Timer Settings and the car is plugged in on any particular evening the charger immediately tries to charge with ECO energy (of which there is none) and waits until the TIMER Setting to charge at FAST mode rate from the grid. Is this 'plug-in and leave' assumption correct?

(Robert from myenergy answers)
Yes you can operate the device without the app, however if to you plan on claiming the grant, the hub has to be installed as part of the requirements for the grant. The way you have interpreted the instructions for setting a timed boost are correct.

Petriix.. Also.. Finally when the zappi is actually installed. If I have any difficulties, how do you feel about me sending you a personal message for some guidance?

Slipstream... It may be complicated to 'set up' but as I outlined at the start of the thread, I'm looking to install a charger that I can use without using an app.

So to wrap this up, I've completed myenergy's on line application and am awaiting quotations. Then we shall see if I can get one installed before April

Thank you again everyone for your contributions it has all been very thought provoking
Sincerely and in good faith
Click to expand...
Yes, fine to ask any questions. I don't have notifications turned on so only get messages when I happen to browse the forum.

Yes, it's possible (but fiddly) to use it without the app; I'm not sure why you'd choose to do so. As stated in the email, the grant is contingent on it being installed with the hub, even if you choose not to use it.
 
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