ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: wadejesu on September 14, 2022, 11:04:03 PM
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I started using this gadget because still not sure if I should leave charger plugged once it reaches 100%, now I just look at how long charge will take and can shut it off from anywhere using the app. Also I can leave it plugged when i'm not around and turn it on if I plan on riding soon and I'm not there when it needs charging.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X52W1J8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
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Another option is a programmable timer. I use one to manage charging at home, because the one timed event per day Nextgen offers is already used at work. When i get home it stays on for a couple hours to get the battery in the 40-60 range, then turns off, and turns on again later a couple hours before I go to work to bring it up to 85%. A cheap option if you are only using single phase charging with the supplied Webasto charger. Many of those timers have 1500w or even 1800w ratings and my bike is only using 1300w
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The onboard charger communicates with the BMS and MBB etc via CAN.
On my FX, a few minutes after the bike reaches 100% the contactor opens and disconnects from the battery. At that point the charger isn't sending any current trying to overcharge the battery.
But I still like the idea of a wifi controlled outlet so you can be in more control of your charging plan.
Of course with lithium batteries you don't want to keep em at 100% all the time for no reason.
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I started using this gadget because still not sure if I should leave charger plugged once it reaches 100%, now I just look at how long charge will take and can shut it off from anywhere using the app. Also I can leave it plugged when i'm not around and turn it on if I plan on riding soon and I'm not there when it needs charging.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X52W1J8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I don’t think leaving the charger plugged in after charging is compleat has any negatives but it’s my understanding that charging constantly to 100% is detrimental to the battery & should be avoided.
I installed a duel timer (4 hr spring wound & electronic timer set @ 3 hr) so I can charge up to 7 hr timed or un-interrupted/continual (pre selected via selected switch).
Timer(s) & selected switch are crammed into a plastic water resistant box slightly larger then
2”x4” & permanently mounted to bike as is it’s output into the bikes socket via a 90° plug.
I store the 6’ cord in the shock mount/frame tube after installing a 2” ABS pipe (custom cut/glued) so all I have to do is pull out the cord/plug into the wall & twist the timer (as well as select the addition of 3 hrs if needed).
Let us know how well this device holds up as I was considering something like this before I chose to go the route I took.
I use 10%/hr to determine how long to set timer(s) & shoot for 70%.
My system is nice for its ease of independent use but on rare occasions it would be nice to remotely start a charge top off cycle.
Also the components I used have a 20 amp rating & connections can be accessed to inspect & re-tighten if/as needed.
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What I would want is a very simple one. Only has an off and on function and NOTHING else at all. And I mean NOTHING else. Just one button, no BS, no programs just a plan remote switch without the BS. Total manual control ONLY.
Only off and on.
Does anybody make one?
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Wouldn't the following suffice?
https://www.amazon.com/Century-Indoor-24-Hour-Mechanical-Outlet/dp/B01LPSGBZS/ref=sr_1_5 (https://www.amazon.com/Century-Indoor-24-Hour-Mechanical-Outlet/dp/B01LPSGBZS/ref=sr_1_5)
With my Zero S, i know every hour is about 10% so I set the timer accordingly and, done.
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That's all the app does, on/off
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Here's the one I use. It came as two so I have an extra. Whatever.
The days of the week feature is particularly helpful because it only does the charging on my work days.
10% per hour sounds about right.
https://a.co/dNPyMyD
Isn't it silly that the app doesn't offer more than one charge event per day? That seems like it wouldn't be too hard to implement. And also more than one charge target. Bring my bike to 50. Stop. Wait 12 hours. Bring my bike to 85. Stop.
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Wouldn't the following suffice?
https://www.amazon.com/Century-Indoor-24-Hour-Mechanical-Outlet/dp/B01LPSGBZS/ref=sr_1_5 (https://www.amazon.com/Century-Indoor-24-Hour-Mechanical-Outlet/dp/B01LPSGBZS/ref=sr_1_5)
With my Zero S, i know every hour is about 10% so I set the timer accordingly and, done.
Nope. No wifi. I want a simple off and on that I can use from 100 miles away.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Wouldn't the following suffice?
https://www.amazon.com/Century-Indoor-24-Hour-Mechanical-Outlet/dp/B01LPSGBZS/ref=sr_1_5 (https://www.amazon.com/Century-Indoor-24-Hour-Mechanical-Outlet/dp/B01LPSGBZS/ref=sr_1_5)
With my Zero S, i know every hour is about 10% so I set the timer accordingly and, done.
Nope. No wifi. I want a simple off and on that I can use from 100 miles away.
-Don- Auburn, CA
How do you expect that to work? You can get RF controlled sockets, but then you'd need something networked like a Raspberry Pi that can interface with the remote by which point you've just Rube Goldberged your way to a socket that has wifi natively.
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How do you expect that to work? You can get RF controlled sockets, but then you'd need something networked like a Raspberry Pi that can interface with the remote by which point you've just Rube Goldberged your way to a socket that has wifi natively.
Of course I will have internet at both ends.
I have used such before, but they were overly complicated and very confusing when I only wanted a simple switch.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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How do you expect that to work? You can get RF controlled sockets, but then you'd need something networked like a Raspberry Pi that can interface with the remote by which point you've just Rube Goldberged your way to a socket that has wifi natively.
Of course I will have internet at both ends.
I have used such before, but they were overly complicated and very confusing when I only wanted a simple switch.
-Don- Auburn, CA
I'm not really sure what you're after. Do you not have wifi in the location you want the outlet and you want a hardwired ethernet connection to it?
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I'm not really sure what you're after. Do you not have wifi in the location you want the outlet and you want a hardwired ethernet connection to it?
I have Wifi at each location, 100 miles /160 km away.
Such as to be able to turn a light on at my Reno, NV house from here in Auburn. CA at random times of my choice and be able to see it happen with my internet cameras. The internet cameras work well as is. I only want the SIMPLE on/off switch.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Then a wifi switch will work fine, I set mine up in less than 5 minutes.
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Then a wifi switch will work fine, I set mine up in less than 5 minutes.
A link to it, please. Which one do you have?
-Don- Auburn, CA
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X52W1J8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
It's in my first post, for 20 bucks it's worth a try, also you can add multiple outlets with same app.
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At least with my Zero SR/S and the latest firmware it would be a problem to leave the bike longer time connected to the cable if the charger disconnects before the bike stopped charging (e.g. if you shut down the plug through WIFI). The bike continues to stay in charge mode with dash (and I think also headlight) on. You may also see CAN bus errors in this case.
I have this problem since I only charge if the solar panels produce enough energy. You can switch the charger on and off. The bike will continue to charge if on, but stays in charge mode if off.
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X52W1J8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X52W1J8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)
It's in my first post, for 20 bucks it's worth a try, also you can add multiple outlets with same app.
Thanks, I just now ordered it. I will let you know if it works the way I want when I receive it in a few days.
-Don- Reno, NV
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If you do end up wanting a bit more control (and ironically cheaper), these are what I use:
https://amzn.to/3f2ddZj
I don't run the stock firmware, I flash them with Tasmota (which is free and super powerful once you get used to how to reflash units):
https://tasmota.github.io/docs/
With this installed, there's no cloud dependencies as it all runs local - and these plugs also do power monitoring as well, so you can see exactly how much power is being used, etc. I also run Home Assistant (free, open source), to do all my home automation - and this also allows me to control things away from the house, as you can configure it with external access. Then you can do more advanced things, like I have it monitor my powerwalls and solar, and it only turns on charging when there's enough solar and my powerwalls are full, and then just turns the outlet off when solar isn't outputting enough power for some period of time.
I also just bought one of these (although it hasn't arrived), and it allows you to also control the charge rate (from off, and then 6A on up to whatever unit you've bought - in my case 40A):
https://www.openevse.com/
It's a bit pricey as compared to other chargers, but I like the control it has plus the ability to integrate it with my automations.
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If you do end up wanting a bit more control (and ironically cheaper), these are what I use:
The ONLY control I want is a single remote button off and on. No timers, no monitoring, no nothing other than an acknowledgment that it did what I remotely requested.
I don't want something where I have to study a manual to figure out how to turn on and off instantly when I only use it perhaps once a month or so. The less functions, the better. I already own complicated ones that can do everything one can think of, and more, as long as you read and study the manual for at least a half hour each time you want to use it just to turn something on or off.
-Don- Reno, NV
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It sounds like the best solution to your very specific requirement that you mustn't have anything exceeding exactly what you need - is to get up and walk out to the garage.
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It sounds like the best solution to your very specific requirement that you mustn't have anything exceeding exactly what you need - is to get up and walk out to the garage.
The garage I want to control is 100 miles / 160 KM away. I bit too long of a walk for me.
-Don- Reno, NV
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X52W1J8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X52W1J8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)
It's in my first post, for 20 bucks it's worth a try, also you can add multiple outlets with same app.
I received it today and installed the Minoston app.
Simply has a "power on" and "power off".
It does have a timer but it does NOT add any complication. You have to want to use the timer to even get to it or else it's a simple on and off only. MUCH better than any of the others I have tried, for what I want.
It works perfectly for what I want. Very simple to use. Thanks!
-Don- Reno, NV
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If you do end up wanting a bit more control (and ironically cheaper), these are what I use:
The ONLY control I want is a single remote button off and on. No timers, no monitoring, no nothing other than an acknowledgment that it did what I remotely requested.
I don't want something where I have to study a manual to figure out how to turn on and off instantly when I only use it perhaps once a month or so. The less functions, the better. I already own complicated ones that can do everything one can think of, and more, as long as you read and study the manual for at least a half hour each time you want to use it just to turn something on or off.
I attached a screenshot of what Tasmota looks like - I think you're confusing featureful with complicated. While it has tons of features that you won't use, the basic features are, well, basic. There's a button on the device that turns the outlet on/off, and there's a web interface that I've attached that turns it on and off, and in big letters is says whether it's on or off.
The reason I recommended it was because once you set it up (the flashing with tasmota the most complicated part), it's literally about as simple as it's possible to get, and it has no external dependencies. No app, just a web interface you can access from your computer, phone, whatever. Either way, it sounds like you found an option you're happy with, but at least you know this is available and simple enough if you're so inclined.
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Either way, it sounds like you found an option you're happy with, but at least you know this is available and simple enough if you're so inclined.
Yep, I have other brands that are a BIG hassle to use for a simple manual off/on. The Minoston fits what I wanted perfectly. It still has some other functions, but they are only on the screen if I want to use them--which I don't.
-Don- Reno, NV