FAQs

AC Chargers Frequently Asked Questions

What influences charging speeds with an AC charger?

AC charging speeds are primarily determined by the vehicle's battery design. While a charger may offer 22kW, the vehicle's battery may only accept, for example, 11kW. Consequently, the car will charge at the rate its battery can handle, even when connected to a 22kW charger.

What is the typical charging speed with AC chargers?

Charging speed varies significantly depending on the vehicle's battery design, with each car model having its own charging rate. However, the average charging speeds for our AC chargers are as follows:

7kW = 40 – 50 km/hr
22kW = 120 – 140 km/hr

What protective device is required for AC chargers?

All our chargers come equipped with 6mA DC Leakage Detection and feature a Type B RCD (Residual Current Device). We recommend installing a minimum of a 40A Type A RCBO (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection) for all AC chargers. An MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) is the best choice for both the BLOCK and PILLAR chargers.

What distinguishes 7kW, 11kW & 22kW chargers?

The primary distinctions among them lie in charging speed and the number of power lines used:

7kW is a single-phase charger, slower but suitable for most homes.
11kW and 22kW are three-phase chargers, faster but require a three-phase power setup.

What sets apart Tethered and Universal chargers?

Tethered chargers have an integrated Type 2 cable to the charger, so you cannot use a different cable. Universal chargers come with a Type 2 socket where users need to provide their own cable and plug it in to use the charger.

Whom should I contact if my charger malfunctions?

Please contact info@autochgr.com if you encounter any issues with your charger post-installation.

Can I extend the warranty on the chargers?

Yes, chargers that come with an extended warranty option, with a maximum of 5 years.

Which chargers are compatible with software?

All chargers are supported with OCPP if enabled (Open Charge Point Protocol).

Are there discounts for bulk charger purchases?

Further discounts on top of our wholesale pricing can be discussed. Please contact us to explore your options at: info@autochgr.com.

DC Chargers Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical charging speeds with DC chargers?

Charging speed varies significantly depending on the vehicle's battery design. However, here are the average charging speeds for our DC chargers:

60kW: 300-400 km/hr
90kW: 500-600 km/hr
120kW: 650-800 km/hr
150kW: 850-1000 km/hr

What sets apart Tethered and Universal chargers?

Whom should I contact if my charger malfunctions?

Please contact info@autochgr.com if you encounter any issues with your charger post-installation.

Can I extend the warranty on the chargers?

Yes, chargers that come with an extended warranty option, with a maximum of 5 years.

Which chargers are compatible with software?

All chargers are supported with OCPP if enabled (Open Charge Point Protocol).

Are there discounts for bulk charger purchases?

Further discounts on top of our wholesale pricing can be discussed. Please contact us to explore your options at: info@autochgr.com.

What distinguishes AC and DC Charging?

AC charging relies on the EV's onboard AC to DC power converter to charge the vehicle. It requires an adapter connection to a distribution board.

AC charging is available in both single-phase and three-phase options and is a more cost-effective solution.

DC Charging, on the other hand, performs AC to DC power conversion externally. DC chargers are larger due to housing a substantial AC-DC power converter, offer a greater charging range and capacity (20kWh-150kWh), have significantly faster charging times than AC chargers, and connect directly to your vehicle's battery.

Grants

Do states offer grants for EV chargers?

Grants for EV chargers are available at the state level. We suggest visiting the official websites of each state to explore EV charger grant opportunities.

Installations

Are there grants available for EV chargers?

EV charger grants are distributed on a state-by-state basis. We recommend visiting each state's official website for information on EV charger grants.

What kind of protective device is required for AC chargers?

All our chargers come equipped with 6mA DC Leakage Detection. Both the BLOCK and PILLAR chargers feature a Type B RCD (Residual Current Device).

We advise the installation of a minimum 40A Type A RCBO (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection) for all AC chargers. For both the BLOCK and PILLAR models, an MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) is the preferred choice.

What happens if the internet connection is lost to my charger? Will the software and charger still function?

If the internet connection is lost during a charging session for AC or DC chargers, the charging session will pause, and you will need to re-authorize it. There's an option to allow the charger to continue charging at its lowest speed (6A) in the event of an internet disconnection.

Will I receive discounts for bulk charger purchases?

We can discuss additional discounts on top of our wholesale pricing. Please contact us to explore your options at: info@autochgr.com.

Can I add load management to my existing EV chargers?

Adding load management is possible with the installation of additional EV chargers, but it can be challenging for existing chargers. We recommend installing load management before the original chargers are installed to future-proof your project for upcoming charger installations.

Can I expand my existing charging network with more chargers?

Yes, this is possible, depending on your distribution board's rating. For further support, please contact us at info@autochgr.com.

Can I have a 4G modem installed after purchase?

For the AutoCHGR SMART and BLOCK, you can add a 4G modem at an additional cost. We suggest purchasing the 4G model of your chosen charger if you anticipate needing one for your project.

Load Management / Dynamic Load Balancing

What's the cost of load management?

For load management pricing, we recommend contacting us to discuss your project's specific requirements so that we can provide you with the most suitable solution and pricing. Please reach out to us at info@autochgr.com for further details.

Which chargers are compatible with load management?

All chargers support Dynamic Load Balancing.

Is load management necessary?

Load management is strongly recommended for projects adding multiple chargers to a distribution network shared with other appliances. If you need further assistance, please contact us at info@autochgr.com.

Can I retrofit load management to my existing EV chargers?

While it's possible to retrofit load management with the installation of additional EV chargers, it's challenging to do so for existing chargers. We suggest installing load management before the original chargers to future-proof your project for upcoming charger installations.

Is the Load Management System Hardware or Software-Based?

The hardware component of load management monitors readings from CT clamps and communicates data to individual EV chargers, regulating their charging speeds based on available power in the distribution network.

The software aspect of load management provides system operation information to the operator. If your EV charger system is connected via OCPP, the load controller's readings and commands will be transmitted to the chargers through their internet connection.

Why is load management necessary?

- Prevent local network disruptions: Load management prevents overloading of essential devices and reduces circuitry wear and tear by ensuring the network of EV chargers never draws more power than the distribution system can handle.

- Improve existing electrical infrastructure: Load management allows the operation of additional EV chargers on a distribution board network without the need to upgrade existing electrical infrastructure, such as distribution boards and wiring.

- Reduce power costs: Load management enables the scheduling of charging during non-peak periods, avoiding high electricity rates during peak hours.

What is Load Management?

Load management is essential when the power consumption from EV chargers exceeds a building's existing electrical supply infrastructure. It's particularly suitable for residential complexes, such as apartments, retail areas, and commercial buildings with numerous chargers. Load management has become a standard feature in global and Australian EV charging operations.

Load management can be categorized into two types: static and active. For further information and to determine which load management suits your project best, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@autochgr.com.

Software

What happens if the internet connection is lost to my charger? Will the software still operate, and will the charger continue functioning?

In the event of an internet connection dropout during a charging session, the charging session will halt, requiring reauthorization to resume.

There is a special option to allow the charger to continue charging after an internet connection loss. In this mode, the charger will charge at its minimum speed, which is 6A.

How do I configure the software for installation?

An onboarding form will be sent to the owner of the EV chargers with OCPP software. After completing the form, please return it to our team. They will pre-commission the EV chargers based on the settings provided on the form.

What is required to ensure the software functions correctly?

To ensure proper software operation, you'll need a valid subscription to any OCPP software connected to the charger. Additionally, a stable internet connection is essential, with an Ethernet cable connection recommended. All software settings will be configured during the commissioning process before the charger is deployed.

What are the advantages of having software?

Utilizing software provides access to various benefits, including:

- Billing capabilities

- Remote troubleshooting

- Energy consumption tracking

- User authentication

- Load management features

Which chargers are compatible with software?

All chargers are compatible with OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol).

What software do we recommend for our chargers?

We recommend the Open Charge Profile Protocol (OCPP) compatible software, particularly ChargeFox, for all our OCPP-enabled chargers.

Is the Load Management System Hardware or Software-Based?

The hardware component of the load management system monitors readings from CT (Current Transformer) clamps and sends data to individual EV chargers to regulate their charging speeds based on available power in the distribution network.

The software component of load management provides operational information to the operator. If your EV charger system is connected via OCPP, the load controller's readings and commands will be transmitted to the EV chargers through their internet connection.

Support

What is the typical charging rate with DC chargers?

The charging rate largely depends on the vehicle's battery design. However, our DC chargers typically offer the following average charging speeds:

- 60kW = 300-400 km/hr

- 90kW = 500-600 km/hr

- 120kW = 650-800 km/hr

- 150kW = 850-1000 km/hr

What distinguishes 7kW, 11kW and 22kW chargers?

The primary difference between 7kW, 11kW and 22kW chargers lies in their charging speeds and power supply configurations.

- 7kW is a single-phase charger. It charges more slowly than a 22kW charger, but it's suitable for most homes due to the power available through the switchboard.

- 11kW and 22kW are three-phase chargers. Three-phase chargers can charge at a faster rate than single-phase chargers. However, their installation may not be feasible for everyone, as it requires an existing three-phase power setup. The vehicle's design determines how much power can be drawn from the charger, regardless of its charging speed.

What distinguishes Tethered and Universal chargers?

Tethered chargers have an integrated Type 2 cable that is permanently attached to the charger, and you cannot use a different cable. Universal chargers come with a Type 2 socket, requiring users to bring their own cable and plug it in to use the charger.

Whom should I contact if my charger experiences issues?

If you encounter any problems with your charger after installation, please contact us at info@autochgr.com.

Is it possible to purchase an extended warranty for the chargers?

Yes, extended warranties are available up to 5 years.

Is there a warranty for the load management system, and if so, for how long?

Yes, there is a 3-year warranty for the AutoCHGR load management system.

Is there a warranty for the chargers, and if so, how long is it?

Each charger comes with a mandatory 3-year warranty, with the option to purchase an additional 2 years.

What happens if the internet connection is lost to my charger? Will the software still operate, and will the charger continue functioning?

If the internet connection drops during a charging session on an IQ or DC range charger, the charging session will pause, requiring re-authorization to resume.

There is a special option that allows the charger to continue charging at its lowest speed (6A) in the event of an internet connection loss.

Can I receive discounts for bulk charger purchases?

We can discuss additional discounts on top of our wholesale pricing. Please contact us at info@autochgr.com to explore your options.

Is there a buy-back scheme for used chargers if I wish to upgrade chargers in the future?

Unfortunately, there is currently no buy-back scheme for old or used chargers.

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FAQs

Top Frequently Asked Questions

AC Chargers Frequently Asked Questions

DC Chargers Frequently Asked Questions

Grants

Load Management / Dynamic Load Balancing

Software

Support

Country/region

Language