EVEC VEC01 + Homeassistant = Working

[hnb2907]

Hi,

Recently got an EVEC VEC01 (firmware V104.222.01 I believe is the current latest) with lbbrhzn/ocpp v0.10.9 in Homeassistant. However, OCPP is only supported on the internal RJ45 ethernet port, not over WiFi.

Installed and configured the VEC01 using the EVEC app, connected to WiFi, registered EVEC account, as per the user manual. DIP switch 4 set to "APP+OCPP".

Installing OCPP integration in homassistant, used default settings, except I needed to change port from 9000 to 9001 (9000 already used by another integration).

I have OCPP integration running on port 9001 on my homeassistant. My homeassistant server IP is 192.168.1.4 and does not use a secure connection within my home LAN (so ws:// rather than wss://). Seems to need the / at the end of the URL.
In the EVEC app Setting page:

• set "IP Address (URL)" to ws://192.168.1.4:9001/
• set "ID" to any value, must match the ID value configured in OCPP integration in homeassistant, I used ID set to "VEC01"

After rebooting homeassistant and the VEC01, it was immediately detected by the OCPP integration, and auto detected the entities. Most of the entities are initially "Unavailable", until you try to use the charger, and will then populate with reasonable data. Some entities are probably superfluous, as they don't appear to produce any data, so I've disabled most of them in homeassistant.

• can control charge on/off using "Charge Control" button. Note the button status has some weird behaviour/delay when pressed on the homeassistant webpage, but it works and is stable after a few seconds.
• can change charge current (although I've not confirmed it works as expected)
• can read voltage/current/power, connector status (available, connected, charging), temperature, errors/status, firmware version, ping/pong times & reconnection counter
• can reset the VEC01
• other stuff I've not verified

So it looks like everything should work with homeassistant to automate charging. I will probably control it with predbat, so it integrates with solar+battery+octopus agile.

Long term, there is a 0V/+12V DC connector on the main PCB inside the VEC01, which I will try to power a VONETS VAR11N-300 WiFi-RJ45 bridge. This device should be small enough to fit inside the VEC01, and connect to its RJ45 port, instead of running an ethernet cable to it. I'll probably add some environmental coating to the PCB inside the VONETS device to help protect it from moisture.
Note: haven't tried this yet, but is likely to work. If it does, I'll disconnect the WiFi and make the VEC01 local only control from homeassistant, and close my EVEC account and uninstall the app.

Seems to be stable, no reboots, OCPP connection hasn't dropped, and it generally appears to work.

I guess it will probably work with the VEC02 & VEC03 & VEC04 variants.

Maybe you could add this to the wiki supported devices page? :)

Cheers,
Chris.

[hnb2907]

Update

Local only control is working with Homeassistant/OCPP.

I've connected a VONETS VAR11N-300 WiFi-RJ45 to the internal RJ45 socket on the PCB. VONETS device is configured in "WiFi Bridge" mode, and is registered to a WiFi network with no internet access.

DIP switch 4 must to set to "OCPP only" mode. Otherwise, homeassistant/OCPP returns Connector Status of "Unavailable" when switching on the charger output.

The VEC01 no longer sees an internet connection, so control via the EVEC app is not possible (and my desired outcome).

The VONETS device is 5V to 15V DC tolerant, and can be powered from a 0V/+12V socket found on the VEC01 main PCB. Need a matching 2 pin connector to plug it onto the VEC01 PCB, and modify the power lead to the VONETS device to suit.
It will also fit easily inside the VEC01 chassis. I'll probably use some sticky double sided velcro pads, and mount it inside right-side, just below the wiring labels.

Hope this helps someone.

Cheers,
Chris.