New Simp Eco development - Charge Port Controller

[tom91]

I have been working on filling gaps in the "Eco System" available to the opensource/diy/conversion market.

One of my biggest gripes has been the Functions / Features of charging and charge ports vs OEM vehicles.

To tackle this I am working on taking the SimpCharge product, a very analogue interface to the charge port, and just pile on the features.

Features:
-RGB LED output to indicate what the vehicle is doing near the charge port
-Locking motor/actuator control and monitoring, to ensure no unintended unplugging
-Stop Switch, to end the charging session on the vehicle side
-Vehicle lock status monitoring, keep cable locked when vehicle locked
-Control and Proximity signal monitoring and control
-Canbus interface to interact with BMS systems to communicate Charge Port status and AC current Limits
-IP67 enclosure allow mounting close to the charge port
-Sleep State when no Ignition input or plugged in of >100uA
-Low side Output to control relay to power on rest of EV system
-Low side Output and Canbus to disable drive enable

This will be compatible with the SimpBMS, Orion BMS and others please let me know if there are any BMS or Other system that integration would be beneficial with.

[johu]

That's a very good development. Might be worthwhile to have a CAN inhibit channel in the inverter, as forward/reverse would typically be produced by the VCU. That said if there is such thing as a VCU it might as well talk to port controller and lock out the inverter.

With CAN-less setups the low side output can just steal the 12V to the direction switch or trigger the emergency stop input.

[tom91]

With CAN-less setups the low side output can just steal the 12V to the direction switch or trigger the emergency stop input.

The idea is that it will do the same functions as the SimpCharge, so all analogue signals, and then add features on top.

It currently does not have a wake over Can Bus function, but I feel that this would be one step too far for most conversions a simple 12V wake up/ignition besides the plug wake should be enough.

[tom91]

One slight issue with the comparator setup used to wake on plug in which is easily fixed in the first batch.

The basic functions work, I will be rolling in more and more functions.



I am hoping to be able to offer these for sale in 1 to 2 months.

[tom91]

If anyone wants to provide some feedback I am looking for how best to integrate this with various BMS systems.

The messages/signals from the charge port controller
-Ground signal when plug is inserted, meant to be used to wake up vehicle for a charging session, currently driven low if plug is inserted will look at timing out if no successful charging session started.

-Canbus message : 0x357 byte 0 - 0x00 byte 1-2 Inlet AC Current limit

Messages/Signals to the Charge Port Controller
-12V line to indicate BMS is okay to accept charge/start charge session

-Canbus message is yet to be defined most likely looking at the SimpBMS message IDs checking for BMS errors and a Charge Current of >0A.

However if there are more requests I can roll them into my firmware and GUI I have been working on.

[EV_Builder]

I would suggest:
- Make the canbus ID's user setting and maybe forward in CAN the raw ADC and PWM data?
Makes the device less maintenance prone and future proof?
It's simple but a nice addition to the ecosystem:)

[Jack Bauer]

are these available yet Tom?

[catphish]

If anyone wants to provide some feedback I am looking for how best to integrate this with various BMS systems.

I have a couple of suggestions:

1) Add CAN versions of all physical signals. For example allow the charge session to be started by CAN as well as by a physical 12V input.
2) Add an output indicating the presence of the PP line. This can be used to inhibit driving if a cable is plugged in, and has the benefit that it will work even if it's not powered.
3) Add a jumper to loop back "ready to charge" into "begin charge" so that people with a 6A charger and no external logic can activate EVSEs passively. This can't be done external wire if one if a low side switch and the other is a 12V high input.

[tom91]

are these available yet Tom?

I am looking for some beta testers. I have the hardware and software practically done.

I have a couple of suggestions:
1 2 3

1. This is in place
2. Yes this is also in place, 12V power is permanent and a plug present will cause it to wake and output a signal
3. This is very easy to do, will review to see if this is already possible with current logic.

[Jack Bauer]

Happy to test it in the E39 if you have one spare.

[X19e]

Do you still plan to finish this? I've got a SimpCharge in combination with SimpBMS. The lock mechanism is a TUEV requirement and I've already started with a DRV8871 to operate it. LED's would be an additional feature.
Let me know if the unit is available, please.

Best regards
Frank

[tom91]

Let me know if the unit is available, please.

This unit is available, it is not compatible with a SimpBMS.

Due to SimpBMS being no longer produced this product is no longer updated.