openinverter forum

user manual SimpCharge / EVS-CPI

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ubd ... ue&sd=true

Functions without SimpBMS
- Detect Plug (Type 1 or 2) based on the Proximity Signal – Dedicated 12V output when plug is inserted, EVSE does not need to be powered ON
- Detect Active EVSE based on the Pilot Signal – Dedicated 12V output when Pilot Signal is ACTIVE
- Switch on EVSE with simple 12V signal – Can come from any 12V source; A BMS signal (same as a charger activate signal) or a simple 12V switch

So in theory all you would need is something to control your charger smartly, so with BMS interference if required. I do not recommend just having it auto start and the charger just keep pumping the batteries till it reaches the voltage set point.

A pinout wiring diagram can also be found here

this thing is friggen tiny

First Impressions of the: Active Vehicle Control board

This appears to be just a wimpy 5 Pin Relay with two additional pins, one for Proximity and the other for Control. The reason I say 5 Pin Relay is that they are a bit different than the 4 Pin in that they start off with something enabled/connected and when powered up disconnect that connection and can but doesn't have to enable something else so I call them Off Relays,

So I am guessing that you can have your VCU connected to the Always On Pin (for driving) and have your Charger connected to the Other Pin, that way it would prevent you from driving off with the charge cord plugged in type of thing.

But to start and for easability and simplicity I am not even going to use those pins as they are optional for safety, in other words I don't plan on using that built in little relay, I will simply test this gizmo like this:

1. First plug the J1772 plug into the vehicle

2. Turn my key counter clock wise in the ignition switch aka to the left (Accessory position)

• this turns on my 1st Gen Chevy Charger

• and now this will also turn on this EVSE control gizmo

EVSE J1772 Controller Fun Facts:

so after I bought it I learned they make two different kinds of this gizmo:

• AVC2

• AVC2.r

(and no this was not mentioned on the single page of instructions posted on their website, as it is found on page 2, lol)

We are supposed to "Measure the resistance from the PROX pin to the GND pin on the inlet connector before it is connected. If it measures 2740 ohms you have the resistor already and you need an AVC2. It it measure Open Circuit then you need an AVC2.r that includes the resistor."

Gregski wrote: ↑Sat Oct 07, 2023 3:09 pm EVSE J1772 Controller Fun Facts:

so after I bought it I learned they make two different kinds of this gizmo:

• AVC2

• AVC2.r

If only they included a resistor enable switch, would have simplified things a lot.

so a year or so ago when I knew even less than what I know now, I picked up this 1st Gen Chevy Volt charge port cable, or as the General calls it: Drive Motor Battery Charger Cable - GM (20972413)

Can the Eagle Eyed amongst you spot the situation here?

as compared to the pig tail from the OEM cord

I spy with my little eye, two umm... wifi antennas. Isn't that convenient. Boy, sure would suck if those were wires and needed to be run through that whole cable braid...

MattsAwesomeStuff wrote: ↑Sat Oct 07, 2023 9:35 pm I spy with my little eye, two umm... wifi antennas. Isn't that convenient. Boy, sure would suck if those were wires and needed to be run through that whole cable braid...

yeah, it makes me wonder how that aftermarket cable was supposed to work in the first place, I guess we will find out

yes I'm stalling as I feel the winter hibernation lazyness setting in


$100 bucks did not fill up our 2010 Honda Pilot 21 gallon fuel tank, the pumps are designed to STOP for security reasons at a $100 in case someone steals your card, had it kept going we would have ended up paying $124 to fill up

so after attempting to charge with the aftermarket three wire fire wire harness to prove to myself that it wouldn't work it couldn't possibly work, and by the way it didn't work, it was time to swapatize the proximity and control wires from the little OEM pig tail to the aftermarket wire harness


either I have seen my share of plugs and connectors by now and have gotten extremely good at taking them apart (highly unlikely) or this one wasn't designed and made in Germany at all l0l

first time in history of Gregotronics have I repluged a plug without as much as reaching for the curse jar

I am 72% sure there's a 50/50 chance I got these right

Gregski wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:05 am I am 72% sure there's a 50/50 chance I got these right


IMG_8664.JPG


IMG_8666.JPG

You know the 50/50 rule?
If there is a 50/50 chance you'll get it right.
90% of the time you get it wrong!

Alibro wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 6:46 am You know the 50/50 rule?
If there is a 50/50 chance you'll get it right.
90% of the time you get it wrong!

I might could be in the 10% then on this one, cause it worked

Alibro wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 6:46 am You know the 50/50 rule?
If there is a 50/50 chance you'll get it right.
90% of the time you get it wrong!

Yes i call it quantum mechanics of inserting USB drive. You allways need 3 tries despite it having only 2 sides .

arber333 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:37 pm Yes i call it quantum mechanics of inserting USB drive. You allways need 3 tries despite it having only 2 sides .

Baby Steps: so got the Level 1 charging at home working using an OEM 1st Gen Chevy Volt smart cord thingie


DISCLAIMER: The charge cord normally does not hang like this just from the outlet, I cleared all the clutter for the video, normally I use a tie down strap to ratchet it up to a hook above by it's handle !

so next it was off to a public charging station, and we just had a brand new one pop up right next to a brand new aquatic center I've been meaning to visit for always to get back into shape, The Greg luvs to swim!


so I pulled up right next to a Chevy Volt, skipped a few stalls [using that urinal etiquette] and was welcomed by a slew of standard public charging station errors, ah yes, good times


the first pole greeted me with a No Network Connectivity error


the second a couple stalls over made me feel like a dead beat with a: Card rejected error

Level 2 Charging at a Public Charging Station

“We shall charge till the end. We shall... charge with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall regen our battery, whatever the cost may be. We shall ... charge in the fields and in the streets, we shall charge in the hills; we shall never …”

we shall read a book that's what we shall do ... while charging of course

and here's where I decided to mount the charge port on this 1971 Chevy truck, no it's not in the most ideal location, these trucks came with fuel tanks inside the cab, right behind the bench seat, and a lot of EV Conversions repurpose the OEM fuel tank inlet for the charge port, but I did not want to drag high voltage wires inside the cab

as my buddy used to say, "We like standards, that's why we have so many of 'em"

Too much vandalism potential to me by leaving your hood open.

I'd be tempted to take your license place and install a flip-down on it instead. That's probably what I'll end up doing to mine. The gascap on it is centered on the top of the tail of the car. I've got lots of room under the non-grill too, so, a few choices.

MattsAwesomeStuff wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:35 am Too much vandalism potential to me by leaving your hood open.

I'd be tempted to take your license place and install a flip-down on it instead. That's probably what I'll end up doing to mine. The gascap on it is centered on the top of the tail of the car. I've got lots of room under the non-grill too, so, a few choices.

that is always a concern, however these trucks never came with a hood latch release inside the cab, they predate that cutting edge technology, all I have is a single manual lever at the nose of my hood easily accessible by anyone with opposing thumbs, so it makes no difference to a nefarious thief

I have read through your entire post without comment, but not because it wasn't comment worthy. I have been totally engrossed in the det's of your build, and didn't want to interrupt the fun. You've done such a great job of describing the build and I love your self-deprecating humour. Thanks for an informative, inspiring, and entertaining ride.

evolver1566 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 16, 2023 1:53 am I have read through your entire post without comment, but not because it wasn't comment worthy. I have been totally engrossed in the det's of your build, and didn't want to interrupt the fun. You've done such a great job of describing the build and I love your self-deprecating humour. Thanks for an informative, inspiring, and entertaining ride.

Wow, that is so kind of you and it just made my day, week!!! if anyone else sees this please do comment and interrupt, I appreciate the feedback good and bad (but mostly good)