EV-OLUTION

Adding ESP8266 to DIY Arduino EVSE/Charging point and using HiveMQ MQTT Broker

This is a second ESP8266 update to my already existing DIY Arduino based EVSE project. If you haven't heard about it, please visit DIY Arduino based EVSE project first. This update allows the user to monitor and control your DIY EVSE over the internet, and also protect it from unauthorized use. This is done by using cheap Lolin V3 board (ESP8266 based), HiveMQ MQTT Broker and a "MQTT Push Client" App for Android smartphones...

Arduino based EVSE/Charging point PCB v2

If you want our DIY EVSE PCB kit that suits DIY Arduino EVSE project please visit our store page as we got some PCBs made. Please note that we post them only to EU countries. If you are not from EU and still want to buy our kit you can use third party delivery companies such as www.mailboxde.com. Please be aware that by using third party delivery companies you will end up paying twice for postage and sale taxes.

Arduino ProMini WDT test and fix

This post is about Arduino ProMini WDT issue, causes and fix. I have also included Arduino code to do a quick WDT test on your board...

Arduino based DIY LIN controller for Nissan LEAF PTC heater

I've been getting emails asking about how I fixed my PTC heater recently and if there is any way it can be activated without original Climate Control Unit (CCU), as some people are interested in using it in their DIY EV conversions. So I though probably it's time to do another LEAF project and reverse engineer LEAF PTC heater LIN communication...

How I fixed my failed Nissan LEAF PTC heater

I have just been asked and reminded to share the information of how I fixed my failed PTC heater. So here we go. After discovering why these heaters fail in the first place I had to make sure I fix the "cause", before trying to fix the "results". So, as you found out from my previous post, "cause" is a failed soldering on PTC element terminals. So I have cleaned all the terminals and PCB and used lead containing solder to solder these terminals back. Lead solder is much better for such applications as it sticks better and is more resistant to constant temperature changes, although much worse for environment. But I guess heater in rubbish bin is even worse for environment...

DIY cheap CAN logger bridge

This time I am sharing a very cheap solution for CAN message logging on a Nissan LEAF, and probably many other vehicles. Also it can be used as a bridge on the existing CAN line. In such way you not only can log messages, but also you can detect what exact messages vehicle module is sending...

Nissan LEAF CRC of CAN messages and a code that runs on Arduino

This code, if uploaded to any Arduino board, will return CRC on serial communication port. Message must be put in to code before uploading it to Arduino board. Such code has no practical use on its own, but can be easily implemented into any other project which requires getting the right CRC. Such as CAN-man-in-the-middle solution for swapping a batteries on Nissan LEAF...

Adding ESP8266 to DIY Arduino EVSE/Charging point

This is update to my already existing DIY Arduino based EVSE project. If you haven't heard about it, please visit DIY Arduino based EVSE project first. This update allows user to get some parameters and readings from EVSE, and also protect it from unauthorized use. This is done by using cheap Lolin V3 board (ESP8266 based), MaQiaTTo broker and a "MQTT Dash" App for Android smartphones...

Our custom made PCBs that suits DIY Arduino EVSE project

We designed and built some PCBs to make our DIY EVSE look bit more professional. And realised we could share them with others. If you interested in building more professionally looking EVSE, please click here...

Arduino based EVSE/Charging point

There are loads of open source DIY EVSE/Charging point projects on the web. Best known OpenEVSE. So I was thinking for a while to try OpenEVSE project myself. But after studying it a bit, I realized I don't need all the stuff that OpenEVSE project offers. For example in-built GFI protection is not necessary in Germany and UK where I spend most of the time as all permanently installed charging points must be protected with external RCD. Stuck relay detection circuit might affect external RCD, so this function also has no use to me. I only wanted a very simple charging point that is safe enough to usebut not too complicated, to have ability of changing maximum charging current and be able to make it of the bits I already got or can acquire easily...

Using original Nissan LEAF Climate Control to control aftermarket heater

So, another project just kicked in with Nissan LEAF (2011-2012) climate control. As you know early Nissan LEAF PTC heaters sucks. They fail a lot and there is a good reason for this. You can read about this in my other post. So I been involved in a little project to make a controller for aftermarket heater. The idea was to control aftermarket heater without any additional switches, just by using existing data on the EV CAN...

DIY Arduino based RFID lock for EVSE

So after my friend made a wrong purchase of charging point without properly reading specifications and description, thinking it's got RFID lock only because of printed RFID symbol on front , I decided to help him and make a simple Arduino based RFID lock. And after successful attempt to do so, I decided to share this little project with you...

CANa Display for Nissan LEAF

After owning 2011 made Nissan LEAF for a while I can say most annoying thing is that you can't see how much of actual charge is left in the battery. Original Guessometer is very inaccurate driving on hilly roads. One of the solutions is LeafSpy app, which is brilliant, but I got tired of pulling out my phone every time we go on long journeys. That's why I decided to have a play with Arduino and MCP2515 CAN bus board, and make a simple display...

Nissan LEAF Headlights conversion

It's a common thing to see LEAF headlights upgraded from Halogen to LED ones. Also sometimes people do the opposite thing for couple reasons. First, if vehicle has been involved in an accident and headlights need replacing, sometimes LED ones are hard to source or way to expensive compared to new Halogen. In my case after moving to live in Germany I had to register my RHD vehicle here, so the headlights had to be changed before I could pass the road worthiness test. I was unable to source used LED headlights and new ones were way to overpriced. So I ended up by downgrading them to Halogen. Physically it's a straight forward job to swap different type headlights, but connectors have to be swapped and wiring modified. Easiest way is to pull terminals out of headlight plug and swap the plug itself on new headlight with the old plug ...

Add WiFi control to any EVSE

This is a quick guide how to convert a simple AC charging point in to WiFi enabled one by using Arduino Pro Mini and Sonoff SV Wifi relay. This gives you possibility of activating charging point from anywhere as long as you got access to internet. Also you get standard Sonoff functions like 7 day timer, countdown timer and delayed activation.  This is very easy and quick project. It does not require any altering of high voltage side on your charging point ...