We simply took one other journey as much as Saratoga, New York, by way of I-88 this previous weekend. We stopped on the EVolve NY charger station (4 chargers) in Oneonta, NY, which is about ⅔ of the best way to the vacation spot. Technically, with the brand new Kia EV6 and its regular 305-mile vary (about 260 miles on interstate), we may have pushed straight by, as a result of our Hilton resort with Stage II charging was 231 miles away. The EV6 can deal with a dump of about 240 kW from Electrify America (EA) stations, so 20 minutes tops does it for charging. Plus, a snack, drink, stretch, and toilet break are normally welcome. I imply, it’s presupposed to be a soothing drive. BTW, Electrify America is behind the Evolve NY stations.
On the best way up, the 350 kW was not obtainable, so we plugged right into a 150 kW charger. I all the time stand and look ahead to concerning the first 5 or so minutes. I simply can’t assist it with the EA QOS (High quality Of Service) stage. It was holding within the 140+ kW vary, so I walked into the comfort retailer. We did our “stuff” in there — about quarter-hour or so — after which got here out. As I used to be approaching the charger, I noticed it had hit the 80% stage. As I received nearer, then I noticed it. The kW numbers began going from 150’ish to 44’ish and in every single place in between at a change price of three per second. It seemed prefer it was having a spasm! Up and down, random numbers. I assumed, “What the hell?” This doesn’t look good. My first thought was it was just a few show display visible anomaly within the kW numbers. SO, I seemed on the show within the automotive and it was matching them. I then thought, “crap,” this isn’t good whether it is actually hitting the battery at that speedy change price. It ought to be pretty clean and secure in order that the BMS can be sure the battery is getting a uniform price. So, I hit the cease button to finish the charging.
On the best way again, we stopped there once more. This time the 350 kW station was open. I plugged in and undoubtedly watched. The 350 kW, after a few minute or so, began doing the very same factor, and it by no means went over 160 kW inside that first minute, which is uncommon being at 50% SOC starting. I watched it and was about to finish it, then abruptly it stabilized at 160’ish kW. I continued to look at and the remainder of the cost was “regular” to 91% or so.
Additional alongside in the direction of residence, we stopped on the Scranton EA station for a check. I used to be curious to see if it will occur at a completely totally different EA location. Alhough one charger of the 4 was down, we received on a 350 kW and it went to 240 kW for a minute or two, then dropped again to 160 or so kW. No spastic assaults in any respect. To this date, I’ve by no means seen this habits at any DC quick cost station. If anybody else has seen this “freakout” on station kW numbers earlier than, please reply within the feedback part. I wish to know your precise expertise. From an engineering perspective, I can’t think about that is good for the automotive’s battery.
It’s honest to say that the EA sagas proceed, irrespective of what number of street journeys the brand new CEO takes.
Replace 8/7/2023: Curiously sufficient, a third EV station location, Bloomsburg (pictured on the high), additionally for a brief time frame did the “SPAZ’ie” factor, bouncing in all places. It seems that EA has completed a software program replace that has some points. At greatest, it’s just a few sort of visible nonsense happening with the kW show. At worst, it’s really sending this extremely inconsistent power to the batteries. Above is a screenshot at 81%. The cost began at about 76% SOC. My stage II in my storage places out greater than 5 kW!
By William H Fitch III, We Are Photo voltaic Proprietor
WeAreSolar.com is a multi-decade firm in photo voltaic and renewable power consulting and distribution, in addition to some direct installations. He’s a present ASES member and has numerous different renewable power affiliations. He has been “into” photo voltaic and renewable power for the reason that Nineteen Seventies within the photo voltaic thermal space — every thing from photo voltaic cookers to super-insulated homes to sizzling air and liquid thermal techniques, flat plates, and evacuated tubes. William’s personal residence generates round 20 megawatt-hours a 12 months of PV electrical energy, and it additionally contains geothermal and photo voltaic thermal techniques. He and his spouse drive all-electric vehicles and use all-electric yard instruments. No gasoline.
Professionally, William spent roughly 40 years in I.T. — from software program coding to techniques design to full community {hardware} installations in a number of industrial environments and main companies.
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