New cards and old chargers

BoatMad

Perhaps newbies arnt aware but I was surprised to find a selection of SCPs are not able to read the latest esb ecars card.

KCross

What does that mean for the user? That you cant charge at them?
How do you get around that? Do you have to call ESB and they remotely activate?

Is it an issue with "new" cards only or what? I'm getting a new card this week so Im interested to know what's required here.

And what chargers did you have issues with?

BoatMad

There's no solution , esb have to replace the charger

Incredible isn't it.

As a telematics engineer the network is like it dates from the 80s

Given the recent install , it all should have full real time telematics built in , you should see instantly by an app , the real time status and usage

As it is, it's an appalling inditement of the esb.

stesaurus

It's very annoying and no way of knowing about it in advance so that you could plan around it.

KCross

And is it not possible for ESB to remotely activate it by calling their support line thus bypassing the card activation?

stesaurus

KCross wrote: »

And is it not possible for ESB to remotely activate it by calling their support line thus bypassing the card activation?

The problem is there is no connection to them. It can't access the network to verify the card and that means support can't connect to start it remotely either. I got caught out relying on one in Bantry and ended up needing a tow

KCross

s.welstead wrote: »

The problem is there is no connection to them. It can't access the network to verify the card and that means support can't connect to start it remotely either. I got caught out relying on one in Bantry and ended up needing a tow

Thats sounds more like a one off general issue with the charger being offline than it being an issue with "new cards".

Am I missing something in what BoatMad has originally described and your experience?

Presumably if the charger has the ability to read a card (old or new) it should be possible for ESB to remotely activate it?

If the charger is offline and comms between it and ESB are down then I understand that that's not fixable remotely but thats a "one off" issue surely and not a general issue with new cards?

stesaurus

As far as I understood it it's not a one off; there is never any connection available on these older chargers. They use a whitelist to allow access. So only older cards work as they don't update this whitelist

KCross

s.welstead wrote: »

As far as I understood it it's not a one off; there is never any connection available on these older chargers. They use a whitelist to allow access. So only older cards work as they don't update this whitelist

OMG! If thats true I'm lost for words!

zoom_cool

I am sure a list can be generate of which ones dont work with the newer cards at least that way people will know not to go to them if they have a newer card.

BoatMad

zoom_cool wrote: »

I am sure a list can be generate of which ones dont work with the newer cards at least that way people will know not to go to them if they have a newer card.

yes its provided with the card when you get it


its still a shocking system, really the network telemetry is junk, pure JUNK.

BoatMad

KCross wrote: »

OMG! If thats true I'm lost for words!

its true, and I had it confirmed today by cars, they are " slowly " replacing them ,

oinkely

You get a list of stations that will not work when you get your card. it says that if you need to use these you need to contact them to arrange access. One of these in in Wicklow, which is near my mothers house so it would be one I would potentially use, so will be giving them a call shortly to see what is involved.

They are all standard chargers. It seems that the rapids are all accessible.

BoatMad

oinkely wrote: »

You get a list of stations that will not work when you get your card. it says that if you need to use these you need to contact them to arrange access. One of these in in Wicklow, which is near my mothers house so it would be one I would potentially use, so will be giving them a call shortly to see what is involved.

They are all standard chargers. It seems that the rapids are all accessible.

Yes , the one I was at was one on the list. They have no way to grant you access , I asked repeatid over the phone and was told there was no way to enable the unit remotely or update the list in them or even issue compatible cards.

You couldn't make it up.

KCross

If they dont want to quickly replace them all why dont they just remove the whitelist and give blanket access. Its not like there would be a deluge of EV owners flocking to an SCP anyway!

oinkely.... are there many in the Cork and Waterford area on that list? If its only a few would you mind listing them here please?
If its a long list I'll just wait for my welcome pack.

oinkely

I'll stick it up here this evening. Don't have it in work with me here.

BoatMad

If they dont want to quickly replace them all why dont they just remove the whitelist and give blanket access. Its not like there would be a deluge of EV owners flocking to an SCP anyway!

I asked this also , its not like every charger in the system needs a card anyway .... no answer was forthcoming

oinkely

Cork - 1) Deasys service station, commons road, cork; 2) Harbour view carpark, Bantry
Dublin - 1) 27 Lwr fitzwilliam St; 2) Luas Sandyford; 3) Luas Stillorgan no 2 & 3
Galway - Dyke Road Carpark
Kildare - 1) newbridge train station; 2) Nurney Service Station
Laois - Portarlington train station
Leitrim - St Georges Terrace, Carrick on Shannon
Longford - church St, Longford
Louth - Drogheda train station
Mayo - Mart site, swinford
Meath - Coffee Cup, Julianstown
Sligo - sligo train station
Tipperarry - Thurles train station
Wexford - 1) Gorey Civic Centre; 2) Maxol Service station, Arklow road, gorey
Wicklow - 1) convent road carpark, wicklow; 2) riverwalk, arklow

This is the list that we got with our charge card. All are standard AC and all are inoperable with the card in the pack.

BoatMad

Wexford - 1) Gorey Civic Centre; 2) Maxol Service station, Arklow road, gorey

we are a particular black spot , I think the maxol one is wrong though its one of the newer flip lid types, they work in the new card, I will try it soon

the whole thing is madness though

stesaurus

oinkely wrote: »

Cork - 1) Deasys service station, commons road, cork; 2) Harbour view carpark, Bantry
Dublin - 1) 27 Lwr fitzwilliam St; 2) Luas Sandyford; 3) Luas Stillorgan no 2 & 3
Galway - Dyke Road Carpark
Kildare - 1) newbridge train station; 2) Nurney Service Station
Laois - Portarlington train station
Leitrim - St Georges Terrace, Carrick on Shannon
Longford - church St, Longford
Louth - Drogheda train station
Mayo - Mart site, swinford
Meath - Coffee Cup, Julianstown
Sligo - sligo train station
Tipperarry - Thurles train station
Wexford - 1) Gorey Civic Centre; 2) Maxol Service station, Arklow road, gorey
Wicklow - 1) convent road carpark, wicklow; 2) riverwalk, arklow

This is the list that we got with our charge card. All are standard AC and all are inoperable with the card in the pack.

The 2 in Wicklow both work with my 7 month old card. Same for Sandyford and Stillorgan SCPs.

Bantry in Cork was a wasted journey for me though.

oinkely

s.welstead wrote: »

The 2 in Wicklow both work with my 7 month old card. Same for Sandyford and Stillorgan SCPs.

Bantry in Cork was a wasted journey for me though.

That is interesting. I'll try the Wicklow ones next time I'm down that way.

stesaurus

oinkely wrote: »

That is interesting. I'll try the Wicklow ones next time I'm down that way.

Well you probably won't get to try riverwalk. Some building work going on and they usually have it blocked up. It's been like that for last few months

BoatMad

s.welstead wrote: »

Well you probably won't get to try riverwalk. Some building work going on and they usually have it blocked up. It's been like that for last few months

Anyway it's s totally daft spot. It should be in the car park nearby

BoatMad

How do we reach ecars to complain about this ?

stesaurus

There's another close by in the car park across from the Credit Union/Gardai station so not too bothered about the river walk one. I'd prefer it if they moved it to the other side of the bridge around by Bridgewater, that would make more sense.
You could try the main reporting number and see from there 012583799

Padraig Mor

Chance trying any old RFID card - Frankfield FCP in Cork starts happily with my work ID card even though it has been updated to the new CPMS I believe.

KCross

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Chance trying any old RFID card - Frankfield FCP in Cork starts happily with my work ID card even though it has been updated to the new CPMS I believe.

That just makes it even "funnier". Some SCP's wont start with any ESB card and a rapid can start with your Work ID!

You couldnt make that s*it up!

You'd think a major utility with lots of experience in running a "network" would be able to manage this basic task of providing chargers.

BoatMad

I phoned ecars to talk about this situation the letter mentions if you live near the affected chargers they can see what they can do to allow you to access them

What can they do , .... Nothing

You have to wait till they are replaced.

You'd think this was installed in the 80s

oinkely

The wording of the letter makes it seem like they have options. I guess the main option is do nothing.

KCross

Padraig Mor wrote: »

Chance trying any old RFID card - Frankfield FCP in Cork starts happily with my work ID card even though it has been updated to the new CPMS I believe.

I visited 4 rapids yesterday (Wexford, Waterford, Dungarvan and Fermoy) and they all accepted my work RFID card!

The software isnt very clever!

I got my Welcome pack today and the letter says something about they migrating to a new Charge Point Management system which will improve user experience and it will be done by mid-Novemeber. They didnt say what year though!

BoatMad

By the way. It's strange there not a single charger of any type in greystones , very weird

stesaurus

BoatMad wrote: »

By the way. It's strange there not a single charger of any type in greystones , very weird

Yep it's a tad annoying alright. I'm there regularly and nowhere to charge

oinkely

Who would we contact to remedy that?

I would like to see one or two in the new harbour carpark, or in the park and ride.

oinkely

I emailed wicklow CC - they said 'not my job guv'

I emailed ecars - they said no plans in the current roll out. I have asked them for an update on what their plans are after this roll out, we will see what they say. Most likely nothing!

Also took the opportunity to moan about the rapid charger situation on the N11. Nothing like a good keyboard moan!

BoatMad

I left feedback about greystones with ecars

Note Gorey maxol FCP is to be replaced " soon"

Rafal

Gorey Maxol Rapid shuts down when a 30 kWh Leaf uses it, no issues with the 24 kWh. Generates an overvoltage error 3-4 times then blows the fuse... Happened twice to me. I hope it gets replaced soon.

BoatMad

Rafal wrote: »

Gorey Maxol Rapid shuts down when a 30 kWh Leaf uses it, no issues with the 24 kWh. Generates an overvoltage error 3-4 times then blows the fuse... Happened twice to me. I hope it gets replaced soon.

They intend replacing it , but " soon" in esb terms may have different timescales to what you or I understand

It soon will be summer , or it soon will be 2017 etc.

The lack of redundancy , the issue with failing fcps , all mean this network is far away from being a reliable dependable system and a million miles away from being suitable for commercialisation


By the way every few days log it with ecars , keeps the pressure up

stesaurus

BoatMad wrote: »

By the way every few days log it with ecars , keeps the pressure up

That's a good idea. Wicklow town CCS side hasnt been working for weeks now. I tried it again during the week and it's the same.
So either it was fixed and gone again or they just forgot.

k123456

What minister is responsible for EV charge points ?

Energy or Transport ?

BoatMad

s.welstead wrote: »

That's a good idea. Wicklow town CCS side hasnt been working for weeks now. I tried it again during the week and it's the same.
So either it was fixed and gone again or they just forgot.

thanks, at least the CHAdeMO works , I use it regularly with Gorey FCP down

mmclo

Whats the definition of new? Got no list with card in February.

BoatMad

mmclo wrote: »

Whats the definition of new? Got no list with card in February.

20 th february , had a list with it