ABL 16A

ewj1978

Hi Guys,

Will soon be back into EV ownership. Questions re home charge points:
I had a L30 with 3.3kw charging and I'm pretty sure the ABL is only for 3.3 but the electrician who installed the RCB put in one for up to 6.6.

Can someone look at the attached photo's and see if I'm right.

1st photo is ABL unit. 2nd is RCB.

ewj1978

ewj1978 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Will soon be back into EV ownership. Questions re home charge points:
I had a L30 with 3.3kw charging and I'm pretty sure the ABL is only for 3.3 but the electrician who installed the RCB put in one for up to 6.6.

Can someone look at the attached photo's and see if I'm right.

1st photo is ABL unit. 2nd is RCB.

The unit has 40 A RCD so capable for 7.2 kW. The second photo doesn't fully show me but if it's also 40 A you're golden once the cable is at least 6 mm^2. You'd need to set the EVCC module on the right hand side under the lockable screw on cover of ABL to 32 A.

Gumbo

I done the same.
The h it itself is already capable of 32a charging I believe.
I put in the 6mm Sq. Cable and a 40a RCBO in my fuseboard.

I just don’t know how to flash the machine to the higher rate!!!!

ewj1978

samih wrote: »

The unit has 40 A RCD so capable for 7.2 kW. The second photo doesn't fully show me but if it's also 40 A you're golden once the cable is at least 6 mm^2. You'd need to set the EVCC module on the right hand side under the lockable screw on cover of ABL to 32 A.

This is the RCB beside the fuse box(bigger picture)
As for the cabling I've no idea.. you'd have to assume that when Nigel installed it he used the correct cabling.

IMG_20190308_162558492.jpg

If you send me a pm with your email address I'll forward you the instructions. You'll also need to buy usb to serial adaptor from ebay for a few quid.

USB to RS485

ewj1978

kceire wrote: »

I done the same.
The h it itself is already capable of 32a charging I believe.
I put in the 6mm Sq. Cable and a 40a RCBO in my fuseboard.

I just don’t know how to flash the machine to the higher rate!!!!

flashing the ABL? is this something I need to do too?

ewj1978

ewj1978 wrote: »

This is the RCB beside the fuse box(bigger picture)
As for the cabling I've no idea.. you'd have to assume that when Nigel installed it he used the correct cabling.

IMG_20190308_162558492.jpg

Unfortunately you have only a 25 A RCD (or actually RCBO) and who knows what the cable used was. When the ESB contractor installed ours back in 2015 they definitely didn't use large enough cable and ours was actually fitted with a 20 A RCBO. Since then I had to move ours to a different location so fixed the wiring at the same time and flashed the unit.

Yes, you'll need to tell the controller, which is called "ABL CVCC", what the maximum amps your cabling is good for. Don't mess with this unless you know for certain that your cabling and house in general is up for it. It's not really flashing, more like changing the setting, done via command strings over the RS485 connection. ABL has a handy utitility for it that somebody here forwarded for me.

Gumbo

ewj1978 wrote: »

This is the RCB beside the fuse box(bigger picture)
As for the cabling I've no idea.. you'd have to assume that when Nigel installed it he used the correct cabling.

IMG_20190308_162558492.jpg

That RCBO doesn’t look big enough.

Here’s mine.

stesaurus

ewj1978 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Will soon be back into EV ownership. Questions re home charge points:
I had a L30 with 3.3kw charging and I'm pretty sure the ABL is only for 3.3 but the electrician who installed the RCB put in one for up to 6.6.

Can someone look at the attached photo's and see if I'm right.

1st photo is ABL unit. 2nd is RCB.

Get a full picture of the RCBO, looks a little like an MCB but sure either way you can't see the rating on that pic.

You'll also need to flash the unit, actually that's wrong you're not flashing anything just changing a setting.

ewj1978

So the ABL can handle the charge but it looks like the MCB/RCD is too low?
I'll get onto a local spark then to see what he says or might even just give the lads who installed day one a bell.

Samih I've sent you my email too if you wouldn't mind sending me on the instructions.

Gumbo

samih wrote: »

If you send me a pm with your email address I'll forward you the instructions. You'll also need to buy usb to serial adaptor from ebay for a few quid.

USB to RS485

PM sent
Thanks.

stesaurus

ewj1978 wrote: »

So the ABL can handle the charge but it looks like the MCB/RCD is too low?
I'll get onto a local spark then to see what he says or might even just give the lads who installed day one a bell.

Samih I've sent you my email too if you wouldn't mind sending me on the instructions.

Take a full picture of the breaker and it should be pretty clear. It should state in it what type it is.
A local spark will want to see it and will charge for that as they'll need to come out.
Best bet would be whoever installed it. Was it done through the free installs? If so very unlikely the cable is rated high enough.

stesaurus

kceire wrote: »

PM sent
Thanks.

Have you opened up your ABL? Seems that some of them were pre-wired with an RJ45 connector which would be easier to connect to.

Gumbo

stesaurus wrote: »

Have you opened up your ABL? Seems that some of them were pre-wired with an RJ45 connector which would be easier to connect to.

I’ll do that today. Just Incase.

ewj1978

stesaurus wrote: »

Take a full picture of the breaker and it should be pretty clear. It should state in it what type it is.
A local spark will want to see it and will charge for that as they'll need to come out.
Best bet would be whoever installed it. Was it done through the free installs? If so very unlikely the cable is rated high enough.

posted this up a bit :https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=474946&d=1552062448

It was done through the free installs.

unkel

You need a new 40A RCBO and most likely the cabling needs to be done again from scratch using 6mm2 or 10mm2 cable instead of the 4mm2 cable used...

10mm2 is way over kill for 32 amps.

6mm2 is good for 40 amps.

unkel

Deleted User wrote: »

10mm2 is way over kill for 32 amps.

:rolleyes:

For longer runs you need 10mm2

stesaurus

ewj1978 wrote: »

posted this up a bit :https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=474946&d=1552062448

It was done through the free installs.

Free installs wouldn't have had the cabling for 32a charging so that will need to be done along with the RCBO as it's only a 25a fitted there.
Won't be much change out of €200 I'd say for cabling, breaker and testing.
Make sure the RECI you get fits a C curve RCBO of 32a minimum, 40a ideally.

unkel

stesaurus wrote: »

Free installs wouldn't have had the cabling for 32a charging

Mine did

Had to have a robust discussion with the man behind all these installs though, before he agreed to do it. I supplied the 6mm2 cable, he installed it. He refused to install the 40A RCBO I supplied, as it would lead to the ecars not paying him for the install, which is understandable. Pictures were taken of the install (incl one of the RCBO) which had to be submitted to ecars

I had a friendly electrician fit the 40A RCBO in my consumer unit (2 minute job) and I upgraded the ABL from 16A to 32A myself. That was almost 2 years ago and it has been faultless since

If only I could find the keys of my ABL, I left the USB to RS485 connected in there, could help someone else out if I got it back. That said, I can't remember any of the details of what I did really

ewj1978

unkel wrote: »

:rolleyes:

For longer runs you need 10mm2

ABL is beside front door, comes through the wall and up 8 ft to the fuse box just inside the door.

unkel

unkel wrote: »

:rolleyes:

For longer runs you need 10mm2

It would want to be pretty long.

unkel

ewj1978 wrote: »

ABL is beside front door, comes through the wall and up 8 ft to the fuse box just inside the door.

As bog standard an installation as you can get. Same as mine. 6mm2 required for 7.2kW charging (and a 40A RCBO)

ewj1978

and a priority switch and flashing an ABL unit... Complicated business.. Might just leave the 3.6kW in place.

Or sell it and get another one.

stesaurus

There's nothing complicated about changing the settings to 32a. It's not flashing so no chance of bricking the charger or anything silly like that.
You'd also only need a priority switch if you have an electric shower or a heat pump.

On the keys thing, Nigel Daly has a few spare. I remember losing mine and he posted out a pair to me.

stesaurus

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Or sell it and get another one.

Cabling, RCBO, priority etc. still need to be upgraded. Then pay about 600 for a new charger and get maybe 200 back for the ABL.
What would the point be?

I'm hoping to flog my 16 amp ABL soon and going to get a 32a different one, didn't bother flashing it because it causes quite unacceptable radio frequency interference which is illegal and they did not respond to my emails, perhaps I can get my Partner to type them a nice email in German just in case they did not get the message.......

Gumbo

ewj1978 wrote: »

and a priority switch and flashing an ABL unit... Complicated business.. Might just leave the 3.6kW in place.

Why do you need a priority switch?
If you have no electric shower, would it still be required?

unkel

Deleted User wrote: »

didn't bother flashing it because it causes quite unacceptable radio frequency interference which is illegal

What?

unkel

kceire wrote: »

Why do you need a priority switch?
If you have no electric shower, would it still be required?

No. A priority switch is needed if you have more than one heavy electricity using device and that if they are both switched on at the same time, your main ESB fuse would blow

A 7.2kW car charger + a 10kW electric shower = over 17kW plus your backgroud load of your house so well over 17kW in total, which is more than a 12kVa standard connection (~15kW) can handle.

Gumbo

unkel wrote: »

No. A priority switch is needed if you have more than one heavy electricity using device and that if they are both switched on at the same time, your main ESB fuse would blow

A 7.2kW car charger + a 10kW electric shower = over 17kW plus your backgroud load of your house so well over 17kW in total, which is more than a 12kVa standard connection (~15kW) can handle.

Cool. The biggest draw other than the car would be the oven so I should be fine then.

slave1

Actually I put in a priority switch because I installed a 7.2wall charger but my leaf is only 3.3, I wonder can I turn the priority off because at 3.3 there should be no issue if ran with electric shower on

unkel

Why switch it off? You might as well keep it. If you use your shower (10kW) and your car is charging (3.3kW) and the oven is on (3kW), should someone put the kettle on (3kW) your ESB fuse will pop.

If you want to get rid of anything, get rid of your electric shower

Gumbo

samih wrote: »

If you send me a pm with your email address I'll forward you the instructions. You'll also need to buy usb to serial adaptor from ebay for a few quid.

USB to RS485

Cheers man.
Got PM.

unkel

unkel wrote: »

What?

The ABL charge point, it cause a lot of radio frequency interference which is in breech of regulations, in fact a lot of stuff today is including led lights, phone chargers etc. Regulations need to tighten up.

It interferes with my online SDR's and I hope to soon become an Amateur Radio operator and I need an electrical quiet environment so the ABL has to go.

I got other issues such as a dodgy electricity pole somewhere I need to chase down.

slave1

The US phone plugs are the same as ours, my bro got a wireless set for his house back in the day, had it for years, a UPC/whatever they were called before UPC was called out once with some issue he had, the UPC guy said he's always in the area because all the customers around were complaining of brutal WiFi and as the bro was not using WiFi in his house he had no issue.
UPC guy saw the wireless phones, asked where they came from and it turns out they were messing up all the neighbours WiFi for years unbeknown to the bro, he binned them straight away and their WiFi issue went away....
Interference indeed

ewj1978

kceire wrote: »

Why do you need a priority switch?
If you have no electric shower, would it still be required?

yes I have an electric shower(and 2 teenagers..)

Gumbo

Deleted User wrote: »

The ABL charge point, it cause a lot of radio frequency interference which is in breech of regulations, in fact a lot of stuff today is including led lights, phone chargers etc. Regulations need to tighten up.

It interferes with my online SDR's and I hope to soon become an Amateur Radio operator and I need an electrical quiet environment so the ABL has to go.

I got other issues such as a dodgy electricity pole somewhere I need to chase down.

Could the ABL unit interfere with WiFi signal?

unkel

Deleted User wrote: »

It interferes with my online SDR's

You didn't re-program it, yet you know for a fact that re-programming would make it interfere with your other equipment?

Trojan00

Sorry for dragging up an old post........can someone please share whats needed to upgrade a 16A ABL charger to 32A please?

I have it installed since 2015 for my gen 1 leaf. I have added a gen 2 leaf recently which charges at 6kw. I have attached a picture of my RCBO which looks like its 20A. I assume I need to upgrade that and possibly the cable.

Thanks in advance.

IMG_1721.jpeg

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121231792#Comment_121231792

Fuse as shown, cable to charger and settings on charger. You also need to be sure you don't have any heavy loads in the house like a triton instant shower or heat pump. Get an electrician to replace fuse and wiring. An exact photo of the charger would help determine which model.

Trojan00

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121232268#Comment_121232268

IMG_1754.jpeg

IMG_1752.jpeg

This is my ABL charger. I got it when ESB were giving free chargers back in 2015.

What cable do I need? Is there software that's needed on laptop or is it a terminal connection to the charger to enter commands?

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121232706#Comment_121232706

You need to upgrade the RCBO in the fuse board to a 40a or 32a one

You need to replace the wit-ring from that RCBO to the charge point with 6mm Square cable .

you then need to flash the charger to change the settings to 32a.

tou also need to make sure the 32a won’t constantly trip so make sure you have no other high draw items such as electric showers, heat pumps etc etc

send me your email address and I’ll give you access to the files, software and list of tools you need from my Dropbox

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121232706#Comment_121232706

There is laptop software, a hardware interface needed the change the setting, but before you do this you need breaker in fuse board and wiring from fuse board to charger upgraded to heavier cable. As said you need to check other things such as heavy loads such as triton shower.

Airman2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121234960#Comment_121234960

Hi Gumbo , I have just acquired an ABL charger supposedly pushing out 3.6 Kw but it is pushing out 6.6 so a little bit worried Ree the effect on house electrics. I would like to reduce output a bit?? Can you help? I am not sure how to PM so info would also help for that. Thanks

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122001565#Comment_122001565

I'm not Gumbo but I have the utility and the instructions at dropbox. PM'd you the link. Are you sure you want to downgrade it as they support 7.4 kW (32A) as standard just the ecars at the time set them to 16A? If your cabling is 6 mm^2 and have a correct RCBO (40A) installed there is no reason to downgrade it.

Airman2

Thank you, not really sure about downgrade!! I have correct RCBO and 6mm cable recently installed. I have been told that my tails on my newly installed smart meter are not heavy enough!!!.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122001565#Comment_122001565

can you dial the amps down in the car settings?

Airman2

Not that I am aware of. Thanks for reply. I received a link from sh81722 which may help.

zg3409

You need hardware interface in addition to software. It would be much easier in car if you can. What car? You can sometimes get tails upgraded fairly easily depending on location of fuse board.