[shotgunner47]

Tried to save a buck or two and ordered a new Unbranded Level II 30 amp Charger (240VAC) on Ebay. Had lots of good reviews, so I bought it. It sits on a dedicated 40am circuit and is wired with 10 ga solid copper with 10 ga ground.

Unit did not include operating manual. Been hounding the seller to no avail. So energized for the first time, all three status lights flashed several times. Fault(red), Ready(green) and Charging(blue). After 10 seconds or so go a steady green. Appears to be self check.

Plugged in the Volt and got a steady blue charging light on the charging unit. Appears to be normal, however get an Amber light on the dash and text on the info screen stating vehicle is not charging.

Any Idea?

Also I was wondering if anyone can verify the terminals on the connector. The two bigger ones I assume carry the charge and the ground is evident, but are the two smaller connectors used to switch the charger on and off?

 

[edk-austin]

Can you describe the "unbranded" unit in more detail? (understand you can't post pics yet)
This is a hardwired install?
Does the car work ok with other L2 charge stations (public stations)?

The plug that plugs into the car is called the J1772 plug. Like you mention, it has L1, L2 "hot" pins, Ground, and two control pins. One is "Proximity", which the car looks for to begin charge sequence, and is also connected to the plug's Switch/Latch. Make sure the Latch clasps onto the car properly. The other control pin is the "Pilot" signal that tells the car the EVSEs amperage capacity, and controls High Voltage on/off to the car.

 

[shotgunner47]

Seller on Ebay is SICUSALIC. One listed at $900.00 Wow! paid 325.00

Charger is hardwired to dedicated 40amp circuit.

I was thinking about jumping the two smaller terminals, Look like that is not a good idea!!! I was thinking that was just the command circuit from the vehicle. Wanted to see output voltage at connector.

Data from ad:
Type: Wall mount with safety lock
Operation Indication: LED
EV Communication: J1772 signal and control
Connector: SAE J1772
Charging Cable Length: 18 feet
Degree of Protection: Type 3R, IK8
Dimension (W x H x D): 10.6 x 15.0 x 4.7 inch
Weight: 19.8 lbs
Operation Temperature: -22˚F ~ +122˚F
Storage Temperature: -40˚F ~ +158˚F
Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
Acoustic Noise: 45dB
Altitude: 2000m
Codes and Standards: UL2594, UL2231-1, UL2231-2, FCC Part 15 part B
OCPP & RFID accepted
Backend Software required
Installation required

 

[shotgunner47]

Seller on Ebay is SICUSALIC they are currently listing one at $900.00?? I paid $325.00.

Type: Wall mount with safety lock
Operation Indication: LED
EV Communication: J1772 signal and control
Connector: SAE J1772
Charging Cable Length: 18 feet
Degree of Protection: Type 3R, IK8
Dimension (W x H x D): 10.6 x 15.0 x 4.7 inch
Weight: 19.8 lbs
Operation Temperature: -22˚F ~ +122˚F
Storage Temperature: -40˚F ~ +158˚F
Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
Acoustic Noise: 45dB
Altitude: 2000m
Codes and Standards: UL2594, UL2231-1, UL2231-2, FCC Part 15 part B
OCPP & RFID accepted
Backend Software required
Installation required

Charger is hardwired to dedicated 40amp circuit, Plug into volt and blue charging light flashes then goes solid blue. Amber fault light on dash. Wondering if faults are recorded in car are are they retrievable?

Have used several public Level II chargers with now problems

 

[Ron in Omaha]

It's hard to diagnose remotely, but it seems possible that the source voltage may be out of spec. Have you tested the input wires that you connected to? It's almost impossible to mess up connecting to the car, so if the input voltage is correct and the ground wire is firmly connected to a good ground, you probably have a faulty EVSE.

 

[shotgunner47]

Finally received the factory manual. When plugging charger into vehicle the blue charging light starts flashing (per manual indicates charger is "charging")

After a few seconds blue charging light goes solid blue (per manual sold blue light indicates vehicle is fully "charged"

Measured 240v at EVSE inputs. Good grounds, no leakage, dedicated circuit. I guess a visit to the dealer is next

Anyway to measure EVSE output without removing cover and voiding warranty. Any place under the hood I can measure voltage supplied to vehicle?

 

[TSquare]

Finally received the factory manual. When plugging charger into vehicle the blue charging light starts flashing (per manual indicates charger is "charging")

After a few seconds blue charging light goes solid blue (per manual sold blue light indicates vehicle is fully "charged"

Measured 240v at EVSE inputs. Good grounds, no leakage, dedicated circuit. I guess a visit to the dealer is next

Anyway to measure EVSE output without removing cover and voiding warranty. Any place under the hood I can measure voltage supplied to vehicle?

Sounds like the EVSE is at fault. It thinks the car is fully charged when it is not and you already mentioned that your car charges at public charging stations.

 

[shotgunner47]

So the charger says when the car is fully charged, not the vehicle?

A big thanks to all who have contributed their input.

 

[TSquare]

So the charger says when the car is fully charged, not the vehicle?

A big thanks to all who have contributed their input.

No, but the EVSE should shut down when it detects no more current flowing. I doubt that the car is telling the EVSE that it is full, rather it is the EVSE THINKING that the car is full.
Indecently the "charger" is in the car not on the wall.

 

[edk-austin]

The car will read the Pilot signal wire to determine how much current it can pull. The car then signals on this same wire to Energize the high voltage to the plug. The car will then draw power as long as it needs. When the car is done, it signals on the Pilot wire back to the off state and the EVSE removes the high voltage.

I could not find seller SICUSALIC on ebay. What current does the EVSE advertise? 15A, 20A? Gen 2 wants to see 16A or more rating from EVSE signal. It will then draw 6 to 16A. (the car can work with lower ratings too) If the EVSE is indicating "Complete", then maybe the car is really telling the EVSE it's done, or the car doesn't like the EVSE's Pilot signal value.

There have been some reports of EVSE Pilot signal incompatibilities, perhaps you found one? Even if it is the Volt's fault, you probably have no re-course but to get another EVSE that has been tested to work on gen 2 Volts. But you mention it had good reviews? On a gen 2 Volt?

 

[shotgunner47]

EDK, Thanks for your input. Below is all from the selles page. Incidentally I stopped by a local ChargePoint station here in town and connected with NO problems. Level II 6.6kw. Im wondering if the 7.2Kw listed rating might be the issue?

GENERAL
Type: Wall mount with safety lock
Operation Indication: LED
EV Communication: J1772 signal and control
Connector: SAE J1772
Charging Cable Length: 18 feet
Degree of Protection: Type 3R, IK8
Dimension (W x H x D): 10.6 x 15.0 x 4.7 inch
Weight: 19.8 lbs
Operation Temperature: -22˚F ~ +122˚F
Storage Temperature: -40˚F ~ +158˚F
Humidity: 95%, non-condensing
Acoustic Noise: 45dB
Altitude: 2000m
Codes and Standards: UL2594, UL2231-1, UL2231-2, FCC Part 15 part B
OCPP & RFID accepted
Backend Software required
Installation required

POWER & METERING
Input Voltage: 208Vac ~ 240Vac
Input Current (max.): 30A rms
Power Toggle Switch: Yes
Max. Output Power: 7.2kW
Frequency: 45Hz ~ 66Hz
Energy Meter Accuracy: ±2%
Surge Withstand: 6kV/3kA
Protection: Short Circuit, OCP,OVP, Ground Fault Detection (down-stream), CCID, Relay Welding Detection, Service Ground Monitor (up-stream)
HMI
LED indicators: READY, CHARGING, FAULT
User Authentication: RFID (ISO 14443 Type A/B, Mifare)
Remote ControlProtocol: OCPP 1.5 thru Ethernet / GPRS
Cable Management: Holster
Customable Label: Yes (Custom branding available)
ADDITIONAL NOTES
One stop shop for ALL your EV Charging needs
Need an Electrician to install? Contact us for special rates through our service partners
Sales|Service|Parts|Support|RMA|Install - we handle it all!
Need marketing materials created for promotion of services/products - Contact us!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTACT: SIC USA LLC | 780 Montague Expressway, STE 104 | San Jose, CA 95131 | Sales Director: Randy Chang | Phone: 408-456-6779 #112

 

[edk-austin]

Well, good to know your Volt is fine. The 7.2KW, or 30A should be fine. 30A was quite common 3 years ago, before most units moved to 32A.

I wonder if you have a commercial access controlled station? Meaning you have to have the access card or network authentication to energize the unit.

User Authentication: RFID (ISO 14443 Type A/B, Mifare)
Remote ControlProtocol: OCPP 1.5 thru Ethernet / GPRS

If so, hopefully there is some setting to disable access control.
("Power Toggle Switch" ??)

Typical ChargePoint stations require the access card even if they are Free.