New to this forum so go easy with me.Can this be done and if so , what is needed
I am currently on Octopus go and due to get a K10 inverer and 14kwh Cube installed to maximise my solar storage. I am going for AC coupled to protect my FIT payment on my original Solar array.
I am assuming if I change over to Octopus Inelligent go I will pretty much have my car plugged in most of the time I am at home. Once my car and battery are charged up (which I assume will be during the off peak period during the night as it is with Octopus Go) If on IOG decides to charge the car at a different time or when the battery is in use and with very little solar energy, whats to stop the home battery topping up the car battery. How is this controlled. The same if I actually want to do this with added solar energy from my solar panels. I am beginning to wonder for the extra 1p per kwh saving ,is it actually worth the headache. ( I think this would be quite difficult to control/stup)Although I think it would be nice to have any additional off peak time throughout the day or early evening.Best regards Dave
AC coupled FoxEES and Octopus energy Inelegent go
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Dave Foster
- Posts: 1294
- Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2022 7:21 pm
The easiest way to solve the problem you describe is to make sure that your car charger is in front of the inverter on the grid side - i.e. where the smart meter live feed is install a Henley block to split the feed, one side feeding the EV charger and the other your house (and solar installations). When done this way there is no chance that your EV can flatten your home batteries but if it supports it, it can make use of any excess solar.
If this isn't done then each time IOG adds a charge period during the day, the EV charger will be seen as a load by the AC unit and it will use the batteries to reduce the grid impact.
You can ignore the smart charge and only charge during the hours of 23:30 to 05:30 and set a charger period for the AC to also charge at the same time (most importantly it won't discharge whilst it is in this mode) - also some people have installed a home assistant that automates the process of setting charge periods when it detects the EV charger being used, but it is a little techy to set up (and very rewarding to have it).
In all honesty the simplest approach is that outlined at the start, split your grid feed with a Henley block and have your EV charger fitted there (as per attached rough sketch)
If this isn't done then each time IOG adds a charge period during the day, the EV charger will be seen as a load by the AC unit and it will use the batteries to reduce the grid impact.
You can ignore the smart charge and only charge during the hours of 23:30 to 05:30 and set a charger period for the AC to also charge at the same time (most importantly it won't discharge whilst it is in this mode) - also some people have installed a home assistant that automates the process of setting charge periods when it detects the EV charger being used, but it is a little techy to set up (and very rewarding to have it).
In all honesty the simplest approach is that outlined at the start, split your grid feed with a Henley block and have your EV charger fitted there (as per attached rough sketch)