Is this the BEST Portable EV Charger in Australia? | In-depth Review Fronius Wattpilot Go 1.4-22 kW
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- Hi, welcome to Electric Car Australia the Aussie EV & Sustainable living RUclips Channel. My names Greg and today I'm so excited to be reviewing a portable EV charger I have been waiting for around 6 months to check out, the Fronius Wattpilot Go J22 Australian model. which Fronius kindly provided for review.
FREE & EASY way to Support the Channel, Subscribe and hit the notification bell: bit.ly/subscribetoElecCarAust
I'm so excited because this EV charger, strictly speaking an EVSE, is unique in the Australian EV charger market as it's a portable, solar smart, single and three phase combined charger with build in RFID capability. This means you have the flexibility of a fully featured home charger that is portable so you can take it on those regional road trips AND it suits every EV on the market, so could it be the best EV charger available in Australia today. Well this is the first of a series of video's to put this charger through it's paces, I hope you enjoy it.
DISCOUNTS & SAVINGS
Do you manage your own Share portfolio and need an easy, accurate way to track & report performance for tax?
Get Sharesight and SAVE 10% using this exclusive link: portfolio.sharesight.com/refe...
PS: If you really like the video and would like to see heaps more, please consider flicking me a few dollars via Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/electriccaraustralia, PayPal bit.ly/supportElecCarAu-paypal or Patreon / electriccaraustralia
Follow Us on the Socials:
Twitter: Electric Car Australia | bit.ly/ElecCarAu-twitter
Instagram: Electric Car Advice Australia | bit.ly/ElecCarAu-instagram
Facebook: Electric Car & Vehicle Advice Australia | bit.ly/ElecCarAu-facebook
00:00 Intro
01:45 Future practical Australian reviews of the Fronius Wattpilot Go J22 model in use.
02:17 Fronius Wattpilot Go J22 only available through Fronius Dealers, not direct to the public.
02:44 Unboxing of Fronius Wattpilot Go portable EV charger - what comes in the box.
04:45 Summary of features and benefits of the portable EV charger or EVSE.
05:20 Supplied out of the box with 5 pin three phase Australian plug - needs an adapter cable for single phase use.
06:40 Mounting bracket for at home or portable use.
06:55 Why I decided to look at a faster EV charger.
09:05 Why this Smart EV Charger is better value than permanently mounted home charger?
09:55 Why I like this charger?
12:20 Can the 3 phase Wattpilot Go 22 kW charge a single phase 7Kw capable EV like the Mg ZS EV?
13:22 Three different models of Fronuis Wattpilot Chargers, 11kW Home, 22kW Home and 22Kw Portable.
14:18 Adapter cable to converting the 22kW 3 phase 5 plug plug charger to single phase 32 amp 3 pin socket.
16:40 Fronius Wattpilot Go operating temperature between minus 25 degrees to plus 40 degrees before derating.
17:35 Summary of single phase to three phase power shifting.
20:20 Requires separate type 2 to type 2 charging lead - most EV drivers have these.
21:39 Basic explanation of the type two EV standard or protocol.
24:30 Setting charge based on charge current - via App or manually on the device.
26:49 Seamless integration with Fronuis Solar Inverters with smart meters - third party integrations are coming.
27:05 Charging using solar power both on single phase and three phase.
27:36 Solar charging starts at 1.4kW’s or 6 amps in eco mode using only solar PV generation up to 22kW 32 amp three phase.
37:05 Integrated RFID capability - perfect for work, Air BNB accommodation or motel applications to provide reporting and charging capability.
29:28 EV charging and solar PV duck curve graphs showing single and three phase home charging.
31:42 Benefits of Next trip charge setting mode - only charge for the distance you need to travel.
33:10 Separate Fronius App for the Wattpilot Charger - solar.wattpilot, available free from App stores.
34:19 Prioritises surplus EV Solar generation for EV charging before pulling from grid supply.
35:11 Dynamic load balancing or sharing capability across EV’s to assist with limited grid infrastructure.
40:40 Integrating and displaying Wattpilot EV charger stats within Fronius Solar.web solar PV portal.
42:02 Additional features.
43:32 Australian retail Pricing unknown at this stage - only sold through Fronius Dealers.
46:27 Thanks for watching, leave your comments and links to support the channel.
General Site
www.fronius.com/en/solar-ener...
Data Sheet
www.fronius.com/~/downloads/S...
Find Fronius Installer
www.fronius.com/en/solar-ener...
New Product Release webinar
• Webinar: New Product R...
#FroniusWattpilotGo #EVCharging #ElectricCarAustralia 
Авто/Мото
Looking forward to future videos! Super interested in seeing the additional things, if any, that goes into connecting a portable charger to the home or if you could say rock up to a friend or families house and plug into a regular socket without worrying about their house needing it to be checked over by an electrician first.
Although even if it can’t do that still interested because I was sort of mentally writing this off as ‘for travellers’ when I saw Ludicrous Feed show how it works in a showground.
Then on Just Another Solar Podcast they mentioned the idea of it being good for people who are only living somewhere for a few years and want to be able to take the charger with them when they move because they cost so much and my ears pricked up.
Because while I firmly believe that adding an ev charger is a good investment for resale or renting, well this could perhaps be a good sidestep of that issue for those who don’t want to invest in a place they are leaving and maybe even for renters.
If this needs a higher level port to plug into at a home, well if it’s an already standardised plug type then I’m guessing it’ll be easier for the average electrician to instal without needing to find one with ev charger training and likely be cheaper to instal because of that. Which I think some people already do? Just for plugging in via a different higher rated granny cable sort of thing rather than a smart charger or something. Anyway my point is maybe the landlord may be more open to a regular higher rated plug, that is likely cheaper than a EV charger and less foreign, being installed than an ev charger? Just a thought. Although hopefully ev chargers come on in a big way and this isn’t as much of an issue going forward but maybe.
Anyway, I belong to the group of ‘may be moving soon but haven’t yet’, also while I may see an renewables as an investment in not just todays costs but resale value other people in the decision making don’t particularly with the housing prices chaos right now, which means trying to do anything connected to the current house is just meeting a dead end at the moment.
The charger was sort of the one thing that might break that stalemate but then we had another issue, where do we put it? Currently we access our garage by a council road but technically if we and the neighbours behind us want off-road access we should have three roads literally right beside each other which on top of being utterly redundant and expensive would require slashing down a whole heap of privacy screen/shade trees, instead of both of us using the pre-existing council road as we do now.
So we could lose vehicle access to the shed in the future which means putting an ev charger there is questionable and would set a bad precedent going forward for any future vehicle related investments. So the question became ‘do we put in the charger in the shed where the power is knowing we could lose access at any time and hoping we don’t or run power to our outside parking which isn’t weather protected and we’d have to figure out wiring somehow but doesn’t run the risk of installing a charger we or any future house owners can’t use later on’.
But a _portable_ charger, well that could hopefully change things because then vehicle access to the shed hopefully wouldn’t be a big deal and also it could potentially help settle the whole ‘but we could be leaving soon (whatever soon means)’ debate when in comes to investing in a property.
So yeah very keen to hear more about the behind the scenes of installing this to a house as well as comparing it to a fixed charger cost, installation and safety checks/upgrades.
Wow, you win the prize for the most detailed, well thought out comment. 👍 Great points and I will make sure I cover these of in coming videos. Cheers.
Thanks for the in depth info on this interesting new option. You are doing a great job providing info to both newbies and experienced EV drivers.
Thanks Di, really appreciate the support. 👍🔋☀️
A detailed discussion, Great video.
Certainly very good presentation and most informative. Would be interested to see future presentations that included mention of home solar battery storage and any details when charging EV's. Love your work.
Great suggestion!
Hi keep up the good work of informing us on the progress on ev . I am retired and have a 6.6kw solar panels. I have owned my ZSEV for 11 months done 8000km . I still trickle charge at home. Very rarely at night. However I am sure if I was back at work I would consider a foster charge.
Thanks for the comment George and congrats on going EV.
Have had this on order for a few months. Will be configured with my Fronius 10 kw system. I chose this because of its portability so I can use it on my home single phase system and also use it at work on a 3 phase system. Just waiting for my Atto 3 to arrive soon to test it. Great video that you have put together. I think these units will sell well.
Atto 3 is single phase only 7kW onboard charger.
Hi Michael, thanks for the comment and please let Us know what you think once you have it up and running. Your uses will be similar to mine and should have us future proofed for EV's with faster AC capability charging in the future. Cheers
@@mondotv4216 Yes you are correct but you can still plug in a 3 phase charger to it and it will just charge the same.
I got atto 3 delivery.its good car
Good job, very helpful in-depth review and info concerning EV charging. I am looking into maybe an EV in the not too distant future, I have 10kw solar & looking to install more on a new shed for EV and battery backup with hybrid inverters etc. thanks
Thanks for watching! I will be doing more videos on testing this unit but not until early next year as we've recently had a devastating home break-in while volunteering at an EV Community event so focused on dealing with that.
Reminder to be extra vigilant against thieves with Christmas coming.
Look fwd to seeing next installment
Thanks Steve.
Looks good. Pity I can barely find any information online about this unit and seem to struggle to find any retailers who sell it too.
Fronius seem to operate as if its 1996. Their website, web material, sales model is archaic.
Thanks for watching and the comment. Originally only available through Fronius wholesalers few EV charge installers now have them for retail sale either supply only or supply and install.
I can personally recommend Regen EV Charger install, they sell them online. PS: Mention Electric Car Australia, you might get a better deal?? They don't sponsor me or give any kicks backs, just a genuine independent recommendation from my side :)
Thanks for the informative video. I much appreciate your channel. am seriously considering the Fronius Go as I have enjoyed a problem free ownership of a Fronius inverter for my solar system. I have ordered a Tesla Model 3+ and will have 3 phase 32 Amp power in my garage. I am wondering which is the best connector cable to buy. Any suggestions? Tony
Congrats on going EV and the having solar. Yes, Fronius can be a little more expensive but the quality and support are fantastic. As for cable just ensure you buy a 22kW one to ensure you can use full capability of the Go and 11kW charging capability of the Tesla. Also buy the length of cable to suit your needs. I buy from EVSE.com.au. I don't get anything in return from these guys but have had good experiences with them.
Looks good Greg 👍
Thanks
I think this is awesome. Main ask is for the solar and being portable.
Yep, great for both those
While overall it's great that there is now another quality 3 phase 32A EVSE with solar monitoring in the Australian market I have questions for Fronius (and of course you Greg - you may have a different perspective to me):
1. Why an RFID tag for business use? Greg mentioned how handy this would be for people renting out their homes on AirBNB. Not really. It would require issuing a separate RFID tag to different guests. The whole idea of AirBNB is it can all be done remotely. Surely using your mobile phone as a key would have been a better, cheaper more practical option. One of the biggest complaints about EV charging systems around the world is the multitude of different standards needed to access proprietary networks. And one of the biggest culprits is RFID tags. You could potentially be carrying around 4 or 5 of these things in your car (not so much here in Australia but especially in countries like the UK).
2. What third party integrations? It would be interesting to know if there would be inverters from competing companies like SolarEdge, SMA, Solax, Sungrow etc
3. Why only available through their own resellers (mostly solar installers)? Especially for a portable charger which, if you only use it for that purpose, requires no installation. Just adding another layer of unnecessary cost IMO. I just checked two of the most popular EVSE resellers in Australia and, not surprisingly, neither had any Fronius products in their shop. Of course that could change when the product hits the market but it doesn't sound like it.
4. Would this ever really get used as a portable EVSE? You'd really have to hunt around to find a 3 phase or even single phase, 32amp outlet in the public infrastructure in Australia. They're probably rarer than DC fast chargers. The only thing I can think of is at showgrounds where they use it to run big electrical equipment like amusement park rides, but I can't imagine they're going to be readily available to the public. Most caravan parks use 15A single phase. Maybe if your industrial workplace has spare 32 amp outlets. If there was a corresponding initiative from Fronius or a partner to install access points around the country this might make more sense.
I still think it could be a great product to install in your home, particularly if they go down the Zappi path with whole home integration - but obviously then it would have to be cheaper than a Zappi to make much sense.
Thanks for the detailed comment. I will work on answers for these in future episodes. Cheers.
Great write up, love this.
Just confirming it doesn’t need to be a Fronius inverter just a smart meter to take advantage of surplus solar? I have Solar Edge…
Hi Sean, thanks for watching. Yes, at the moment it needs to be a Fronius smart meter If you want to use the solar functionality, however functionality with others is coming soon.
Been waiting for this. Trying to order at the moment
Hi, thanks for watching and let me know what you think once you get yours. Cheers.
Will do
Just ordered from a GC supplier. $1550 plus GST for the 22kw home supply only. Pick up in a week
@@simonh6788 do you have a contact please? Would like to purchase while in GC
@@janremkes2434 ordered this through Keen2bgreen
Nice looking unit.
And works well!
Always smart to be legal.
I was also looking for something like this - Thanks. Sadly mine is not a Foronius inverter, so I have to wait till they integrate 3rd party invertors.
Also +40'C means up to positive 40'C (with respect to negative 10'C).
Hi, thanks for watching and the comment. I will be putting it to the test on temperature to see just how high the temp gets before it derates.
You can install the Fronius Data Manager box and smart meter to charge using excess solar
@@shanearnold7005 Thanks for sharing.
Given the issues with the power grid in Australia we really need the network to incentivise using power when it is plentiful and cheap to absorb excess grid capacity.
Totally agree!
I am in WA and our state owned power utility, Synergy, provides a brilliant option called daytime saver. power is charged at 8c/KwH between 9 and 3pm -when rooftop solar is plentiful. However between 3pm and 9pm it goes to 50c KwH and then 22c KwH for all other times.
Our standard charge is 30c KwH
Would be interested to hear what your options are in your part of the country
Im interested in installing EVSE to charge during this cheap time, incorporating my excess solar too.
Hi Greg/All. Please be careful with this station. Note the comment on the technical data sheet for the unit - 'An additional 30 mA AC residual current device and an automatic circuit breaker must be connected upstream'. You will not be electrically protected when plugging it into any singe or three phase socket, that does not have the 30mA RCD Type A with neutral disconnecting protection installed in the switchboard.
Hi Paul, thanks for the comment and heads up. I will have my electrician double check my 32amp installed socket circuit and be aware when using offsite.
Hi Paul, thanks for the comment and heads up. I will have my electrician double check my 32amp installed socket circuit and be aware when using offsite.
Hi Paul, from the data sheet; 20mA AC, 6mA DC integrated in Device
Paul, there is a difference between saying it needs one, and saying you are not protected. The device features an RCD, so the car and cable between the car are protected for ground faults by the device itself. It is the cable between the charger and wall plug that is not protected if there is no upstream RCD. Australian law says if you have a portable device with a power lead, it has to be used on circuit protected by an RCD. Since this has a 1 fooot lead... it has to be on circuit with an RCD, even though it has its own RCD...
Hi Paul, confirmed nothing else required if plugged into a single or 3 phase socket which meets current wiring Standards.
Brilliant EVSE. Really though it's not the EVSE that is solar aware but rather it is the Fronius inverter that is solar aware. Still brilliant though. By the way you don't need an adaptor lead as you can install a 5 pin three phase socket but just wired for single phase power. I think that +40 degrees just means 40 degrees. (+ as opposed to-)
Hi John, thanks for watching. Yes the EVSE communicates with the Fronius smart meter which is the solar aware piece of kit in the switchboard sitting between the inverter and the EVSE.
Here in Qld we do need an adapter lead as it's illegal to fit a 5 pin, 3 phase outlet to a single phase system. I had thought of doing what you suggested but 3 separate electricians advised Energex rules don't allow it and I not going to argue given potential complications with insurance etc. $100 adapter lead is a simple, cheap and legal workaround.
Hi sir.I bought BYD Atto 3 and using it for local run around 150km everyday(between 5pm to 9pm).Which one you prefer to have for atto3? Thank you
If your in Australia and don't need smart charger for solar, probably go for the Tesla Gen 3 charger if your looking for value for money with basic functions.
Will the unit be compatible to new EVs which have V2H? I would hope a home with Fronius inverters could offer V2H in a power failure. As it stands it is not compelling due to price,, I'm considering it as we have two Fronius inverters and it would be handy to have everything on one app, but I am prepared for it to be superceded...
Hi spuddy, that's a question for Fronius. Lots of pieces to the puzzle on V2H.
Can any one suggest where to by the 3 pin single phase to 5 pin socket adaptor lead ?
Contact ElectroTraders. Links in my Wattpilot videos. 👍
Good
Apart from portability, which I don't need, I dont see any advantage over the 3-phase Zappi. In fact from what you show the Zappi seems to have greater versatility as it can be used with any solar system.
Hi Guudo, thanks for the comment. That's the great thing with so many new products/ options hitting the Australian market there is something for everyone's different needs. 👍
@17:00 "plus 40" just means positive 40, not more than 40
Hi, if I have single phase, do I need a transformer?
Hi Irene, thanks for watching. No transformers are part of the poles and wires infrastructure on the street.
@@ElectricCarAustralia Thanks. I read somewhere they need a step-down transformer from the 3 phase lead
@@IreneHaas-dq3ij can't answer without knowing context/more info. You might be thinking different plug/lead types. If so this wont involve transformers with these types of chargers.
If you have specific questions like these and want independent advice, I have a personalised paid EV info service if you wanted to book a session via my website? Details in video notes. 😊
Do you know what price point these are likely to come in at🤔
Hi Grant, no price provided by Fronius in Australia, just advice to check with your local Fronius Dealer, but based on European prices and exchange rates expected to be similar to the price of a Zappi Smart home charger. I have some viewers with the product and install on order so we'll know soon.
Ordered a 22kw home unit for $1550 plus gst supply only
@@simonh6788 thanks for sharing Simon.
Great review but the "go" model is really an issue if your are travelling remote and not just along the coastline. A quick look at Plugshare shows this clearly. So when you roll into a country town, like Kingaroy for example, I doubt very much if there are places you can frequent that will have a 3 phase system for just anybody to tap on the door and ask to use. If showgrounds have them, you will find they are locked up in the maintenance shed and you risk the groundskeeper saying yes or no and probably its more than the length of my type 2 lead away from the entry where I park my car. Yes, they will have 10A & 15A for sure. So adding another level of planning to stay where 3phase is available and allowable, does not warrant the cost of this unit in my books.
Hi Mel, thanks for the comment. Yes like all options for regional travel there's no perfect solution however the use of 3 phase outlets has proved fairly reliable and well used by regular regional road tripper's, especially in those showgrounds open to campers and caravanners, but yes it will take more planning and maybe shouting a beer or 2 for a charge in some cases.
Hi Mel, thanks for the comment. Yes like all options for regional travel there's no perfect solution however the use of 3 phase outlets has proved fairly reliable and well used by regular regional road tripper's, especially in those showgrounds open to campers and caravanners, but yes it will take more planning and maybe shouting a beer or 2 for a charge in some cases.
Rather than use an adapter why not just wire a 5 pin socket with just one phase. I know some electricians baulk at the idea but as long as it's appropriately labelled it is allowable AFAIK.
Illegal in Qld therefore no insurance. Not worth the risk.
@@ElectricCarAustralia but essentially that's what you are doing by wiring a single phase appliance to a three phase plug. Or I am miss understanding you.
Plus I realise that you explain it at the beginning that it is not a charger and that you will call it as such because that's what everyone does, sorry but you should call it for what it is, otherwise you are just extending the wrong knowledge. You should treat it as an opportunity to educate.
Good job otherwise.
@@kezzatries Energex requires adapter as they won't allow a 3 phase socket to be installed in a single phase system. Needs to be legal for insurance reasons.
The EVSE has phase switching, so it is both a single phase and 3 phase appliance in one.
I'll get excited when these devices give me V2G, so I can both charge and run the house from the EV.
Hi Benjamin, yes V2H or V2G will be great but the limitation with this is mainly grid network providers/standards not the devices.
@@ElectricCarAustralia Yep, we have a lot of legislation to iron out. To think a major storage mechanism like EV's is going to be wasted until the legislators get with the program and realise the answer to excess household solar is to store it in EV's for the evening rush.
I've heard numbers like "just 10% of EV battery storage will make a huge dent on load levelling". Not even WikiPedia is up to date on V2G...like we really don't want to make a difference.
My understanding is that there is also no global standard for V2G for CCS so until this is agreed it’s a bit up in the air. chademo has this, which is why the research going on in Canberra at the moment is still focused on that.
@@simonh6788 Cool, thanks for the info Simon.
So this thing cost anywhere from $1800 to $2000 and doesn't include the cable between outlet and car. You can only get it in 3 phase, but it will work for single phase, hence its high price. Basically unless you have a car that supports 22kW charging via 3phase AC this is not worth getting, even more so because it requires you to use there inverter instead of just a current clamp and support for any solar setup.
Thanks Sector for the comment. I know of at least 6 people who have recently bought and all very happy with it. Suitability obviously depends on your needs and budget.
+ 40 degrees simply means it’s above 0, so it works to 40 degrees
Thanks for the comment. Will test in a future video to see how far above 40 we can go before it starts to derate. Click the bell to make sure you don't miss it. 👍
Evse. It's an evse. Not a charger! Calling it a charger is misleading and confusing
Hi, thanks for watching and the comment. Yes we mention this in all our videos including this one. As most people call them chargers and my channel is for general info for non-technical EV viewer's is the reason we say it's an EVSE but use charger in general discussion. 👍