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Repurposing two Juice Boxes with Open EVSE inners - a question about clamps and LEDs.
OpenEVSE Support
OpenEVSE uses CR8450 for current measurement and CR8420 with 5 turn test coil for GFCI. The original Juicebox pretty much copied everything OpenEVSE was doing with proprietary protocols and software.
Ah nuts, that was my thought - I guess it's too late to remove those two clamps from my order!
I just learned that OpenEVSE existed today, and my first thought was "cool, maybe I can get a new controller so I never have to deal with the Juicebox people ever again!" I have a 7 year old JB 40 that's been turned into an extension cord by their updates.
It sounds like most of the internal hardware is the same! If so, would the list of upgrade parts then just be:
- OpenEVSE 5.5 Universal controller
- OpenEVSE Color LCD / Wifi (I'm assuming I'll modify the JB to mount this somewhere)
- Temperature sensor (?)
Is that really it?
I just learned that OpenEVSE existed today, and my first thought was "cool, maybe I can get a new controller so I never have to deal with the Juicebox people ever again!" I have a 7 year old JB 40 that's been turned into an extension cord by their updates.
It sounds like most of the internal hardware is the same! If so, would the list of upgrade parts then just be:
- OpenEVSE 5.5 Universal controller
- OpenEVSE Color LCD / Wifi (I'm assuming I'll modify the JB to mount this somewhere)
- Temperature sensor (?)
Is that really it?
OpenEVSE Support
You could go that route. You might also want a current measurement coil for energy monitoring.
A far easier route would be to go with the Advanced kit and just reuse to cables.
Similar question, except I have a Juicebox Pro 75. I don't see a 75A kit. If I buy the advanced kit can I reuse the contactors and current clamps? Basically what can I reuse to put into an Open EVSE housing? Also do I need anything special to do power sharing between two Open EVSE? I have two Juicebox pro sharing an 80A circuit.
OpenEVSE Support
@Michael can you post pictures of each of the components, controller board, WiFi, anntennas etc.? We would love to help retrofit as many models as possible with the least amount of effort.
We could use pictures of other models as well if anyone else could post…
The controller board looks near identical do that of the Juicebox pro 40.. maybe the only difference hardware wise, was the relay being a higher amperage (not sure the specs of the pro 50).
Just removed duplicate posts (I was having Internet woes) - Confirmed mine is a 40 not a 50.
Oh ok.. so the contactor/relay in yours is definitely larger, given the higher amp rating. The insides are switched.. the controller board and relay are opposite sides. The current transformers may be the same? and the twisted pink wire is I think the GFCI wire loop.
Here is where I put all my juicebox pro 40 pictures. https://flic.kr/ps/43Lpo5
Looks pretty similar. I see some board version on yours, but not on mine. I wonder where the default amperage is stored? I assume that mine will output a PWM indicating 75 amps when disconnected from the mother ship.
A couple of questions for OpenEVSE support
1) Is there a possibility of reflashing this board since it apparently is so similar to OpenEVSE?
2) Can the Open EVSE board run without a display? There are thousands of owners out there who probably want a drop in solution to get to the OpenEVSE ecosystem and reusing the existing housing would be great. It's a nice NEMA enclosure.
OpenEVSE Support
@Michael,
We would guess whatever your station is set to when the mother ship leaves is where it will stay forever.
1) Yes there is a possibility we can hack OpenEVSE firmware onto the Juicebox. It will likely take considerable time requiring a significant effort testing and research and coding. The microprocessor is the same so there is a chance. The WiFi module is different so that would be harder, but maybe it can be replaced.
2) Yes, OpenEVSE works fin without a display, The Wi-Fi has color LEDs so it meets the requirement for indication of status.
I am already working on a replacement controller, that has all the JuiceBox style connectors so it will drop in vs. the current solution that would require a bit of fabrication.
Chris
Aminorjourney
We're repurposing two JuiceBox Pro 40 with Open EVSE hardware, with the ultimate goal of replacing the s****y firmware EnelX Is forcing on everyone with open source hardware and firmware inside the original cases. We'll be using MQTT and power sharing for two Open EVSEs sharing a single 50A single-phase supply.
The relays in these units are notorious, so I'll be ordering a new relay and connections, but I think I can repurpose much of the rest of the unit.
The case is high-quality metal, with a proper seal and a rubber dome with integrated WiFi antenna. I'll be ordering a WiFi board with external connector for compatibility there.
The back plate is solid metal, and looks like it can be drilled for additional screws to hold components securely on nylon standoffs. There's also a nice three LED setup with four-connector ribbon to the front of the case, and I'm hoping to be able to find a way to drive these for charging, power, and wifi connection status.
I see that the current clamps used on the JuiceBox are CR8450 and CR8420. If I'm reading the documentation correctly, Open EVSE uses two CR8420s, one with a ground fault, and one without. Is that correct? If so, I assume I can repurpose my existing CR 8420 and order a new one with the current clamp and ground fault combined?
Cheers!
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