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Introduction

OpenEVSE Store - Purchase this OpenEVSE Kit

Warning Assembly of a Electric Vehicle charging station requires wiring Alternating Current (AC) components that will be exposed to voltages from 100 to 250v. If you do not have the experience and knowledge required to safely work with AC voltages please consult with an experienced electrician for assistance and inspection of your work.

Note Regularly inspect your charging station. Pay special attention to excess heat, components, handles, and wiring will be warm but they should not be HOT...

Always Disconnect your charging station from power before performing an inspection and/or maintenance

  1. These documents will assist with the steps that follow. OpenEVSE Board Pins and Connections Download PDF
    • These documents will assist with the steps that follow.

    • OpenEVSE Board Pins and Connections Download PDF

    • Station Wiring Diagram Download PDF

  2. Connect RED and BLACK wires to BOTTOM terminals on one side of the contactor Connect the GREY wires to the terminals in the middle of the contactor
    • Connect RED and BLACK wires to BOTTOM terminals on one side of the contactor

    • Connect the GREY wires to the terminals in the middle of the contactor

    • Connect the ORANGE wires to the TOP terminals on the opposite side.

  3. Position the plate with the FOUR holes for the OpenEVSE controller up top-left. Mount the FOUR 4.5 Hex x 10mm standoffs to the top side of the plate with FOUR M2.5 x 6 mm screws. Tip - use blue LOCTITE on each screw to ensure it remains tight.
    • Position the plate with the FOUR holes for the OpenEVSE controller up top-left.

    • Mount the FOUR 4.5 Hex x 10mm standoffs to the top side of the plate with FOUR M2.5 x 6 mm screws.

    • Tip - use blue LOCTITE on each screw to ensure it remains tight.

    • Mount the Packard Contactor using FOUR 1/4" self threading screws.

    • Mount ground bar to the plate with ONE washer and ONE 1/4" self threading screw.

  4. Mount plate in enclosure with SIX coarse threaded 6mm screws. 2 top, 2 middle, 2 bottom 1 each Left and Right Install the TWO cable glands.
    • Mount plate in enclosure with SIX coarse threaded 6mm screws. 2 top, 2 middle, 2 bottom 1 each Left and Right

    • Install the TWO cable glands.

    • Ensure all 6 wires from the relay stay HIGH in the enclosure and AWAY from all low voltage wires going to the controller, WiFi, display, coils and Ground.

  5. Insert EV Cable through the Cable Gland on the right and tighten. Connect the ground wire to the ground block. Route the ground, pilot and coil wires low in the enclosure to avoid crossing any high voltage wires or components.
    • Insert EV Cable through the Cable Gland on the right and tighten.

    • Connect the ground wire to the ground block.

    • Route the ground, pilot and coil wires low in the enclosure to avoid crossing any high voltage wires or components.

    • Thread ALL hot and neutral lines through the 4 wire GFCI coil. UPDATE - coils with black and white wire, the orange self test wrap is now internal to coil.

    • Do not thread the ground wire or pilot wire through.

    • Advanced Series Only - Thread EITHER hot OR neutral through the Current Measurement Coil.

    • Tip - zip tie smaller wires together near the top and bottom to keep them neat and out of the way.

  6. Secure the wire ferrules RED and BLACK wires on the EV cable directly to contactor. Ensure both EV cable wires have good contact directly to the contactor and the screw is tight. Preventative maintenance. It is recommended the terminals are inspected annually to ensure the screw connection is tight.
    • Secure the wire ferrules RED and BLACK wires on the EV cable directly to contactor.

    • Ensure both EV cable wires have good contact directly to the contactor and the screw is tight.

    • Preventative maintenance. It is recommended the terminals are inspected annually to ensure the screw connection is tight.

    • Tip - run the low voltage wires on the bottom. Ensure they is plenty of clearance.

  7. Insert the input cable through the left gland. Connect the ground wire to the ground block. Screw the RED  wire on the INPUT cable power conductor to the top position of contactor along with the red wire on the wiring harness.
    • Insert the input cable through the left gland.

    • Connect the ground wire to the ground block.

    • Screw the RED wire on the INPUT cable power conductor to the top position of contactor along with the red wire on the wiring harness.

    • Ensure both Input cable terminals have good contact directly to the contactor pads and the screw is tight.

    • Preventative maintenance. It is recommended the terminals are inspected annually to ensure the screw connection is tight.

    • Screw the BLACK terminal on the INPUT cable power conductor to the bottom position of relay along with the black wire on the wiring harness.

    • Tip - run the small power wire to the controller in low in the enclosure.

  8. Static sensitive - Lift controller by board edges or AC/DC power supply. Do not touch components.
    • Static sensitive - Lift controller by board edges or AC/DC power supply. Do not touch components.

    • Mount OpenEVSE controller to the hex standoffs with FOUR M2.5 x 6mm screws.

    • Connect the control pilot (CP) wire to the OpenEVSE controller.

  9. View OpenEVSE v5 Diagram  - Step 1 for wires named below. Connect the keyed wiring harnesses to OpenEVSE controller. Wire colors may vary.
    • View OpenEVSE v5 Diagram - Step 1 for wires named below.

    • Connect the keyed wiring harnesses to OpenEVSE controller.

    • Wire colors may vary.

    • Connect the 2 wire connector from the larger coil (current measurement) to the OpenEVSE controller.

    • Connect the 4 wire connector from the smaller coil (ground fault) to the OpenEVSE controller.

    • Connect the 6 pin LCD/WiFi cable to the controller.

    • Connect the 4 pin Temperature sensor Cable to the controller.

  10. Static sensitive - Lift display by board edges. Do not touch components. Remove protective film from display Attach display to lid using 4 coarse threaded screws.
    • Static sensitive - Lift display by board edges. Do not touch components.

    • Remove protective film from display

    • Attach display to lid using 4 coarse threaded screws.

    • Connect 6 pin cable to display on left side. (connector under the BOOT and RESET buttons.

    • Connect the temperature sensor to the 4 pin connector on the OpenEVSE controller.

  11. Place the enclosure lid on and ensure there are no wires pinched in the lid.
Finish Line

9 other people completed this guide.

Christopher Howell

Member since: 07/05/2014

6,977 Reputation

20 Guides authored

One Comment

Completed assembly on 10/12/2023. Differences I found from photos

1) Different connectors for Relay control, GFI, and Current monitors (obvious, as they can only can go one place)

2) I didn't think relay screws were self-tapping because they were hard to put in so I tapped them with 8/32 tap. Turns out they were self-tapping, just requires lots of force

3) the two cable glands didn't fit fully into the case, used a dremel to make it work

4) I incorrectly pluged the pilot wire into the top terminal because I didn't fully pay attention to the photo. Be sure to use the bottom one as shown in the picture

Andy Haer - Reply

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