Connecting EVBox to Edge (non-OCPP)

Table of Contents

Connecting an EVBox that has no Ethernet connection to Edge happens in 2 steps. After the connection is done the configuration in the load balancer will be the same as with any other supported device.

Edge will only control the power to the whole charge point (which can consist out of multiple satellite-charge boxes). This means that Edge cannot control the power to the individual charge boxes/EVSE, and thus cannot provide priority charging. The EVBOX-charge point will distribute the available power between its charge boxes/EVSE.

Step 1: Physical connection to the EVBox modem

To connect to EVBox to Edge we will have to connect a serial RS485 connection to the EVBox modem. See the bottom of this article on how to connect the RS485 in each EVBox.

Edge already has a single RS485 connector. However, this connector is dedicated for communicating with energy meters. Therefore, the Installation can happen in 2 ways:

Option 1: TTL to RS485 converter

Because of this you can install an TTL to RS485 converter which gives Edge another RS485 interface. This option is recommended because of its simplicity. This setup allows you to connect 2 EVBox charge points because of the 2 spare serial interfaces (see Edge IO). Note that the converter must be installed close to Edge as the TTL signal wires cannot travel large distances.

Example installation where the left blue cable is the Modbus for energy meters, the right blue cable is the RS485 to the EVBOX connected using a TTL to RS485 connector

Option 2: TCP to RS485 converter

If it is not possible to have a direct connection between the Edge and the EVBox (option 1), It is possible to connect over existing network infrastructure using a TCP to RS485 converter. This option is discouraged because of the extra complexity of configuring the converter. Any TCP to serial converter should work, but we recommend a planet MG110.

Step 2: Configuration

All that needs to be done in Edge is to add a new EVBox charge point and configure how it is connected.

Add the charge point by going to “Settings → Connected Devices” and press “Add EVBox charge point”

Click on the new added EVBox, go to “Interfaces”
- If the installation is done with a TCP to RS485 converter you can set the Communication protocol to TCP. Save this setting and then specify the IP an Port.
- If the installation is done with a TTL to RS485 converter you can set the Communication protocol to TTL. Save this setting and then specify the Port. (ttyS2 or ttyS4)

verify if the installation was successful. In the live-view there should not be any time-out icons. There shouldn’t be any notifications informing that the communication fails
Configure how Edge should load-balance this EVBox by configuring the grid