Masterplug / Octopus Intelligence & Tesla Home Charging?

[Strocky]

My home charging setup is a Masterplug T7 EV charger (which works via the Monta Charge App)

Unfortunately the Charger isn't compatible with my Intelligent Octopus Go tariff (I've had to enter it as a 3 Pin Plug for it to talk to the wife's Tesla)

So at the moment it's a chore to have to wait up until 1130PM to plug in the charger (for the cheap rate) on the night you want to charge the car and sometimes even then it doesn't always work as either Monta app gets in the way or Octopus changes their flexi rate

Anyone else with this setup and how do they sort the charge scheduling?
Via the Monta App or the Tesla on-board scheduling?

[charltjr]

Turn off any scheduling in the charger and configure the Octopus app to talk to the Tesla, then the Tesla will control the charging based on what the Octopus app tells it to do.

[quinny100]

Remove all scheduling in the charger/set it to manual mode so it charges whenever you plug in.

In the Tesla app, set a 15 minute charge slot scheduled daily during the cheap period - I use 0300-0315. This will prevent the car charging immediately when you plug it in. It might charge during this period - but it's at cheap rate so it doesn't matter.

Use the Octopus app to set your desired ready time and charge percentage. API charging overrides the schedule set in the car, so effectively Octopus app has full control of the schedule.

[Strocky]

Thanks for the replies Gents, will try it over the next day or two and see if Octopus plays nice

[Strocky]

So first night's try, Octopus status - Not Plugged in at Home so hee-haw happened)
I re-enabled smart charging option so will try again tonight and see what happens

I still get the feeling the Masterplug Charger won't start without the Monta App telling it to

[Strocky]

Strocky said:

So first night's try, Octopus status - Not Plugged in at Home so hee-haw happened)
I re-enabled smart charging option so will try again tonight and see what happens

I still get the feeling the Masterplug Charger won't start without the Monta App telling it to

Yip as I thought I need to schedule via the Monta App due to Octopus not being compatible with the Masterplug Charger (surprised at that considering it's mainstream, unless Masterplug have did a deal with Monta for exclusive access)

[springfan62]

I have a Tesla and Octopus Intelligent, I just set the charger to charge all the time.
I presume you can set the App to charge all the time when the car is plugged in.

Octopus then controls the charge with the car, the charger is dumb.

[Strocky]

springfan62 said:

I have a Tesla and Octopus Intelligent, I just set the charger to charge all the time.
I presume you can set the App to charge all the time when the car is plugged in.

Octopus then controls the charge with the car, the charger is dumb.

That's the correct procedure if you have a compatible charger, unfortunately my charger isn't compatible with Octopus so I need to use this workaround as there is no API doing it's work in the background

[springfan62]

Strocky said:

That's the correct procedure if you have a compatible charger, unfortunately my charger isn't compatible with Octopus so I need to use this workaround as there is no API doing it's work in the background

You only need a car OR a charger thats compatible you don't need both.
There must be a setting in the Monta App that allows automatic charging.
https://monta.com/en/features/autocharge/#:~:text=...

[JD]

Strocky said:

That's the correct procedure if you have a compatible charger, unfortunately my charger isn't compatible with Octopus so I need to use this workaround as there is no API doing it's work in the background

I don't think you are understanding how this all works.

The Octopus API connects directly to the car, it does care what charger you have.

[Strocky]

springfan62 said:

You only need a car OR a charger thats compatible you don't need both.
There must be a setting in the Monta App that allows automatic charging.
https://monta.com/en/features/autocharge/#:~:text=...

Monta's AutoCharge feature makes EV charging as easy as possible. All you need to do is plug in your EV charging cable and charging begins instantly

Thanks for the link but as above that would defeat the purpose of me accessing the 1130PM-530PM cheap rate £0.263p vs £0.07 per KWH if I auto charged

[Strocky]

JD said:

I don't think you are understanding how this all works.

The Octopus API connects directly to the car, it does care what charger you have.

I assume you meant to type "doesn't" care

I am getting it, the Octopus API isn't compatible with my charger (it isn't listed when you try to add device to the App and won't even do a test charge unless you setup the Octopus App to a 3 pin plug charge, charge it via the 3 pin plug to pass the charge test then swap to the Type 2 Masterplug charger as a workaround)

I tried to let Octopus charge the car without the Monta App or the Tesla on the schedule I set up via Octopus - 80% charge by 530am (it didn't
work)

It just says the car is unplugged even when it had been connected since 8pm the night before

However I can charge on the schedule via the Monta app and get access to the £0.07 cheap rate that way (which I did last night)
So while your theory is correct, my real live experience says the exact opposite

I appreciate all the responses however I'm pretty sure none of the respondents actually have the same EV Charger model that I do have or are there's an option somewhere that's not been divulged

EDIT according to this reddit post the autocharge option looks like the fix, however it means anyone could rock up and use the charger

https://www.reddit.com/r/OctopusEnergy/comments/1i...

Edited by Strocky on Friday 7th March 14:48

[springfan62]

Octopus will also stop you having intelligent go if you only use the set time period as that doesn’t comply with their t&c’s, they blocked mine for period when the Tesla api changed and I couldn’t use it.

[Strocky]

springfan62 said:

Octopus will also stop you having intelligent go if you only use the set time period as that doesn’t comply with their t&c’s, they blocked mine for period when the Tesla api changed and I couldn’t use it.

Interesting will phone them up and confirm that, if so will prob change supplier

[JD]

Strocky said:

Interesting will phone them up and confirm that, if so will prob change supplier

Why?

If they are the cheapest provider surely you just use the cheapest provider.

[Strocky]

JD said:

Why?

If they are the cheapest provider surely you just use the cheapest provider.

They won't be if they take away the cheap rate access
FWIW I won't be contacting them until OR if I get the dreaded T&C's email

Edited by Strocky on Wednesday 12th March 10:05

[Rough101]

I’m familiar with the T7 which is the same as the BG sync.

To prevent misuse by third parties, have the Tesla linked to Octopus intelligent Go, and just plug the car in and swipe the charge now on Monta and lock the car.

The power is then available for the car to start to using when Octopus tell it to. When done, stop the charge on Monta and the socket will dead again, preventing use by others.

It doesn’t save very much if you’re a light user, Octopus Go is 8.5p for 5 hours from 00-30 and you can just set up a schedule for that on Monta.

Edited by Rough101 on Wednesday 12th March 15:55

[Strocky]

Rough101 said:

I’m familiar with the T7 which is the same as the BG sync.

To prevent misuse by third parties, have the Tesla linked to Octopus intelligent Go, and just plug the car in and swipe the charge now on Monta and lock the car.

The power is then available for the car to start to using when Octopus tell it to. When done, stop the charge on Monta and the socket will dead again, preventing use by others.

It doesn’t save very much if you’re a light user, Octopus Go is 8.5p for 5 hours from 00-30 and you can just set up a schedule for that on Monta.

Edited by Rough101 on Wednesday 12th March 15:55

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated
FWIW the Octopus Rates don't seem to be the best at the moment and with the bills about go up think I will be looking at moving

[MrZapie]

Hi,
Same problem, smart #1 BRABUS, Masterplug charger and Octopus. Can't access the "intelligent" option at £0.07, only the not so intelligent £0.08+ option between 00:30 and 05:30.
As I understand Octopus require the charger make and type and car make and type, (smart #1 BRABUS has only recently been added) for full functionality.........unless I'm missing something?

[paradigital]

springfan62 said:

Octopus will also stop you having intelligent go if you only use the set time period as that doesn’t comply with their t&c’s, they blocked mine for period when the Tesla api changed and I couldn’t use it.

4 years and counting of only using the 23:30-05:30 7p/kwh time slot.

I have an Ohme GO connected as my device in the Octopus App, but I only use my Zappi, scheduled to charge overnight, or when I have excess solar generation.