This tread is not created nor monitored by the Brand Amina or Developer of the Amina app.
For official support on Amina charger mail to: support@aminacharging.com
For official support on the Amina app use the Email link in the App support (currently: mailto:homey-amina@drenso.nl )
Description
This Homey app allows you to monitor and control your Amina EV charger.
The Amina charger is connected via Zigbee
Device Capabilities
These setting are found on the Settings of the Device
Load balancing
Load balancing will prevent that one of your phase’s gets overloaded and trips your main circuit breaker.
Your installer should have installed the Amina on a seperate group and the max current should be set inside the Amina charger.
But the phases can stilll be overloaded.
When you use your Amina at full power and additionally switch on heavy loads on any of the 3 phases (dryer, dishwasher, oven)
This flow will reduce the power of your Amina when high current is detected
Only use the surplus of your solar energy to charge your EV. To minimise your energy returned to grid.
(Remember, EV’s generally require a minimum of 6A (1.4kW) to start charging)
Amina app v2.0.1 (currently the latest) is lacking functionality to support surplus solar energy charging
Amina app v2.1.0 (27 Aug) now supports single phase charging,
I will update the flow below with the new card
The surplus of solar panels is less than 18A in most common cases.
(I have 20 panels and only on 1 day I hit the 18A this year)
So most of the time you want to charge with less than 18A. Which means: 1phase chasing (6-16A)
But the amina app does not have a card to set 1phase charging (only 3phase) charging.
I made a request to the app developer and @amina to add this flowcard to the app.
Below is my flow (which is also usable for other chargers)
the flows input is the energy level from my meter P1
a second flow will trigger calculation of the energy every minute using the insight trends reloaded app to provide the mean value over 1 minute (the input)
The setting over the charger is based on the current settings minus the energy measured (P1). So return (negative) will increase the charger current
This flows will sent a push message to your phone in case of an alarm triggered by the Amina
you can Import this flow
You can import this flow into your homey using the flow exchange capability of the device capabilities app.
Find the instruction on howto download a flow in the device capabilities thread
don’t forget to replace the user by your own name.
TEF:
The charger
The Amina charger is very compact.
If you want a charger that does not stand out too much, You will like it…
The charging cable is fixed to the charger.
It’s a personal thing but I really like it because I do not need to take my charging cable out of the frunc. Just get out of the car and plug it in.
Using a separate charging cable would make it look much bigger, because of the large connector sticking out of the charger. So the fixed cable contributes to the sleek design
I bought an additional wall mount to store the cable when it’s not plugged in. I Prefer this over the plastic cover: easy, just push the connector in
The cable is delivered as a loose cable and needs to be connected to the charger during install. this way you can also guide it through a small whole in the wall. I placed the charger on the inside of my fence, pushed it through a small hole, so I only have the cable on my driveway.
Controlling the Amiga
The amina is connected via zigbee, so no cloud control. As a homey user I really like that: local control. If internet or wifi drops you can still control your charger. And no unnecessary data sharing. I have the Amina for a few month now. Did not notice any zigbee hiccups.
The Amina is sold a a smart charger. The integration with homey works fine, connecting is easy and the app provides enough functionality.
After installing the latest firmware (see post below) I am able to switch between 1phase and 3 phase charging. I use 1phase charging in summer: surplus charging, tuning the charger to use the surplus solar energy (which is normally lower than 16A). In winter I use the 3 phase charging: EPEX Charging, when the dynamic prices are low charge at full power.
The Amina does not have load balancing, so that is something you need to build using homey flows (see below)
An other extensive installation review is posted on the forum here
support
The Amina support desk has good response. They even managed to provide me some new functionality (phase switching) within a few weeks time when Imasked for it.
A firmware update is available for the Amina charger.
This firmware fixes an instability issue (phase switching).
When changing the current setting the charger intermittendly switched from 1 phase charging to 3 phase charging, without a status change showing in the setting.
You can download the firmware from this Amina site:
What is needed for the amina to use loadbalancing?
Do you need hardware at the circuit breakers?
Do you need a utp cable to the amina? (Don’t think that can be connected, but normally such cable would be needed)
I am thinking about the concept.
My idea till now is:
1 a honey connected device reading the smart meter (there are many, I have a youless)
2 a flow that constantly monitors the 3 phases. To prevent it from interrupting on short peak currents I am thinking to use the “inside trends reloaded” app. Using an avarage of the current over a short period.
This flow would reduce the current if needed
3 all current setting for the Amina should also run via a load balencing flow, that will prevent a new setting to cause a peak load.
So hardly extra hardware needed, just a smart meter device (~€30)
The master switches are “slow” so it does not need to respond fast.
The youless is measuring every 5 sec.
But I do not think official balancers respond faster.
Good high power devices are also build to slowly build up their power, so if something switches on it will catch it.
