There are three different ways of charging your electric vehicle using the SMA EV charger, the so-called ‘charging modes’. On the EV charger itself you will find a switch which can be toggled between two settings. One of these two settings allows for an additional setting through the SMA Energy App. Here we explain how to use the three charging modes:
1) The default charging mode: PV optimized charging
We recommend using this charging mode as much as possible. Turn the switch so that the charger is set to this icon:
As soon as the charging cable is plugged into the vehicle, all excess solar power will be charged into the car. (Attn: if you have activated the option ‘Unlock charging through app’ you must first click on the ‘Unlock’ button on the SMA Energy App to start the charging process)
This setting helps you to make as much use of your own solar power as possible, and also charge your car without using power from the grid. Use the SMA Energy App to check just how much energy was charged into your car.
2) Charging with specified target
This charging mode allows you to specify how much energy must be charged into the car before a certain time. This is the best mode to use if you want to be certain that the car is sufficiently charged before you want to drive somewhere, regardless of whether it was sunny or not. Make sure that the switch is set to this icon:
Now open the SMA Energy App on your phone and click on the icon for e-mobility (in the red circle):
Click on the blue button that says ‘Change charging mode’ and select ‘Charging with specified target’.
On the next screen you can indicate two things: at what time the charging must be completed (‘Target time’), and how much energy must have been charged by that time (‘Charging target’).
Now indicate either how much energy must be charged (in kWh) or else indicate the distance in kilometers that must be charged. Use the button at the top right to select either energy or distance. The relation between the amount of kWh and the number of kilometers is a fixed value which depends on your car and which can be modified under ‘settings’. Finish by clicking ‘Apply'
Once the specified amount of energy has been charged into the car, the charging mode automatically switches to the default setting (i.e. option 1: PV optimized charging). This means that the car will continue to be charged as long as there is a surplus of PV energy and as long as there is still capacity available in the car battery.
3) Fast charging.
Only use this charging mode when you are in a hurry to charge up the car. This charging mode does not take the availability of solar energy into account. The charger will provide the maximum possible power to the car, regardless whether this power comes from the solar panels or from the grid. Turn the switch to the fast charging icon:
The car will immediately start charging. (Attn: if you have activated the option ‘Unlock charging through app’ you must first swipe the ‘Unlock’ button on the SMA Energy App to start the charging process)
