Failed AUTEL Charger Firmware issue / Workaround.

[Flying4Fun]

For those with a Autel Maxi Charger (and I assume similar models from them) there is a bug in the current firmware that stops the charger from working properly in some circumstances. I ran into an issue and here is a summary of what the issue is, the work around, and potential resolution time.


I Called AUTEL, they had me do some trouble shooting to restore charging function of the charger, such as remove the car profile, and reboot the charger. After which the Macan EV started charging! tried a few times as a double check, and everything was back to normal.

In discussions, AUTEL said they upgraded the firmware from 1.36 to 1.38 a few weeks ago and they have had been getting reports of this charge issue with this firmware version. They indicated that over the next few days a new update will come out to correct it.

The work around seems to be to remove the car profile, and reboot. But he did say if it happens again to factory default the charger and re initialize the charger without adding a car profile and that should allow it to work until they update the firmware

The at issue firmware is:
Charge Control Module 1.38.00 (1.36.00 was the prev version working just fine - I have auto updated enabled)
Power Control Module 1.20.00 (don't know the prev version or if it changed, but the issue seems to be in charge control module)

Not sure how many people use this charger with the Macan, but thought I would share this in case it helps someone out.

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[jsclarke]

I replaced our Autel EVSE. It would "forget" the time zone, and change from Pacific to Eastern (default?) randomly, resulting in charges starting 3 hours ahead of schedule at the highest cost/kWh.

No way to know other than watching it, which I got tired of doing. Replaced with a Chargepoint home flex, and not a single issue. It's our 2nd Chargepoint.. FWIW.

 

[Flying4Fun]

I replaced our Autel EVSE. It would "forget" the time zone, and change from Pacific to Eastern (default?) randomly, resulting in charges starting 3 hours ahead of schedule at the highest cost/kWh.

No way to know other than watching it, which I got tired of doing. Replaced with a Chargepoint home flex, and not a single issue. It's our 2nd Chargepoint.. FWIW.

That is not a great thing to happen... and they probably don't think the time zone issue is a big deal.

I purchased this one based on a review by several, but mostly from 'state of charge'. I am not impressed with it, and many reviews feel overstated / too positive on it.

But, I have it, and its hardwired, so it's not going to get replaced until it fails. We don't have time of day usage charges where I live (yet anyway), but thanks for that heads up.

Frankly, the software is not great and feel 'unpolished' despite what the reviews said. This is my first EV, but I regret not just using the free Porsche one. I got this one because I wanted the 48amp charging, which the Macan doesn't support despite the manual and sales team / website stating it would...

I don't think I would rebuy this charger, but I also don't know how it really compares to the other options.

 

[jsclarke]

same reason I bought it @Flying4Fun - a review on state of charge. Autel's software was always flaky. It would get daylight savings wrong, so I had to manually change time zones.

And, when I uninstalled ours (also hard-wired), I tried to delete our profile (and data) from Autel via their iOS app (couldn't) then website (couldn't). Contacted support, Autel tech support stopped returning email. I filed a privacy complaint with an agency in my state.

All EVSE's are switches that can limit current, all controlled by software. If the software is bad, so is the whole product. Be sure to keep track of where your security key is- you'll have a heck of time every getting the thing off the wall without it (trust me (-: ).

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