Does your Zappi display “waiting for surplus message”?
In this article, you’ll find out why it happens, and what you can do about it.
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a show summary of the article:
The “waiting for surplus” message could be due to the Zappi being set to ECO+ charge mode, which may restrict the charge rate without solar power. Changing it to fast mode should resolve the issue.
Why is Zappi Showing “Waiting for Surplus” Message?
According to Zappi operation and installation manual, if you see this message:
“Zappi is waiting for sufficient surplus power from the microgeneration system. This screen will be shown in ECO+ mode, as it’s only in this mode that charging will stop if there is not enough surplus power.”
In essence, the “waiting for surplus” message on Zappi indicates that the device is currently not receiving enough surplus power from the microgeneration system to charge the electric vehicle.
This can happen when the microgeneration system is not producing enough energy, or when other devices in the home are consuming more power than usual.
Zappi has been designed to operate in “ECO+ mode,” which is a feature that enables the device to intelligently control the charging of the EV based on the surplus energy produced by the microgeneration system.
In ECO+ mode, the Zappi will prioritize the charging of the EV only when there is sufficient surplus power available, and it will pause or reduce charging when there is not enough surplus power available.
This helps to ensure that the EV charging does not draw electricity from the grid, and it maximizes the use of renewable energy produced by the microgeneration system.
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What Should You Do to Cancel the “Waiting for Surplus” Message?
It’s important to note that the message is specific to the ECO+ mode, and it will not be displayed if the Zappi is operating in any other mode.
That being said, to cancel this message, you can set your Zappi to eco, or fast mode.
For example, if the Zappi is set to “fast” mode, it will charge the EV at the maximum power available from the grid or the microgeneration system, regardless of the surplus power available.
If you are seeing the “waiting for surplus” message on your Zappi, it may be also worth checking the status of your microgeneration system to ensure that it is producing enough energy to charge your EV.
You may also want to consider reducing your home’s energy consumption during peak charging times to maximize the surplus power available to charge your EV.
Also read: EV Battery in Hot Temperature: 5 Things to Know
What Else Can Cause the Message?
The “waiting for surplus” might be also caused by a fault with the CT clamp on the power cable.
The CT clamp (current transformer clamp) on the power cable is responsible for measuring the electrical current flowing through the cable.
The Zappi EV charger is designed to use this current measurement to determine whether there is surplus energy available from the electrical grid to charge an electric vehicle.
If there is a fault with the CT clamp, it may not be able to accurately measure the current flowing through the cable.
This can cause the Zappi EV charger to incorrectly assume that there is no surplus energy available and display the “waiting for surplus” message, even if there is surplus energy available.
Additionally, if the CT clamp is not properly installed or connected, it may not be able to measure the current at all, which can also result in the message being displayed.
If the “waiting for surplus” message in the Zappi EV charger is caused by a fault with the CT clamp on the power cable, you should contact a qualified electrician to inspect and repair the issue.
The electrician can verify the wiring and connections to ensure they are correct and replace any damaged components as necessary.
In some cases, the electrician may need to adjust the CT clamp to ensure that it is properly measuring the power flow and communicating the correct information to the Zappi EV charger.
It is important to have a qualified electrician perform any repairs to ensure that the charger is safe and compliant with electrical codes and standards.