BC Hydro stations
- Thread starter SkookumPete
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KonaTom
Well-Known Member
They will only show stations when they have been added to their network, so that could be some time. They have to negotiate with Greenlots.
They are taking over the flo network I believe, and that’s why they show those stations
Then they will have to negotiate with Shell as well:
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2019/01/20190131-shell.html
KonaTom
Well-Known Member
There is some confusion about bc hydro rates. They say it is free to charge but since they only have flo ac network stations that is true. They still haven’t taken over the greenlots stations so they have no fast chargers in their system yet. When they do I’m sure they will charge for use, although it might be free for a limited time
Have you had any success charging at any BC Hydro ABB type DCFC on the island( I believe you are on Van Isle) ? If so which one?
Nanaimo superstore :https://www.plugshare.com/location/147203
does't work and only one other report of one that works is in Duncan:
https://www.plugshare.com/location/18325
Thanks KonaTom
Wayne Warde
Active Member
I have used the one at the Super Store with no problem and it is fast.
I have not tried but met up with KonaTom and between us couldn't charge his Kona. There were also reports of other Hyandai evs including at least one other Kona with no luck (same com error). Plugshare has reduced the checkins list but you can expand it you will see. Also BC Hydro has a notation in the description ** of a firmware issue. When did you try it and have you tried others as well? Maybe have to meet up with the Teck to read the handshake signals to see what is different with your vehicle.
I will try when I am low SOC but that will be a little while from now as I have switched from 60% to 90% cycle to 40%to 80% due to the warmer weather
Wayne Warde
Active Member
It was a few weeks ago that I charged up there .I he found that the other slow chargers around the city has kept us charged up and we don't have to suffer the drama of trying to get on one charger .
KonaTom
Well-Known Member
I’ve only tried the superstore station in Nanaimo which doesn’t work, and the one in Duncan that does work at .35 per kwh. It is still a greenlots station. There are no bc hydro network stations on the island yet, except the flo network level two chargers.
Wayne Warde
Active Member
There is another one in Nanaimo around city hall that charged $0.35 as well
Wayne Warde
Active Member
I understand that you may be fairly handy when it comes to electrical things. What do you recommend as % for a fully charged battery in the types of weather that we have now?
80%max unless you need the range or use up the access immediately
Wayne Warde
Active Member
It seems like it's almost voodoo. Thank you
You are the exception.
I just met with the B.C.Hydro mobile tech spent time with him as he charged his Bolt no problem (right up to 95%) but to no avail on my Kona (communication error)
Traced to bad firmware on this type of ABB DCFC machine.
ABB has an order from B.C.Hydro to fix, now if ABB has communicated with Hyundai to solve the issue is up in the air.
So for the time being (and who knows how long if ever) be advised that reliability of DCFC charging using this type of ABB machine (the one with the 2 supply lines exiting the top right one CHADEMO and the other CCS) is useless.
Would appreciate any other Kona owners to report back if this is the case with one of this type in your area complete with date, charging rate and SOC when starting and ending.(note: be sure to wait at least 3-4 minutes after plugging in as the car may start to charge then the com error will kick in)
So if travelling the Island, be aware that the central hub area is NOT WORKING WITH KONA on these machines confirmed by B.C.Hydro
https://www.plugshare.com/location/152799
https://www.plugshare.com/location/147166
https://www.plugshare.com/location/4474
https://www.plugshare.com/location/147203
There are other DCFC that MAY work
https://www.plugshare.com/location/16045 (confirmed)
https://www.plugshare.com/location/167804 (unconfirmed)
https://www.plugshare.com/location/163731 (unconfirmed)
https://www.plugshare.com/location/146313 (unconfirmed)
If this horror show continues, I will take it upon myself to try to confirm those locations this summer for the benefit of travelers, (if none have been confirmed as working with Kona by then) . May take an overnight stay or two.
Additional note: this seems to be happening on the FIRST batch of DCFC that where installed (phase 1) by B.C.Hydro
I suspect this one does't work also
https://www.plugshare.com/location/145225 (CJC this is your area, can you confirm and report yes or no?)
or if that one is damaged as reported by B.C.Hydro, try this one of the same type:
https://www.plugshare.com/location/151688 ( a little further away, make sure to have enough juice)
I also suspect this one
https://www.plugshare.com/location/82226 ( any Kona owner in Kelowna?)
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Konan the Explorer
Member
I have used most of the mid Van Isle stations and here is what I have found:
Courtenay Superstore 152799 has worked most of the time, had one instance of comm error
Nanaimo Superstore 147203 has never worked for us but I have seen a Kia Soul and a Prius use it without issue
Nanaimo Western Bank 54239 close to Woodgrove has employee cars parked on permanent charge, never found it available
Quality foods Qualicum 4474 has worked for us once and once we had a comms error
Buckley Bay 167804 works , no issues and no card or app needed. This is a Delta charger and limited to 21 kw, not a bc hydro charger. Has two plugins available , also a Sun Country level 2 available
In Qualicum 180095 across the street from Quality Foods fast charger is a Chargepoint, located at side of Art Gallery , unmarked stalls so sometimes other cars are parked in front of the charger, but level 2 can get you through if fast charger is tied up.
Regarding charge levels, you can charge on either type to 100% without affecting the battery, but once you hit 80% the charge rate tapers off and its just polite to move on. The battery in the Kona from what I can find 'off the record' is actually larger than 64kwh and is software limited for its own protection. Two separate service departments have given me that answer and I have read other owners getting this answer as well.
Courtenay Superstore 152799 has worked most of the time, had one instance of comm error
Nanaimo Superstore 147203 has never worked for us but I have seen a Kia Soul and a Prius use it without issue
Nanaimo Western Bank 54239 close to Woodgrove has employee cars parked on permanent charge, never found it available
Quality foods Qualicum 4474 has worked for us once and once we had a comms error
Buckley Bay 167804 works , no issues and no card or app needed. This is a Delta charger and limited to 21 kw, not a bc hydro charger. Has two plugins available , also a Sun Country level 2 available
In Qualicum 180095 across the street from Quality Foods fast charger is a Chargepoint, located at side of Art Gallery , unmarked stalls so sometimes other cars are parked in front of the charger, but level 2 can get you through if fast charger is tied up.
Regarding charge levels, you can charge on either type to 100% without affecting the battery, but once you hit 80% the charge rate tapers off and its just polite to move on. The battery in the Kona from what I can find 'off the record' is actually larger than 64kwh and is software limited for its own protection. Two separate service departments have given me that answer and I have read other owners getting this answer as well.
Thanks for the input but I am specifically referring to DCFC charging and am familiar with the rate drop off.
MORE specifically ABB Model Terra 53cj series as described above.
Thought I had it solved :
After 5 tries managed to get 41kW rate from 59% to 22kW rate at 68% (15 minutes 30 seconds it cut out c/w com error) Tried 15 different combo's of reset DCFC machine and unlock/lock doors etc ( doors opening definitely caused stoppage) with a result of 7kWh delivered .
Location: https://www.plugshare.com/location/147203
Stopped by Hyundai, says many complaints filed- corp says car is ok its the machine.
Am waiting for call back from BC Hydro tecks to discuss how I manged to get it to work (once)
Went to this location using EFA manufactured model# EVQC45 dual (old faithful as I call it) and it worked perfectly, so car ok:
https://www.plugshare.com/location/16045
The Rate started at 41kW and dropped to 25kW SOC 66% to 80% (I have set the level of max charge DC to this)
My hope is to ensure that the "rom or firmware" fix is done as quick as possible on all of these models.
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KonaTom
Well-Known Member
I used the one in Duncan a week ago and it gave me 43 kw and when I stopped it at 85% it was still outputting 27kw.
Please post on thread:
https://insideevsforum.com/communit...ers-that-work-with-2019-kona.5465/#post-59528
Thanks Tom
Thanks for that info- If you mean this one:
https://www.plugshare.com/location/145225
that confirms a problem with Kona charging at a Terra 53 CJ series as I suspected. I hope others will test throughout B.C. AND get after B.C. Hydro EV:
https://ev.bchydro.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=/
use the helpline. The more of us that inform them of this the better, FWIW I am still awaiting a call back from teck at B.C. Hydro EV.
This is critical for long range driving (severe limitation and anxiety supposed to be reduced if not removed with these machines, after all WE did pay for it as taxpayers)