Detailed Review of Zappi V2 Charger| IN-Charge EV Installation

Zappi chargers are British-made EV chargers highly suitable for home installation. They can use power from the grid and also support other sources of renewable energy, such as Solar power. The design and structure of the charger offer incredible strength, and it comes with a built-in cable tidy. They have a user-friendly and beautiful LCD control panel along with control buttons. They are available in untethered and tethered variations and do not require earthing. ​

Introduction to the Zappi v2 Charger

Zappi chargers are British-made EV chargers highly suitable for home installation. They can use power from the grid and also support other sources of renewable energy, such as Solar power. The design and structure of the charger offer incredible strength, and it comes with a built-in cable tidy. They have a user-friendly and beautiful LCD control panel along with control buttons. They are available in untethered and tethered variations and do not require earthing. Zappi v2 has gained considerable popularity as one of the best smart home chargers in the United Kingdom. Both electricians and homeowners swear by it. It may not be the most compact charger, but it has exceptional performance. With reliable performance and integration for solar, wind and micro-hydro, it's a great choice if you produce renewable energy. Overall, it is a good quality and high-performing domestic charger which can provide you with efficient EV charging in the comfort of your home.

Pros of the Zappi Charger

• The controls are In-built.
• It has a highly reliable and durable build quality.
• It can be untethered or tethered.
• It is compatible with renewable energies such as micro-hydro, wind, and solar.
• It offers several charging options.
• The cable can be stored within the charger's body.

Cons of the Zappi charger

• It is relatively bigger than other chargers.
• App performance is considered average.
• It requires Myenergi Hub to operate.

Quick Review

The Zappi charger allows you to program charging sessions according to your need while considering peak hours. The integration feature allows you to operate your charger entirely on solar energy or a combination of solar and grid. You will need the Myenergi Hub to use the app. The Zappi charger has a strong build, and while it is big, it also offers you the comfort of looping your cable around the charger body. This gives a neat and clean look to your charging point.

Easy Installation

The Zappi, like many other modern EV chargers, does not require earthing as it is equipped with a PEN conductor. It is also protected by a built-in 6mA DC RCD and 30mA Type A RCD. The Zappi charger is compatible with the electrical network of most homes, making its installation quite easy. It has smart settings, which allow it to be configured for wind and solar energy supplies. The wiring of Zappi is incredibly simple, with just three cables enabling you to use it just like a light switch in a single-phase system. It has a CT terminal ( current transformer ) and an eSense input. The latter allows you to benefit from economy tariffs by boosting charging in ECO+ and ECO charging modes. A professional electrician can complete the installation process in as little as 3 hours.

Zappi Design

The Zappi is a product of Myenergi and is highly valued in the electric world. It has a robust and rugged design with a body built to last a lifetime. It is available in two aesthetic colour schemes: white & light grey and black & light grey. The Zappi looks intriguing and reminds you of those old wall clocks with an angled bottom and a curved top. The sides of the Zappi are tapered, giving it a contoured look. The charger's dimensions are 439 x 282 x 122mm, which is relatively bigger for a home charger.

The front of the charger has an LCD and four control buttons. The former lets you view information, while the latter lets you control the charger. The display can be viewed easily in sunlight and gets dim when it's not being used. An LED indicator shows the various operations of the charger. The charger case has been constructed from a recyclable material known as ASA (Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate). The case is suitable for outdoor installations as it is rated IP65.

Tethered or Untethered

• If you want removable cables or more than one type, you should use an untethered charger.
• If you just need a kind of cable and you don't want any mess, you should go for a tethered charger.

Charging Speeds

The charging speeds that the Zappi charger can provide are 3.6 - 7kW (for single-phase) and 11 to 22kW (three-phase). The 7kW variant can add 25 miles/hour, a 60kWh car battery would be completely charged in 9 hours.

Charging From Renewable Energy Sources

The Zappi is famous for using renewable energy sources for charging. It allows you to use solar power, micro-hydro systems, and wind turbines.

Charging Experience

The Zappi allows you to schedule your charging sessions, lock/unlock the charger, and much more. The charger can be locked using the Myenergi Hub or directly from the unit, and the system would need your personalised PIN to unlock the charger. There are three charging modes available, including FAST, ECO+ and ECO. The Zappi can be easily controlled with your cellphone via the Zappi application and directly from the charger's manual controls.

The three charging modes have the following features:

• ECO: Power varies relative to your system's power generation; keep charging your vehicle until full by utilising renewable (micro-hydro, wind, solar) energy and grid supply. The minimum charging rate is 1.4kW.
• ECO+: minimises grid power consumption by pausing charging if consumption is too high. The Zappi pauses if surplus power drops below 1.4kW.
• FAST: Supplies the maximum possible charge rate either by utilising a combination of grid and renewable energy or completely from the grid, depending on what is needed.

Apart from the above, both ECO+ and ECO have three boost modes:

• Manual Boost: charges at maximum power until the car battery reaches the charge percentage set by you. The charger then reverts to ECO+ or ECO mode.
• Smart Boost: Charges based on the time you set. The charger alternates between fast and slow charging to improve efficiency. This boost mode ensures you get the energy you need efficiently.
• Scheduled: With this feature, you can select up to four-time schedules when you want the charger to provide fast charging. This is highly useful when you get low-rate tariffs or an Economy 7 tariff.

Myenergi Hub

The Myenergi Hub has to be bought separately and is required for using the Myenergi app. With the Hub, you can avail yourself of the benefits of firmware updates, remote control, or the Zappi app. The Hub also provides effective monitoring and detailed information about energy usage. It is handheld and acts as a gateway between My energy servers, your account, and your charger. The Hub can be installed easily by following the simple steps mentioned below:

• Use an ethernet cable to connect the Hub to your Wi-Fi router.
• Pair your Zappi with your Hub by pressing the pair button on both devices.
• Once the two are connected, the Hub will start working.

Myenergi App

The Myenergi app is easy to use, fast and intuitive, but it could do better with some improvement. The app does not allow you to lock/unlock the charger. It also does not provide you with in-depth analysis, which some people may like to see, but it does provide you with face values which are all that a typical person needs. It provides you with charging data and allows you to set timers. It also lets you use the boost functions and enables you to prioritise your chargers.

Firmware Updates

To download and install Firmware updates, you must access the system settings and download the firmware. You cannot use your phone to download them, a feature that should be part of the system.

Customer Support

Myenergi offers its customers incredible customer support and is known for its quick response to customer queries. They solve customer issues within a few days. You can request a return, report faults, and submit claims online. You can also easily contact them over the phone.

Final Word

Myenergi 's Zappi v2 is a great and smart EV charger. It is ideal for domestic charging and can use renewable energy apart from the grid.

Although you need to purchase the Myenergi Hub separately but the entire setup is worth it. The size of the Zappi may be more significant than other EV chargers, but it also provides you with the utility of storing the cable neatly. It is strong and sturdy with pleasing aesthetics and can provide great utility.