Fronius WattpilotFAQ
Basics
The Fronius Wattpilot is the intelligent charging solution for all electric car owners.
The Wattpilot is available in two variants – the permanently mounted Wattpilot Home for the household (in an 11 kW variant) and the mobile Wattpilot Go for on the move (in 11 and 22 kW variants).
The device can be operated using the associated Solar.wattpilot app, which also provides an overview of the charging process at the same time. The intelligent plug and play charging solution has two different charging modes called Eco Mode and Next Trip Mode.
What’s more, the Wattpilot is PV-optimised, meaning that the car can be charged particularly cost-effectively and sustainably via automatic 1-/3-phase switching from 1.38 to 22 kW in ampere increments of surplus solar energy.
Downloads & Links
For
basic charging, all you need to do is connect the Wattpilot to the power
supply and plug in your car. You can use the Solar.wattpilot app for special
settings (PV optimisation, charging modes, etc.).
You can integrate the Wattpilot into a network using WLAN. If the Wattpilot is outside WLAN range, you can boost the WLAN signal using a repeater, WIFI Access Point or PowerLine adapter.
The warranty term is 2 years.
Yes, you
can do that. You can run as many Wattpilots in parallel as you like. Each
Wattpilot must be individually integrated into the network. However, PV
optimisation only ever works on one device.
No, the
Wattpilot communicates with the network via WLAN. It detects and dials into
the WLAN network automatically.
WLAN will increasingly be provided in car parks as many new cars need WLAN,
for example for OTA (over-the-air) software updates.
It is not possible to bill for charging costs directly in the back-end, so there is no way of officially producing an invoice in kWh.
However, it is possible to record the power used for charging in kWh and to
individually log the time for each RFID chip and charging process. This data
can be exported as a CSV file, which would enable the charging time to be
invoiced (in minutes).
The
scope of supply of the Wattpilot includes the following: mounting bracket,
incl. screws
and rawlplugs, Wattpilot, miniature fuse, anti-theft device, reset card, ID
chip and Quick Guide. The following are available as optional extras: a type
2 cable (5 m), ID chips (10 x), an extra mounting bracket and various adapter
kits.
The
Wattpilot is made in Austria.
Wattpilot 2.0 has been developed based on a normative change (IEC 61851-1:2019 and IEC 62752:2016). This standard only concerns the manufacturer. The previous version of Wattpilot 2.0 may still be sold and used.
The Wattpilot 2.0 is produced with a newly designed housing. This ensures a higher IP protection (IP 55 instead of IP 54). The safety plug adapter cable is produced in a shorter length. The WLAN range has also been improved. In line with our sustainability strategy, more components from Europe are used to avoid long transport routes. Furthermore, there are two new versions of the Wattpilot 2.0: the Wattpilot Home 22 J 2.0 and the Wattpilot Go 22 J 2.0 AUS (for Australia). All known software features like PV surplus charging etc. are still available for Wattpilot (1.0) as well as for Wattpilot 2.0.
The two additional strands serve as digital input for future applications and currently have no function.
Installation and start-up
You will need to use the Solar.wattpilot app when starting up
the Wattpilot for the first time. The Wattpilot
must be connected to the Internet to enable various settings to be made and
for remote access.
Yes!
There are no additional, recurring checks and therefore no need for any
servicing.
The device has a built-in residual current protection module with residual current detection (30 mA AC and 6 mA DC). This means that no upstream type B RCD is required. A separate type A RCD and an automatic circuit breaker must be connected upstream for each Wattpilot.
CEE
sockets are designed for continuous loads. However, it is important to ensure
correct installation and that the plug contacts are in perfect condition (no
soiling or oxidation).
A Fronius inverter with Fronius Smart Meter is required at the feed-in point. The following Fronius
inverters are compatible with the Wattpilot: SnapINverter from Datamanager 2.0 and GEN24 Plus as
well as IG, IG Plus, IG TL and CL series in combination with a Datamanager 2.0.
The combination with a Fronius Ohmpilot and a Fronius compatible DC-coupled battery is also possible.
The Wattpilot can also be operated with other inverters / energy sources in combination with a Datamanager Box 2.0 and Fronius Smart Meter at the feed-in point. However, no other selfconsumption controls (battery, Power2Heat, etc.) may be implemented in parallel, because the controllers can interfere with each other. The loads in the household are not taken into account in the display in the Solar.wattpilot app.
The combination with a Fronius Ohmpilot and a Fronius compatible DC-coupled battery is also possible.
The Wattpilot can also be operated with other inverters / energy sources in combination with a Datamanager Box 2.0 and Fronius Smart Meter at the feed-in point. However, no other selfconsumption controls (battery, Power2Heat, etc.) may be implemented in parallel, because the controllers can interfere with each other. The loads in the household are not taken into account in the display in the Solar.wattpilot app.
In this
case, the maximum charging current is automatically limited to 16 A.
As soon
as a CEE plug is fitted, a maximum connection cable length of 30 cm is
stipulated by the governing standards. It is therefore not permitted to fit a
CEE plug to the connection cable of the Wattpilot Home. Should you require a
CEE plug, please opt for the Wattpilot Go.
Features
You can
change the charging mode either using the app or a button on the device.
As it stands, there is still no standard for intelligent charging. For this reason, there may be limitations with cost-optimized charging for certain models of car. Fronius endeavours to configure the optimal charging behaviour for every vehicle.The following models of car are affected:
- Renault Zoe
- Twingo
- Kia e-Soul
- Mitsubishi i-MiEV
- Citroen C-Zero
- Peugeot iOn
- VW ID.3 / ID.4 (Due to the charging behaviour, charging must not be interrupted)
The selection of the car model can be found in the Solar.wattpilot app in Settings - Cost optimisation - Car.
No, it
is not possible to do this. However, you can set it to charge to a specific
power level in kWh or km, and the electric car will then be charged to this
level within a defined time period.
All settings can also be set locally, directly by connecting to the Wattpilot’s hot spot. This is permanently open and secured with a password.The following functions are not possible without a network connection:
- Remote app access via the internet
- Coupling with the PV system (PV-optimised charging)
- Use of flexible electricity tariffs
- Software updates
No, this
is not possible with the Fronius Wattpilot.
It is
possible to combine the Wattpilot with Fronius-compatible DC-coupled battery
storage units and the Fronius Ohmpilot. Threshold values can be defined for
both the battery (state of charge in %) and the Ohmpilot (temperature in °C).
As soon as the threshold values are reached, the current power values of the
battery and Ohmpilot are considered as surplus. This means that the presence
of a battery or Ohmpilot can also be taken into account within the system.
Prioritization of the Wattpilot is possible, plus further prioritization of
the Ohmpilot and battery can be carried out in the web interface of the
inverter.
PV optimisation can only ever be used by one Wattpilot at a time. However, several Wattpilot charging solutions can be operated at staggered intervals. A variable electricity tariff can be used for multiple devices at the same time.
It
certainly can! You can easily activate and deactivate PV optimisation and
variable electricity tariff use in the app. This would enable a user without
a PV system to use variable electricity tariffs. Conversely, a user with a PV
system can use the charging modes without variable electricity tariff. And,
as you’d expect, both options can be used at the same time.
Yes, you
can! You can define this setting yourself in the app. This also allows you to
define the maximum phase-load imbalance of the Wattpilot.
Yes, PV optimisation can also be implemented with non-Fronius inverters. However, these must be combined with a Datamanager Box 2.0 and a Fronius Smart Meter at the feed-in point. Apart from that, no further energy management (battery, Power2Heat, etc.) may be implemented at the same time, as the control systems can cause faults. The loads in the household are not included in the display in the Solar.wattpilot app.
PV
optimisation takes place in individual ampere increments and is provided as
standard from type 2.
This means charging increments of approx. 230 W (1-phase) or approx. 690 W (3-phase) are possible. The advantage is that the power range of the photovoltaic system can be used at optimum efficiency (charging power of 1.38 kW - 22 kW). Switching works on vehicles that have a 3-phase or 2-phase on-board charger.
This means charging increments of approx. 230 W (1-phase) or approx. 690 W (3-phase) are possible. The advantage is that the power range of the photovoltaic system can be used at optimum efficiency (charging power of 1.38 kW - 22 kW). Switching works on vehicles that have a 3-phase or 2-phase on-board charger.
Yes,
regular software updates are supplied for the Wattpilot. Providing the
Wattpilot is connected to the Internet, installing these updates is very
straightforward.
Yes, it
can. The ID chip has to be connected separately for each Wattpilot.
The Wattpilot will charge for at least 5 minutes to protect the relays.
It will
charge at the set amperage. There is no need to reset the electricity limit
values.
Yes, the
interface can be used to control the Wattpilot via the Solar.wattpilot app.
The interface is encrypted for security reasons and is not publicly
accessible.
App
You can
download the app from the Google Play Store (Android) and the Apple App Store
(iOS).
Yes,
this is possible via the Solar.wattpilot app.
English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish, Hungarian and Finnish
All
information about the amount of electricity charged is displayed in the
Solar.wattpilot app.
Service
The installer of the Wattpilot should create a service case for the affected Wattpilot on Fronius Solar.SOS. Please make sure to include the serial number, the invoice of the purchase and a picture of the data plate.
- Check your Solar.wattpilot app under Settings - Cost optimization - Car - Choose path switch.
- Make sure your charging cable and your car's on-board charger support three-phase charging.
- Check the car's app for relevant settings that might limit the charging to one phase.
Make sure to update your Fronius Solar.wattpilot app to the latest version first.
Check your network's wifi signal strength at your Wattpilot. For a stable connection the Fronius Solar.wattpilot app should detect your wifi with at least 50 % strength.
Update your components to the lastest firmware version. For GEN24 inverters with firmware version 1.14.110-1 or higher, make sure the Solar API is activated in the inverter's user interface under "Communication" - "Solar API". Also make sure your inverter and your Wattpilot are within the same IP network, especially if you are using subnets.
Any alterations or modifications to the device without first obtaining the manufacturer's permission can lead to loss of warranty.
Any alterations or modifications to the device without first obtaining the manufacturer's permission can lead to loss of warranty.
Solar.web
You can add your Wattpilot to your PV system in Solar.web in the tab "Settings" - "Components".
If you have not yet created a PV system in Solar.web, register on www.solarweb.com and add your Wattpilot and paired inverter when creating the new PV system. When adding the Wattpilot to Solar.web we recommend that the Wattpilot currently has internet connection and is paired with the inverter. Nevertheless it is also possible to add an offline Wattpilot to Solar.web, but Wattpilot data will first be shown, when the Wattpilot is online and paired.
If you have not yet created a PV system in Solar.web, register on www.solarweb.com and add your Wattpilot and paired inverter when creating the new PV system. When adding the Wattpilot to Solar.web we recommend that the Wattpilot currently has internet connection and is paired with the inverter. Nevertheless it is also possible to add an offline Wattpilot to Solar.web, but Wattpilot data will first be shown, when the Wattpilot is online and paired.
Yes, multiple Wattpilots can be added to a PV system in Solar.web.
For Wattpilot data to be displayed in Solar.web, ensure the following:
- The Wattpilot (as well as your inverter) must be added to your PV system in Solar.web in the tab "Settings" - "Components". If this tab is not visible, please ask your installer to assign you "Owner" or "Supervisor" rights for your PV system.
- Both the Wattpilot and the paired inverter must be connected to the internet.The Wattpilot requires firmware version 36.0 or higher.
- You can update your Wattpilot in the Solar.wattpilot app in the tab "Internet".
- The Wattpilot needs to be paired with your inverter. Go to the tab "Settings" - "Cost Optimization" in the Solar.wattpilot app to pair your Wattpilot with an inverter.
- If the paired inverter is a GEN24 or Tauro, firmware version 1.12 or higher is required. You can update your inverter in Solar.web in the tab "Settings" - "Components".
If the Wattpilot has no internet connection (e.g. due to weak WLAN), live and history data is not available in Solar.web. History data will not be restored when the Wattpilot reconnects to the internet.
Furthermore, Wattpilot data is only shown if the Wattpilot is paired with an inverter of the same PV system in Solar.web. For example, no data is displayed in Solar.web for periods when the Wattpilot Go is used on the go.
The Wattpilot must be paired with the new inverter in the Solar.wattpilot app in the "Settings" - "Cost optimization" tab. The inverter must be replaced in Solar.web in the "Settings" - "Components" tab. Afterwards, all Wattpilot data will be displayed again in Solar.web.