EV Charger Limited to 4.9 kW Despite 7.3 kW Single-Phase Capability

Hello Victron Community,

I’m seeking assistance with an issue in my system configuration. Here’s an overview:

PV System*: 7.92 kWp solar panels

  • Inverters:
  • Fronius Primo 8.2 kW
  • Victron MultiPlus II 48/5000/70-50
  • Battery Storage: CYLAID LiFePO₄ 48 V, 100 Ah (~5.1 kWh)
  • Monitoring: Victron Cerbo GX, Lynx Distributor
  • EV Charger: Victron Energy 22 kW AC Charging Station, connected in single-phase mode

Issue:

First issue is that EV Charger in the last days refuses tot start in auto mode. I get the message waiting for sun. If I put it on manual, it starts, and I see that the production of the Froniums bumps in from a minimum needed to charge the battery and AC needs to 3000-5000w, depending the sun.

I must say my Fronius is still throtted at 70% as I am not a prosumer yet.

Regardless of whether the EV charger is set to auto or manual mode, and even when configured to 32 A, the charging power does not exceed 4800-4900 w​

Observations:

  • The system prioritizes solar production and battery discharging for EV charging.
  • The grid does not supplement the power deficit. For instance, if solar provides 5 kW and the battery is depleted, the remaining 2.3 kW required for full 7.3 kW charging is not sourced from the grid. Or if the solar provides 4 kw, the battery 1,8 kw, the remaining are not provided by the grid.
  • Even when solar production is at 7 kW and household consumption is minimal, the EV charger still limits charging to approximately 4.9 kW.​

Current Settings:

  • EV Charger Connection: Inverter AC Output
  • Allow Low Excess Solar Power for Auto Mode: Disabled
  • Backup Battery Emulation: Disabled
  • ESS Mode: Optimized without BatteryLife​[Victron Energy+1Victron Energy Community

I suspect the issue may relate to ESS settings or grid feed-in limitations, but I’m uncertain. Has anyone encountered a similar situation or can offer guidance on resolving this limitation?​

Thank you in advance for your support.

Hello Alex.

The EVCS tells to EV the maximum possible current that can be used for the charging. For example, 32A. After that, EV decides how much power to take. So, maybe there are some settings in your EV that limit the max charging power?

About the ‘waiting for sun’. Can you please provide here a screenshot of the VRM or EVCS dashboard when it happens.

Is your system feeding power to the GRID? I see some 500W on your screenshot.

Maybe your EV can only charge with 5kW?
What EV do you have?

Please add some screenshots.

I have a Hyundai Ioniq 5. I Google it, and didn’t found such kind of limitation. I’m in the city now, I will go back and attach some screenshots

No, is not feeding power to the grid. Some kind of adjustment setting was made as is oscillating -50 /+ 30 wats from the grid for balancing the (I do not know to explain - the setting was made as I have a led in my garage, without this setting the led keeps oscillating) so, no feeding the grid, I am not a prosumer.

I will get home and attach print screens of VRM. Thank you for your fast answer.

Hello, I’ve attached some screenshots for reference.**

They were taken on different days, since the weather hasn’t been great lately.

As you can see in all the examples, the EVCS never draws more than 4,900W, even though it’s a single-phase charger and the spec sheet says it supports up to 7.3kW.

I’ve noticed that when solar production isn’t enough, the system does use the battery to power the EVCS.
However, even when I set the charger to manual mode, the power draw still never exceeds 4,900W.

I don’t understand why the system doesn’t use the battery or the grid to deliver the full 7.3kW to the EVCS.

My AC loads are very low (I avoid using appliances while charging the car).
If I do use appliances, I see the Fronius PV production increases, or the grid supports the load — but this never happens for the EVCS.

Could this limitation be caused by the MultiPlus II 48/5000/70-50 inverter?

If so, how is it possible that when the EVCS and appliances run together, the MultiPlus can handle 8,000–9,000W total?




Hello Alex.
Can you please also provide a few screenshots from the EV application(if any) and the EV device panel while charging?

From the screenshots above, I see that EVCS allows a maximum charging current for the EV(32A). Let’s check the EV side to see how many currents are recognized.

It is set to maximum 100% as this is the option to set the amperage…




Should I calibrate the EVCS?

Or should I make the calibration manual?

ok. There is no calibration for the charging current.
Can you please also check the charging cable(maybe you can provide a photo of the marking). It may be limited to 20A(4600W).

I use this charging cable at public charging stations, charging with 11kw, so I don’t think this is the problem!

I see I have a calibration function in my evcs menu, that’s why I asked.

Also my ground wire doesn’t have optimal parameters, I must make a new ground system. Can this be the issue?

Calibration is only for the power meter inside the EV. It is not related to this issue.
About the ground could be but can’t say for sure.

11kW at 3-phase is 16A x 230V = 3680W x 3 = 11040W

single phase 20A x 230V would be 4600W
Please check the specification of your cable.

But @Nicolas :
Shouldn’t the CS also limit the current to the max. of the cable or does that only applies to the EV side?

I think Mathias is right and I am a foul. I miss believed that 3 phases is the same as single fase… I see on my charging cable a rated curent 20 A.

If you confirm, I will select your post as solved problem :joy::joy: I should buy another cable and watch out for specs.


Hello @M_Lange.
Current EVCS hardware doesn’t have this feature(EVCS can’t detect cable rate).

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