ChargePoint Home Charger can't connect to my app/account--do I care?

[Husky44]

I have a ChargePoint account and app. I got my ChargePoint Home Flex charger installed 2 weeks ago. I have tried to connect my charger to my account/app, but kept getting an error.

Called CP support today, and spent an hour on the phone. They said it can't complete the process because I have Tmobile wifi in my home and the charger needs a software update to connect to Tmobile wifi. Tried connecting via hotspot, but that failed, most likely because my ce phone is Tmobile as well. Their only solution was to find someone else with a different cell provider to let me connect with their Hotspot to get the software update to connect to my wifi.

Here's my question: why should I care? I use the rivian app to control my charging, and it works fine as is. What does connecting my charger to my account do for me?

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[electruck]

The app has some nice stats and graphs of your charging history. Individual sessions and monthly totals (energy and cost, at least for my electric provider). Nothing you can't live without, unless at some point you need a software update.

 

[SwampNut]

As a network engineer, I find their assessment of the problem to be very unlikely. Basically, nearly impossible.

I’ve only ever connected to my EVSE to install it, and to troubleshoot a problem with the EVSE itself. I’ve found no use for the connection otherwise. The car has all the data.

 

[Husky44]

As a network engineer, I find their assessment of the problem to be very unlikely. Basically, nearly impossible.

I only buy it because I had a previous issue with my work VPN not functioning on my home network. Our IT and my own searching confirmed that Tmobile 5G wifi doesn't play well with certain VPNs.

I played along when they wanted me to use my hotspot but pointed out that was ALSO a Tmobile wireless network, so I wasn't surprised when I got the same error. I wasn't as generous when he wanted me to get my wife's phone and try the hotspot on it.

You confirmed what I was thinking though... I don't think I'm going to bother until I discover an actual need.

 

[SwaziCAR]

I don't think I'm going to bother until I discover an actual need.

If you don't need the "smart" capabilities of the EVSE, then no need to fret, in my opinion.

In my case, however, my utility gives me $50 per year--and paid $300 toward the cost of the Home Flex--in order to participate in a load-sharing program that requires one of several specified EVSEs. Because of that, I use the Home Flex for scheduling rather than the vehicle.

 

[Husky44]

If you don't need the "smart" capabilities of the EVSE, then no need to fret, in my opinion.

In my case, however, my utility gives me $50 per year--and paid $300 toward the cost of the Home Flex--in order to participate in a load-sharing program that requires one of several specified EVSEs. Because of that, I use the Home Flex for scheduling rather than the vehicle.

I got the ChargePoint through PSE for the $300 discount. I haven't heard anything about it needing to connect, although I assume that is, why they gave the discount.

 

[SwaziCAR]

I got the ChargePoint through PSE for the $300 discount. I haven't heard anything about it needing to connect, although I assume that is, why they gave the discount.

For the ongoing credit, I have to jump through these hoops every six months:

• Keep your charger connected to the internet at least 50% of the time
• Charge your EV at least 13 times
• Participate in at least three events

I don't believe my utility attempts to recover the $300 reimbursement if someone ends up not participating in the load-sharing program; yours may be the same.

 

[SwampNut]

I only buy it because I had a previous issue with my work VPN not functioning on my home network. Our IT and my own searching confirmed that Tmobile 5G wifi doesn't play well with certain VPNs.

This gets into some deep weeds about networking, and I never know if people really care, but...

This isn't directly a "T-Mobile internet" issue, but it's caused by the router or router settings. I know they gave you the router, and it's all the same to you, which I get. But for corporate deployments we basically disable their router and add a proper router, and all such issues are solved.

It would be odd, but not unheard of, for the the EVSE maker to be using a VPN type protocol. They should be using HTTPS which will work in every router. But IoT companies are well known for using stupid/old/cheap protocols and software. A modern/standard SSL over HTTP connection will fly with every router on the planet.

AT&T fiber routers have the exact same issues. I have to tell people to disable the router and buy their own, if they want corporate VPN access.

 

[Dasoss]

I have a ChargePoint account and app. I got my ChargePoint Home Flex charger installed 2 weeks ago. I have tried to connect my charger to my account/app, but kept getting an error.

Called CP support today, and spent an hour on the phone. They said it can't complete the process because I have Tmobile wifi in my home and the charger needs a software update to connect to Tmobile wifi. Tried connecting via hotspot, but that failed, most likely because my ce phone is Tmobile as well. Their only solution was to find someone else with a different cell provider to let me connect with their Hotspot to get the software update to connect to my wifi.

Here's my question: why should I care? I use the rivian app to control my charging, and it works fine as is. What does connecting my charger to my account do for me?

I have a Rivian wall charger. Of course it connects to the Rivian phone app. I can see nothing particularly useful in having the charger connected to the app. The charger is dumb.

 

[Husky44]

This gets into some deep weeds about networking, and I never know if people really care, but...

This isn't directly a "T-Mobile internet" issue, but it's caused by the router or router settings. I know they gave you the router, and it's all the same to you, which I get. But for corporate deployments we basically disable their router and add a proper router, and all such issues are solved.

It would be odd, but not unheard of, for the the EVSE maker to be using a VPN type protocol. They should be using HTTPS which will work in every router. But IoT companies are well known for using stupid/old/cheap protocols and software. A modern/standard SSL over HTTP connection will fly with every router on the planet.

AT&T fiber routers have the exact same issues. I have to tell people to disable the router and buy their own, if they want corporate VPN access.

I'm not an IT person although I'm pretty IT-adjacent in my work, and I find it interesting.

Your post is helpful to me, so thanks for getting into the weeds. What I think I heard is if I were to use their device as a modem, and connect a router to that to operate my network, I could alleviate a lot of the "Tmobile network doesn't work with xxx device or VPN" issues?

 

[SwampNut]

Your post is helpful to me, so thanks for getting into the weeds. What I think I heard is if I were to use their device as a modem, and connect a router to that to operate my network, I could alleviate a lot of the "Tmobile network doesn't work with xxx device or VPN" issues?

Exactly, that should do it. I can say this works with the Verizon home internet, so 99% sure it's the same for all of them. In the router, it's typically called "pass through" or "passive" mode. Look in the router settings, or us an AI tool to look for "disable routing on XYZ router" or similar.

 

[Husky44]

Update: I set up my WiFi network on the truck and used that to connect the charging station--totally separate network, same error.

I told ChargePoint that, and their solution is to send me a replacement charger. I'm going to take a look tomorrow and decide if I will connect it or have the electrician come back out. Kinda annoying that their answer is to replace the unit but they, won't pay the labor. Will really be annoying if it doesn't fix the problem.

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