INCH DUO Charging station Web interface

Owned by David Rus
Mar 12, 2024
6 min read

 

Table of Contents

4. Charging station Web interface

Charging station’s web interface allows the connection to the charging station platform, configuration of its settings as well as check of the charging session and station data, check of the connectivity status and errors description when they occur.

Connect to Web Interface

Users can connect to the charging station web interface using the charging station IP address. Default IP address can be found on the information sticker on the inner part of the maintenance doors. IP address of the charging station can be manually changed.

When IP was changed and forgotten, it can be obtained with pressing for several seconds on the “three dots” on the display. IP can also be obtained with pressing the reset key for several seconds.

When IP address is written in the internet browser and the computer is in the same local network, the charging station will be connected to the web interface.

Figure 25: Insert the default IP into the browser to connect to web interface

Ping Charging Station from Computer in Same Network

Windows

To determine if the computer is in the same network as charging station ping the station using the CMD command ping with the IP of the station. Computer network can be changed in the network settings.

To ping the station, connect to Command Prompt by searching for it in windows search functionality.

Figure 26: Search for CMD using Windows Search

Figure 27: Open Command Prompt

In the Command Prompt write “ping” and IP address (e.g., ping 192.168.1.190).

Figure 28: Ping the charging station IP address

If the ping is not successful, the computer might be in different network segment. In this case it, the segment need to be changed in network settings to the one of the charging stations.

Apple computer

When using apple computers, pinging of the station can be performed using Terminal. It can be accessed by going to the “Applications” and selecting “Utilities”. Search for “Terminal” and run it.

Figure 29: Run Terminal software

When Terminal is running, write ping and IP (e.g., ping 192.168.1.250).

Figure 30: Ping charging station by writing ping and charging station's IP

Change the Computer Network Settings

If pinging of the charging station is not working, also the connection to the charging station's web interface will not work. To configure the charging station, the network settings will need to be changed. Either configure new IP for the selected interface (Advanced, Add), or change the computer's IP.

Windows

To change the network of the computer in Windows OS, network settings in the Control panel need to be located. First, open the Control panel with click on the icon or searching in the Start menu.

 

Figure 31: Search for Control Panel using Windows Search

First select “Network and Internet” and then “Network Connections”. Depending on the version of the Windows operation system, instead of “Network Connection”, the option “Network and Sharing Centre” could also be the right one.

Click on the ethernet connection that is being used.

In the Internet protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), “Properties” need to be selected and this will show a new window where the new IP address of the computer that is in the same network segment as the station’s IP can be written.

Figure 32: Locate Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4) in network properties

If the station default IP is 192.168.1.250 the computer IP address should be changed to 192.168.1.1.

Last bolded number can be a random number as long as it is different than 250 (used by station) and is not used by any other appliance in the network. In many cases, the number 1 is already taken by the router and other numbers can be used by other computers. The IP address that we set to the computer must be unique for that network.

Set subnet mask to 255.255.255.0. and the pinging should work.

 

Figure 33: Change the IP of the computer and subnet mask

Apple computer

To change the IP settings of Apple computer, the »Apple« button need to be pressed to access the »System preferences«

Figure 34: Locate System Preferences

Click the Network icon.

Figure 35: Click Network icon

Click on the Wi-Fi or ethernet connection (Depends on which one is used) and press Advanced button in the bottom right.

Figure 36: Go to advanced settings of internet connection

Choose TCP/IP. In the Configure IPv4 option choose Manual and change IPv4 Address to 192.168.1.1. Last bolded number can be a random number as long as it is different than 250 (used by station) and is not used by any other appliance in the network. Set subnet mask to 255.255.255.0. and the pinging should work.

 

Figure 37: Set network settings

Using DHCP for Connection

When DHCP is used router automatically assigns IP address to the charging station connected to it. To acquire DHCP address the charging station reset button need to be pressed for 4 s until the first beep sound is heard. Address will be displayed on the LCD screen.

Using Web Interface

In the web interface each type of user has different rights what he can see and edit in the web interface. Operators will have the highest rights to set up all the configuration and connectivity settings. A regular home user only has basic rights that will allow him to see Dashboard and Diagnostics module.

Main Dashboard

Main dashboard window allows to see current power, cluster power if the charging station is part of the cluster, building power load, charging station availability and information about the last session.

Figure 38: Web interface main Dashboard view

Last session status will be shown on the screen right. If anything went wrong during the session, additional information can be acquired in the Diagnostics menu.

Figure 39: Current session information displayed in the web interface

On the picture above, the button “Stop session” is shown. When pressing this button new window will pop up to confirm the action. After that the session will stop.

Figure 40: Confirmation window to stop the charging session using web interface

Diagnostics

When experiencing problems, the logs can be downloaded from “Diagnostic” menu and then sent to the operator to check what is wrong with charging station. Basic information about the charging station are also in the Diagnostics menu.

Basic information:

  • Model,

  • Serial number,

  • Hardware version,

  • Software version,

  • Connector controller hardware version,

  • Connector controller driver version and

  • Connector controller firmware version.

“Diagnostic” module can also be used to upgrade firmware, restore data and backup charging session data, and reset charging station remotely.

Backup configuration gives operator option to restore charging station to the same configuration if something malfunctions with the system and charging station needs to be restored to default settings.

Figure 41: Diagnostics web interface module

Change the Web Interface Language

The language of web interface can be changed by pressing the burger menu and selecting the language at the bottom left corner. Only languages supported by web interface are available.

Figure 42: Menu with the language choices

More information about the web interface can be found in the INCH DUO Configuration guide.