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Zappi EV Charger Installation Melbourne
The myenergi Zappi is the smartest home EV charger on the market for anyone with rooftop solar. Unlike standard EV chargers that simply draw power from whatever is available, the Zappi uses a CT clamp on your main supply to measure real-time solar generation and household consumption. It then diverts only your surplus solar energy to charge your vehicle, so you can charge your EV for free using the power your panels are already generating.
Carlin Co Electrical supplies and installs the myenergi Zappi across Melbourne. We handle the full installation including the CT clamp setup, dedicated circuit from your switchboard, charger mounting, and commissioning with your home’s solar system. Every installation meets AS/NZS 3000 wiring standards and includes a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
Whether you drive a Tesla, BYD, Hyundai, Kia, MG, or any other EV, the Zappi charges them all via the universal Type 2 connector. If you have solar and want to maximise the return on your panels by charging your car from the sun, the Zappi is the charger to consider.
Zappi Charging Modes Explained
The Zappi’s standout feature is its ability to intelligently manage how your car charges based on your solar generation. It offers three distinct charging modes that you can switch between at any time using the built-in display or the myenergi app.
ECO Mode
ECO mode prioritises solar but supplements with grid power when needed. The Zappi uses as much surplus solar as available and draws the minimum required from the grid to maintain charging. The minimum charging current for an EV is 6A (approximately 1.4 kW), so on cloudy days when solar drops below this threshold, ECO mode tops up from the grid to keep charging active. This is the best mode when you need the car charged by a specific time but still want to maximise solar usage.
ECO+ Mode
ECO+ mode charges exclusively from surplus solar energy. If your solar generation drops below the minimum charging threshold, the Zappi pauses charging and waits until surplus solar returns. This means zero grid electricity is used for charging, but the trade-off is that charging will stop and start throughout the day as cloud cover changes. ECO+ is ideal when you do not need a full charge by a specific time and want to maximise free solar charging.
FAST Mode
FAST mode charges at maximum speed regardless of solar generation, drawing whatever is needed from the grid. This behaves like a standard EV charger and is useful when you need the car charged as quickly as possible. You can schedule FAST mode to run during off-peak electricity hours (typically 10pm to 7am) via the myenergi app to minimise costs when solar is not available.
Interested in Solar Diversion Charging?
We will assess your solar system, switchboard capacity, and charging needs to determine the best Zappi configuration for your home. Call us on 0432 632 346 or book a site assessment online.
How the CT Clamp Works
The CT (current transformer) clamp is the component that makes the Zappi’s solar diversion possible. It is a small sensor that clips around your main supply cable at the switchboard and measures the real-time flow of electricity in and out of your property.
Generation Monitoring
The CT clamp detects how much power your solar panels are generating at any given moment. This reading updates every few seconds, allowing the Zappi to respond quickly to changes in solar output as cloud cover shifts throughout the day.
Export Detection
When your solar panels generate more than your home is consuming, the surplus would normally be exported to the grid at a low feed-in tariff. The CT clamp detects this export and signals the Zappi to capture that energy for charging instead.
Dynamic Adjustment
As household consumption changes (someone turns on the kettle, the air conditioner starts up), the Zappi dynamically adjusts charging current to avoid drawing from the grid. It continuously balances between your solar surplus and the EV’s charging needs.
We install the CT clamp inside your switchboard as part of the Zappi installation. The clamp connects to the Zappi via a low-voltage signal cable that runs from the switchboard to the charger mounting location. Correct CT clamp installation and orientation is critical for accurate readings, and our electricians are experienced with the myenergi system’s specific requirements.
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Carlin Co Electrical – EV Charger Installation
Zappi vs Tesla Wall Connector
If you own a Tesla, you may be weighing up the Zappi against the Tesla Wall Connector. Both are excellent chargers, but they serve different priorities.
Choose the Zappi If…
You have rooftop solar and want to charge primarily from surplus solar energy. The Zappi’s ECO and ECO+ modes actively divert solar to your car, which the Tesla Wall Connector cannot do. The Zappi also uses a universal Type 2 connector, so if you have multiple EVs of different brands in the household, or plan to change vehicles in the future, the Zappi charges them all without adapters.
Choose the Tesla Wall Connector If…
You do not have solar, or you primarily charge overnight on off-peak tariffs. The Tesla Wall Connector integrates natively with the Tesla app, supports power sharing between multiple Tesla chargers, and has a slightly more streamlined look. If your household only has Teslas and you do not need solar diversion, the Wall Connector is the simpler choice.
We install both chargers and can advise on which makes more sense for your specific situation. The installation requirements (dedicated circuit, switchboard capacity, cable sizing) are similar for both units.
Zappi EV Charger FAQs
How much does a Zappi installation cost?
The total cost includes the Zappi unit itself plus installation labour and materials. Installation costs depend on the distance from your switchboard to the charger location, whether your switchboard needs upgrading, and the complexity of CT clamp installation. We provide a fixed-price quote after a site assessment that covers the complete installation scope. Contact us for a quote specific to your property.
Do I need solar panels for the Zappi to work?
No. The Zappi works perfectly well without solar panels as a standard 7.4 kW EV charger in FAST mode. However, the solar diversion feature (ECO and ECO+ modes) is what makes the Zappi stand out from other chargers. If you do not have solar and have no plans to install it, a standard EV charger or Tesla Wall Connector may be a more cost-effective option.
What size solar system do I need for effective solar charging?
The minimum charging current for most EVs is 6A (approximately 1.4 kW). For ECO+ mode to activate, you need at least this much surplus solar after household consumption. In practice, a 5 kW solar system on a sunny day in Melbourne can generate enough surplus to charge for several hours, adding 30 to 50 km of range. A 6.6 kW to 10 kW system provides more consistent surplus and longer charging windows. The larger your system and the lower your daytime household consumption, the more free solar charging you will get.
Does the Zappi work with all electric vehicles?
Yes. The Zappi uses a Type 2 (IEC 62196) connector, which is the standard EV charging connector used across Australia and Europe. It charges all electric vehicles including Tesla (via the car’s built-in Type 2 port or included adapter), BYD, Hyundai, Kia, MG, Polestar, BMW, Mercedes, and all other Type 2 compatible vehicles.
Can I monitor charging from my phone?
Yes. The myenergi app (available for iOS and Android) lets you monitor charging status, switch between ECO, ECO+, and FAST modes, schedule charging times, view historical energy data, and see how much solar energy has been diverted to your car. The Zappi connects to your home WiFi network, and the app provides real-time updates on solar generation, grid usage, and charging progress.
Do you service all areas of Melbourne?
We install Zappi chargers across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, bayside areas, and surrounding regions. Our base is in Port Melbourne, and we regularly work in South Melbourne, Albert Park, St Kilda, Brighton, Richmond, and throughout the broader metropolitan area.
Related Services
A Zappi installation pairs naturally with other solar and electrical services. Our team can handle everything together:
- EV Charger Installation – Full range of EV charging solutions for all vehicle brands.
- Tesla Wall Connector – Tesla-specific home charging for households without solar diversion needs.
- EV Charger Testing – Periodic testing and maintenance of existing charging equipment.
- Solar and Battery Installation – Pair a Zappi with solar to charge your EV for free from the sun.
- Switchboard Upgrades – Ensure your switchboard has capacity for EV charging.
- Three-Phase Power – Upgrade to three-phase for faster charging and larger solar systems.
- Power Logging – Understand your consumption patterns to optimise solar diversion.
- Commercial EV Charging – Workplace and commercial EV charging solutions.
Ready to Install a Zappi EV Charger?
Contact Carlin Co Electrical today for a site assessment. We will check your solar system, assess your switchboard, and provide a clear quote for your Zappi installation.
About Carlin Co Electrical
Carlin Co Electrical is a certified myenergi Product Champion installer and Registered Electrical Contractor (REC 33210) based in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 2019 by Hamish Carlin, the company provides residential, commercial, and strata electrical services across greater Melbourne. With 138+ five-star Google reviews, Carlin Co is Melbourne’s go-to installer for myenergi zappi EV chargers.
As a myenergi Product Champion, Carlin Co has completed factory training on the full zappi product range, including solar-diversion charging modes (Eco and Eco+), load management configuration, and app setup. This certification means installations are backed by myenergi’s manufacturer warranty and carried out to the exact specifications required for optimal performance. The team also holds CEC accreditation for solar and battery work, making Carlin Co one of Melbourne’s few electricians qualified to design and install a complete solar, battery, and smart EV charging system as an integrated package.
To book a myenergi zappi installation in Melbourne, call Hamish on 0432 632 346 or request a quote online.