Alfen EV charger
The Alfen Eve is a range of smart EV chargers. The EV charger is connected to the Currentt Navigator via Modbus TCP (Ethernet).
⚙️ How it works
The Alfen Eve communicates via Modbus TCP (Ethernet) with the Currentt Navigator. The Navigator reads the charging data (such as charging power and charging status) and sets the maximum charging current of the EV charger. This way the charging current is continuously matched to the available capacity of the grid connection and to the current yield of the solar panels.
✅ Compatible models
| Model | Type |
|---|---|
| Eve Single S-line | Socket / Fixed cable |
| Eve Single Plus | Socket / Fixed cable |
| Eve Single Pro-line | Socket / Fixed cable |
🧰 Requirements
- Currentt Navigator (connected to the local network)
- Ethernet cable (RJ45) for the wired network connection of the EV charger
- Active Load Balancing licence on the EV charger
- Alfen ACE Service Installer with an installer account
Modbus TCP only works when the Active Load Balancing licence is activated on the EV charger. This is a paid feature that you purchase from Alfen; after purchase the licence key of the charging station is updated. Without this licence, Modbus TCP cannot be enabled.
You need an account for the Alfen ACE Service Installer to configure the EV charger. Request one via support.alfen.com.
🪛 Installation instructions
Step 1: Connect the EV charger to the network
- Connect the EV charger to your network switch or router using an Ethernet cable (RJ45)
- Make sure the EV charger is on the same network as the Currentt Navigator
Modbus TCP works via the wired Ethernet connection of the EV charger. Do not connect the EV charger via WiFi.
Step 2: Activate Active Load Balancing
You perform this step with the Alfen ACE Service Installer.
- Connect the Service Installer to the EV charger
- Choose Active balancing in the menu on the left
- Enable Active Load Balancing
- Tick Allow 1- and 3-phased charging, so the Currentt Navigator can switch between single-phase and three-phase charging
- Set Data Source to Energy Management System
With Energy Management System, the EV charger takes the slave role and listens to the Currentt Navigator. With the Meter option, the EV charger becomes the master itself and ignores the control commands.
Step 3: Configure Modbus TCP
After selecting Energy Management System, the TCP/IP EMS menu appears on the left. Modbus TCP/IP is selected there by default.
- Open the TCP/IP EMS menu
- Set the following options:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Protocol | Modbus TCP/IP (default) |
| Mode | Socket (control each socket) |
| Validity time | 60 seconds (default) |
| Allow reading | On |
| Allow writing maximum currents | On |
Allow reading and Allow writing maximum currents are off by default. Without these two options, the Currentt Navigator cannot read or control the EV charger.
The validity time is the time within which the EV charger expects a new maximum current from the Currentt Navigator. If none arrives, the EV charger falls back to the safe current configured under Active balancing.
Step 4: Determine the IP address or hostname
The EV charger uses DHCP by default and automatically receives an IP address.
- In the Service Installer, go to the Connectivity tab
- Click Wired on the left
- Choose Fixed IP address and enter the details of your network
- Note down the IP address; you need it in the next step
With DHCP, the IP address of the EV charger can change after a router restart, causing the connection with the Currentt Navigator to drop. Set a static IP address on the EV charger, or reserve the IP address in your router (DHCP reservation).
Instead of an IP address, you can also use the hostname of the EV charger. Alfen announces itself via mDNS with service type _alfen._tcp.local and a name built from the model name and serial number, for example NG920-61001-ACE0012345.local.
Step 5: Configuration in the Currentt Navigator
After configuring the EV charger, it must be added in the Currentt Navigator.
Via the installation wizard (recommended)
- Click the settings icon (top right of the screen)
- Choose Installation wizard
- Follow the steps on the screen
Manual configuration
- Click the settings icon (top right of the screen)
- Go to Components
- Click the + button in the EV chargers section
- Select Alfen
- Under Communication, enter the connection details:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Host | The IP address or hostname of the EV charger |
| TCP port | 502 (default) |
- Click Save
The Currentt Navigator and the EV charger must be on the same network (and the same VLAN). If they are on different network segments, the Navigator cannot reach the EV charger.
📋 Settings summary
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Connection | Ethernet (wired) |
| Protocol | Modbus TCP |
| TCP port | 502 |
| Licence | Active Load Balancing |
| Data source | Energy Management System (slave) |
| Mode | Socket |
| Validity time | 60 seconds (default) |
| Modbus address socket 1 | 1 |
| Modbus address socket 2 | 2 (only on dual socket stations) |
| Modbus address charging station | 200 |
🛟 Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No connection | Active Load Balancing not activated | Check that the Active Load Balancing licence has been purchased and activated |
| No connection | Wrong IP address or hostname | Check the IP address via the Service Installer or via your router |
| No connection | Devices on different networks | Make sure the Navigator and the EV charger are on the same (V)LAN |
| No connection after restart | IP address changed (DHCP) | Set a static IP address or create a DHCP reservation in the router |
| No connection | EV charger connected via WiFi | Modbus TCP only works via the wired Ethernet connection |
| Reading works, but no control | Allow writing maximum currents is off | Enable this option in the Service Installer |
| No measurements | Allow reading is off | Enable this option in the Service Installer |
| EV charger ignores the control commands | Data source is set to Meter | Set the data source to Energy Management System |
| Charging current falls back | Validity time expired | Check that the connection is stable; after the validity time the EV charger falls back to the safe current |
| No switching between single-phase and three-phase | Allow 1- and 3-phased charging is off | Tick this option in the Service Installer |
| Connection drops | Too many Modbus masters | The EV charger accepts a maximum of two simultaneous Modbus TCP connections |