Are you an electric vehicle (EV) owner looking for a smarter way to monitor your car’s charging status and overall health? The Evnotify Obd2 Dongle and accompanying app offer a game-changing solution. Imagine effortlessly tracking your state of charge, receiving timely notifications, and gaining valuable insights into your EV’s performance – all from the convenience of your smartphone. This innovative tool is designed to enhance your EV ownership experience, making charging more efficient and worry-free.
What is EVNotify and Why is an OBD2 Dongle Essential?
EVNotify is a free, open-source Android application meticulously crafted for electric vehicle enthusiasts. Its primary mission is to provide you with real-time data and control over your EV, particularly focusing on charging status. Unlike some EVs that offer built-in remote monitoring, many lack this feature, especially in certain regions. This is where the EVNotify OBD2 dongle steps in as a crucial piece of hardware.
An OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) dongle is a small device that plugs into your car’s OBD2 port, typically located under the dashboard. This port is a standardized interface that allows access to your vehicle’s internal systems and data. When paired with the EVNotify app via Bluetooth, the OBD2 dongle acts as a bridge, enabling the app to communicate directly with your EV’s battery management system and other critical components. This connection is the key to unlocking EVNotify’s powerful monitoring capabilities.
Key Features and Benefits of Using EVNotify with an OBD2 Dongle
EVNotify, when combined with a compatible OBD2 dongle, offers a compelling suite of features designed to simplify and enhance your EV charging and monitoring experience:
- Real-time State of Charge Monitoring: Say goodbye to constantly checking your car physically. EVNotify provides accurate, up-to-the-minute information on your EV’s battery percentage directly to your Android device.
- Customizable Notifications: Tired of waiting by your car at a fast charger? Set your desired state of charge within the app (e.g., 80%) and receive instant notifications via email, push notifications, or even Telegram when your EV reaches that level. This frees you to relax and manage your time more effectively while charging.
- Universal Compatibility (Expanding): Initially developed to address the limitations of the Hyundai IONIQ’s European BlueLink connectivity, EVNotify is designed to support a growing list of electric vehicles. Check the EVNotify wiki for the latest compatibility list and contribute to expanding support for more models.
- Cost-Effective Solution: EVNotify is completely free to use and available on the Google Play Store. You simply need a compatible Android device and an affordable Bluetooth OBD2 dongle. This eliminates subscription fees and expensive proprietary monitoring systems.
- Open Source and Community-Driven: As an open-source project, EVNotify benefits from continuous development and community contributions. This ensures ongoing improvements, bug fixes, and feature additions, making it a robust and evolving platform.
- Developer-Friendly API: For those with technical expertise, EVNotify offers API documentation, encouraging further development and integration with other systems.
- Integrated Charging Station Finder: Locate nearby charging stations directly within the app, adding another layer of convenience to your EV journey.
Getting Started with EVNotify and Your OBD2 Dongle
To unlock the full potential of EVNotify, you’ll need a few essential components:
- Android Device: EVNotify is designed for Android devices (version 4.1 or higher, Android 5 or later recommended) such as smartphones or Android TV sticks.
- Bluetooth-Enabled OBD2 Dongle: This is the crucial hardware interface. It’s important to choose a compatible OBD2 dongle that supports Bluetooth communication. Refer to the EVNotify wiki for a list of recommended and tested dongles to ensure seamless integration.
- EVNotify App: Download the free EVNotify application from the Google Play Store.
- Internet Connection (Optional but Recommended): While state of charge monitoring works locally via Bluetooth, an internet connection is required for notifications and error tracking.
The setup process is straightforward:
- Plug your OBD2 dongle into your EV’s OBD2 port.
- Install the EVNotify app on your Android device.
- Establish a Bluetooth connection between your Android device and the OBD2 dongle.
- Configure your desired settings within the EVNotify app, including notification preferences and state of charge targets.
Once set up, EVNotify will continuously monitor your EV’s charging status and keep you informed, making your EV ownership experience more convenient and informed.
Contribute to the EVNotify Project
EVNotify thrives on community support and contributions. Whether you are a developer, a tester, or simply an EV enthusiast, there are numerous ways to get involved:
- Report Issues and Bugs: If you encounter any unexpected behavior or errors, reporting them as issues on the EVNotify GitHub repository helps improve the app for everyone.
- Suggest New Features: Have an idea for a feature that would enhance EVNotify? Share your suggestions and contribute to the app’s evolution.
- Contribute Code: Developers are encouraged to contribute code improvements and new features via pull requests on the GitHub repository, following the contribution guidelines.
- Expand Dongle and Car Compatibility: Help test and document compatibility with more OBD2 dongles and electric vehicle models to broaden EVNotify’s reach.
By participating in the EVNotify community, you contribute to a valuable open-source project that benefits EV owners worldwide.
How EVNotify and the OBD2 Dongle Work Behind the Scenes
EVNotify’s functionality hinges on the seamless communication between the Android app, the OBD2 dongle, and your electric vehicle. Here’s a simplified overview of the technical process:
- OBD2 Dongle Interface: The OBD2 dongle plugs into your car’s OBD2 port and uses standardized protocols to access vehicle data, including battery state of charge, voltage, current, and other relevant parameters.
- Bluetooth Communication: The dongle transmits this data wirelessly via Bluetooth to your Android device running the EVNotify app.
- Data Processing and Display: The EVNotify app receives, processes, and displays the data in a user-friendly interface, providing real-time monitoring of your EV’s state of charge and other relevant information.
- Notification System: When you set a target state of charge, EVNotify continuously monitors the data stream. Once the target is reached, the app triggers notifications based on your chosen preferences (email, push, Telegram) via the internet.
- Error Tracking with Rollbar: To ensure app stability and facilitate rapid issue resolution, EVNotify integrates with Rollbar, an error tracking tool. This allows developers to quickly identify and address any uncaught errors, contributing to a more reliable user experience.
Need Help? Explore the EVNotify Wiki
For comprehensive information, troubleshooting tips, and detailed guides on using EVNotify and compatible OBD2 dongles, the EVNotify Wiki is your go-to resource. You’ll find answers to frequently asked questions, setup instructions, compatibility lists, and much more.
Disclaimer: Use EVNotify and OBD2 dongles at your own risk. The developers are not liable for damage caused by improper use or faulty hardware, including cheap or counterfeit OBD2 dongles. Always ensure you are using compatible and reliable equipment and follow best practices for vehicle electronics.