Intelligent Octopus

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Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Thursday 15th June 2023
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I'm thinking of switching to Intelligent Octopus as my current cheap rate is coming to an end. Has anyone made the switch and had any issues or is it all plain sailing?

I've an Andersen A2 second gen and while I love it, it's not the most reliable and can drop off the WiFi. I'm wondering if this might leave me high and dry on occasion. Not a huge issue at the moment as I've a REx but may change in the future. TIA.

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Thursday 15th June 2023
quotequote all
Thanks. I'm reading on some other forums that people are disconnecting the app and just charging during the 11:30 to 5:30 window due to some billing issues, but this was back in 2022 so might be sorted now.

Seems like a no brainer as the window is larger and the rate in my area still 7.5p/kWh.

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Thursday 15th June 2023
quotequote all
blueacid said:
Zero Fuchs said:
Thanks. I'm reading on some other forums that people are disconnecting the app and just charging during the 11:30 to 5:30 window due to some billing issues, but this was back in 2022 so might be sorted now.

Seems like a no brainer as the window is larger and the rate in my area still 7.5p/kWh.
If you have a supported charging setup (either a car, charger, or ohme cable which is on the supported list) then it makes the most sense as a cheap charging tariff, given it's cheaper than Go.

However, it's not an automatic "yes!" - if you aren't using enough cheap overnight power due to low mileage, then the day rate being higher than the standard tariff might be a consideration, especially if you work from home, or can't/won't run larger appliances such as the dishwasher / washing machine in the night. If you're smashing out the miles and are happy with delay timer, fill 'yer boots!
That's a good point. I do make the most of the cheap rate and schedule as much as I can. I'd also like to invest in some battery storage but is difficult when electricity costs seem to be coming down slightly.

As always, a spreadsheet needs to be generated!

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Friday 16th June 2023
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The spreadsheet said yes (no man maths involved!) so took the plunge and switched over last night. It seemed a no brainer as Octopus Go is now 9.5p/kWh and the standing charge more too. My fix is up in a month or so.

It all went pretty smoothly bar an initial failed attempt to connect but was all fine afterwards. It charged my i3s in two sessions with 30 mins between 03:00 and 03:30. So far so good and hopefully will work more than not.


Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Friday 16th June 2023
quotequote all
Thanks and will do. As a Beta product I expect some hiccups but will just switch to either the car or charger settings if it starts playing up.

I do hope it all works out though as I think it's a great concept but probably needs time to iron things out.

I'm getting a quote for solar and battery storage next. I expect it'll be cost prohibitive but will be interesting what it comes out like. In many way I wish cost wasn't a factor as it'd be great to be less reliant (my hot water solar is brilliant). But hey ho.

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Monday 19th June 2023
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Wow that's impressive.

Obviously that 14 hours didn't apply to the rest of the household (wishful thinking!) but it seems that the 6 hour window isn't fixed.

Maybe I misread the small print though.

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Monday 19th June 2023
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When we schedule your charging, you’ll always benefit from the low 7.5p/kWh for both EV and home, even if we ask your car to charge outside of the standard night hours

Ah yes, read the FAQing FAQ!

Time to buy an iX with the unfeasibly large battery wink

Edited by Zero Fuchs on Monday 19th June 08:14

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Tuesday 27th June 2023
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I just received an email too. A nice touch.

So far so good with IO though. I've noticed it messes about with my car's iDrive charge timer settings but guess that's what it does.

It's worked faultlessly so far but for some reason the app keeps telling me that it can't control my vehicle, just after it's told me that it's set up the charge schedule. Who knows but it seems to be working fine.

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Thursday 6th July 2023
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How do you switch it off?

I've had one instance so far where my car was still 40% in the morning. Thank goodness for the REx. Last night I had to bump charge as it set the charge schedule for 9:00pm the next day!

I don't mind as it's a beta product and given what it represents, am happy to put up with some glitches. But it would be good to know how to turn it off when necessary.

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Thursday 6th July 2023
quotequote all
Brilliant, thank you.

I'm going to keep faith with it and get in touch with Octopus if I get this regularly. Their customer service seems to be pretty decent so give me the impression that they want the feedback.

I could be deluded though so will just switch off if I don't get any joy!

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Thursday 6th July 2023
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Really? I didn't realise so is useful to know.

Is that generally the issue then i.e. our cars and not Octopus?

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Monday 18th December 2023
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iDrive said:
325iMSport said:
Is anyone having issues with intelligent tariff today? Mine is not creating a schedule to smart charge.
Yes, the first time it hasn't worked 100% - Plugged car in during the day to prompt a Bump Charge and it didn't recognise it in the Octopus App - Added the car in the App and all worked correctly.

The App appeared to have forgotten my car.
Mines not been working for months now. IO is switched on but hasn't scheduled a charge at all. It's all fine as I'm just scheduling via the car but thanks for the heads up. I'll see if mines forgotten the car too.

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Monday 18th December 2023
quotequote all
325iMSport said:
Zero Fuchs said:
Mines not been working for months now. IO is switched on but hasn't scheduled a charge at all. It's all fine as I'm just scheduling via the car but thanks for the heads up. I'll see if mines forgotten the car too.
Which car do you have?

I presume you are now scheduling it during the off peak hours between 23.30 a d 5.30?
It's an i3s. I'm just using the car's timer to charge off peak, so all's well but it's just not being controlled by Octopus.

When I can be bothered I'll try and connect the car again.

Zero Fuchs

Original Poster:

1,003 posts

19 months

Tuesday 19th December 2023
quotequote all
Richtea1970 said:
Zero Fuchs said:
It's an i3s. I'm just using the car's timer to charge off peak, so all's well but it's just not being controlled by Octopus.

When I can be bothered I'll try and connect the car again.
I thought I read somewhere that if you are not charging via the app regularly (once a month), they can revoke your deal? I guess that’s to stop people signing up with an EV/charger that isn’t on their approved list?
I believe that's true but I seem to be in some kind of limbo where the app is ready to go but doesn't recognise when I plug the car in. I probably need to contact their support team but have had too much going on recently.