How to change a charging station to standalone using the ACE Service Installer

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Overview

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to configure a charger as standalone.
A charger that is setup as 'standalone' does not utilise a connection to a backoffice.
This implicates that it is only possible to communicate locally with the charger for configuration, troubleshooting and details of charging sessions.

Preparation

Before starting, make sure all needed information and tools are available

Make sure you have installed the ACE Service Installer (windows only) on your laptop
The most recent version can be downloaded from the Alfen website
In case you do not have an account for the ACE Service Installer, you can request this via our portal and will be provided within minutes.
Make sure you have the password for the charger
The default password as provided on the flyer or the custom password in the case it was ever changed, for example by a previous owner or chargepoint operator.
For the registered operator, the available default passwords are available in the Alfen webshop.

Backing up the existing configuration

Before making any changes, we will save the current configuration and transactions.

Connect the charger and laptop using a network cable, or connect the charger and laptop to the same local network
Start the ACE Service Installer and login with the provided account details
Login on the charger using the default or customer password.
To save the current configuration, on the menu, go to 'Device' and click ' Save settings as'
This allows to save the current configuration of the charger in case it may ever be needed in the future
Save the .exml file to a selected location
If ever needed, this configuration can be loaded to the charger again via 'Device', 'Load settings'
To save the transactions or charging sessions, click the 'Transaction' button on the menu, followed by the save-icon:
Select a location and save the .csv file.
You have now created a .CSV file that can be opened by a simple program like Notepad, or the file can be imported in Microsoft Excel for further processing.

Removing the simcard (optional)

In case the charger is currently using a mobile connection to a backoffice, you may want to remove simcard.
Follow these steps to do so.

Switch off the power to the charger by switching off the mainswitch or via the meter cupboard
Perform Last Minute Risk analysis (LMRA) to ensure remove the charger is save to work on
Remove the simcard by gently pressing it inwards and releasing it.
Now you can extract the card from the simcard holder
Re-engage the power to the charger

Adjusting the configuration
After all above preparations are done, please follow below steps to adjust the configuration to set the charger to standalone.

Go to the 'Connectivity' tab
Under 'Backoffice preset' select <Standalone>
Click the save button on the bottom of the screen
The charger should reboot, if not, please reboot manually on the bottom-left side of the ACE Service Installer
Check or adjust the authorization settings for the charge passes/tags in the 'Authorization' tab
Click 'Online/Offline' in the menu on the left
In the 'Offline action' setting, select how you want the charger to work:
- Click 'Accept all tags' to allow any tag to charge
  Be aware that with this settings, ALL cards are accepted to charge!
- Click 'Accept all known valid tags' to only allow registered tags to charge
  - Check the allowed cards are in the chargers Whitelist
  - Click 'Whitelist' in the menu on the left
  - Confirm the tag(s) allowed to charge are in the list and have the 'Active' status
  - To add a tag, press the 'Auto add' button and present the tag to the reader within the provided 10 seconds
Reboot the charger via the menu on the bottom left corner
The charger should now no longer connect to a backoffice and accept the registered tags to start a charging session

Keywords: Standalone, local, ACE Service Installer, Offline