Most chargers connect to GuestCharge the same way: you tell the charger where our server lives, it phones home, and from then on we handle the billing side. This guide covers that process for any OCPP-compatible charger. If we have a guide for your specific model, use that instead, as it will show you exactly which menus to look in.
Before you start, check you have
A charger that supports OCPP 1.6-J or newer (check the manual or the manufacturer's website)
An internet connection for the charger: Wi-Fi, ethernet cable, or a SIM
A way into the charger's settings. Usually this is a web page the charger hosts, an installer app, or a screen on the unit itself. The installation manual will say which.
15 to 30 minutes
If your charger was professionally installed, your electrician may have left a note of the settings login. Worth digging out before you start.
1Add the charger in your GuestCharge dashboard
Log in to your GuestCharge dashboard first and run the onboarding wizard. It registers the charger on our side, so our server knows to expect it when it comes online. The wizard will ask for the charger's identity, which for almost every charger is the serial number printed on the unit's label.
2Get into the charger's settings
Open the charger's configuration page or app. Every brand does this differently, so follow the manual. You're looking for a section called something like OCPP, Backend, Server, or CSMS.
3Make sure the charger is online
Before pointing it at GuestCharge, the charger needs a working internet connection. Connect it to your Wi-Fi or plug in the ethernet cable, and confirm the charger shows as online or connected.
4Enter the GuestCharge server details
In the OCPP or backend section, enter:
Server URL:wss://ocpp.guestcharge.co/YOUR-SERIAL-NUMBER (replace YOUR-SERIAL-NUMBER with the serial from the charger's label)
Protocol: WebSocket Secure (WSS). If your charger has a separate port field, use 443. Don't add a port to the URL itself.
Two details that matter:
It must be wss://, with the s. Our server only accepts secure connections, so a plain ws:// address will never connect.
The serial number on the end is how our server knows which charger is calling. Many chargers automatically add their own ID to the address, in which case entering just wss://ocpp.guestcharge.co works. If you're not sure, include the serial in the address; if the charger then doubles it up and fails to connect, drop back to the base address.
5Check the ChargeBox ID matches
Somewhere in the same settings area you'll see a field called ChargeBox ID, Charge Point Identity, or similar. It usually defaults to the charger's serial number. Check it matches exactly what you entered in the onboarding wizard, capitals and all. If it doesn't, change one to match the other.
6Save and restart
Save the settings and restart the charger if it asks you to.
How you know it worked
The charger shows as connected in your GuestCharge dashboard. That's it. You won't need to touch these settings again unless you change your internet setup.
If it won't connect
Check for typos. The URL, port, and ChargeBox ID need to be exact. One wrong character and nothing happens.
Check the charger is actually online. A charger with no internet can't reach us, no matter how correct the settings are.
Update the firmware. Older firmware is the most common cause of stubborn connection failures.
If the connection is rejected immediately: the most likely cause is a missing serial number on the end of the address. Add /YOUR-SERIAL-NUMBER and try again.
If your charger only supports plain ws (no encryption): it can't connect to GuestCharge, as we only accept secure connections. Email us at team@guestcharge.co and we'll advise on options.
Still stuck? Email us at team@guestcharge.co with your charger's make, model, and the ChargeBox ID, and we'll take a look from our side.