BYD Seal tips, tricks and help

[Andrew Dwyer]

2 minutes ago, macahoom said:

 

Well I wish somebody in the showroom had told my salesman about it!

Yep, mine didn’t tell me either.

I was going to buy an Atto 3 until recently and had researched quite a bit so already knew some stuff about the sim, plus my last two cars had a similar sim package.

 

A quick search just now tells me the sim package is free for the first two years and then depending on package price ( which hasn’t been released yet ) you can pay for the package or fit your own sim. Some YouTube videos show Thais replacing the sim already to see what carrier will work in the car.

On the Atto 3 the sim is hidden behind a small panel under the dash, in the Dolphin it is in the glove box, no info on the seal as yet.

 

No doubt when the Atto 3 hits 2 years there will be info on renewing the package available.

 

So, as your update has been downloaded to the car, and is prompting you to update the software version you can be sure the sim is working as it should and no reason to do anything other than check your usage occasionally for curiosity.

As PIB also said the update to the software version doesn’t count towards your monthly limit.

 

Your usage goes back to zero every month so if you take a look tomorrow you can see how much you have used for 1/2 the month of December, I suspect it will be very little.

The new browser might eat some data as would Spotify but other than that probably only Navigation will use most data and looking at mine it appears to be very little.

 

The last 15 days :

 

[macahoom]

5 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yep, mine didn’t tell me either.

I was going to buy an Atto 3 until recently and had researched quite a bit so already knew some stuff about the sim, plus my last two cars had a similar sim package.

 

A quick search just now tells me the sim package is free for the first two years and then depending on package price ( which hasn’t been released yet ) you can pay for the package or fit your own sim. Some YouTube videos show Thais replacing the sim already to see what carrier will work in the car.

On the Atto 3 the sim is hidden behind a small panel under the dash, in the Dolphin it is in the glove box, no info on the seal as yet.

 

No doubt when the Atto 3 hits 2 years there will be info on renewing the package available.

 

So, as your update has been downloaded to the car, and is prompting you to update the software version you can be sure the sim is working as it should and no reason to do anything other than check your usage occasionally for curiosity.

As PIB also said the update to the software version doesn’t count towards your monthly limit.

 

Your usage goes back to zero every month so if you take a look tomorrow you can see how much you have used for 1/2 the month of December, I suspect it will be very little.

The new browser might eat some data as would Spotify but other than that probably only Navigation will use most data and looking at mine it appears to be very little.

 

The last 15 days :

 

 

Excellent! Thank you so much for taking the trouble to explain this to me.

[JBChiangRai]

Is the 8 year warranty on parts and labour transferable to a second-hand buyer when I sell the vehicle?

[macahoom]

13 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Is the 8 year warranty on parts and labour transferable to a second-hand buyer when I sell the vehicle?

 

Good question!

 

A search revealed nothing for Thailand but I found that it's transferable in at least one other country.

 

I realise that doesn't answer your question.

[Andrew Dwyer]

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

Is the 8 year warranty on parts and labour transferable to a second-hand buyer when I sell the vehicle?

I would assume that it is, it was when i sold my Haval, I guess the showroom would be able to answer that question .

[JBChiangRai]

57 minutes ago, macahoom said:

 

Good question!

 

A search revealed nothing for Thailand but I found that it's transferable in at least one other country.

 

I realise that doesn't answer your question.

 

3 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I would assume that it is, it was when i sold my Haval, I guess the showroom would be able to answer that question .

 

Thanks I will ask my salesman.

[kevp]

12 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yep, mine didn’t tell me either.

I was going to buy an Atto 3 until recently and had researched quite a bit so already knew some stuff about the sim, plus my last two cars had a similar sim package.

 

A quick search just now tells me the sim package is free for the first two years and then depending on package price ( which hasn’t been released yet ) you can pay for the package or fit your own sim. Some YouTube videos show Thais replacing the sim already to see what carrier will work in the car.

On the Atto 3 the sim is hidden behind a small panel under the dash, in the Dolphin it is in the glove box, no info on the seal as yet.

 

No doubt when the Atto 3 hits 2 years there will be info on renewing the package available.

 

So, as your update has been downloaded to the car, and is prompting you to update the software version you can be sure the sim is working as it should and no reason to do anything other than check your usage occasionally for curiosity.

As PIB also said the update to the software version doesn’t count towards your monthly limit.

 

Your usage goes back to zero every month so if you take a look tomorrow you can see how much you have used for 1/2 the month of December, I suspect it will be very little.

The new browser might eat some data as would Spotify but other than that probably only Navigation will use most data and looking at mine it appears to be very little.

 

The last 15 days :

 

I love the car, and while the sales team is friendly, communication is definitely not a strength of BYD.

 

I have had mine for 10 days now, SIM card still doesn’t work; am being told by the salesman to see the technician, technician tells me that it’s the sales person that needs to file the paperwork, so the sim might just not be ‘active’ yet, one person told me the sim is from Singapore, hence the roaming, then they tell me it’s AIS that’s responsible for the SIM? So no data without wifi and the BYD app is not bound yet.

 

Side note about the 2GB quota, from what the sales person told me before, you get 500MB in the first month then it goes to 2GB per month for 2 years.

 

Another issue we faced is after picking up the car, they told us we have to get the plates registered within a given timeframe; generally not a problem, but given the holidays coming up this became a frustrating back and forth of them giving us a firm deadline of when we need to do this by. Ended up having to change the family member that ‘owns’ the car as a foreigner needs to give the real passport when doing this.

 

Anyways, rant over and while I hope others have a smoother first couple of weeks with the car, I’d love to hear that everything worked out with the sim after a while of it not working.

[Andrew Dwyer]

36 minutes ago, kevp said:

I love the car, and while the sales team is friendly, communication is definitely not a strength of BYD.

 

I have had mine for 10 days now, SIM card still doesn’t work; am being told by the salesman to see the technician, technician tells me that it’s the sales person that needs to file the paperwork, so the sim might just not be ‘active’ yet, one person told me the sim is from Singapore, hence the roaming, then they tell me it’s AIS that’s responsible for the SIM? So no data without wifi and the BYD app is not bound yet.

 

Side note about the 2GB quota, from what the sales person told me before, you get 500MB in the first month then it goes to 2GB per month for 2 years.

 

Another issue we faced is after picking up the car, they told us we have to get the plates registered within a given timeframe; generally not a problem, but given the holidays coming up this became a frustrating back and forth of them giving us a firm deadline of when we need to do this by. Ended up having to change the family member that ‘owns’ the car as a foreigner needs to give the real passport when doing this.

 

Anyways, rant over and while I hope others have a smoother first couple of weeks with the car, I’d love to hear that everything worked out with the sim after a while of it not working.

Had mine since Nov 30th , not sure when the sim started working , the first day the Navigation wouldn’t work and a couple of days later it did so I suspect it was between those dates.

 

I expected to see 500 mb data initially too as that’s how the Atto 3 was set up but when I finally found it, yesterday, it is already at 2gb even though I picked the car up on the last day of November.

 

I was waiting for an email to set up the app as I understood the salesman saying that but yesterday I decided to try it and it worked okay, that was probably lost in translation.

 

I guess with all the showrooms popping up left right and centre there is a few salespeople out there who are still pretty green and it’s luck of the draw whether you get a clued up individual or someone who is suited to making up the numbers at HomePro  !

[JBChiangRai]

31 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I guess with all the showrooms popping up left right and centre there is a few salespeople out there who are still pretty green and it’s luck of the draw whether you get a clued up individual or someone who is suited to making up the numbers at HomePro  !

 

My sales guy at BYD has a Masters degree in business. My sales girl at MG has a pea for a brain, apologies to all peas out there.

[Bandersnatch]

I have installed the update, thanks Andrew for the info.

 

I also got the language update 

[mistral53]

2 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I guess with all the showrooms popping up left right and centre there is a few salespeople out there who are still pretty green and it’s luck of the draw whether you get a clued up individual or someone who is suited to making up the numbers at HomePro  !

I have bought very few cars for which the salesperson knew more about the car than I did........ probably have to blame myself for that 

[Andrew Dwyer]

So someone posted some photos on FB and I had to investigate 🧐

 

Underneath the rubber pad in the bottom of the centre armrest 

 

 

is the elusive SIM card !!

 

So now you know as much as I do ………. hmmmm you wish!!

[Andrew Dwyer]

So, the wall charger guy just called to make the booking on 29th December, with a visit a few days before to get the details.

 

They inquired whether it would be the house meter or a 2nd circuit ( TOU ) upon hearing it will be a TOU they said it will be 9,000 baht , more if further than 15m from the pole or any additional add ons .

 

I read that the cable for a TOU is thicker ( ? ) 16 mm and a ground rod is also required, sounds like not much for my 9k ?

Plus i will want a double socket which i assume is extra.

 

The TOU meter is around 4,300 baht so it is going to take a while before i am feeling the benefits of going TOU !

[kevp]

29 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

So, the wall charger guy just called to make the booking on 29th December, with a visit a few days before to get the details.

 

They inquired whether it would be the house meter or a 2nd circuit ( TOU ) upon hearing it will be a TOU they said it will be 9,000 baht , more if further than 15m from the pole or any additional add ons .

 

I read that the cable for a TOU is thicker ( ? ) 16 mm and a ground rod is also required, sounds like not much for my 9k ?

Plus i will want a double socket which i assume is extra.

 

The TOU meter is around 4,300 baht so it is going to take a while before i am feeling the benefits of going TOU !

Hi! What’s the reason or benefit to have TOU? I received this information sheet from the sales person before getting my car.
 

I live in a condo and had to pull 16mm cables from 14fl (my unit meter) down to the 5th floor where my parking spot is. I’m connecting directly to an empty 45A meter.

 

i could have connected to the building’s power but they would have charged THB 7 per kWh. Would have been less cable required but the long term costs would have added up.

 

The charger people wanted around THB 100k for the full job. Needless to say I felt that was ridiculous. I decided to do it ‘myself’. Material cost was around THB 25k and labor (a random group of electricians) was around 18k for 3 guys for 3 days of work. So I saved over half to do that portion.

 

I have it set up like in the picture at the moment, ready for the wall charger to be installed (I think - who knows what other issues they may highlight when they install).

[Andrew Dwyer]

46 minutes ago, kevp said:

Hi! What’s the reason or benefit to have TOU? I received this information sheet from the sales person before getting my car.
 

I live in a condo and had to pull 16mm cables from 14fl (my unit meter) down to the 5th floor where my parking spot is. I’m connecting directly to an empty 45A meter.

 

i could have connected to the building’s power but they would have charged THB 7 per kWh. Would have been less cable required but the long term costs would have added up.

 

The charger people wanted around THB 100k for the full job. Needless to say I felt that was ridiculous. I decided to do it ‘myself’. Material cost was around THB 25k and labor (a random group of electricians) was around 18k for 3 guys for 3 days of work. So I saved over half to do that portion.

 

I have it set up like in the picture at the moment, ready for the wall charger to be installed (I think - who knows what other issues they may highlight when they install).

TOU ( Time of use ) meter is the cheapest way to charge ( with the exception of solar ) from the wall charger.

My normal meter 15/45 would struggle , especially at nighttime with 2 x air con running, so added a 2nd circuit with a TOU meter.

 

Charges are as below with off peak available 10 pm - 9 am , all day Saturday and Sunday + some holidays.

Of course have to shell out to reap the benefits of TOU off peak.

 

 

 

Also , TOU meters are only available via PEA ( not MEA ) so not available in Bangkok.

[Pib]

56 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Also , TOU meters are only available via PEA ( not MEA ) so not available in Bangkok.

What makes you say TOU meters are not available with MEA?   MEA should advertises TOU, has TOU tariffs, etc.

 

 

 

https://www.mea.or.th/en/our-services/mea-service/e-service/electric-monthly-calculate

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Just now, Pib said:

What makes you say TOU meters are not available with MEA?   MEA should advertises TOU, has TOU tariffs, etc.

 

 

 

https://www.mea.or.th/en/our-services/mea-service/e-service/electric-monthly-calculate

 

 

 

You are correct, what I should have said is MEA allows TOU as a primary meter but doesn’t allow a 2nd circuit. 

 

[Pib]

5 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

You are correct, what I should have said is MEA allows TOU as a primary meter but doesn’t allow a 2nd circuit. 

 

Exactly what do you mean by two separate TOU circuits are not allowed? 

 

Do you mean a person can't have two TOU meters for his residence...that is one meter feeding his residence (everything but his EV charger) and another on a separate circuit only feeding his EV charger?  If so that seems very odd.

[Andrew Dwyer]

2 hours ago, Pib said:

Exactly what do you mean by two separate TOU circuits are not allowed? 

 

Do you mean a person can't have two TOU meters for his residence...that is one meter feeding his residence (everything but his EV charger) and another on a separate circuit only feeding his EV charger?  If so that seems very odd.

The way I understand it is:

MEA doesn’t allow a second meter so if you want a TOU you can have one but you have to run everything off that  TOU and on peak is a little more expensive than normal tariff.

I doubt if PEA would let you have 2 TOU meters but can certainly have a normal tariff meter to run the house as normal and a TOU which is supposed to be for the Wall charger. I hope to have an additional socket from the TOU.

No doubt some are trying to run more than the charger on TOU on off peak, not sure of the ramifications of doing that.

[surat04]

1 hour ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

The way I understand it is:

MEA doesn’t allow a second meter so if you want a TOU you can have one but you have to run everything off that  TOU and on peak is a little more expensive than normal tariff.

I doubt if PEA would let you have 2 TOU meters but can certainly have a normal tariff meter to run the house as normal and a TOU which is supposed to be for the Wall charger. I hope to have an additional socket from the TOU.

No doubt some are trying to run more than the charger on TOU on off peak, not sure of the ramifications of doing that.

When we had our wall box, charger and cable run for the TOU meter, my wife asked about additional sockets but they wouldn't do it. After PEA inspection and the meter is actually fitted i guess you can do it yourself.

[Pib]

21 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

So, the wall charger guy just called to make the booking on 29th December, with a visit a few days before to get the details.

 

They inquired whether it would be the house meter or a 2nd circuit ( TOU ) upon hearing it will be a TOU they said it will be 9,000 baht , more if further than 15m from the pole or any additional add ons .

 

I read that the cable for a TOU is thicker ( ? ) 16 mm and a ground rod is also required, sounds like not much for my 9k ?

Plus i will want a double socket which i assume is extra.

 

The TOU meter is around 4,300 baht so it is going to take a while before i am feeling the benefits of going TOU !

 

 

I expect your 2nd meter, your TOU meter, is a 15(45)A meter? 

 

 If so, the PEA required minimum wire size from meter to residence is 16mm2 "regardless of the type of meter (i.e., regular, TOU, etc)....wire size based on meter load amperage rating and not meter type.  Required for any meter with a max rating from 35A to 50A....if your meter is 15(45)A then its max rating is 45A which will require 16mm2 wire from meter to wherever the circuit  breaker.

 

I think the free wall charger installation packages are price out to provide 10mm2 wire since most installations are from the residence main circuit panel which already has the required meter to panel wiring (i.e., not 2nd meter required)...and then the installer just needs to run 10mm2 wire from that panel to the charger to handle the 32A max charger current and there is no 2nd ground rod required.   Expect your increase costs are related to the 16mm2 wire size, 2nd ground rod, PVC piping, etc. 

[Andrew Dwyer]

41 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

 

I expect your 2nd meter, your TOU meter, is a 15(45)A meter? 

 

 If so, the PEA required minimum wire size from meter to residence is 16mm2 "regardless of the type of meter (i.e., regular, TOU, etc)....wire size based on meter load amperage rating and not meter type.  Required for any meter with a max rating from 35A to 50A....if your meter is 15(45)A then its max rating is 45A which will require 16mm2 wire from meter to wherever the circuit  breaker.

 

I think the free wall charger installation packages are price out to provide 10mm2 wire since most installations are from the residence main circuit panel which already has the required meter to panel wiring (i.e., not 2nd meter required)...and then the installer just needs to run 10mm2 wire from that panel to the charger to handle the 32A max charger current and there is no 2nd ground rod required.   Expect your increase costs are related to the 16mm2 wire size, 2nd ground rod, PVC piping, etc. 

 

Yep, I think you nailed it.

I read somewhere that additional cabling ( above the free 15m ) is 200 baht per metre for a normal setup and 300 baht per metre for the TOU which would make perfect sense as per your post ( 10mm v 16mm wire ).

[Andrew Dwyer]

Anyone tried the karaoke ?

Well i thought i would take a look, with a couple of teenagers in the back it might be good fun, if they are awake that is !!

 

Well, it is surprisingly very good !!, a big choice of music in diverse languages and genres.

Sing along to the highlighted text and backing track with an option to plug in the microphone ( not supplied ).

 

Don’t be surprised to see BYD’s full of families/teenagers singing along merrily !!

What next ?

Twister ??

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

So, I guess you have all discovered the ability to change the theme and wallpaper of the centre screen, but did you know you can change those 3 shortcuts on the Home Screen.

 

Well if you didn’t, here’s how to do it.

 

A long press on the screen anywhere ( except on any icon ) will bring up your shortcut options.

 

A long press on your chosen option will highlight it and you can then drag it to replace one of the 3 default icons ( iPhone users will be familiar with this )

 

and hey presto you have your Home Screen adjusted to your liking.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Re: my last post 

While I have played around with the Home Screen options and found a choice I am happy with.

 

 

I have since lost it and cannot replicate it !!

I find the “ theme “ and “ wallpaper “ options a little confusing and try as I might cannot replicate that beige pattern above.

 

HELP !!

[Pib]

5 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

 

Yep, I think you nailed it.

I read somewhere that additional cabling ( above the free 15m ) is 200 baht per metre for a normal setup and 300 baht per metre for the TOU which would make perfect sense as per your post ( 10mm v 16mm wire ).

Got nothing to do with TOU meter...it simply applies to "any type" of 15 (45)A meter....standard meter, TOU meter, etc.   PEA/MEA requires 16mm2 copper wire from a 15 (45)A meter to the first breaker (or you can use 25mm2 aluminum wire)

 

 

 

 

[macahoom]

First world problems:

 

There is so much that's spendid and tremendous about the Seal. It has far exceeded all my expectations - expectations which were already very high.

 

The attention to detail is great, although there are a few niggly things which seem to have inexplicably escaped the notice of the designers/programmers.

 

As mentioned before, the absence of seat memory buttons on the door is nothing short of unforgivable. 

 

And does anyone else think that the definition of text and icons on the smaller screen could be better? Okay, it's not the end of the world but, during daylight hours, neither of the settings (light or dark) is as good as it should be. I have never had a car before with this problem.

 

Having said that, at nighttime, the dark setting works quite well.

[mistral53]

9 hours ago, macahoom said:

First world problems:

 

There is so much that's spendid and tremendous about the Seal. It has far exceeded all my expectations - expectations which were already very high.

 

The attention to detail is great, although there are a few niggly things which seem to have inexplicably escaped the notice of the designers/programmers.

 

As mentioned before, the absence of seat memory buttons on the door is nothing short of unforgivable. 

 

And does anyone else think that the definition of text and icons on the smaller screen could be better? Okay, it's not the end of the world but, during daylight hours, neither of the settings (light or dark) is as good as it should be. I have never had a car before with this problem.

 

Having said that, at nighttime, the dark setting works quite well.

 

Don't forget that they robbed us of this gold-nugget........or does this have to be filed under 'TIT'? 

 

(For those not familiar with the issue - there was a lot of talk that the the 'Build your Dreams' lettering looks silly, so export versions were changed to the simple 'BYD' - now we have those owners who want to put the 'Build your Dreams' back on. Well, at least it sounds better than "Bayrische Motoren Werke')

[Andrew Dwyer]

15 minutes ago, mistral53 said:

 

Don't forget that they robbed us of this gold-nugget........or does this have to be filed under 'TIT'? 

 

(For those not familiar with the issue - there was a lot of talk that the the 'Build your Dreams' lettering looks silly, so export versions were changed to the simple 'BYD' - now we have those owners who want to put the 'Build your Dreams' back on. Well, at least it sounds better than "Bayrische Motoren Werke')

Seal owners in the U.K. got nothing, not even “BYD” while owners in Brazil got the full “ Build your Dreams “ when it was released a couple of months ago.

Wonder what criteria they use when deciding who gets what, along the extra exterior and interior colours and number of models seems like no two countries are the same.

 

For example:

China and Brazil get this rather fetching green colour:

 

[mistral53]

17 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Seal owners in the U.K. got nothing, not even “BYD” while owners in Brazil got the full “ Build your Dreams “ when it was released a couple of months ago.

Wonder what criteria they use when deciding who gets what, along the extra exterior and interior colours and number of models seems like no two countries are the same.

 

For example:

China and Brazil get this rather fetching green colour:

 

 

How about a wrap?