Home charge points (purchase/problems/questions) (See mod note post#1)

waynegalway

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

You can get better, look at the energia EV plan, 5c night rate

I saw that rate, but apparently you have to have been on day/night meter for a year before they give you that rate.

fafy

waynegalway wrote: »

I saw that rate, but apparently you have to have been on day/night meter for a year before they give you that rate.

I notice this is not available to customers, who have smart meters installed, and as the rollout of smart meters has advanced significantly, so a huge chunk of customers, cannot currently avail of that 5c night rate, which is odd, seeing as that was the whole point of smart meters, at least thats what we’ve been told.

waynegalway

fafy wrote: »

I notice this is not available to customers, who have smart meters installed, and as the rollout of smart meters has advanced significantly, so a huge chunk of customers, cannot currently avail of that 5c night rate, which is odd, seeing as that was the whole point of smart meters, at least thats what we’ve been told.

How do I know what type of meter I have? It’s digital, and appears to display day and night meterage even though I’m not on that plan.

KCross

That meter allows you to have 24hr or day/night rate.
If you are on 24hr rate at the moment you should be able to switch for free without any meter replacement. They might need to come out to initially read the day/night figures and that will be it.

the_amazing_raisin

waynegalway wrote: »

How do I know what type of meter I have? It’s digital, and appears to display day and night meterage even though I’m not on that plan.

That's the same one I have, unfortunately they still send an engineer to "change" the meter

In my case I was chatting to the guy and he said it's literally a paper exercise to switch the digital meters over

Other than writing some instructions in the meter box on how to take readings he didn't do anything that requires a call out

Buffman

waynegalway wrote: »

I bought my LEAF 2nd hand in November 2017, and the grant wasn't available for 2nd hand EVs at that stage, so we haven't availed of the grant at the property.

If you ever do go for the grant on the ID3 a possible option is to get a twin charger installed to replace the single. They're not cheap though, so it might actually work out cheaper to get a 2nd charger with the grant.


Something along the lines of:

https://www.garo.ie/docs/2020/garo%20gtb%20twin%20product%20sheet.pdf

slave1

I would not go for a twin charge point, it's a single dependency and with charge ports on various EVs in different locations you are tying yourself to certain parking on your driveway (can be an issue).
I'm moving my Charge Point to a more central part of the driveway as playing Tetris becoming cumbersome, will leave cabling for existing charge point in place and maybe pick up a used unit some time in the future that will handle load balancing etc

electricus

I'm looking to buy a good quality outdoor granny cable extension with RCD, something like this:

https://toughleads.co.uk/products/ev-extension-lead?variant=19514036158552

Does anyone know where I can buy one in Ireland?

the_amazing_raisin

electricus wrote: »

I'm looking to buy a good quality outdoor granny cable extension with RCD, something like this:

https://toughleads.co.uk/products/ev-extension-lead?variant=19514036158552

Does anyone know where I can buy one in Ireland?

So you want an extension lead, or the charging cable?

Any 13A lead or higher should do the job

electricus

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

So you want an extension lead, or the charging cable?

Any 13A lead or higher should do the job

A 13A extension cable - with an covered outdoor socket which fits the bigger molded plug on a granny cable.

Edit:
I was looking at this one but it doesn't mention the wire size (sq mm) in the spec so it may not be suitable for constant 10A supply.

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/masterplug-13a-1-gang-unswitched-extension-lead-10m/44635

edit 2:

I see in the Q+A that its 1.5mm so should be ok. I haven't got got my car yet but hoping to get away summer west coast later in the summer so want to be prepared. Also I don't want to be responsible for burning down a holiday home!!

WayneEnterprise

electricus wrote: »

I'm looking to buy a good quality outdoor granny cable extension with RCD, something like this:

https://toughleads.co.uk/products/ev-extension-lead?variant=19514036158552

Does anyone know where I can buy one in Ireland?

ToughLeads ship to Ireland

electricus

WayneEnterprise wrote: »

ToughLeads ship to Ireland

They do but don’t include extra brexit taxes and charges.

I’d also prefer to buy from a shop or supplier here if any sells a similar product,

the_amazing_raisin

electricus wrote: »

A 13A extension cable - with an covered outdoor socket which fits the bigger molded plug on a granny cable.

Edit:
I was looking at this one but it doesn't mention the wire size (sq mm) in the spec so it may not be suitable for constant 10A supply.

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/masterplug-13a-1-gang-unswitched-extension-lead-10m/44635

edit 2:

I see in the Q+A that its 1.5mm so should be ok. I haven't got got my car yet but hoping to get away summer west coast later in the summer so want to be prepared. Also I don't want to be responsible for burning down a holiday home!!

I got a 13A extension lead from materplug off of Amazon. Haven't tested it for charging an EV though, but it's rated so it should be fine

Has a nice weatherproof plug but no built-in RCD, you'd need to add one

I can PM you details if you want?

electricus

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

I got a 13A extension lead from materplug off of Amazon. Haven't tested it for charging an EV though, but it's rated so it should be fine

Has a nice weatherproof plug but no built-in RCD, you'd need to add one

I can PM you details if you want?

Thanks, that would be great! I haven’t found anything suitable in stock anywhere locally.

dave oc

I sent my grant payment forms off last week for my charger install, should I expect any response to say they were received? I know it can take a few weeks for payment but thought I might get a mail or letter to say they got it and will be processed etc.

WayneEnterprise

dave oc wrote: »

I sent my grant payment forms off last week for my charger install, should I expect any response to say they were received? I know it can take a few weeks for payment but thought I might get a mail or letter to say they got it and will be processed etc.

I got an email confirming they’d received the application about 3 days after I sent it. Then got money 8 weeks later.

mun1

Got my eo mini pro 2 installed today by electric Ireland/KN .

Very neat job going from the meter cabinet .
New main board installed in the meter cabinet.
ALM also part of package .
Install took about 3 and a half hours.

Now all i need is the car

Dav010

Got Wallbox pulsar plus installed over weekend, very happy with it.

Patmwgs

mun1 wrote: »

Got my eo mini pro 2 installed today by electric Ireland/KN .

Very neat job going from the meter cabinet .
New main board installed in the meter cabinet.
ALM also part of package .
Install took about 3 and a half hours.

Now all i need is the car

Good job. Im currently installing a 10mm swa cable through a concrete drive for one to meet the requirements for electric ireland to install. Its for a mate. It also has load management so a bellwire cable also.

KCross

Patmwgs wrote: »

Good job. Im currently installing a 10mm swa cable through a concrete drive for one to meet the requirements for electric ireland to install. Its for a mate. It also has load management so a bellwire cable also.

Don’t use bellwire, its not good enough if it’s for a CT clamp. You need twisted pair, preferably shielded, to be sure of its accuracy.

The likes of Zappi say in their manual for CT cable...
“ DO NOT use mains cable, bell wire or speaker cable.”

the_amazing_raisin

KCross wrote: »

Don’t use bellwire, its not good enough if it’s for a CT clamp. You need twisted pair, preferably shielded, to be sure of its accuracy.

The likes of Zappi say in their manual for CT cable...
“ DO NOT use mains cable, bell wire or speaker cable.”

I was wondering that myself, thanks for looking it up

electricus

This video answered most of my charging point install questions. Some of the content maybe UK specific but most of it applies here too.

He has another one showing the actual install process, in great detail!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzAi1hMUaDw

electricus

Here's the Zappi install from the same channel...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArUm7TCrCco

silver_sky

Aside from the Zappi what charge points have a pin, or some form of security to stop someone rocking up and plugging in?

I'm leaning towards the Zappi even though I won't be using the Solar PV charging feature just yet.
Only thing going against it is Mrs Sky isn't too mad about how it looks.

Cyrus

silver_sky wrote: »

Aside from the Zappi what charge points have a pin, or some form of security to stop someone rocking up and plugging in?

I'm leaning towards the Zappi even though I won't be using the Solar PV charging feature just yet.
Only thing going against it is Mrs Sky isn't too mad about how it looks.

How realistic is it that someone will park in your drive for hours on end to get a free charge?

fafy

silver_sky wrote: »

Aside from the Zappi what charge points have a pin, or some form of security to stop someone rocking up and plugging in?

.

A few chargers i was looking at, have access security, probably many more out there as well:

The VW ID Charger Connect & ID Charger Pro, both have RFID access control. However, if RFID access is selected on the app, you can only charge with a physical card, however, i understand this could be disabled on the app. if you are away, and want to allow someone else to use the charger.

Both are more expensive than the entry level ID Charger most people get.

https://charging-energy.elli.eco/ie-en/IDcharger
All 3 i think are limited to 11kw, so 3 phase people, look elsewhere.

The Andersen A2, has app controlled Software which locks down usage, so it cannot be used without owner app authorisation.
It can be software unlocked remotely (for say family etc)via owners app. No messing around with cards.

https://andersen-ev.com/wp-content/uploads/Andersen_e-brochure.pdf
Has 7kw - which is the normal max for houses here, or 22kw option, for those with 3 phase power.

silver_sky

Cyrus wrote: »

How realistic is it that someone will park in your drive for hours on end to get a free charge?

Visible enough spot. Also, I just don't see a good reason to have something like that open access.

Patmwgs

KCross wrote: »

Don’t use bellwire, its not good enough if it’s for a CT clamp. You need twisted pair, preferably shielded, to be sure of its accuracy.

The likes of Zappi say in their manual for CT cable...
“ DO NOT use mains cable, bell wire or speaker cable.”

I had already purchased cat 5 twisted pair exterior cable but kn installer says electric ireland insist on bell wire. I have argued this point with him and he said he wont do the install. He even dropped me off the bell wire. Madness. I might install my second cable and exchange it myself when finished.

Patmwgs

silver_sky wrote: »

Aside from the Zappi what charge points have a pin, or some form of security to stop someone rocking up and plugging in?

I'm leaning towards the Zappi even though I won't be using the Solar PV charging feature just yet.
Only thing going against it is Mrs Sky isn't too mad about how it looks.

The sync ev charger comes with an rfid card for this purpose.

tweek84

Patmwgs wrote: »

I had already purchased cat 5 twisted pair exterior cable but kn installer says electric ireland insist on bell wire. I have argued this point with him and he said he wont do the install. He even dropped me off the bell wire. Madness. I might install my second cable and exchange it myself when finished.

Let me get this right they are getting you to supply and install the cable then they will come along and terminate the cables?
Where did you get the 3x10 swa lsf? Most suppliers are struggling to get it in.