What solution for outdoor ebike charging?

Lumen

I've an electrician coming tomorrow to install an outdoor fuse board and from that connect the new DWWTS and an EV wallbox, which will be post mounted.

I also want to build an ebike shelter with a sheffield stand and a post-mounted charge point at it. My ebike has a fairly normal transformer brick with a 3-pin plug at one end proprietary connector at the other.

Obviously I can get an outdoor socket installed but that won't have space for the transformer brick.

Is there a single enclosure that I can post-mount to contain the socket and transformer brick, or should I plan for two enclosures, or…?

This is cool but doesn't solve the problem of where to put the transformer:

https://madebylandmark.com/product/e-bike-charging-post-spina

I've run ESB ducting at 600mm everywhere for the SWA so that bit's sorted at least.

thebiglad

Could you just put a waterproof/covered 'cradle' on the post to hold the transformer off the ground when in use?

Lumen

I suppose I could make something, it just seems like this ought to be a solved problem.

There's this kind of thing:

https://greatebike.eu/powerbox-charging-station-for-electric-bicycles

but it's ridiculously expensive.

the_amazing_raisin

I imagine an outdoor cabinet should do the job like below. Put a couple of sockets inside with an RCBO for protection, plus the power brick and run the cable out through one of the glands to the bike

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/hylec-ip65-weatherproof-outdoor-enclosure-250mm-x-150mm-x-350mm/7766g#product_additional_details_container

Maybe have an external isolator so you can turn the cabinet off when not being used?

drury..

When you say outdoor fuse board where's that going or where's it being wired from

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122421398#Comment_122421398

It's being wired direct from the main consumer unit with a continuous 22m length of 3x16 SWA.

It's being wired to various things around the site with various thicknesses of ducted SWA

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122421294#Comment_122421294

Perfect, thanks. Does it have to be min 750mm off the ground?

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122422155#Comment_122422155

No idea tbh, you'll need an electrician to tell you that

It's IP rated, and I've seen weatherproof sockets lower than 750mm so you might be okay

You'd probably want the box around that height anyway if the shelter permits it so that the cable is easy to access

One thought, if you route the cable through a waterproof gland then the plug will effectively be outside always. You'll want some weatherproof cover and probably a hook to ensure water and dirt doesn't get into the plug when the bike isn't there

Basically a similar idea to how your EV charger will have some sort of plug cover

the_amazing_raisin

Was watching a camping video recently and thought this might also work as a solution

https://amzn.eu/d/0f77tWrv

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122438945#Comment_122438945

It'll be something like that anyhow with a rotary isolator mounted to the side for switch-off/isolation

Isolators have a regulation height, think it's 4-1600mm so I'd probably go with that for height

Lumen

I ended up deciding on these:

https://ie.rs-online.com/web/p/wall-boxes/2698765 https://www.screwfix.ie/p/british-general-ip66-13a-1-gang-dp-weatherproof-outdoor-switched-socket/35096

The transformer will be in the terminal box and the mains cable from that will go into the outdoor socket, and the power cable out to the ebike.

I'll mount the box sideways so that it fits within the width of the 100mm wooden post.

There's enough room in the terminal box to fit another transformer if we get a second e-bike.

Do I need an isolator for this outdoor socket? Presumably not since the switch is accessible, being outside the sealed terminal box, so if the transformer goes on fire it can simply be switched off at the socket.

I will also have a trip switch on the outdoor fuse board (about 15m away) in case the ebike is engulfed in a charging fireball.

(the sparks hasn't been yet as I wasn't ready for him last week, so this is obvs all caveated by his sign off)

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122439572#Comment_122439572

Sounds like a good setup, I agree you probably don't need an isolator since the switched sockets are accessible

drury..

You don't need to isolate an accessible socket

I would have fitted a rotary isolator and box with socket + equipment inside

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122439681#Comment_122439681

The reason I decided to put the socket outside the box is so that I can use it for other stuff like the electric hedgetrimmer or whatever. If I put the socket inside the box I need a box with a door, and the box needs to be bigger, and then I need an isolator, so I end up with three components for the same outcome as two, and it's less secure.

Also, if I plug in a pressure washer I'd need to keep the door open and then I'd end up washing stuff that shouldn't be washed.

But maybe I'm missing something, technically.

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122439832#Comment_122439832

Won't matter all that much but in that case I would fit a separate socket for general use and isolator (for box only) outside

Socket and equipment inside IP55 box with screwed/hinged lid depending on access needed

But that's me , 30yrs experience saying it's the way to go anyhow, but can be wrong as we do

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122439912#Comment_122439912

I'm sure you're right! I'm just trying to educate myself.

I think the merit of your proposal is that (a) you don't have what's essentially an indoor cable permanently hanging down and then into an external socket, and (b) you get a permanently available secondary socket which doesn't require unplugging the bike charger.

I guess the socket in the box would be quite compact as it doesn't need to be IP rated (cos it's in an IP rated box). And then if I want two transformers in the box I can use a double socket rather than doing unclean things like double-headed cables.

I'll discuss with sparks, thanks again.

drury..

Its mostly for ease of switch-off if needed

On /off with an outdoor socket is messier than a simple rotary isolator

It's also a tidier job overall

A socket for "general use" can be mounted beside isolator and is independent of the e-charging setup