Home e-car charging point: what to expect [Split Thread]

Calahonda52

herself has pretty much decided that we are going to get a Nissan Leaf.

I gather the ESB will fit a connection point at the house and I wonder what to expect in terms of where it will be powered from: e.g. a new XXX thingy on the consumer unit or what.
Also would like to fit a solid CT on the new cable to track the power consumed by charging the car.
Will ESB expect the CT to be terminated properly in the ND meter I have or will they just fit it on the cable for me.
Finally what size cable will it be?

I understand for the 48hr test drive she has organised they will give her a charging cable with a 13 amp plug.
Thanks as always

KCross

Calahonda52 wrote: »

herself has pretty much decided that we are going to get a Nissan Leaf.

I gather the ESB will fit a connection point at the house and I wonder what to expect in terms of where it will be powered from: e.g. a new XXX thingy on the consumer unit or what.
Also would like to fit a solid CT on the new cable to track the power consumed by charging the car.
Will ESB expect the CT to be terminated properly in the ND meter I have or will they just fit it on the cable for me.
Finally what size cable will it be?

I understand for the 48hr test drive she has organised they will give her a charging cable with a 13 amp plug.
Thanks as always

Are you buying new or 2nd hand?

Some EVSE install costs here including the materials required in post 3:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=100539452

It will be free if you buy a new EV. If you buy 2nd hand you have to fund it yourself.

Some other short threads here worth reading
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=100706091
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057617637
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=99405212


I'm not familiar with the CT and ND acronyms you used but they just sound like you want a kWh meter on the EVSE?

If you buy your own EVSE you can get one with a kWh meter built in. If you get the free one you will need to get one added. It would be non-standard so they will charge for the extra work involved but should have no issue with fitting one on the cable.


For future proofing you should get a 32A capable cable of, at least, 6sqmm.

The free EVSE will be 16A but you might want to change that to 32A in the years ahead so get the right cable now and the EVSE can be easily changed.

What battery 24 or 30 KWH ? the 30 Kwh charges faster at the fast chargers and the 6.6 Kw charger is highly practical at the slow charge points for both the 24 and 30 Kwh and would be handy for faster top ups at home if ye need it.

The 6.6 Kw charger means less time spent waiting around at fast chargers that are getting busier, trust me, it gets old fast, especially if there is someone charging before you or someone that has abandoned their EV at the fast charger and doesn't return for an hour. That probably won't happen often, but it does happen. Either way the 6.6 means a lot less time fast charging that you will be thankful you don't have to hang around, you won't avoid fast charging sometimes though. Arrive in town, find standard charge point , plug in and can charge 50-55% in 2 hrs 60-70% in 2.5 hrs.

Also fast charging a 24 Kwh Leaf gets slow after 80% charge and with the 6.6 Kw you will find yourself getting to 90% or more that you wouldn't have the patients to wait for at a fast charger.

The larger 30 Kwh also benefits from faster charging at home and at standard charge points or SCP's.

The 6.6 Kw will mean the car is more desirable 2nd hand.

Calahonda52

KCross wrote: »

Are you buying new or 2nd hand?

Some EVSE install costs here including the materials required in post 3:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=100539452

It will be free if you buy a new EV. If you buy 2nd hand you have to fund it yourself.

Some other short threads here worth reading
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=100706091
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057617637
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=99405212


I'm not familiar with the CT and ND acronyms you used but they just sound like you want a kWh meter on the EVSE?

If you buy your own EVSE you can get one with a kWh meter built in. If you get the free one you will need to get one added. It would be non-standard so they will charge for the extra work involved but should have no issue with fitting one on the cable.


For future proofing you should get a 32A capable cable of, at least, 6sqmm.

The free EVSE will be 16A but you might want to change that to 32A in the years ahead so get the right cable now and the EVSE can be easily changed.

Thanks for this! Very helpful.

Yes I want a stand alone meter: I have a ND 350
http://www.mwatechnology.com/products/nd-cube-350-meter/
with 3 current transformers [CT] for my own domestic set up connected to a data logger

My consumer unit is inside the wall on the garage so happy days re a short cable run and ease of install.

Some further questions if I may.

Any recommended/required height for the EVSE?
I presume untethered is neater than tethered but requires an extra step each time with the home charging cable?

Will the home charging cable for an untethered ESVE work at the public charging stations?

What is the max length of a " granny cable" ?

I presume the input for this charging cube will be 110V?

https://evonestop.co.uk/shop/cubicharge/cubicharge-1-x-32amp-type-2-socket/

For the money, including scrappage, is the 30kWh Nissan Leaf the best option in Ireland right now or should I look elsewhere?
Nissan are just up the road, hence why SHMBO looked there.
Thanks again

KCross

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Thanks for this! Very helpful.

Yes I want a stand alone meter: I have a ND 350
http://www.mwatechnology.com/products/nd-cube-350-meter/
with 3 current transformers [CT] for my own domestic set up connected to a data logger

My consumer unit is inside the wall on the garage so happy days re a short cable run and ease of install.

Some further questions if I may.

Any recommended/required height for the EVSE?
I presume untethered is neater than tethered but requires an extra step each time with the home charging cable?

Will the home charging cable for an untethered ESVE work at the public charging stations?

What is the max length of a " granny cable" ?

I presume the input for this charging cube will be 110V?

https://evonestop.co.uk/shop/cubicharge/cubicharge-1-x-32amp-type-2-socket/

For the money, including scrappage, is the 30kWh Nissan Leaf the best option in Ireland right now or should I look elsewhere?
Nissan are just up the road, hence why SHMBO looked there.
Thanks again

Height... I'm not aware of a particular requirement or regulation. I'd say it's just personal preference based on where it's located.

Untethered... Thats another personal preference question!
I went with untethered and I have a spare cable so I leave it plugged in.

Charging cable.... Yes, the home cable can be used at the public SCP charge stations. Not at FCPs as they are already tethered.

Length... The longest cable I've seen for sale is 10m. Maybe they can be longer, I don't know. Not sure I'd want a cable longer than that lying around and having to wind it up. A granny cable can be extended via a standard 13A extension lead but that's messy for regular outdoor use.

Value for money... Leaf or Ioniq. Ioniq looks like a better bet but it's new and not really tested yet.

unkel

KCross wrote: »

The longest cable I've seen for sale is 10m. Maybe they can be longer, I don't know.

Just an update but it looks like longer cables are now available. I've seen up to 20m even for 32A. Not cheap though!

Linky

KCross

unkel wrote: »

Just an update but it looks like longer cables are now available. I've seen up to 20m even for 32A. Not cheap though!

Linky

£527 for a 20m cable :eek:

They are having a laugh!