Recommend a home charger for Leaf

Orebro

Anyone have any recommendation for a home charger? Rolec, Podpoint etc? Really not sure which one to go for!

Calahonda52

http://www.eurosales.ie/products/AD990J.html

http://www.evcables.co.uk/189/EV-Charging-cables-for-Nissan

https://speakev.com/threads/charging-the-leaf.28265/
and the boss penned this some time ago

cros13 wrote: »

There are a few better than Rolec in different categories.

Rolec makes good basic chargepoints, but for more features / premium materials / multi-EV charging you need to look elsewhere:

FILLIE - very well built, very stylish, upgradable to three phase, cloud management

Tesla Wall Connector - upgradable to three phase, up to single phase 48A, load sharing, stylish

ICU Eve Mini - upgradable to three phase, RFID authentication, LCD charging status screen

ChargePoint Home - Tethered J1772 chargepoints, very stylish, smart home integration, cloud management, have to import from the US but they work fine here.

Charge AMPS Halo - Stylish, odd socket location, cloud management, load sharing

Zaptec Zapcharger - load sharing, cloud management, upgradable to three phase, RFID

With the exception of the Tesla Wall Connector and ChargePoint Home all are substantially more expensive than the Rolec.

goz83

I looked into a few of them and I found Rolec to be the best and to have the most variable selection. I wanted a 13Amp 3 pin domestic plug, as well as a home charge point and I was delighted that I could have that option included with the Rolec CP. I opted for tethered.

Orebro

I've ordered a Rolec homecharge model - got a 32a version as it was the same price as the 16a, even though my Leaf is 3.3 I may as well future proof a bit.

Soarer

I got my Rolec for £330 + AddressPal from the UK.

Cheapest I could find.

Orebro

Got mine from evonestop for 318 plus address pal too. Must line up one of the lads at work to do me a favour for install!

BoatMad

Orebro wrote: »

Got mine from evonestop for 318 plus address pal too. Must line up one of the lads at work to do me a favour for install!

just be aware that mods to your distribution board require a RECI electrician

Orebro

BoatMad wrote: »

just be aware that mods to your distribution board require a RECI electrician

Cheers for that. Yes they are all RECI - won't be taking any chances with this.

Soarer

Sorry, should've clarified.

I got this 32A tethered Rolec with extra 3 pin socket for ?330 + AddressPal.

i got it from a crowd called Midshires Electrical.
Used the discount code "mail5" to get 5% off.
Then when I selected Ireland as delivery address, they kept the free delivery and they subtracted the VAT for some reason! :eek:
They rang a couple of days later saying free shipping doesn't apply to Ireland, I gave them the AddressPal postcode, and without adjusting the total, they shipped it to there! Invoice was sent to my house, and only delivery fee was paid at the post office.
Maybe Revenue will come knocking looking for the VAT, but as it stands, I think I did ok!

BoatMad

Soarer wrote: »

Sorry, should've clarified.

I got this 32A tethered Rolec with extra 3 pin socket for ?330 + AddressPal.

i got it from a crowd called Midshires Electrical.
Used the discount code "mail5" to get 5% off.
Then when I selected Ireland as delivery address, they kept the free delivery and they subtracted the VAT for some reason! :eek:
They rang a couple of days later saying free shipping doesn't apply to Ireland, I gave them the AddressPal postcode, and without adjusting the total, they shipped it to there! Invoice was sent to my house, and only delivery fee was paid at the post office.
Maybe Revenue will come knocking looking for the VAT, but as it stands, I think I did ok!

No the lack of vat is an uk vat issue ( until Brexit )

Soarer

Soarer wrote: »

Sorry, should've clarified.

I got this 32A tethered Rolec with extra 3 pin socket for ?330 + AddressPal.

i got it from a crowd called Midshires Electrical.
Used the discount code "mail5" to get 5% off.
Then when I selected Ireland as delivery address, they kept the free delivery and they subtracted the VAT for some reason! :eek:
They rang a couple of days later saying free shipping doesn't apply to Ireland, I gave them the AddressPal postcode, and without adjusting the total, they shipped it to there! Invoice was sent to my house, and only delivery fee was paid at the post office.
Maybe Revenue will come knocking looking for the VAT, but as it stands, I think I did ok!

Guys, I just thought I'd bump this as the same VAT situation is happening!

The price is coming in at £349.79 + AddressPal.

Not a bad saving on the £462 delivered from EVOneStop.

With the SEAI grant available now, I doubt you'll get a better charger + install for the money.

The SKU on the Type 1 is EVMM0020.

Also, they both have the Type 2 version available, for all ye posh i3/Ioniq/40kWh drivers! I think ye're all Type 2 anyway!
That's coming in at £510 from EVOneStop and £385.16 from Midshire.

The SKU on the Type 2 is EVMM0040.

Think that's all right. Long day already!

oinkely

one rolec type 2 untethered on the way for the parents house.

KCross

I'd recommend the Zappi or Tesla Wall Connector over a Rolec for two reasons...

1) They have extra features (e.g load balancing and additionally the Zappi has load shedding and Solar PV integration)
2) The Rolec, for me, hasn't proven to be the most reliable and I've seen other forums complain about them too. (e.g. RCBO burnouts, case cracking over time, controllers failing)

Soarer

Mine has been ultra reliable.

It went through a phase of tripping, but that was because water had gotten in at the car end.

KCross

Soarer wrote: »

Mine has been ultra reliable.

It went through a phase of tripping, but that was because water had gotten in at the car end.

Big thread here detailing issues with RCBO burning out and melting the neutral wire.
https://speakev.com/threads/rolec-charger-dangerous.37841/

Post with pic here
https://speakev.com/threads/rolec-charger-dangerous.37841/page-14#post-2025193


It seems to be earlier versions that have the B type RCBO. They've subsequently upgraded it and it doesnt appear to happen now for new ones.


A few have detailed the case cracking due to becoming brittle. One of my screw points has cracked. The plastic doesnt appear to have the correct UV properties for outdoor use! :rolleyes:

When mine arrived day one the controller was dead.
Got a new one sent over under warranty and replaced it and it worked flawlessly for 18 months and then died. Got another controller sent under warranty and its working fine now again but I'm just not filled with confidence.

There are of course loads of people like yourself that have had no issues and it is early days yet with the Zappi to see how reliable that is, but Rolec are at the "cheap" end of the market so you get what you pay for.

oinkely

I had the contactor on mine burn out. Still bought another one for the parents house. At the price they are good value.

creedp

KCross wrote: »

I'd recommend the Zappi or Tesla Wall Connector over a Rolec for two reasons...

1) They have extra features (e.g load balancing and additionally the Zappi has load shedding and Solar PV integration)
2) The Rolec, for me, hasn't proven to be the most reliable and I've seen other forums complain about them too. (e.g. RCBO burnouts, case cracking over time, controllers failing)

I've received my SEAI grant approval and am now looking at home charger units. Subject to electrician viewing my set up I'm hoping to install the unit in the garage which will allow me to charge car both in and outside garage as required (could pass cable through window to charge outside). As I have a Leaf I will need a Type 1 cable so am considering a Type 1 tethered unit or going for a Type 2 untethered unit and get a 2nd Type 2 to Type 1 cable and leave it plugged into unit. This would future proof unit so it I upgrade to Leaf 2 or Ioniq in future all I would have to change is the cable. Does this make sense or, given the life span of these units, am I as well getting a Type 1 tethered unit?

I like the look of the zappi unit, although its a tad expensive, but I'm not clear if you can get an untethered unit? The places I was looking at seemed to have tethered only units.

creedp

Looked up company website and it seems the untethered zappi won't be launched until later in the year which is too long for me to wait. I suppose I could get a Type 1 tethered and then get a Type 1 to type 2 adaptor if I decided to upgrade to type 2 car in a couple of years.

Are the adaptors suitable for full time use charging at 32amps?

In all of this I'm presuming these units would have a lifespan beyond 4 to 5 years. Otherwise I might be as well off just get a cheap type 1 tethered and replace If/ when I get a Type 2 car.

Gumbo

Do you have to buy brand new
With receipt?
There’s a new ABL one on adverts for €300.
I have one and they can be flashed to be used at 32A.

http://www.adverts.ie/15143969

creedp

kceire wrote: »

Do you have to buy brand new
With receipt?
There’s a new ABL one on adverts for €300.
I have one and they can be flashed to be used at 32A.

http://www.adverts.ie/15143969

Thanks. Good point. I kind of assumed a brand new unit is required with receipt for the grant. Having read the Grants T&C there doesn't seem to be any mention that items must be new just they are receipted. Was originally contemplating going down the ABL route but got my head turned by the zappi.

However, I currently don't have any home generation so would not benefit from the extra functionality available for some time. Maybe better going with cheaper Type 1 Unit and upgrade in the future if necessary.

Gumbo

creedp wrote: »

Thanks. Good point. I kind of assumed a brand new unit is required with receipt for the grant. Having read the Grants T&C there doesn't seem to be any mention that items must be new just they are receipted. Was originally contemplating going down the ABL route but got my head turned by the zappi.

However, I currently don't have any home generation so would not benefit from the extra functionality available for some time. Maybe better going with cheaper Type 1 Unit and upgrade in the future if necessary.

Have a 3kw PV array and one of those ABL units I picked it on on the FB group for €200 and it’s flawless. Works perfect every time (although I’ve only charged at home about 10 times due to work charging )

It might just mean you charger install will come in less than the grant
Also, if you want to upgrade the unit in the future, the wiring etc is all in place so it’s just a matter of swapping out the charger unit. Plus you’ll get a good chunk of your charger outlay back too.

creedp

kceire wrote: »

Have a 3kw PV array and one of those ABL units I picked it on on the FB group for €200 and it’s flawless. Works perfect every time (although I’ve only charged at home about 10 times due to work charging )

It might just mean you charger install will come in less than the grant
Also, if you want to upgrade the unit in the future, the wiring etc is all in place so it’s just a matter of swapping out the charger unit. Plus you’ll get a good chunk of your charger outlay back too.

Sounds good.

Would a hand written receipt from a private individual suffice for the SEAI Grant?

Also I have a 6.6kw charger in the Leaf so will need to install the 40amp RCBO. I read in one of the EV forums that an electrician could balk at installing a 40amp RCBO with a 16amp charger unit as they would be deemed incompatible for grant purposes. Do you know if this might be a problem?

I think there is a thread on here dealing with flashing ABL Units but very quickly can anyone flash the unit to 32amp or is an electrician required for this job?

KCross

creedp wrote: »

Also I have a 6.6kw charger in the Leaf so will need to install the 40amp RCBO. I read in one of the EV forums that an electrician could balk at installing a 40amp RCBO with a 16amp charger unit as they would be deemed incompatible for grant purposes. Do you know if this might be a problem?

I dont think his issue would be the grant. It would be having the wrong RCBO for the unit. The RCBO needs to match the load so he might not be comfortable signing off his electrical cert with the wrong RCBO.

Having said that, if the unit has "16A/32A" written on it you could just tell him its setup for 32A and he would probably be none the wiser.

creedp wrote: »

I think there is a thread on here dealing with flashing ABL Units but very quickly can anyone flash the unit to 32amp or is an electrician required for this job?

Very unlikely that your run of the mill electrician would have the equipment or the knowledge to flash it to 32A.

Technically, anyone can do it, its a config change not an electrical one. You just need to know how!

@unkel did it himself I think. Cable, computer and some commands that you send to it.... I think they are the high level steps.

optimal

Hi, Guys.

I'm new here so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong place.

I'm in the process of getting de-fossilized and purchasing an EV. I'm really looking forward to it, if a little apprehensive, as it's a big change.

Thanks to this forum I've really been able to educate myself on EVs and am hoping to buy a 30Kw Leaf. I have seen that there are some out there that are really 24Kw so that's a little worry !!

However, my biggest confusion is the home charger and I've read a fair few posts here which helps but I'm still not settled. I try and buy quality if possible as it generally pays in the long run. I don't get the impression that Rolec is the highest quality.

I'm not entirely certain about untethered or not - I think the untethered is more future proof if I ever move to the new LEAF which is I think Type 2 but tethered is more convenient.

I do have Geothermal - I think this draws greatest power when starting so I need to be conscious of this.

I would like to buy equipment myself and get local spark to install.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

unkel

If you're worried about using your pump and your EV charger at the same time, both can run on timers, no? You can set the timers to avoid conflict. If that doesn't work for you, you can have a priority switch installed that allows only one of these at a time (based on your preference). Not that expensive. Certainly not in the light of your other recent de-fossilization investments

There is also a third way with your charger. Semi-tethered. Use an untethered charger but leave a cable permanently connected to it (and perhaps to a DIY post at the car's end). When you change your car for a Type 2 charging car, just sell the cable and buy a Type 2 cable. I use this. Convenience is everything when you do nearly all of your charging at home.

optimal

unkel wrote: »

If you're worried about using your pump and your EV charger at the same time, both can run on timers, no? You can set the timers to avoid conflict. If that doesn't work for you, you can have a priority switch installed that allows only one of these at a time (based on your preference). Not that expensive. Certainly not in the light of your other recent de-fossilization investments

There is also a third way with your charger. Semi-tethered. Use an untethered charger but leave a cable permanently connected to it (and perhaps to a DIY post at the car's end). When you change your car for a Type 2 charging car, just sell the cable and buy a Type 2 cable. I use this. Convenience is everything when you do nearly all of your charging at home.

Thanks for that. That does help.

optimal

optimal wrote: »

Thanks for that. That does help.

Any advice on the best charger?

unkel

You'll get a lot of people saying their own charger is the best and that it never failed. If I was getting a €600 subsidy on a new charger install today, I'd get a Zappi (which is smart and versatile) for the best possible money and I'd get a competent sparks to install it who wouldn't charge me for figuring out for 3 hours how to do the job. In other words, about as close down to €500 as you can get for the charger and about €100 for the install. With €50 in other parts (RCBO, cables and ducting) you should be able to get a clever high quality install for as close to zero euro as possible after the grant

Don't entertain vultures looking for big money to supply and fit a charger. We've all got enough of rip-off Ireland even before the recession started a decade ago. Never again. Just don't allow it.

creedp

unkel wrote: »

There is also a third way with your charger. Semi-tethered. Use an untethered charger but leave a cable permanently connected to it (and perhaps to a DIY post at the car's end). When you change your car for a Type 2 charging car, just sell the cable and buy a Type 2 cable. I use this. Convenience is everything when you do nearly all of your charging at home.

As far as I can gather there is no untethered version of the Zappi available as yet. I've been mulling over this and delayed my installation as a result. An electrician will look at my set up on Saturday and I will make a final decision then.

One question I asked elsewhere already is whether or not a zappi which has a variable output from 6amp to 32amp could be installed on a 16amp feed and if this would be OK for the SEAI grant.

JackieChan

unkel wrote: »

You'll get a lot of people saying their own charger is the best and that it never failed. If I was getting a €600 subsidy on a new charger install today, I'd get a Zappi (which is smart and versatile) for the best possible money and I'd get a competent sparks to install it who wouldn't charge me for figuring out for 3 hours how to do the job. [In other words, about as close down to €500 as you can get for the charger and about €100 for the install. With €50 in other parts (RCBO, cables and ducting) you should be able to get a clever high quality install for as close to zero euro as possible after the grant

Don't entertain vultures looking for big money to supply and fit a charger. We've all got enough of rip-off Ireland even before the recession started a decade ago. Never again. Just don't allow it.

Would it be worth having a new thread for a listing of RECI electricians that posters have used for an EV charger install and been happy with?

Might be better than the usual Nigel Daly recommendation which while they may be good may not be the most price competitive.

_dof_

creedp wrote: »

One question I asked elsewhere already is whether or not a zappi which has a variable output from 6amp to 32amp could be installed on a 16amp feed and if this would be OK for the SEAI grant.

You can configure the Zappi to limit the max current to 16A. I suppose if the electrician certified that it was sufficient then that might be fine for the grant ( I think there's something about a current limiting device on the grant application form, so the Zappi itself might be considered as the current limiting device).