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

nkay1985

ddarcy wrote: »

I’ve an ID3 and I got the Wallbox pulsar Plus. I got it from carcharger.ie I originally got the details when I got the EasyGO tag. It is tethered, works with the power shower etc and the app seems to work for me. You can schedule a charge with the app as well or in the car. I’m quite happy with it as I get ~48km/hr on it when I get ~72km/hr on the public chargers. I paid for it on a Thursday and has it installed the next Monday (won’t guarantee that for you, but so far am quite happy with it). I can let others chime in if they’ve seen issues with it, but I’ve had it for a few weeks now with no issues.

Super, thanks. Do you mind me asking what it cost?

ddarcy

nkay1985 wrote: »

Super, thanks. Do you mind me asking what it cost?

It was 1295, so 695 after grant. I originally was going through electric ireland, but they customer service was poor. They have an added charge if you need more cabling (you get 5m free, but if you contact them they go through everything.

ddarcy

nkay1985 wrote: »

You know what, I think you're right. It uses a type 1 - type 2 cable to charge at public chargers. I hadn't even thought about that.

Looks like it's untethered so! Might get her a spare cable to leave handy for the charger or something. Thanks a million.

Also to add if you go untethered, the ID3 charging cable (16 amp)isn’t great. It’s grand for the 22kw/hr chargers, but if you get the 7.4kw/hr charger you could be getting half that. So you may have to get a new cable. The ID3 forum has examples of this if you search through it. Again this could be fine, but something to watch out for as I’d suspect that you would be charging the outlander nightly.

electrofelix

nkay1985 wrote: »

Hi all, I realise this is the 10,000th time this has been asked but hopefully somebody won't mind a quick answer.

I'm getting an ID.3. My wife has an Outlander PHEV. We have a semi-detached house built in 2008 and the fuse box is right in the corner beside the front door so no particular complexity from that perspective. We have one electric shower.

I don't have solar PV and, while it's something I may look at in the future, I can't currently justify the expense so I'm not taking that into account as a serious factor when choosing an EV charger.

I like the idea of app integration. It's not a necessity but it seems like it would be handy to have, although feel free to enlighten me if I'm mistaken on this.

I'm looking to just get this done in as easy a way as possible so have no interest in sourcing a charger and finding an electrician etc.

With all if that said, what are people's recommendations? Electric Ireland have a tethered EO Mini Pro 2 for €600 after the grant. Is this a decent option? Will it work for me?

I've been in and out of this thread for a few years and remember reading about priority switches and stuff and that this wasn't needed with the Zappi because it automatically balances the load. Looks like the EO can do that with a CT clamp, which I'm sure can be added.

But I'm open to any suggestions or recommendations. I just want something that will be easy to get fitted, that is reliable and works for both of our cars (both type 2 so should be fine, right? )

Thanks a million.

AFAICT the Zappi V2 requires that you purchase the hub if you want the app integration. The hub also doesn't have wifi so it needs to be plugged into your router or something else like a switch or ethernet over powerline adapter that is connected to your router at the other end. Does add a bit to the cost.

The eo mini pro 2 connects to wifi so depending on where it's getting installed you might need a wifi range extended. Can install a mobile app such as WiFi SweetSpots to check if you're likely to get a good signal from your desired installation location beforehand. Alternatively I believe there is an ethernet connection to allow for directly running a cable into your house where you can then connect it to your home network.

The sync ev has wifi, ethernet and can take a sim card, so it doesn't need to be connected directly to your home internet to be accessible.

Just in case you want use the app integration.

baby fish

Got these quotes:
Electric Ireland will supply EO mini pro Tethered for 1200 and EO mini Tethered for 900 and also got price in another place for Zappi for 1300

Read earlier on here EO mini pro doesn't need earth rod. But EO website states a "Garo earthing device" is required and sold separately, will this be an extra on top of electric Ireland price needed on the day of installation?

I think the Zappi might be more straight forward as has built in protection?
But think I need to buy a hub to connect to internet for updates etc....
So how useful is Zappi without the hub? Is it just a very expensive dumb charger then?

Maybe the standard EO mini (not smart) for 900 euro is good option?

slave1

Earth rod not a requirement in Ireland AFAIK so ignore

nkay1985

electrofelix wrote: »

AFAICT the Zappi V2 requires that you purchase the hub if you want the app integration. The hub also doesn't have wifi so it needs to be plugged into your router or something else like a switch or ethernet over powerline adapter that is connected to your router at the other end. Does add a bit to the cost.

The eo mini pro 2 connects to wifi so depending on where it's getting installed you might need a wifi range extended. Can install a mobile app such as WiFi SweetSpots to check if you're likely to get a good signal from your desired installation location beforehand. Alternatively I believe there is an ethernet connection to allow for directly running a cable into your house where you can then connect it to your home network.

The sync ev has wifi, ethernet and can take a sim card, so it doesn't need to be connected directly to your home internet to be accessible.

Just in case you want use the app integration.

Thanks. I will definitely want to use app integration but my WiFi is pretty strong (decent signal about twenty feet across the road) so I reckon that's another tick in the EO Mini Pro box.

electrofelix

Has anyone used myenergi.ie to purchase a Zappi? I see a few mentions about issues around delays in supply, is that when the device is coming via the UK site only, or as one post mentioned is the general semiconductor shortages impacting all over.

Gumbo

electrofelix wrote: »

Has anyone used myenergi.ie to purchase a Zappi? I see a few mentions about issues around delays in supply, is that when the device is coming via the UK site only, or as one post mentioned is the general semiconductor shortages impacting all over.

Another post also mentions that they got one delivered within the week at the same time of the other post saying there was delays.

Best to give them a shout direct. They have set up an Irish branch now.

Krusty_Clown

Hi there, just wondering if the SMART meter now supports day/night rate bands? I understood that it did not in the past and was wondering if this had changed? There's an engineer outside who wants to replace our existing day/night rate meter to a SMART meter, so hopefully it's all sorted now?

boccy23

I have a 30A socket which I use for a welder.

Can this be converted to a Type 2 cable? Would this work?

KCross

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Hi there, just wondering if the SMART meter now supports day/night rate bands? I understood that it did not in the past and was wondering if this had changed? There's an engineer outside who wants to replace our existing day/night rate meter to a SMART meter, so hopefully it's all sorted now?

Its not so much the smart meter is the problem but the providers (Energia, BorGais etc). Some of the providers dont yet support the back end systems that allow them to provide day/night rate with a smart meter.

The smart meter itself doesnt need to know anything about day/night rate as it sends its data every 15-30mins. Its up to the biller (Airtricity etc) to then put all that data together and generate a day/night bill for you.

TL;DR.... check with your provider if they will continue to give you your existing day/night rate with a smart meter.

Krusty_Clown

KCross wrote: »

TL;DR.... check with your provider if they will continue to give you your existing day/night rate with a smart meter.

Thanks. Have reached out to the Electric Ireland. Hopefully can stall the engineer until I hear back from them. Still under contract with them for three months, so would be pretty annoying if we got forced to a 24 hour more expensive day rate, until we can switch to a smart meter rate.

Patmwgs

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Thanks. Have reached out to the Electric Ireland. Hopefully can stall the engineer until I hear back from them. Still under contract with them for three months, so would be pretty annoying if we got forced to a 24 hour more expensive day rate, until we can switch to a smart meter rate.

Electric ireland should be able to put you on day night rate with the 2 hour free boost for ev charging.
But once the meter is setup for this they say it cannot be change back, how smart is that?

graememk

Patmwgs wrote: »

Electric ireland should be able to put you on day night rate with the 2 hour free boost for ev charging.
But once the meter is setup for this they say it cannot be change back, how smart is that?

Don't be fooled with the 2 hr boost as the normal day and night rates may be higher.

Krusty_Clown

Patmwgs wrote: »

Electric ireland should be able to put you on day night rate with the 2 hour free boost for ev charging.
But once the meter is setup for this they say it cannot be change back, how smart is that?

Cheers. Those Smart meter rates are 5-10% more expensive than their existing day/night tariffs, plus changing plans would likely mean being tied into another 12 months of contract. I'm not sure that the 2am-4am cheaper boost rate (14kw?) would compensate for the rate hike.
Their Home Electric Weekend+ offer with free electricity on Saturday or Sunday is interesting, however, it seems to be 8:00 - 23:00 only, and they have some deliberately vague steering on excessive use:

Electric Ireland wrote:

We may contact you if we think you’re using an unreasonably large amount of electricity on your free day(s). If we think you are using an excessive amount, we may take you off the tariff and move you to another tariff.

the_amazing_raisin

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Their Home Electric Weekend+ offer with free electricity on Saturday or Sunday is interesting, however, it seems to be 8:00 - 23:00 only, and they have some deliberately vague steering on excessive use:

Yeah they could at least put a number to it, you'd be able to gauge it then

Plenty of folks with EVs and solar batteries will be grid charging for the week ahead if the electricity is free

Patmwgs

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Cheers. Those Smart meter rates are 5-10% more expensive than their existing day/night tariffs, plus changing plans would likely mean being tied into another 12 months of contract. I'm not sure that the 2am-4am cheaper boost rate (14kw?) would compensate for the rate hike.
Their Home Electric Weekend+ offer with free electricity on Saturday or Sunday is interesting, however, it seems to be 8:00 - 23:00 only, and they have some deliberately vague steering on excessive use:

Do you have any solar?

slave1

Careful on Smart Controllers Meters, you lose the current decent day/night rates and will pay through the nose for 5pm to 7pm.
Just decline their installation and keep what you have, only ESB and resellers will benefit from this

Patmwgs

SMA are now doing a car charger. About 1200 to 1300 yoyos.

Quin_Dub

Just got my charge point installed today.

Really quick process.

I applied for the SEAI Grant last Friday , got the approval on Monday.

I decided to go for the EO Mini Pro from Electric Ireland , Rang them on Tuesday , installed this morning.

Very neat install - I was expecting an internal box to be installed next to the Consumer unit based on earlier posts here , but the KN installer said that they were no longer needed with the newer unit , so I just have the Charge point and the Isolator outside.

I'll post some pics when it stops absolutely bucketing down!!!

Patmwgs

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Just got my charge point installed today.

Really quick process.

I applied for the SEAI Grant last Friday , got the approval on Monday.

I decided to go for the EO Mini Pro from Electric Ireland , Rang them on Tuesday , installed this morning.

Very neat install - I was expecting an internal box to be installed next to the Consumer unit based on earlier posts here , but the KN installer said that they were no longer needed with the newer unit , so I just have the Charge point and the Isolator outside.

I'll post some pics when it stops absolutely bucketing down!!!

That was very quick. Did they install a ct clamp on the meter tails to use the smart side of it?

Quin_Dub

Patmwgs wrote: »

That was very quick. Did they install a ct clamp on the meter tails to use the smart side of it?

I don't know.

Is that something I can check myself?

Cyrus

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Just got my charge point installed today.

Really quick process.

I applied for the SEAI Grant last Friday , got the approval on Monday.

I decided to go for the EO Mini Pro from Electric Ireland , Rang them on Tuesday , installed this morning.

Very neat install - I was expecting an internal box to be installed next to the Consumer unit based on earlier posts here , but the KN installer said that they were no longer needed with the newer unit , so I just have the Charge point and the Isolator outside.

I'll post some pics when it stops absolutely bucketing down!!!

even better

if we could get to the point where no isolator is required then we would be laughing

slave1

Cyrus wrote: »

even better

if we could get to the point where no isolator is required then we would be laughing

They only just brought that in so I wouldn't be holding my breath

Patmwgs

Quin_Dub wrote: »

I don't know.

Is that something I can check myself?

It usually clamps around the electrical cable tails in the meter box, and returns to the charger.
Or it could be installed around your incoming consumer unit power cable. Its for load balancing and solar integration. Thats what makes it the pro version.

Quin_Dub

Patmwgs wrote: »

It usually clamps around the electrical cable tails in the meter box, and returns to the charger.
Or it could be installed around your incoming consumer unit power cable. Its for load balancing and solar integration. Thats what makes it the pro version.

I can't see anything without starting to pull things apart , but on the paper-work they have ticked yes on the box asking "Was a Priority-switch or other load management device used as part of this installation".

So I guess that means they have?

Patmwgs

Quin_Dub wrote: »

I can't see anything without starting to pull things apart , but on the paper-work they have ticked yes on the box asking "Was a Priority-switch or other load management device used as part of this installation".

So I guess that means they have?

The priority switch is usually for an electric shower or another heavy electric user appliance, but they would have charged extra for that. Load management would be the charger.

randomstuff

Wanted to share my experience.

I'd consider myself a fairly techy person but getting into the the EV space is quite a steep learning curve, especially if you are on a budget.

It's quite obvious the home charge point market is designed for people buying a brand new 30/35k+ car, where they don't mind spending 1.5k (after 600 grant) on a charger. In my situation, I was looking at a budget of 7-8k for a 24kwh Leaf and spending that sort of money (20% of total budget) on just a charge point was out of the question.

After a couple days researching all the possible charger options I settled on a basic EVonestop QUBEV from Amazon for 280 Euro. It gets good reviews and seems fairly reliable. I wont be installing any solar panels and don't need any smart scheduling since car itself handles it.

Then came looking for a electrician for the install - price I was being quoted ranged from about 500 to 1k.

At this stage I almost abandoned the idea of an ev because according to older electric regs the charger needs to be running from the internal house fuse box, which in my case would of meant drilling through the hallway wall and running the cable through the living room and drilling the living room wall. But the regs changed and the electrician was able to run a fuse box from the external electrical mains, and run the charger from there.

Found a local RECI certified electrician, and he did it for 550 including a couple of three pin external plugs also for the pressure washer and what not.

Regarding the grant - make sure to submit copies of everything and not the originals, as my electrician pointed out. They don't return the paperwork to you.

I submitted application 30th of March (including the black and white printed out pics of car and charger ) and the refund hit my bank account on 5th of May.

Net cost of my install was 230 which I thought was fair enough.

Just a note on the install cost of the charge point - at first i thought it was a 3-4 hour job, but it ended up taking the electrician and his assistant a whole day for the install. 550 for full days work for 2 people doesn't seem like much - after you take into account account taxes/fuel/insurance/tools etc - but maybe my guy just likes to take his time The install did end up looking quite tidy - see pic attached.

zg3409

randomstuff wrote: »

Wanted to share my experience.

Great to see you are happy. Prices vary widely. I got a zappi and install for 850 all in minus 600 grant so 250 out of pocket. But that was 3 years ago and zappi prices went up, and installers are charging far more. Nowadays an isolator seems to be fitted which I don't have. My install was straight forward on wall outside fuse board.

Second hand chargers are often better value, but they do suffer wear and tear and with difficulty if it breaks a cheap new unit might be better value than cheap worn unit.

Using second hand chargers some have got installs within the 600 grant, but typically using very local non EV experienced installers.