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

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118348996#Comment_118348996

Electrical engineer, not an electrician. ;)

Edser

Quick question, sent a pic to a EV charger installer who says they think I need tails upgraded.

If it was to come from the meter box, do I still need the tails upgraded? Obviously this adds quite a cost to the install.

PS, we recently had a new smart meter installed if that makes a difference.

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118349375#Comment_118349375

Yes they’ll have to be upgraded if they’re not 16mm square

the mains tails should be capable of taking the whole load of the installation irrespective of where the main consumer unit is

NIMAN

Haven't got time to read through the thread, but wondering what the current rules are around the purchase of a home charging point?

Are grants still available? €600?

Can you buy a 2nd hand one? If so, what proof do you provide if you can't provide a receipt if it's bought from a private seller?

Can you get a local electrician to fit one? Or does it have to be done via ecars or someone?

CoBo55

Had a visit from the kn guy to fix the Eo, he was about as useful as a chocolate teapot. After much feckin around he rang Eo in the uk who told him to open it up and check the connections…. Anyway he was whinging because I painted it but there was no paint inside the unit, he took a zillion photos and emailed them off to Eo, so it still isn’t transmitting its network and Eo are supposed to get in touch with me…

freddieot

Are KN doing the installs on behalf of another supplier or are they selling the service themselves ?

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118357192#Comment_118357192

on behalf of electric ireland, and its pretty good value, but they arent really into anything out of the ordinary.

freddieot

Thanks. I've seen them mentioned enough times now, not in a complimentary way, to just avoid them, and Electric Ireland it would seem, when I'm getting an install done next Jan \ Feb. One of the first question I will ask is who actually does the installation on the day.

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118360324#Comment_118360324

i used them and had no complaints and im sure 1000s of other people are in the same boat,

if you have specific needs or requirements, pay a bit more and get someone else, if not they are decent value (relatively speaking)

Manion

The internet can make you think something is an issue when it really isn't. KN ensures a high basic standard of installation and you'd have very solid come back if you have any issues. The fact they follow standard templates for installation allows them to charge a minimum and bring home charging into an affordable bracket. But they're not a premium installer, if you want someone a little bit bespoke, you're out of luck. They also not specialists in the chargers themselves, so any setup issues, they're unlikely to be able to help.

The real question is how much you're willing to pay for what is basically an outdoor plug.

freddieot

Thanks Manion - I'm sure they do a decent job and I don't necessarily need anything bespoke. The house is 17 year old and the meter box is at the side. I want a charger (probably EO untethered) and the required isolator switch unit to be wired from the meter box (outside). I can clearly see from a previous post that this is the way it can be done unless the installation is not in a new build. KN seem to have issues with this and want to go from the consumer board only. That is their choice but they are out for me as an option as I'm not debating that issues with guys on the day etc.

The only other issue I can see in my own place is that we have 2 electric shower pumps so maybe this will need something done in the consumer box such as an upgraded fuse or a priority switch in case we wantt o use them at teh same time the car is charging ?

KCross

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118365154#Comment_118365154

we have 2 electric shower pumps

Are they electric showers (i.e. 9kW) or just power showers with hot water from a tank which is heated by gas/oil?

If they are electric showers then that will complicate matters for you.

If they are just pumps it might be useful to see what they are rated at, to see if a priority switch is required or not.

Adding a 32A continuous load to your house needs to be properly "designed" in, even if you dont like what you are hearing! :)

freddieot

Not electric showers, looking in the press it is one pump unit about the size of a shoebox with both shower feeds going through \ from it. The house is 3 storey so I assume it is just to increase the shower pressure from the tank. The water is coming from the hot tank, heated by the gas boiler etc.. I can turn it off and the showers still work but without the added pressure. Can't see the ratings \ markings as that side is against the wall.

I've no issue with getting whatever needs to be done and paying for it as long as the installers follows the industry guidelines. I'm not a fan of 'that's the only way we do it' approach and reading here for a while that seems to be the case with the meter \ consumer box issue, despite the industry guidelines.

Felexicon

I really admire the confidence of people to state rules, regs, cans and can nots of installs while not knowing if they have an electric or pumped shower in their own house

freddieot

I'll take that as a compliment as confidence comes from a bit of checking. The ECSSA for example indicate clearly that it is not mandatory to go from the consumer box in every install except in the case of new builds. Other installation companies seem to have no issue with following that line either, from what I can see on here over hundreds of posts on the subject.

I don't really care what kind of pump I have. When I get an expert to access the install they will tell me what type it is and whether I need a priority switch etc. My point is I'm not having a company come with the decision already made to only go from the Consumer Board, and knock a hole in my wall, just because it's the way they always do it. I'll simply ask that question up front.

It's the same reason I decide on my car colour rather than the salesman telling me which one I should have, because he only sells that colour, and what would I know I'm not a paint expert.

Manion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118366470#Comment_118366470

You don't need to be an expert to get an EV charger installed. From memory basic electricity is covered in the junior cert. That the regs allow you to install from the meter is a point that is clear enough to anyone who can read. That a home owner doesn't want power cables ruining their property, running through walls etc, is not a cause for ridiculous.

Manion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118366723#Comment_118366723

If you get the unit installed from the meter, essentially your entire existing consumer board becomes a sub board to a new one installed in the meter box. The meter tails connect into the new board. Your house is placed on a new switch, you charger or on another and the mains supply is is protected by an rcbo.

If you get a load balancing device separately or as part of your charger, it can throttle the power to your charger on the basis of what is being used by the house. If you're not having issues today this device will be enough so you don't have any once installation is complete.

Felexicon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367053#Comment_118367053

Can you point me to the reg that says it is ok to install from the meter cab?

This is a grey area at present with Safe Electric rowing back on their March newsletter (which I assume you are calling regs) and advising multiple installation companies that this is no longer accepted.

ECCSA have now gone against this and it's left it up in the air with many not willing to install from the meter cab incase it's a red flag with Safe Electric.

If someone is worried about power cables ruining their property they should probably get some who knows what they're doing and will give it the time it needs. KN and similar serve a purpose but anything more than hole out the back of your board to an external wall will be seen as a nuisance to their installers who are on strict daily targets.

Manion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118337087#Comment_118337087

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367568#Comment_118367568

Posted literally one page back. Pretty clear.

Felexicon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367592#Comment_118367592

Literally backs up what I said

Manion

I didn't realize you said it's 100% fine to install from the meter. I thought you had posted something completely wrong and uninformed.

Felexicon

By the way, you won't find an installer who doesn't want to fit from the meter cabinet. Some, not all, have been advised by Safe Electric not to continue doing it. It's fairly disgraceful to be honest and gives the companies/individuals that have not had this message from Safe Electric a significant advantage in the home install business

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367664#Comment_118367664

Yeah it's pretty **** of safe electric to come out and "approve" it in a news letter that the public can see.

Then installers start installing it.

Then quietly roll back with whispers, only months later with a maybe not and not being clear and concise with their advice.

Is there anything public that has been released rolling back on their march newsletter? What's to stop an installer from saying "oh I didn't hear about that, I've been going on the updated advice in March"

No wonder the general public are confused with the situation. Accurate and clear guidance of the codes let the customers know why things are done.

I had my consumer unit replaced, I needed a new earth rod and bonding to the hot press. That was fine by me, I knew the reasons behind it and expected it. Maybe not to someone who just wants a charge point installed for their new car.

(I also found the old earth when digging the trench for a new cable.. not surprised it needed replaced!)

Andrea B.

Good morning an Merry Xmas all.

Researching self install of a type2 charger for a Leaf.

I already have a dedicated 40A/10sq supply in place.

Based on cost/quality, has anyone experience of this unit, or can recommend same/better under same price?

QUBEV - EV CHARGING UNIT | TYPE 2 SOCKET | 32 AMP/7.2 KW | IP65 | (17th Edition) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WW6ZWVN/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_g_H7SPVX3JJMFW8VEVDJHX

handpref

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118371908#Comment_118371908

You won’t get much for less but the Rolec is not much more expensive. Trusted brand that’s been around a long time and all parts are easily serviced and replaced. I’ve put a couple of hundred thousand kilometres of charging through my chargers and only had to replace a €20 contactor that was starting to show signs of wear.

Dumb charger but unless you’ve got 8kwp or more of solar the much much higher priced zappi will never pay for itself. Nice toy to have though if cost is not a factor.

The 10sq sometimes isn’t the easiest to work into the small chargers, more room in the Rolecs bringing the cable in from the bottom.

Self install but unless qualified get a certified electrician to run a test on your finished circuit and throw an eye over things.

Andrea B.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118372705#Comment_118372705

Thanks for all that.

Yes, qualified electrician, but not rec.

ELCAT2009

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118340163#Comment_118340163

So I have a harvi and ct clamp ordered so I can display the solar on myenergi app. But it has occurred to me now that my battery storage will probably be counted as solar and therefore the zappi will draw from my battery thinking its solar. Was googling and found below image which shows another graphic for battery storage. I presume I could have this if I get another ct clamp on the feed from the battery? If I do this I will need to put the harvi in my attic to connect the ct from the solar and ct from the battery. Does the above make sense or does anyone have pictures of this set up so I can see where to fit the ct clamps or is there a simpler way to prevent the Zappi pulling from my battery? Thanks

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118423744#Comment_118423744

As you have a hybrid, you can't put a CT on your battery to monitor it.

The zappi will only kick in when the battery is full and start to export (it needs 1.4kw excess to start)

ELCAT2009

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118423854#Comment_118423854

That's great thanks. Hopefully will have the harvi all set up before my 1st ev arrives in about 2 weeks time🙂

Bigmac1euro

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118335533#Comment_118335533

Can I ask where you got the quote for the car charger install?

I’m about to bite the bullet with Electric Ireland and get the EO mini untethered.

but it will cost me 599 after the grant which is quite expensive for a powerful outdoor plug.