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

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119456448#Comment_119456448

Had a leccy look at that in January on strong advice. Replaced one of the breakers in the CU. Was 50/50 on need to upgrade and also said load balancing would do the job for a second charger unless I decided to turn the pond into a hot-tub 😂

lfc200

Hi,

Originally posted this question in the zappi charger thread but thing this is probably the better thread.

Hoping that this isn’t too stupid of a question but I have a Zappi charger which is run from my meter box. 

I currently have a smart meter but want to change over to a day/night meter, will this cause any problems or difficulties?

Cheers

ECO_Mental

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119457047#Comment_119457047

What you are saying is that your Zappi is feed from your meter box not off the main board. The type of meter you have will no affect on the Zappi.

Are you sure about swapping out the smart meter?? Having one of them gives you lots more options such as really cheap EV rates for a couple of hours during the night. Also if you have PV you will be able to measure the export you have and get paid for it. I know people say the base rates are a lot higher etc but for example there is no difference between rates with Electric Ireland.

lfc200

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119457064#Comment_119457064

Thanks ECO.

Looking at the pricing and options I think the day/night makes most sense. I’m currently on a 24hr tariff and incl vat I’m paying 22c/kWh.

Could go with the Energia ev plan which is 27.4c/kWh day and 7.9c/kWh night. I have PV’s on the house and my wife and I don’t generally work from home so day usage is relatively limited.

The smart meter tariff’s I just can’t seem to see anything even remotely similar for night rate?

GalwayMan74

"The smart meter tariff’s I just can’t seem to see anything even remotely similar for night rate?"

Carful now or you'll be labeled a conspiracy theorist by the pro-smart meter lads.

ECO_Mental

@lfc200 well you need to come off that 24hr rate ASAP and switch all your car charging to night obviously and those look like good rates alright. Dont want to derail the home charging thread talking about rates. If you have PV you will get paid for everything you export if you have a smart meter (potentially) and if both work in the office when you are are peak PV production then it might be worth a look.

Electric Ireland do the following smart rates and you could switch today if you have a smart meter. Charge your car every night at 9cent for 2 hours, might be something to look at for the short term (1 year) to see how the smart tariffs develop. I think they are only seeing what they can do for now and have great potential.

DaveyDave

Unless I'm missing something, the night boost rate combined with the standard night rate doesn't compare to non-smart tariffs? Unless you only plan on charging your car for 2 hours every single night, you'd still have a crap day rate though.

I haven't seen any smart plans that are cheaper than traditional day/night plans.

Slight update on my end, I called ESB the other day and arranged for my smart meter to be swapped to day/night one next week. When I told her Electric Ireland flat out told me they won't do it, she said I'm entitled to a day/night meter and she can still schedule the job on the system so there's no indication it's not being done. Plus we know other members have had it done recently. Bugs me that a supplier can lie about it to try sell me an overpriced smart plan. Surely they're not allowed lie to customers to gain profit?

ElitesTeam

Hi all,

I got new ABL 1W7221 which has DC protection so I not need a B RCD (€200), does this model still need load management?

Kalyke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119457401#Comment_119457401

You cancel the Smart Meter with TLI (Well I had to) and arrange the day/night meter with your provider. In my case Electric Ireland.

DaveyDave

Would a charger make a meter change awkward? Got a good price on the charger I want and they're available to install on Monday but my smart meter is getting changed the week after so I don't want to make anything tricky.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119461020#Comment_119461020

Should have no impact to smart meter

dunnerc

Got this quote today

The quotation for this these works is the following:

• Upgrade tails cable between the meter and fuseboard to 16sq SWA 

• Install an Earthrod

• Install bonding to pipes if required

• Test and Certify for the ESB

• Return after the ESB

• Install Wallbox Pulsar Plus

Total Price €2,500 incl. VAT

I needed to sit down after this , Is this a reasonable quote for a Wallbox Pulsar Plus with tails cable upgrade ?

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119461092#Comment_119461092

Well I paid 1250 to get my tails upgraded, new earth rod, new earth to fuse board. My earth bonding was up to spec.. I bought the vw charger at 750.. so 2k total minus 600 grant.. ev power did my installation.. they are in ashbourne and cover Dublin/Meath... No affiliation to them. Oh also had 169 to pay esb to switch new tails I to the meter

Alkers

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119461092#Comment_119461092

Where is the fuseboard in relation to the meter? If they're near, that's a scandalous price.

Alkers

And does that include the price of the charger or not??

dunnerc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119461420#Comment_119461420

The fuseboard is in the hall , meter is in porch 8 feet apart and yes includes price of charger

dunnerc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119461904#Comment_119461904

Just got another quote in " Jesue Wept "

Supply and fit ohme home charger 1280

New 16sq tails from meter cab to fuseboard and new b63 breaker to replace fuse 480

20sq earth wire from fuseboard to hotpress and bonding 380

10sq earth wire to new earth rod and inspection box 280

Sub total 2420

Vat@13.5 327.70

Grand total 2746.70

Really considering canceling my Cupra Born , i cant justify changing over to electric from my trusty Honda Civic 1.9 diesel with this extra charge .

Just wondering has anyone else got a similar install to mine for cheaper ?

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462297#Comment_119462297

A charger alone is going to be 1200-1400 less the grant, i doubt you will get the extra works done for any less than quoted, but regardless if you ever want to move to an EV its a charge you are going to have to swallow so its just whether you want to swallow it now, or in the future.

dunnerc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462316#Comment_119462316

Yes it looks that way alright ,just a shock to the system and one i really didnt anticipate , ah well decision time .

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462356#Comment_119462356

can understand that when you werent anticipating the cost, good luck with it either way.

dunnerc

Would only need to charge possibly twice a month , could i manage on a granny cable ? would it be safe ? does anyone know

KCross

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462297#Comment_119462297

It wont help your financials but think of the electrical charge as an "investment" in the house rather than a cost for your Cupra Born. The Cupra will come and go and you will still have the charge point for subsequent cars, so its a long term spend not a direct one just for the Cupra.

MojoMaker

Is it an old house? How do you know all this stuff needs upgrading? I can imagine there is a large element of "upsell" associated with some of the smaller installers.

I have Wallbox Pulsar plus coming on Tuesday - €1150 fitted.

MojoMaker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462543#Comment_119462543

Of course it's safe. Slow, but safe. This may well be the best option for you.

Pick up a top-rated portable charger with a 10m cable for €250 and never look back.

Unlike diesel or petrol, you're never going from 0-100% with an EV. Think of it more like a phone - you charge between 20 and 80%, adding periodic amounts when needed, without ever bothering to go all the way to 100%. For that level of charging a portable charger might be ideal.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462356#Comment_119462356

yeah i felt the same way with mine... ,you don't anticipate the extra 1k or more to upgrade wiring of old houses.. feels like maybe there should be a separate grant for that..

mailforkev

The upfront cost is a bit painful alright but there will prob be no grant at some point so it’ll only get worse unfortunately. As said above, try to think of it as an investment/home improvement.

Felexicon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462811#Comment_119462811

You'll appreciate it if there is a fault that causes a fire or someone gets a shock because your bonding isn't there.

Think asking for a grant to keep your home safe electrically is a bit OTT.

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462854#Comment_119462854

yeah obviously im all for safety.. its just something a lot of people don't realise when they start looking at evs... if you want a charger at home.. you may need that initial extra investment in wiring upgrades..

dunnerc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462782#Comment_119462782

House was built 1985, the 2 quotes i got both came and assessed my house and said this was what i need upgraded , they are the professionals , so i would imagine they are correct

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119462297#Comment_119462297

20sq earth to hot press, but only 10 Sq to ground??