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

Ivefoundgod

After much messing about it looks I finally have a car sorted for january. Its a PHEV so am back trying to get some quotes for a charger. Just wanted to check if i'm off the wall here but we got a quote that seems expensive to me. I know nothing about electrics so I could be way off, if so just let me know. Heres what we were quoted for, the house is built in the 70s so we expected a few things would need to be done;

• 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

€2500 inc. VAT

Theres an additional charge of €160-170 for the ESB and we also need to get the fuseboard upgraded which is €750. I had got a quote of around €500 for the fuseboard a while back but not sure which is right.

Felexicon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119852401#Comment_119852401

Yeah, I had a conversation with SE about it.

Basically you run new 16/25 square tails to your new external DB and this becomes your main board. You extend the 10 square tails feeding your internal board in to the new main DB and fuse accordingly. You obviously need to take max load demand etc. in to account. Bang in a new earth rod from the new DB and you're good to go. You will need load balancing for this set up.

It was also said that the RCBO feeding the charger could act as a point of isolation if it was within 2m of the charger.

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119852626#Comment_119852626

You’ll also need equipotential bonding upgraded to the hot press (if it’s not 10mm)

it’s definitely not permitted to use the rcbo as an isolator

a separate isolator is required

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119852516#Comment_119852516

No harm getting other quotes but I’d say that’s not far off the mark.

CoBo55

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119852516#Comment_119852516

Just get an external socket and use the granny cable. What size battery is in the phev?

slave1

No, I'd get a Charge Point given the €600 grant, no grant for the external socket and a Charge Point will be required in time anyhow

Felexicon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119853160#Comment_119853160

So I would have thought the same but during a recent inspection I was told the bonding was not an issue but you could/should flag as potential hazard for the customer and inspector said he would see no issue with RCBO being used as the isolator.

Think I'd want both in writing before ploughing ahead with installs and I'm sure it will change depending 8n your inspector.

Ivefoundgod

Good to know that its in the ballpark so. First quote i've managed to get for the full piece of work. I want a proper charger because i'd look to move to a full EV in the next couple of years.

BobMac104

Good Morning. I am looking to install a charger at home and was thinking of going with the Zappi (considering PV next year) however my electrician recomended Garo (supplied and installed). I can supply the Zappi myself and he will install it but he has never lead me wrong before so I am weighing up my options.

Any experience with the Garo chargers ? Would I be missing out alot without having the Zappi with a PV instalation?

Any feedback appreciated

Metalpanic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119856730#Comment_119856730

Zappi isn't the only charger that caters for PV. You can look into Wallbox Pulsar Plus or a Hypervolt either. I was leaning towards a Zappi, but an installer told me they were seeing a lot of callouts to replace cables under warranty. Wallbox is supposed to be a great unit, but their app lets them down a bit. I went with Hypervolt myself, not a lot of installers do it, but it rates well in anything I have read.

BobMac104

Thanks Metalpanic,

Will look into Hypervolt as well. Yeah he did mention that there are issues lately with some Zappi units. Did your installer suppply the Hypervolt or did you supply it?

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857655#Comment_119857655

i got the same feedback re zappi from my installer (maybe we all have same installer). but still went with it.. 3 weeks later im getting a replacement unit due to screen failure/unresponsive... no hassle as under warranty but doesnt inspire confidence.

Metalpanic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857655#Comment_119857655

Yes supplied and fitted by eCar Infra;

https://ecarinfra.ie/collections/ev-at-home/products/hypervolt-home-2-0

It comes as standard with a 5m cable, which might be a little short for some users depending on charge port location on your car. There is an option to upgrade for 7.5m and 10m cable though.

BobMac104

Maybe! Did you have to get the installer back out to remove it and send it to Zappi?

Metalpanic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857761#Comment_119857761

Yeah under warranty it's not so bad I guess, like you say, it doesn't speak to reliability or build quality long term.

BobMac104

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857794#Comment_119857794

Thanks for the info Metalpanic. Some very good reviews out there

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857802#Comment_119857802

no - phoned myenergy support ireland.. logged case.. sent pictures and they sent another email saying new unit on the way.. they specifically stated they would get their own installer to remove the old one and refit the new one.. i shouldnt get anyone to do it.. they sent prepaid dhl labels to post the old one back to them

Metalpanic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857835#Comment_119857835

Yeah initially I didn't realise it was even for sale in Ireland. The unit itself is really tidy and the cable loops around it like the Zappi. No screen on the front, but the LED colour indicates what state the charger is in. Where they really shine is on the software side I think. Their app is so clean and user-friendly and the added benefit of web app access too. Handy you don't need an earth rod too. I am getting mine installed in 2 weeks. I'll let you know how it goes! Should be picking the car up tomorrow/Saturday so I'll be mooching free charging where I can until then lol.

BobMac104

Excellent Stuff. I wont need mine for another few months yet so I have plenty of time to over think it all! Looking forward to hearing your feedback and best of luck with the new EV.

BobMac104

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857857#Comment_119857857

Thats good to know that you didnt need to call up the installer and get and earfull of "I told you so"! Would be great to get an update when resolved

micks_address

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857888#Comment_119857888

well i did contact them first as i sort of expected they would come fix it/replace it but they said i had to go via myenergy

BobMac104

Thanks Mick,

That actually gives me good confidence in them to put things right themselves.

CoBo55

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857974#Comment_119857974

And to see if the original installer made a mistake...

...Ghost...

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119857655#Comment_119857655

You can order a hypervolt yourself. Just email them and ask for an EX VAT quote delivered to Ireland. You can choose white or black and there is 5 or 7.5m cable. Pay the invoice and get it inside of a week. You might get charged the VAT...I didn't. Have your leccy install it. Decent enough APP and quality materials used. Just remember there is an internal dial that needs to be adjusted to match the size of the main fuse.

snor

Quick question. Ordered a Kia EV for January delivery. Did anyone avail of the Energia deal - free charger installation and 20% reduction on standard rate electricity.

waiting on them to call me back but just wondering if you can pick any charger. No info on this on website. Have 16PV panels so looking at Zappi or Hypervolt. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119850985#Comment_119850985

Seller is flat out refusing to entertain this. Really very surprised - not a small outfit, I'm extremely disappointed in their attitude - making zero progress.

Looks destined for small claims court to be honest - all the while my Dad unable to charge from home.

rodge123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119865184#Comment_119865184

Definitely go to small claims. That won’t get him a charger in the mean time though I know. Maybe as part of the claim you state that you were forced to get a new one in the mean time from another supplier and that your claim is now to receive your money back for the original one.

Id personally bombard all their social media channels with the facts of your situation.

Actually, maybe inform them via email that if they refuse to repair or replace it then you will be forced to get a new one from someone else and at that stage will Lodge a small claims claim to get your original payment back.

keel a paper trail of some form.

You could also cc the SEAI on email, not sure if would matter but don’t see any harm.

damian01211

Hi guys,

Hope I'm in the right spot, I'm getting Outlander PHEV in few days. The car does come in with wall plug charger, it takes around 5 hours to fully charge it with it put I want to up the game to Level 2 charger. It reduces charging time to around 3,5 hours.

Any recommendations what charger to get? Maybe something that's not hard to install.

CoBo55

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119865711#Comment_119865711

It all depends on the age and condition of your house wiring before you can even consider what type of charger you can get.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119865711#Comment_119865711

They are all the same to install.

Are you getting the grant? If so then you have to go to a RECI.

The best supply and fit deal currently is the wallbox pulsar plus from carcharger.ie for €1199 (€599 after grant).