OhMe EV Chargers

CorkBoyInDub

Has anyone experience with OhMe chargers? I'm on the market at the moment and they look decent but haven't seen or read any real reviews.

€1,249 is what I was quoted for it with installation. Is that standard for a home charging setup?

Gumbo

Yes. Shop around.

Irish based customer support too which is nice.

yllw.ldbttr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058325643/ohme-ev-chargers

I had one, worked fine but the app was poor enough. Heavily biased for usage in the UK and that's reflected in their app.

Keep in mind that it doesn't support Solar PV surplus (I think they're saying it's now planned). I switched mine out for a Zappi which is similarly priced but far superior in my experience.

Marty Bird

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121459443#Comment_121459443

Hi can I asked who you used for the Zappi ? Thanks.

yllw.ldbttr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121459619#Comment_121459619

I used ePower in Little Island.

I already had an Eddi installed for my solar and so the installer from ePower wasn't sure how to config the zappi but other than that it was all good. On time, no hassle, quality workmanship.

Myenergi themselves talked me through the setup.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121459619#Comment_121459619

Ecoplex popped up on my feed today for €799 supplied and fitted after grant.

dodzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121460769#Comment_121460769

Just to note:

Had them out last week to survey and installation. Point blank refused to install at meter cabinet. I was told no option other than a CU installation which would have resulted in unsightly cable run and cobbleblock lift for approx 6mtrs, burying of armoured cable before surfacing back above ground at semi-d side of house. Approx €2,500.

Fokearn installed at cabinet 2 days later. Very neat job. FWIW, & were very easy to deal with. Ohme Home pro for €1,100 gross.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461067#Comment_121461067

Believe it or not, Ecoplex were correct in refusing a connection at the meter if there was a possible route to the CU. Fokearn were incorrect in installing it that way. It was made very clear by Safe Electric (the governing body) that connections at the meter box were not allowed.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120101689#Comment_120101689

Looking critically at the decision of Safe Electric, it was made on the basis of electrical safety rather than practicality or cost efficiency but doesn't allow any leeway for cases like yours where excessive cost is the primary factor for requesting a connection at the meter.

Marty Bird

Guys can ask about the installation is the cabling to the electricity meter and also to the CS ?

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461144#Comment_121461144

No, it's one or the other.

If installing in the meter box the main protective breaker is moved out of the CU and into a new enclosure in the meter box so that you have a main breaker protecting both the house/CU and the new EV charger.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461067#Comment_121461067

MC install is allowed under IS10101. Some restrictions and caveats as to when and why you are allowed that I’m not qualified to state.

Some companies just point blank refuse to do it. Glad Falkearn don’t and I’ve posted their offers a few times before so they seem genuine.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461189#Comment_121461189

As per April 2022, page 17:

https://safeelectric.ie/contractors/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/April2022NewsletterSafeElec-Final.pdf

Furthermore, Safe Electric would like to clarify that as previously stated in our Newsletter, this option should only be considered in exceptional circumstances where it is not possible / viable to connect directly to the customers’ existing Distribution Board.

We are aware of a number of RECs who are connecting all EV Installations at the meter location without considering connection at the existing Distribution Board. This is not in accordance with of what was envisaged when this practice was permitted.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461241#Comment_121461241

Yes I seen that.

Technically still allowed once the CU route has been explored, considered and ruled out.

I’ve even had to deal with SE on an estate where the CU was in the middle of the house in a utility room. They basically told me it’s up to the RECI to justify.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461273#Comment_121461273

I'm just annoyed as mine was installed in 2019 and it was 2 foot from the meter box but still had to be connected to the CU 10m away! 😂

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461273#Comment_121461273

Just to clarify. It’s not permitted inside the meter box under any circumstances

it is permitted adjacent to the meter box once all other options have been examined and ruled out.

(difficulty or costs are not a consideration in this)

CorkBoyInDub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461067#Comment_121461067

I think I'm going to go with the Fokearn ohme deal too.

dodzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461120#Comment_121461120

Do you know what are the 'Electrical safety' benefits of installing at the CU as opposed to adjacent to the MC ?

Cost was not the primary factor in my case; it was aesthetics. Cost was secondary.

listermint

Looking critically at the electric Ireland decision its to ensure they can get access to CU boards and unearth more problems and thus cost to the homeowner. A large portion of their work is to keep electrical work in flight. Opening up paths for upgrading the entire homes supply under the guise of safety. Reality is many of these are safe per standards of the 90s or 00s but apply todays book means changes across the board.

If it was meter box installs the opportunity to price large works doesn't exist.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461868#Comment_121461868

Mainly to do with the fact that the meter box is ESBn owned and they wanted to keep customer interaction with the contents of the box limited to checking the meter readings rather than being a point-of-call for checking breaker states. It was never designed or laid-out to become a primary CU and the insulation on some wires is single layer rather than double.

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461905#Comment_121461905

The meter box is not owned by the ESBn. The customer owns it.

The supply fuse and meter are owned by ESBn. Everything else is the customers.

Tbh the reality is if the meter box is unsafe for someone to open and press a reading button to check their usage then its point blank unsafe.

There's nothing less safe about resetting an RCB enclosed in a box inside the cabinet versus pressing the smart meter button to check usage volume.

Why not lock the entire box altogether and declare anything behind the door unsafe?

Yet new supply's have to have a 63A master cutoff in there for emergency..

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461952#Comment_121461952

Ok, valid first point, I was incorrect on the box:

...but the rest we'll agree to differ on. 😁

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461980#Comment_121461980

The part where its safe for a customer to check a smart meter reading or set/reset their master 63amp fuse?

But not safe for them to reset an rcb in the same area?

My point the box is safe or its not. It can't be both or is this Schrödinger's Cat?

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461893#Comment_121461893

You clearly don’t know a thing.

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121462209#Comment_121462209

Jobs for the boys !

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121462152#Comment_121462152

These are two potential user touch-points in what is otherwise an unsafe environment for the vast majority for householders to be operating in. From a risk analysis point of view - the fewer reasons to access a meter-box the better as there's no RCD protection upstream if there is a ground-fault. Plus fewer alterations within the box means that ESBn have a better chance of detecting meter tampering.

Anyway, as meercat pointed out, the protective devices can be installed outside of the meter box where a user is less prone (ie protected by plastic) to putting fingers where they shouldn't.

Bawnmore

Fokearne were offering an EO Mini Pro 2 for €399 installed (after the grant) as a Black Friday deal too - are these particular chargers a no-go or or they OK? Price is good obviously, but definitely worth spending more if the particular charger is no good.

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121462279#Comment_121462279

As I said then ESBn should lock the box entirely not requite a master 63amp cut off there and also upgrade people's earth rods on their own dime. Since they are preserving the meter box for their use and safety and dictate the contents.

Again Schrödinger's Cat. It's entirely safe or its not.

You won't see ESB updating earth's or adding 63Amp cutoffs or fixing locks.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121461893#Comment_121461893

This has nothing to do with Electric Ireland. You are mixing up an energy provider with Safe Electric (RECI). 2 completely separate organisations.

listermint

Fully aware safe electric and ESBn are not the same people.

Both the standards and the organisations that lobby or spread news of then operate in similar circles.

Haven't addressed their relative rules or not per org though.

I've stated that it's safe or its not. It can't be both.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121462244#Comment_121462244

Electric Ireland have nothing to do with CU. they only resell electricity.

ESBN don't want other people putting stuff in their meter box as it removes the space in there for any other future thing they may want to add. thats why the have guidelines as to where things should currently be placed. also their staff work to strict code, guide lines and policies, they don't want any cowboy doin a unsafe job that poses a danger to theie staff when going at meter box

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121462288#Comment_121462288

you wont see Irish water fixing your bathroom sink. ESB have no reason to upgrade peoples Earth Rod, they can disconnect the supply unutl time that the property owner make his electrical system safe