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

Apply for the grant now and then you have 6 months to get it completed
https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-home-charger-grant/

I'd agree with the 32A option for sure.

I'd agree with getting it untethered IF the Outlander came with a cable that you can leave plugged in, otherwise he will be sick of taking that cable in/out everyday. Alternatively, buy another cable (which is what I did). You can always sell it on after.


I'm only speculating but I don't think the electrician would have to buy the charge point. Most electricians don't know what it even is. I suspect you can buy it yourself and produce receipts along with the electricians signed cert as your submission.... but I am guessing as I obviously haven't been through it.... has anyone been through it yet?

The website does say, apply now and you will get the T&C's sent to you so I'd say you should do that asap and the fine print should answer your questions for you.

lafors wrote: »

For those who've bought the chargers themselves where did you buy and what other equipment did you need?
I'd hope to get it all done within the €600, not €999 like some companies are quoting!

FYI my main fuseboard is right in the front corner of my house exactly above where I'll be putting the charger anyway so a very short run.

I'm guessing I'd need:
Charger unit itself (I want a 32A) - Where did ye buy yours?
Power cable to board? (What type would I need for the 32A?)
RCBO? or MCB?
Anything else the electrician would need?

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=100542211&postcount=3

Cable (6mm² is what you need for a short run on a 32A charge point)
https://www.eurosales.ie/products/twin-earth-6193y-cable-te6193y.html


For your short run you should easily get within the €600 grant so effectively free to you UNLESS you have an electric shower which would mean you'd need a priority switch.

I'm going with the myenergi Zappi charger. 32A tethered type 2 cable.
It'll be installed next week, I'll let you all know how it goes once it's all done

lafors wrote: »

I'm going with the myenergi Zappi charger.

That's a good idea if you'll plan to get some solar PV in future. What's your estimate of total costs based on these decisions?

Do you have to prove that you own an electric car to qualify for the grant??
Is there any rules against me putting a charging point in my house now (while the grant exists)...
Maybe I’ll get a Tesla in future....!!!

There's a cheap ESB unit up on adverts I see:

https://www.adverts.ie/other/esb-ecar-home-charge-point/14785187

ABL, so zero-cost upgradeable to 32A

unkel wrote: »

Well zero-cost if you already own the I/O interface needed. If not that piece of hardware would set you back at least a fiver You also need to own a computer and you need to be able to use Google to get it to work

I can vouch for the ABL unit. Have had mine (free 16A install and I upgraded it myself to 32A) for almost a year and never given me any trouble. It's German made too.

Yep, I have the ABL for nearly 3 years and used it practically every day (except when away on holidays) and it has been faultless.

I live by the sea, and we're getting an e-car in the next week or two. SEAI approval has arrived. We will need a 32A unit, and a priority switch.
Looking at two suppliers, similar costs, Smartcharge.ie and Nigel Daly. Both seem reputable. Any experiences with either?

If it is similar costs, I'd go with Nigel Daly. They have huge experience and a sound reputation. They did mine too (free ESB install) and it was a good job.

Hi,
Got it done by Nigel Daly - tidy job, bang on time, reasonable quote.

Hi,

I'm going to be getting an Ioniq very shortly, and I've got the SEAI approval for the charge point install now. It will be installed outdoors on the outside garage wall. I've a few questions that some of you might be able to help out with:

1. Any charge point brand that's particularly good, or any that should be avoided?

2. Tethered or untethered? (I assume this means whether it has its own cable or just a socket that I plug the car's cable into)

3. I'm getting the night saver meter. Does this have to go in before the charge point is installed or does it matter?

4. We will probably get another EV within about five years. Are there charge points available that have two sockets, or how does that work?

5. There's a lot on this thread about 16A versus 32A, and I haven't the foggiest about electricity. Can someone give me a quick explanation about why that might be important?

Thanks!

fricatus wrote: »

Hi,

I'm going to be getting an Ioniq very shortly, and I've got the SEAI approval for the charge point install now. It will be installed outdoors on the outside garage wall. I've a few questions that some of you might be able to help out with:

1. Any charge point brand that's particularly good, or any that should be avoided?

2. Tethered or untethered? (I assume this means whether it has its own cable or just a socket that I plug the car's cable into)

3. I'm getting the night saver meter. Does this have to go in before the charge point is installed or does it matter?

4. We will probably get another EV within about five years. Are there charge points available that have two sockets, or how does that work?

5. There's a lot on this thread about 16A versus 32A, and I haven't the foggiest about electricity. Can someone give me a quick explanation about why that might be important?

Thanks!

1) Since you've asked question 4) you need two Tesla Wall Connectors or two Zappi's. They are the only two that I know of that allow you to load share between two charge points. They only have one socket each but they share the load to ensure you dont blow the fuse.... which is the main issue with having two EV's.

There are more expensive charge points that you can get with two sockets but they are generally 3-phase commercial type charge points. I haven't seen dual socket domestic ones...not to say they dont exist though.

2. Personal preference. If you know what car you are buying already and it has a Type 2 plug then get a tethered Type 2 charge point. All new cars will be Type 2 going forward. The only reason to get a Type 1 is if you buy an old Leaf (2018 Leaf is Type 2) in which case untethered might be better, as it will allow you to use the same charge point in the future if/when you sold the Leaf for a Type 2 compatible car.

3. Doesnt matter. The charge point is not connected directly to the meter.

4. As above in 1)

5. Charge speed. 32A is twice as fast as 16A but only if the car supports it. Not every EV supports 32A but you can still use a 32A charge point on a 16A car so get a 32A charge point to future proof it for yourself.

The only gotcha is that an electrician might have issues with a 32A charge point being installed if you have an electric shower. In which case you might need a priority switch to ensure both cannot run at the same time.

Ewan Hoosarmi wrote: »

Yes, that would be very useful information.

I asked because my quote from Nigel was €1100 or so, I think, which was 2yrs ago. Crazy money!

Its all well and good saying he turned up on time and did a good job! The price matters

I did it for half that by sourcing it myself and getting a local spark to put it in.