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

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    #932
    ADSLUSER
    Registered Users Posts: 1,245 ✭✭✭ADSLUSER


    I understand that http://www.darkinelectrical.ie/car-charging/ managed to secure some Zappi units for the first week of November, I would try contacting them. Zappi chargers are in short supply for sure but that's because they are one of the better units out there.


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    #933
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,070 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    xalot wrote: »
    Ideally untethered and has an option to set charging times in advance.

    Why and why?


    Untethered will be a PITA long term. Much better to have tethered unless you have a Leaf now which would mean changing it later for a type 2 socket. Rethink this requirement.


    The timers are usually set in the car, not the charge point.


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    #934
    xalot
    Registered Users Posts: 1,091 ✭✭✭xalot


    KCross wrote: »
    Why and why?


    Untethered will be a PITA long term. Much better to have tethered unless you have a Leaf now which would mean changing it later for a type 2 socket. Rethink this requirement.


    The timers are usually set in the car, not the charge point.

    Thanks for your reply, it's an outlander phev.

    Head is melted trying to get to grips with this. We were thinking untethered so that we'd have a cable to have with us for public charging. As for timer we want to be able to charge the car after we've gone to bed and not go outside to switch it on...how do they usually work?


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    #935
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,070 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    xalot wrote: »
    Thanks for your reply, it's an outlander phev.

    Not sure what socket is on that... Can an Outlander owner confirm if its Type 1 or Type 2?

    If the Outlander is a type 1 socket then untethered might be a good idea but you should buy a second cable and just leave it plugged in. If the Outlander is a Type 2 socket then get a tethered charge point.
    xalot wrote: »
    We were thinking untethered so that we'd have a cable to have with us for public charging.

    Much better to leave the cable that comes with the car in the car and use that for public charging.

    Getting that cable in and out of its bag everyday in the wet will get painful after awhile until you'll just stop doing it and then find you dont have it with you the day you do need it for public charging.

    xalot wrote: »
    We want to be able to change the car after we've gone to bed and not go outside to switch it on...how do they usually work?

    Set a timer in the car when you get it first. Plug it in everyday when you get home and it will charge up at the times you set in the car. The charge point will just sit idle until the car springs into life and asks for some juice!


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    #936
    xalot
    Registered Users Posts: 1,091 ✭✭✭xalot


    KCross wrote: »
    Not sure what socket is on that... Can an Outlander owner confirm if its Type 1 or Type 2?





    Much better to leave the cable that comes with the car in the car and use that for public charging.


    It's a Type 1 charger. It's a second hand purchase so only came with granny charger.


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    #937
    ADSLUSER
    Registered Users Posts: 1,245 ✭✭✭ADSLUSER


    On the Zappi, you can configure the charger (if you don't have a timer on the car) to charge after hours to avail of nightsaver tariffs for example. You can do this on the charger or in the myenergi app.


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    #938
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,070 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    xalot wrote: »
    It's a Type 1 charger. It's a second hand purchase so only came with granny charger.

    Fair enough.

    I can still guarantee you that taking the cable in/out of the car boot everyday will get painful.

    Two options, imo,...

    1) Get an untethered charge point and buy a second cable and leave it plugged into the charge point 24/7. When you change EV to a Type 2 in a few years the charge point will still do the job, just buy a new cable.

    2) Buy a tethered type 1 and if/when you swap to a type 2 car later on you can sell the charge point and put in a type 2 charge point which would be easy as all the wiring is there... just mount it and screw in 3 wires.

    How long would you plan to keep the Outlander?


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    #939
    xalot
    Registered Users Posts: 1,091 ✭✭✭xalot


    KCross wrote: »
    Fair enough.

    I can still guarantee you that taking the cable in/out of the car boot everyday will get painful.

    Two options, imo,...

    1) Get an untethered charge point and buy a second cable and leave it plugged into the charge point 24/7. When you change EV to a Type 2 in a few years the charge point will still do the job, just buy a new cable.

    2) Buy a tethered type 1 and if/when you swap to a type 2 car later on you can sell the charge point and put in a type 2 charge point which would be easy as all the wiring is there... just mount it and screw in 3 wires.

    How long would you plan to keep the Outlander?

    At least 4 years, thanks for that - super helpful


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    #940
    TheChizler
    Registered Users Posts: 9,407 ✭✭✭TheChizler


    3) Buy the type 1 tethered EVSE and swap the connector when changing

    https://evconnectors.com/electric-vehicle-chargers-and-accessories/Type-2-Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Cables-and-Sockets/32A-62196-2-Female-EV-Charging-Plug


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    #941
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,501 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    KCross wrote: »
    Fair enough.

    I can still guarantee you that taking the cable in/out of the car boot everyday will get painful.

    Two options, imo,...

    1) Get an untethered charge point and buy a second cable and leave it plugged into the charge point 24/7. When you change EV to a Type 2 in a few years the charge point will still do the job, just buy a new cable.

    2) Buy a tethered type 1 and if/when you swap to a type 2 car later on you can sell the charge point and put in a type 2 charge point which would be easy as all the wiring is there... just mount it and screw in 3 wires.

    How long would you plan to keep the Outlander?

    In fairness, not everybody is going to be charging *every* night. We only need to charge our i3 once a week, basically. So untethered was a much better option for us because it meant the wall installation was much more discrete and less cumbersome.


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    #942
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,070 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    MJohnston wrote: »
    In fairness, not everybody is going to be charging *every* night. We only need to charge our i3 once a week, basically. So untethered was a much better option for us because it meant the wall installation was much more discrete and less cumbersome.

    Its a short range PHEV so they will likely be charging daily.

    I get your aestethic reasoning but the hassle of rolling up a wet cable is just a step too far for me. I'd suffer the aestethics for that.

    But I get it, each to their own!


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    #943
    handofdog
    Registered Users Posts: 260 ✭✭handofdog


    KCross wrote: »
    Fair enough.

    I can still guarantee you that taking the cable in/out of the car boot everyday will get painful.

    Two options, imo,...

    1) Get an untethered charge point and buy a second cable and leave it plugged into the charge point 24/7. When you change EV to a Type 2 in a few years the charge point will still do the job, just buy a new cable.

    2) Buy a tethered type 1 and if/when you swap to a type 2 car later on you can sell the charge point and put in a type 2 charge point which would be easy as all the wiring is there... just mount it and screw in 3 wires.

    How long would you plan to keep the Outlander?

    +1 on the 2nd cable option.

    I have a second type 1 cable in an untethered Zappi v2 unit (ebay, approx €80 delivered). It makes the mornings and evenings so much easier than taking a cable out of the car!

    The Zappi v2 also allows you to lock the untethered cable - it needs a pin code to release the cable from the unit.

    If Darkin do have Zappi 2 then I would have no hesitation in recommending them. They installed my unit and did a very neat job. Very easy to deal with too!


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    #944
    daheff
    Registered Users Posts: 5,834 ✭✭✭daheff


    KCross wrote: »
    Fair enough.

    I can still guarantee you that taking the cable in/out of the car boot everyday will get painful.
    Somebody else told me this as well. It’s not painful for me. Different things for different folks


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    #945
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 64,793 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    daheff wrote: »
    Somebody else told me this as well. It’s not painful for me. Different things for different folks

    You are used to it. It's your routine. With respect, may I suggest you don't know any better? :)

    I can assure you it makes life so much easier if you have a tethered connector right beside where the plug point of your car is. It literally takes me about 5s from the time I step out of my car until the time I have it plugged in and locked, ready to charge once the night rate kicks in. Saving me hours and hours every year and not getting me or my car dirty from moving wet cables in or out of the car.


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    #946
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,501 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    KCross wrote: »
    Its a short range PHEV so they will likely be charging daily.

    I get your aestethic reasoning but the hassle of rolling up a wet cable is just a step too far for me. I'd suffer the aestethics for that.

    But I get it, each to their own!

    BMW are kind enough to give you handling gloves for wet charging cables ;) Also you can shove them into the i3’s bonnet compartment, rather than getting your boot messy.

    For me it’s not about aesthetics, but a tethered cable would just make the side entrance to our house much harder to get in and out of. Not going to apply to everyone, but that’s kind of what I’m saying - every situation is going to be fairly different.


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    #947
    Dempsey
    Registered Users Posts: 20,553 ✭✭✭✭Dempsey


    Installed the juicebox, finally!

    EDIT

    Its not able to handle the car dictating the schedule at all. I'm getting error codes and the relays clicking every 2 mins until the car is ready

    Still to try it with the car with the schedule fully off but anything in between was met with charger error by the car

    The worst thing, that while both fight it out for control, there is a ~500W draw going somewhere but not the car

    This is the stuff of nightmares! Anyone have an idea? Very close to packing it all up and shipping it back.


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    #948
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 64,793 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    MJohnston wrote: »
    a tethered cable would just make the side entrance to our house much harder to get in and out of.

    I can't picture that, care to explain? :)


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    #949
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,501 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    unkel wrote: »
    I can't picture that, care to explain? :)

    We have a narrow side passage with a gate that leads to our back garden. The charger was installed on the side wall just in front and to the right of that gate. It's very compact, but if there was a tethered cable, it would take up a lot more space, possibly blocking that side access (where we bring bins and bikes out, so it's not like we could just squeeze past)


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    #950
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 64,793 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    Our setup seems identical to yours. My 15m(!) tethered cable has a lot of slack, so it sits on the ground and we can easily wheel our bins and our bikes over it. The cable itself is obviously not as wide as the charger, so there is no problem with the gate opening and closing.


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    #951
    daheff
    Registered Users Posts: 5,834 ✭✭✭daheff


    unkel wrote: »
    You are used to it. It's your routine.

    I can assure you it makes life so much easier

    But thats not quite the counter argument. The point was made that plugging in/out & storing a cable would get annoying quite quickly.

    I've said its not- for me. As i said different for everybody.

    I have the Zappi V2 so i can set it so the cable is locked in and effectively a tethered unit. I have best of both worlds.


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    #952
    MorganIRL
    Registered Users Posts: 589 ✭✭✭MorganIRL


    Has anyone in connacht got a charger installed and may I ask who ye used.. TIA


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    #953
    Genghis
    Registered Users Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭Genghis


    Getting some work done on our house, so will have electrician around. Am a bit unclear on if a home charger needs a specialist installer (for the grant or otherwise).

    If I was to buy say a second hand charger and use my electrician what are the downsides Vs say buying new from an installer??


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    #954
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,070 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Genghis wrote: »
    Getting some work done on our house, so will have electrician around. Am a bit unclear on if a home charger needs a specialist installer (for the grant or otherwise).

    No specialist required other than (s)he need to be a Safe Electric registered electrician and needs to provide a cert for the grant.
    Genghis wrote: »
    If I was to buy say a second hand charger and use my electrician what are the downsides Vs say buying new from an installer??

    None at all, go for it.


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    #955
    charlieIRL
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,190 Mod ✭✭✭✭charlieIRL


    MorganIRL wrote: »
    Has anyone in connacht got a charger installed and may I ask who ye used.. TIA

    I did last week. Got an EV box installed. Send me a PM if you want contact details.


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    #956
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 64,793 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    daheff wrote: »
    The point was made that plugging in/out & storing a cable would get annoying quite quickly.

    I've said its not- for me.

    Fair enough! It wasn't me who said it would get annoying quickly. But you wouldn't know yourself with the comfort of a tethered connection, that was my point :)


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    #957
    Genghis
    Registered Users Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭Genghis


    KCross wrote: »
    No specialist required other than (s)he need to be a Safe Electric registered electrician and needs to provide a cert for the grant.



    None at all, go for it.

    Excellent, thank you


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    #958
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,070 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    Genghis wrote: »
    Excellent, thank you

    I'd add one caveat... secondhand charge points can be hit and miss. I'd avoid secondhand Rolec's as the early versions have issues best avoided and someone selling one is likely to be an early model.

    Its something you are going to have for years and you want it to be reliable and have warranty on it so my advice is buy it new, but if money is tight you can save yourself a few hundred by buying a secondhand one just make sure its a 32A model to futureproof it for you.


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    #959
    OffalyMedic
    Registered Users Posts: 1,512 ✭✭✭OffalyMedic


    Genghis wrote:
    If I was to buy say a second hand charger and use my electrician what are the downsides Vs say buying new from an installer??


    As long as you electrician is registered with safe electric and happy to fill out the cert that's all you neef


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    #960
    pukeko
    Registered Users Posts: 45 ✭pukeko


    hello all, i'm new to EVs, just purchased a 30kwh leaf and getting setup for home charging.

    I see electric ireland are offering a home charger install for €149 after the grant is applied. Does anyone know what model charger they install?

    Also can i purchase a charger online before the grant is approved? or should i wait.

    i am leaning towards buying a 32a rolec charger from evonestop.co.uk and getting it installed by certified local guy

    any advice otherwise welcome!

    thanks


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    #961
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,070 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    pukeko wrote: »
    I see electric ireland are offering a home charger install for €149 after the grant is applied. Does anyone know what model charger they install?

    I dont, but I think they only install a 16A charge point which is less than ideal or future proof but it will work. Double check it with them before proceeding with them.
    pukeko wrote: »
    Also can i purchase a charger online before the grant is approved? or should i wait.

    You can buy it prior to approval. You just cant do any work prior to approval.
    pukeko wrote: »
    i am leaning towards buying a 32a rolec charger from evonestop.co.uk and getting it installed by certified local guy

    If he gives you a good price you'd be better off with the local guy as you have someone nearby to call if you have issues down the line.


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