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

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Can you pick up your wifi on your phone when next to the Charge unit?

The EO is 2.4Ghz WiFi only so make sure your phone is on that connection and not the 5Ghz connection to see if that helps.

You don't really need the app for the EO anyway - It's extremely limited in functionality, you should be able to do all the things you want from the app for the car in terms of scheduling charge times etc.

Thanks for that. I managed to get it linked to the Internet.

waynegalway wrote: »

Very true. And is it okay to regularly use those? I thought they were kind of an emergency thing only? Is the plug on it weatherproof, so that I can use an outdoor socket rather than leave an extension cable going through a window?

I got mine second hand from eBay a while back, keep your eye out and you should see one

Screwfix are selling them new for just over €170, bit steeper than €100

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/masterplug-10a-2-3kw-mode-2-type-1-socket-electric-vehicle-charging-cable-5m/872gv

The plug isn't waterproof so you'll want to get an outdoor socket that is weatherproof

They do pull a fair bit of current, so the plug can get warm. They aren't designed for long term usage but there's plenty of people who have survived off granny leads for years without issues

I'd recommend trying to ensure nothing else is plugged into the same circuit, just to make sure it doesn't get overloaded

waynegalway wrote: »

Yeah, we'll have to share a charge point to begin with anyway, so maybe that will work out okay.

My wife will have the ID3 and she has a 150km daily commute (Galway to Ennis and back), so maybe she'll only need every second night? My LEAF24 is a 151 and so the usable capacity is down to about 18kWh at this point. It has the 6.6 charger onboard, and I do about 30km a day in it. So I'd probably get away with every second day too. Maybe sharing will work out, but I just don't want another thing to start an argument

I'd say you'll be fine with one. Definitely try it before you go forking out for another charger. There's no grant for second chargers either. (I'm assuming you have an untethered charger as Leaf is type 1 and ID3 is type 2.)


Charge the Leaf as soon as you get home and switch over to the ID3 before bed. Have both fully charged over the weekend so they start Monday morning full.

waynegalway wrote: »

I bought my LEAF 2nd hand in November 2017, and the grant wasn't available for 2nd hand EVs at that stage, so we haven't availed of the grant at the property.

Yeah, charging the LEAF for a couple of hours in the evening and the ID3 overnight is a great idea.

I think it's time to switch to day/night rate. Got a quote from Energia today, 18.45c per unit in day and 8.85c at night. Was on a flat rate of 16.83c per unit up until now, but the 2nd EV and the longer commute means it makes sense at this stage.

You can get better, look at the energia EV plan, 5c night rate

waynegalway wrote: »

I saw that rate, but apparently you have to have been on day/night meter for a year before they give you that rate.

I notice this is not available to customers, who have smart meters installed, and as the rollout of smart meters has advanced significantly, so a huge chunk of customers, cannot currently avail of that 5c night rate, which is odd, seeing as that was the whole point of smart meters, at least thats what we’ve been told.

That meter allows you to have 24hr or day/night rate.
If you are on 24hr rate at the moment you should be able to switch for free without any meter replacement. They might need to come out to initially read the day/night figures and that will be it.

waynegalway wrote: »

I bought my LEAF 2nd hand in November 2017, and the grant wasn't available for 2nd hand EVs at that stage, so we haven't availed of the grant at the property.

If you ever do go for the grant on the ID3 a possible option is to get a twin charger installed to replace the single. They're not cheap though, so it might actually work out cheaper to get a 2nd charger with the grant.


Something along the lines of:

https://www.garo.ie/docs/2020/garo%20gtb%20twin%20product%20sheet.pdf

I'm looking to buy a good quality outdoor granny cable extension with RCD, something like this:

https://toughleads.co.uk/products/ev-extension-lead?variant=19514036158552

Does anyone know where I can buy one in Ireland?

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

So you want an extension lead, or the charging cable?

Any 13A lead or higher should do the job

A 13A extension cable - with an covered outdoor socket which fits the bigger molded plug on a granny cable.

Edit:
I was looking at this one but it doesn't mention the wire size (sq mm) in the spec so it may not be suitable for constant 10A supply.

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/masterplug-13a-1-gang-unswitched-extension-lead-10m/44635

edit 2:

I see in the Q+A that its 1.5mm so should be ok. I haven't got got my car yet but hoping to get away summer west coast later in the summer so want to be prepared. Also I don't want to be responsible for burning down a holiday home!!

WayneEnterprise wrote: »

ToughLeads ship to Ireland

They do but don’t include extra brexit taxes and charges.

I’d also prefer to buy from a shop or supplier here if any sells a similar product,

the_amazing_raisin wrote: »

I got a 13A extension lead from materplug off of Amazon. Haven't tested it for charging an EV though, but it's rated so it should be fine

Has a nice weatherproof plug but no built-in RCD, you'd need to add one

I can PM you details if you want?

Thanks, that would be great! I haven’t found anything suitable in stock anywhere locally.

dave oc wrote: »

I sent my grant payment forms off last week for my charger install, should I expect any response to say they were received? I know it can take a few weeks for payment but thought I might get a mail or letter to say they got it and will be processed etc.

I got an email confirming they’d received the application about 3 days after I sent it. Then got money 8 weeks later.

Patmwgs wrote: »

Good job. Im currently installing a 10mm swa cable through a concrete drive for one to meet the requirements for electric ireland to install. Its for a mate. It also has load management so a bellwire cable also.

Don’t use bellwire, its not good enough if it’s for a CT clamp. You need twisted pair, preferably shielded, to be sure of its accuracy.

The likes of Zappi say in their manual for CT cable...
“ DO NOT use mains cable, bell wire or speaker cable.”

This video answered most of my charging point install questions. Some of the content maybe UK specific but most of it applies here too.

He has another one showing the actual install process, in great detail!