Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules
Hi all! We have been experiencing an issue on site where threads have been missing the latest postings. The platform host Vanilla are working on this issue. A workaround that has been used by some is to navigate back from 1 to 10+ pages to re-sync the thread and this will then show the latest posts. Thanks, Mike.
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Charging etiquette

  • 19-06-2021 9:35pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭


    I'm at a resort in ireland & need a charge for the morning. There is tesla charging on a tesla typev2 that can charge any car. A bmw hybrid not taking any charge

    Also another car has finished charging & the cable isn't locked to the car. I could disconnect this but don't fancy dealing with an irate owner. What would you do.
    I'm staying in a house but it means trailing a cable boom the footpath


«13

Comments

  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 39,781 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    loopymum wrote: »
    I'm at a resort in ireland & need a charge for the morning. There is tesla charging on a tesla typev2 that can charge any car. A bmw hybrid not taking any charge

    Also another car has finished charging & the cable isn't locked to the car. I could disconnect this but don't fancy dealing with an irate owner. What would you do.
    I'm staying in a house but it means trailing a cable boom the footpath

    If the other car is full then I’d disconnect it. Be courteous and close their charging port and leave a little note telling them you waited until they were full before disconnecting and hope you don’t mind me
    Plugging in. Leave your name and number to make it a bit more personal should you wish.

    I’d have no problem if it was my car, but if it was my car plugged in I’d know when it was full and make a point of moving it to be honest.


  • Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    loopymum wrote: »
    I'm at a resort in ireland & need a charge for the morning. There is tesla charging on a tesla typev2 that can charge any car. A bmw hybrid not taking any charge

    Also another car has finished charging & the cable isn't locked to the car. I could disconnect this but don't fancy dealing with an irate owner. What would you do.
    I'm staying in a house but it means trailing a cable boom the footpath

    Haha, a looppymum and a Mad_Lad, we're in the right place lol.

    Plug the car out if it' not charging!


  • Moderators Posts: 12,379 ✭✭✭✭Black_Knight


    Haha, a looppymum and a Mad_Lad, we're in the right place lol.

    Plug the car out if it' not charging!

    Agreed, though like gumbo I'd know when my car was fully charged and move it. Unplug and do your best to keep things tidy for them.

    Biggest concern I'd have is keeping their cable dry after unplugging it, but again they should be aware of their car and not so ignorant.


  • Registered Users Posts: 293 ✭✭carfinder


    One thing that I find somewhat annoying is finding a single car in a double bay taking up more than half the space simply because the driver wasn't careful in how they parked. In most cases it just means an annoying tight squeeze but I have had occasion where it was impossible to use the available charger (a poorly parked X5 being the culprit)


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,240 ✭✭✭loopymum


    Ok. I left it a while. But then decided **** it. It was their own cable connected and the charger clearly said it would not disconnect it till charging was finished.
    No lights flashing. Nothing.

    The charger disconnected easily so I put the end on their cable and obviously didn't touch their car.
    Left it their neatly & out of the way.

    Plugged mine in & went back before bed but got the oh to walk up with me in case i met any angry monster jeep people. And it was late.

    Same cars still there and the bmw hybrid still plugged in & not charging as well. Tesla still charging.

    Thanks for all the replies. Oh was a bit horrified at me.

    Will have to charge to go back out again later this afternoon as well. Hope it will be free then but wouldn't be surprised to see both hybrids plugged in & not charging.
    Its a bit of a silly set up really.
    I rang reception to see if i could access a 3 pin socket anywhere to avoid trailing cable on the footpath outside the holiday home but very unhelpful.
    I seem to be in a section that doesnt have much foot traffic so might just plug out the window tonight. Dose

    What are peoples thoughts on that?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users Posts: 216 ✭✭kesey


    loopymum wrote: »

    Will have to charge to go back out again later this afternoon as well. Hope it will be free then but wouldn't be surprised to see both hybrids plugged in & not charging.
    Its a bit of a silly set up really.
    I rang reception to see if i could access a 3 pin socket anywhere to avoid trailing cable on the footpath outside the holiday home but very unhelpful.
    I seem to be in a section that doesnt have much foot traffic so might just plug out the window tonight. Dose

    What are peoples thoughts on that?

    Are you in a house or in a mobile home? Many mobile homes would have a fairly basic electricity supply that would barely have the capacity to run a hair-drier, not to mind charge a car. All you can do is try. If the system trips out you'll to try the town charging system again. Bring a notepad and marker and leave notes for the inconsiderate drivers, if they are still in situ.


  • Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    loopymum wrote: »

    Will have to charge to go back out again later this afternoon as well. Hope it will be free then but wouldn't be surprised to see both hybrids plugged in & not charging.

    Its a bit of a silly set up really.
    I rang reception to see if i could access a 3 pin socket anywhere to avoid trailing cable on the footpath outside the holiday home but very unhelpful.
    I seem to be in a section that doesnt have much foot traffic so might just plug out the window tonight. Dose

    What are peoples thoughts on that?

    I wouldn't leave the cable out the window if there's the slightest chance someone might trip.

    Staff in these places haven't a clue about car charging or how long it takes to charge and they don't understand that when a car is stopped charging the owner should move to make it available for someone else and the worst thing is that they don't want to know or learn and management least of all, they just put Ev charging there to make it more attractive to stay and nothing more but it would help to write a letter to management, no point saying it to the staff they couldn't care less. You have to be careful how you word it or next you know the charge points are gone :D

    The only way for people to understand about electric car charging is to own an electric car but even at that if it doesn't directly effect them they probably still couldn't care less.

    I've had the same battles in work, the charge points are there and it's the staff, mostly security that think they have the authority to tell you whether you can use them or not, then there's the begrudges that are not getting something and don't want you having it. I've had tonnes of battles with work charge points.
    kesey wrote: »
    Bring a notepad and marker and leave notes for the inconsiderate drivers, if they are still in situ.

    That's a waste of time and effort, you're trying to make inconsiderate People give a sh*t, they don't and there's nothing you can say or do to make them care. The only time People like this care is when it effects them then they'll still do it themselves the next time because they're selfish People. Unfortunately, there's too many around, I experienced it a lot at fast chargers and they'll be the first ones bitching about it on face book and calling for blood if it happens to them.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,192 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    loopymum wrote: »
    Ok. I left it a while. But then decided **** it. It was their own cable connected and the charger clearly said it would not disconnect it till charging was finished.
    No lights flashing. Nothing.

    The charger disconnected easily so I put the end on their cable and obviously didn't touch their car.
    Left it their neatly & out of the way.

    Plugged mine in & went back before bed but got the oh to walk up with me in case i met any angry monster jeep people. And it was late.

    Same cars still there and the bmw hybrid still plugged in & not charging as well. Tesla still charging.

    Thanks for all the replies. Oh was a bit horrified at me.

    Will have to charge to go back out again later this afternoon as well. Hope it will be free then but wouldn't be surprised to see both hybrids plugged in & not charging.
    Its a bit of a silly set up really.
    I rang reception to see if i could access a 3 pin socket anywhere to avoid trailing cable on the footpath outside the holiday home but very unhelpful.
    I seem to be in a section that doesnt have much foot traffic so might just plug out the window tonight. Dose

    What are peoples thoughts on that?

    I understand being plugged in and "not charging" is a potential no no but two wrongs do not make a right.

    The owner could have had the car on a timing charge and expecting to walk out to an appropriate charge level next morning.
    There would be no lights flashing if it was on a timed charge.
    You posted at 9:35 so if that person needed say, 8 hours to reach 100% then they could have pulled up at say 8:30PM and just left it on it's usual night rate timing, what's the point of having it sitting there fully charged at 4:30AM. Better from a BMS perspective to have it fully charged at departure time and not be sitting there hours on end at 100%.

    If it was me i would have plugged in (it is first come first serve "destination" charging) and used timed charging as outlined above...

    I'm genuinely surprised at well veteran EV owners jumping on disconnecting like posted above without thought of the timed charge.


  • Registered Users Posts: 216 ✭✭kesey


    loopymum wrote: »
    I rang reception to see if i could access a 3 pin socket anywhere to avoid trailing cable on the footpath outside the holiday home but very unhelpful.
    I seem to be in a section that doesnt have much foot traffic so might just plug out the window tonight. Dose

    What are peoples thoughts on that?

    https://www.speakev.com/threads/reduce-ac-charg-current-option.157886/

    That's an interesting and useful read re granny chargers/charging/Reduce AC Charg. Current


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,763 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    slave1 wrote: »
    I understand being plugged in and "not charging" is a potential no no but two wrongs do not make a right.

    The owner could have had the car on a timing charge and expecting to walk out to an appropriate charge level next morning.
    There would be no lights flashing if it was on a timed charge.
    You posted at 9:35 so if that person needed say, 8 hours to reach 100% then they could have pulled up at say 8:30PM and just left it on it's usual night rate timing, what's the point of having it sitting there fully charged at 4:30AM. Better from a BMS perspective to have it fully charged at departure time and not be sitting there hours on end at 100%.

    If it was me i would have plugged in (it is first come first serve "destination" charging) and used timed charging as outlined above...

    I'm genuinely surprised at well veteran EV owners jumping on disconnecting like posted above without thought of the timed charge.

    Valid point on the timer and BMS, but unless it’s your charger, you’re hogging it by plugging in and not charging. Whose to say the next person waiting wouldn’t be up at the crack of dawn, ready to plug in when your lights stop flashing. You’re either charging the car or you’re not. If not, then the next person should be allowed to plug in and charge up. Necessity trumps preference in this case.

    I give exception if connected to a public destination charge point where the person might be at work and are taking up a parking space (paid) and a charge point, but the vehicle then, if the cad is not charging and the next person can access the charger, it should be ok to disconnect the car not sucking juice.

    Stay Free



  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,192 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Sure that's your opinion, if owner did have it charging as outlined above then I see noone getting up at 4:30am to go out and disconnect so they would still be plugged in and not charging after reaching 100%.
    Dammed do, dammed don't


  • Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    slave1 wrote: »

    The owner could have had the car on a timing charge and expecting to walk out to an appropriate charge level next morning.
    There would be no lights flashing if it was on a timed charge.
    You posted at 9:35 so if that person needed say, 8 hours to reach 100% then they could have pulled up at say 8:30PM and just left it on it's usual night rate timing, what's the point of having it sitting there fully charged at 4:30AM. Better from a BMS perspective to have it fully charged at departure time and not be sitting there hours on end at 100%.

    If it was me i would have plugged in (it is first come first serve "destination" charging) and used timed charging as outlined above...

    I'm genuinely surprised at well veteran EV owners jumping on disconnecting like posted above without thought of the timed charge.

    Yes, hadn't thought about that and you're quite right.
    Valid point on the timer and BMS, but unless it’s your charger, you’re hogging it by plugging in and not charging. Whose to say the next person waiting wouldn’t be up at the crack of dawn, ready to plug in when your lights stop flashing. You’re either charging the car or you’re not. If not, then the next person should be allowed to plug in and charge up. Necessity trumps preference in this case.

    I give exception if connected to a public destination charge point where the person might be at work and are taking up a parking space (paid) and a charge point, but the vehicle then, if the cad is not charging and the next person can access the charger, it should be ok to disconnect the car not sucking juice.

    Yes I agree with both comments but it really is up to the management to give clear instructions and implement some kind of fair use policy, for instance, 6 hrs max and charge per Kwh.

    Management are usually not aware of these issues or don't care, least of all the staff but if enough people write to them calmly and explain the situation and maybe request that their be a fair usage of no more than 6 hrs on a charge point.

    If People start ranting, raving and making demands they will just get tired of it and pull the charge points off the wall.


  • Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The BMW i3 is another car that gives absolutely no indication as to whether or not it's charging.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,227 ✭✭✭Kramer


    Valid point on the timer and BMS, but unless it’s your charger, you’re hogging it by plugging in and not charging.

    You'd expect a paying hotel guest to charge up to 100% & get back to the charge point at some time of the morning (probably after dinner & a few drinks - they're holidaying in a hotel!), to disconnect their car & move it, in case someone arrived after them & felt more entitled to use it :confused:.

    These are not fast DC chargers (kWh charges & overstay fees take care of them), but "destination" charge points, being used exactly as they are meant to be used.
    Whether a €100k BMW PHEV is plugged in or a 24kWh Leaf (same battery capacity) makes no difference. First come first served.

    I'd be pretty annoyed if my EV, I plugged in at say 8pm at a hotel, at 10% SoC, which was scheduled to charge to 100%, ready for my departure at 8am, was still at 10% the following morning, with my cable on the ground, where the late arriving Leaf/i3/ID.3 etc. left it, so they could charge up, because they saw my car wasn't "charging" :rolleyes:.
    I've often remotely stopped & started our Model 3 too while it was connected to a hotel charge point.

    I too am surprised that EV owners here are condoning disconnecting another person's cable, at such a privately owner charge point, during a pandemic :pac:.

    There's animosity too towards Teslas & PHEVs, as if there's some sort of EV hierarchy & it's open season on large SUVs/PHEVs/Teslas.

    I'm vehemently anti hogging & all for more chargers/charge points, both public & private, but the sentiment here of touching other owners' equipment at a hotel is completely misguided.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,763 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    slave1 wrote: »
    Sure that's your opinion, if owner did have it charging as outlined above then I see noone getting up at 4:30am to go out and disconnect so they would still be plugged in and not charging after reaching 100%.
    Dammed do, dammed don't

    I'd be wrapped up in my duvet dream of Victorias Secret Angels :D, but some early riser could be up for an early jog and could plug in if the other car is done charging.

    Stay Free



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    Its a destination charger. I'm guessing it was a type 1 car that allowed the cable to be removed (generally type 2 is locked at car and charger end unless either the car or the charger has been set differently).

    At work (BC - before covid) we had a rule among EV drivers that if you were plugged in and finished charging it was ok to be unplugged and we made sure the installer configured the chargers this way too.

    You can't expect to use timed charging at a destination charger. It's first come first served but you cant "reserve" the charger by using timed charging.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,703 ✭✭✭whippet


    ELM327 wrote: »
    You can't expect to use timed charging at a destination charger. It's first come first served but you cant "reserve" the charger by using timed charging.


    that is the nugget of realism that is needed. If you are not using the charger you shouldn't park there ... just because you intend to use in a few hours time does not mean you should block it off.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,227 ✭✭✭Kramer


    ELM327 wrote: »
    Its a destination charger.

    It's first come first served but you cant "reserve" the charger by using timed charging.
    whippet wrote: »
    If you are not using the charger you shouldn't park there ... just because you intend to use in a few hours time does not mean you should block it off.

    So.....I book a hotel with an onsite charge point - actually call them up to check. I arrive at 7pm in my 80kWh EV, with 20% SoC remaining. Not wanting to be seen to be "hogging" the charge point & knowing I'll only need to charge up by 50kWhs, I decide to leave it until 10pm.

    In the mean time, a late arriving Leaf (50% SoC) rocks up at 9pm, plugs in, starts charging & is full before midnight. Is that what should happen?
    Or I plug in at 7pm, start charging & reach 100% at 3am @ 7kW or possibly 9am if limited to 3.7kW?

    Simple solution - reduce the charge rate on your Tesla etc., to the 5 amp minimum & leave that sucker plugged in trickle charging :D. Would that be a better solution?

    I've "destination" charged a lot recently & am not playing musical chairs with my car when I'm in/at a hotel. If I arrive & the charge point is occupied, that's my bad & the hotel needs more, or a system in place to reserve it or a concierge service to manage cars needing to use it.

    You could apply the same logic to charging on a ferry to France. A 17 hour sailing but my car could be full after just a few hours while another EV could be in need of a charge but unable to because someone else got there first, or reserved it first etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    You should be charging if you're plugged in to the charger. It's up to you how you fit it into your analogy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,136 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    No etiquette here, first come first served.

    If you can get out to your car to free it up then do so, but there should be no expectation to be moving it at odd hours or messing with timers. You want the car to charge overnight for the following day... that could take 2-3hrs or it could take 10hrs.


    If customers are not getting the access they need it means there are not enough charge points so the real solution is more charge points and the hotel need to be told.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,227 ✭✭✭Kramer


    ELM327 wrote: »
    You should be charging if you're plugged in to the charger. It's up to you how you fit it into your analogy.

    So if my car reaches 100% SoC at 4.30am, should I get up & disconnect it? From my cosy, 2000 thread count, Egyptian cotton sheeted hotel bed?

    I thought you were a big proponent for "first come, first served"?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,788 ✭✭✭✭JPA


    Timers etc should not be used at a charge point at a hotel.
    Unless you can guarantee nobody else wants it.

    Charge to 90 if you're worried about the battery.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    Kramer wrote: »
    So if my car reaches 100% SoC at 4.30am, should I get up & disconnect it? From my cosy, 2000 thread count, Egyptian cotton sheeted hotel bed?

    I thought you were a big proponent for "first come, first served"?


    Absolutely I am. First come first served. But as equally as I am pro first come first served, I'm opposed to reservations of chargers.


    If you're plugged in and charging, and finish at 4am then there is of course no expectation of anything. I'd argue that -especially in a destination charger at a hotel -once you get there first and are charging then I'd expect the charger out of use until the next day. If I'm at a hotel I'll be having a few beverages and wouldnt be fit to drive the next morning.



    If you're connected during the day and not charging - ie timed charging - that's bad form. I'd expect that a car plugged in and not charging was completed charging and would be moved that day. Not that they had timed charging on. really bad form.

    You joke about lowering the charge curve but this actually is better. The notional other EV would see the charger in use and therefore not expect to use it later and know they have to make other plans.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 207 ✭✭tDw6u1bj


    It's a limited resource, it's only fair that you don't hog it and don't view it as "yours".
    The "destination charging" only works in world where every(/an excess of) parking space has a charger.

    You can be considerate and complain to the hotel about not having enough facilitates.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 207 ✭✭tDw6u1bj


    Kramer wrote: »
    So if my car reaches 100% SoC at 4.30am, should I get up & disconnect it? From my cosy, 2000 thread count, Egyptian cotton sheeted hotel bed?

    I thought you were a big proponent for "first come, first served"?

    The obvious solution to the 4:30 problem is to require all guests to hand their keys into reception if they're charging at night-time, or some kind of valet parking system.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    tDw6u1bj wrote: »
    The obvious solution to the 4:30 problem is to require all guests to hand their keys into reception if they're charging at night-time, or some kind of valet parking system.


    This is quite possibly the most ridiculous suggestion I've ever heard.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 207 ✭✭tDw6u1bj


    ELM327 wrote: »
    This is quite possibly the most ridiculous suggestion I've ever heard.

    Why?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    Because expecting people to hand in their car keys is nonsense. I'm not giving you the keys to my car. What if I need something from it? What if I dont have a key and it's only my phone? etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,703 ✭✭✭whippet


    ELM327 wrote: »
    Because expecting people to hand in their car keys is nonsense. I'm not giving you the keys to my car. What if I need something from it? What if I dont have a key and it's only my phone? etc.

    You’ll probably be waking past reception to go to the car and get the key off them there

    Not an outlandish suggestion / idea at all


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    Sorry but I'd not stay in a hotel that had that policy.
    It's a lot easier to make "the rules" fit user behavior than it is to change user behavior. And what you are proposing is a bad system.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 207 ✭✭tDw6u1bj


    ELM327 wrote: »
    Because expecting people to hand in their car keys is nonsense. I'm not giving you the keys to my car. What if I need something from it? What if I dont have a key and it's only my phone? etc.
    It's a hotel. They're going to have a night-porter/24hr reception otherwise there would be no point.

    We assume a certain amount of trust any time we stay in a hotel. You stay in a room where if they wanted to they could walk into your room when you're asleep or rummage through your belongings when you're out - access to your car is less weird than that. TBH, I didn't expect the suggestion to be so controvertial
    ELM327 wrote: »
    Sorry but I'd not stay in a hotel that had that policy.
    It's a lot easier to make "the rules" fit user behavior than it is to change user behavior. And what you are proposing is a bad system.
    Changing the rules (system is a better word here) to fit users is better in the long run, this will take the form of every space having its own charger.

    Unfortunately we're nowhere near there* so a policy that makes the most efficient use of available facilities and can be implemented immediately at no extra cost is prudent.

    As I said, you can (and should) be courteous and push for better facilities.

    *I'm not even sure that if, right now, a carpark wanted (and could/would pay) to upgrade 200 spaces to all have chargers that ESB networks would accommodate it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 220 ✭✭turnfan


    Use same etiquette as FCPs , as the issue here is the same: time and scarcity

    Can't believe people would use timed charge at a public slow charger on purpose, just so they reach 100% at the exact time of departure, a couple of hours at 100% are not going to ruin your battery

    We all know chargers are a scarce resource, plug in and charge as fast as you can, and let the next EV user unplug (with due care and attention) when you are fully charged (if the unit allows it)

    I always leave a note with a contact number and a rough time I expect to be charged by, to assist the next user. If i can help, I will.

    I'd be up at 0430 to check if you were finished charging, if I needed a charge badly for the next morning.

    To suggest a trickle charge is the same as hogging, really. That's PHEV behaviour :D

    Be kind and pay it forward to your fellow EV driver.


  • Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The easiest way for me to have a stress free holiday or trip would be to ensure I don't need to use hotel charging because trying to deal with hotel staff would probably be a lot of hassle and I would assume that when I got there that the charge point would be in use.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 8,058 Mod ✭✭✭✭liamog


    You can't apply the same standard to an FCP as you would an SCP, especially one that is located at a hotel.

    FCPs and HPCs are for charging your car, it's an activity you should be actively waiting on.
    This leads to the scenario that you should use it and move immediately.

    SCPs are for charging your car whilst doing something else. It's reasonable to allow that people will charge there car and come back after the charge is complete. In the event of somebody charging at 10pm at night its expected that they will be connected overnight and not likely to move until the next morning.


  • Registered Users Posts: 220 ✭✭turnfan


    Ideally the same standards shouldn't apply, but if there is scarcity of chargers and multiple EV drivers in need, then the reality of the situation means some co-operation could maximize the benefit of the charger.


    You can still tell the hotel that they need more chargers (which I imagine in the future this will be a paid for add on)

    All that means is offering to be of assistance if someone badly needs a charge.
    A note saying "My charge is finished at time X, if you need to plug in then, the cable should be unlocked"

    Inconsiderate self centred people will unplug your car if they can at any time, but the rest of us can still co-operate, and help each other out.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    turnfan wrote: »
    Ideally the same standards shouldn't apply, but if there is scarcity of chargers and multiple EV drivers in need, then the reality of the situation means some co-operation could maximize the benefit of the charger.


    You can still tell the hotel that they need more chargers (which I imagine in the future this will be a paid for add on)

    All that means is offering to be of assistance if someone badly needs a charge.
    A note saying "My charge is finished at time X, if you need to plug in then, the cable should be unlocked"

    Inconsiderate self centred people will unplug your car if they can at any time, but the rest of us can still co-operate, and help each other out.
    turnfan wrote: »
    Use same etiquette as FCPs , as the issue here is the same: time and scarcity

    Can't believe people would use timed charge at a public slow charger on purpose, just so they reach 100% at the exact time of departure, a couple of hours at 100% are not going to ruin your battery

    We all know chargers are a scarce resource, plug in and charge as fast as you can, and let the next EV user unplug (with due care and attention) when you are fully charged (if the unit allows it)

    I always leave a note with a contact number and a rough time I expect to be charged by, to assist the next user. If i can help, I will.

    I'd be up at 0430 to check if you were finished charging, if I needed a charge badly for the next morning.

    To suggest a trickle charge is the same as hogging, really. That's PHEV behaviour :D

    Be kind and pay it forward to your fellow EV driver.




    This is all fanciful stuff as most cars are now type 2 and will not release the cable unless the car is unlocked. And I'm not stumbling down drunk at 4am to move my EV for you. Sorry but you're not ruining my hotel stay - that's an unrealistic expectation. Get there before me!


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 8,058 Mod ✭✭✭✭liamog


    turnfan wrote: »
    Ideally the same standards shouldn't apply, but if there is scarcity of chargers and multiple EV drivers in need, then the reality of the situation means some co-operation could maximize the benefit of the charger.

    Even the people who own the chargers apply a different standard, eCars charge an overstay fee after 45 minutes on FCPs/HPCs and don't on SCP.

    Don't rely on an SCP being available and plan your trips around DC chargers, that way if an SCP is available it's a bonus instead of you being disappointed because someone else is using the network as intended.


  • Registered Users Posts: 220 ✭✭turnfan


    This is Classic game theory! Lack of information sharing leads to sub-optimal outcomes. Winner takes all is why we can't have nice things :p

    Cable should unlock at the charging unit when complete and remain locked to your car, no?

    I'll share the information, and if someone is really stuck, and where it's possible I'd help them out. That wouldn't ruin my hotel stay at all. I don't expect others to do the same, although it would be great if they did. Each to their own!
    • This discussion just illustrates, there is no charging etiquette, only how we choose to behave.
    • Never depend on any one charger, or the kindness of others...(and always have the granny charger!)


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 8,058 Mod ✭✭✭✭liamog


    turnfan wrote: »
    This is Classic game theory! Lack of information sharing leads to sub-optimal outcomes. Winner takes all is why we can't have nice things :p

    Cable should unlock at the charging unit when complete and remain locked to your car, no?

    Will you pay for the damages to my cable when you've left it exposed to the weather?


  • Registered Users Posts: 220 ✭✭turnfan


    liamog wrote: »
    Will you pay for the damages to my cable when you've left it exposed to the weather?

    I'd leave it in a way that it wouldn't be exposed to the weather, so don't worry about it. I keep plastic bags, duct tape and zip ties in my own car for kidnappings clean up / emergency repairs.

    But this is only if you gave me permission to remove it in the first place, and we mutually agreed. No agreement and I'm not touching anything!

    My own cable has an attached rubber cap on both ends to protect it from the elements, so I generally don't worry about this being an issue myself.

    No need to continue with this discussion, some people are open to working together, some people are not, it's just the way of the world.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    liamog wrote: »
    Will you pay for the damages to my cable when you've left it exposed to the weather?


    All EV cables are water resistant.
    We do this in work all the time and leave the cable curled up with cap on under the car.


    Think of the tethered type 2 cables that are outside all the time.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 8,058 Mod ✭✭✭✭liamog


    Ok same point but's in left on the ground and someone else runs over it etc ...

    It's one thing to have an arrangement between work colleagues, quite another to be moving cables owned by a stranger and trying to place them somewhere


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    I mean, it's the same if I arrive at a tethered or untethered charger anywhere, if a car is plugged in and not charging, Ill try and unplug them and plug in myself. If they are worried about their cable then they should have come back to the car.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 8,058 Mod ✭✭✭✭liamog


    Fair enough so it's ok to remove other peoples property if it's in your way.

    Well there's the solution to the hotel charger problem, just get a rope and remove the car from the space at 4am, if they cared about their car they should have come back to it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,212 ✭✭✭✭ELM327


    Way to miss what I was aiming at!


  • Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Yeah, think the best way is to always assume the charge points will not be available and don't add them into your charging plans.


  • Registered Users Posts: 220 ✭✭turnfan


    Stay within your home charger + battery range and be grateful you're allowed out at all :D


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 8,058 Mod ✭✭✭✭liamog


    ELM327 wrote: »
    Way to miss what I was aiming at!

    Well if removing some of somebody else's property from a public place without permission is ok, why not go the whole hog :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,082 ✭✭✭Smee_Again


    Is this thread the EV equivalent of German putting towels on resort deckchairs at 7am to be used later that day and whether that is poor form or not?


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 8,058 Mod ✭✭✭✭liamog


    Smee_Again wrote: »
    Is this thread the EV equivalent of German putting towels on resort deckchairs at 7am to be used later that day and whether that is poor form or not?

    Think of it as the person leaves the towels on the chair whilst they are having a swim and then wanders off for a sandwich before coming back to move their stuff


  • Advertisement
Advertisement