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Enclosure for EV Charger

  • 20-06-2026 08:27PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,502 ✭✭✭


    Has anyone installed their EV charger in an enclosure?. I am about to install a Zappi charger. I live 1 km from the coast. I know the charger is IP rated, but I'm still concerned about the rain, UV, wind etc. It can get very bleak where I live. I reckon I can fit the charger in a standard surface mounted ESB box (Tricel or equivalent). Should protect it from the elements, possibly extend it's life, and keep it from prying eyes!. Just wondering if there is any reason I should not do so?



Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 7,120 ✭✭✭Buddy Bubs


    No reason not to. Theres a company in UK called Andersen chargers they have lovely enclosures not sure if they sell seperately or not.

    If I was making one up I would use composite decking boards as the material, can look very well



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,502 ✭✭✭youtheman


    You must have seen this site?. Certainly got me thinking!.

    image.png


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,077 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    Many owners are opting to install the chargepoint in their porches for this very reason.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 7,120 ✭✭✭Buddy Bubs


    No just an idea I had when my dad got his charger installed and my mam didn't like it, thought it was ugly. Zappi too.

    Never did it in the end, its already under a canopy so it would have just been for aesthetics



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,077 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    Protecting your (expensive and critical) CP from the elements seems like a very fundamentally sensible decision - regardless of location….city, town, rural or coastal.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 10,827 ✭✭✭✭893bet


    The look slick.

    Looking at the assembly video and there is “very little to them” as they say, expensive.

    I am considering getting someone local making up a cage from metal and galavaning it and powder dipping it. More to protect from stray footballs and the like.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,356 ✭✭✭Firblog




  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 18,977 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    I wouldn't be too worried, we live on islands in the British Isles and they have the appropriate rating. If you want to do it for aesthetics that that's different



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,514 ✭✭✭Buffman


    Presumably you're going for an untethered Zappi OP, as I think you'd be doing well to squash a 5m cable in there as well?

    Probably the only thing I'd advise is for you check with MyEnergi that installing it like that will 100% not have any impact on the warranty. I can't see any reason it would but it's better to be sure as although Zappi customer service is usually pretty good they normally look for photos of the installation/issue for warranty replacements, not so much of an issue when your Zappi dies out of warranty as then they will normally offer to sell you a refurbished unit at a discount.

    The below is a general 'signature' and not part of any post:

    FYI, if you move to a 'smart' meter electricity plan, you CAN'T move back to a non-smart plan.

    You don't have to take a 'smart' meter if you don't want one, opt-out is available.

    Buy drinks in 3L or bigger plastic bottles or glass bottles or cartons to avoid the DRS fee.

    Public transport user? If you're sick of phantom ghost services on the 'official' RTI sources, check bustimes.org for actual 'real' RTI, if it's on their map it actually exists.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 7,664 ✭✭✭zg3409


    You can use an electricity enclosure or any box to keep out 99% of the rain, if it's tethered then you can leave cable outside and never open box, make sure the end of the tethered is in a holder, dont let it hang loose or the salt air will corrode the pins, and the whole plug can fill with water if upside down.

    Couple of downsides, esb cabinets are hard to open, need a special tool tool, the zappi shows you the energy consumed on the screen after every charge, you may not get that info to (now car was charged and rough cost.

    The screen shows you if car is connected ok, no screen you can't be sure, finally you can easily change mode from night only charging to charge immediately if you need it, otherwise you need to open cabinet or open the app and change mode. You could hide the entire thing behind a gate or box, and only use the cable, the older ones did let in water where the buttons are located and they often let in water through the mounting holes or cable holes if not sealed fully.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,502 ✭✭✭youtheman


    It's a tethered Zappi that I purchased. I can easily get an enclosure that is bigger than the carboard box the unit came in. So it will fit. I'll have to leave the plug 'loose' in the box, and not plug it into the dummy socket on the front of the charger (that increases the overall depth required). I do note the feedback about the hassle of opening the enclosure every time. Still just thinking about it. I think I'll 'CYA' and ask Zappi if they have any reason not to do do.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭opus


    One of my neighbours (on a narrow laneway in Cork) has a charging point on the outside wall of his house & removes the cable & slides a metal box over it when it's not is use. He gets round the trip risk by parking his car tight against the wall so you couldn't walk past it & trip 🙂



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