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

thos · 12-09-2019 11:26am

How quick are people getting their grant paid back now?

I got the email on August 22nd that said '4 to 6 weeks' but thought I had heard of it happening sooner.

krissovo · 12-09-2019 12:01pm

4 weeks here.

rolion · 12-09-2019 3:15pm

slicedpanman wrote: »

Great stuff rolion... I'll try that later.
On the install, is it possible/safe/legit to add an outdoor socket, beside the existing 16amp charger, in series? No extra cable, of course I'd need to check and maybe upgrade the rcbo at the board for the existing cable.

That way I could connect the granny cable for one of the cars - even if it's just to allow the ioniq to run its preheating

I did that myself DIY but only after the electrician took photos and signed the certificate. See below.
He gave me advice on how to do it safely and all ok.
I'm using that outside socket only for cleaning the car as the hover cable is
always too short...

Not sure about extra load,in your case,check with the electrician when you mount the charger, should not cost you extra except for the parts.
Shoul dbe fien as is running off the main extra cable but check the rating and load on the outdooe sockets,they may overheat if used for long period of time.

Petetheroadie · 12-09-2019 5:25pm

What kind of quotes are folks getting for Charger + Install?

I've got 3 quotes so far and they're averaging about 1400 - 1500 euro before the grant. This seems high, for what looks like a relatively straightforward install. Zappi V2 tethered seems to be a good charger to go for, but it's expensive!

Thanks

Pete

charlieIRL · 12-09-2019 7:00pm

Petetheroadie wrote: »

What kind of quotes are folks getting for Charger + Install?

I've got 3 quotes so far and they're averaging about 1400 - 1500 euro before the grant. This seems high, for what looks like a relatively straightforward install. Zappi V2 tethered seems to be a good charger to go for, but it's expensive!

Thanks

Pete

My quote for an EV box is less thank 1k

pobber1 · 14-09-2019 9:21pm

Petetheroadie wrote: »

What kind of quotes are folks getting for Charger + Install?

I've got 3 quotes so far and they're averaging about 1400 - 1500 euro before the grant. This seems high, for what looks like a relatively straightforward install. Zappi V2 tethered seems to be a good charger to go for, but it's expensive!

Thanks

Pete

I got a quote of €2k+VAT last week, Zappi 2, need to have another external wall box installed due to fuse board being in the middle of the house.

That's the first quote I've gotten.

unkel · 14-09-2019 9:57pm

Insanity...

ethernet · 14-09-2019 10:17pm

pobber1 wrote: »

I got a quote of €2k+VAT last week, Zappi 2, need to have another external wall box installed due to fuse board being in the middle of the house.

That's the first quote I've gotten.

That seems excessive. Get a few more quotes.

I have the distribution board on the middle floor in a three-storey. Even then, labour and materials were around 250 each and that was one hell of a job phishing between floors and rooms to get outside.

pobber1 · 14-09-2019 11:17pm

unkel wrote: »

Insanity...

It goes without saying I won't be going with that particular company.

Petetheroadie · 15-09-2019 10:21am

I got it down to about 1250 before grant for a tethered zappi V2 and a fairly straightforward install, so going with that.

charlieIRL · 15-09-2019 10:40am

If you’d be interested in an EV box for less than 1k pm me and I’ll send you on the details of where I’m getting mine.

pobber1 · 15-09-2019 3:38pm

Petetheroadie wrote: »

I got it down to about 1250 before grant for a tethered zappi V2 and a fairly straightforward install, so going with that.

That's pretty good. I think the fact my fuse box is in the middle of the house and I have an air to water heating system is complicating matter.

drunkmonkey · 15-09-2019 4:38pm

What's the VW one like for €399 https://www.electrive.com/2019/09/11/vw-announces-e399-id-3-wallbox-charger/
Not available until November though.

slave1 · 15-09-2019 4:54pm

drunkmonkey wrote: »

What's the VW one like for €399 https://www.electrive.com/2019/09/11/vw-announces-e399-id-3-wallbox-charger/
Not available until November though.

That looks like a great charger, wouldn't worry about November, not that far away really

Calahonda52 · 15-09-2019 6:23pm

pobber1 wrote: »

That's pretty good. I think the fact my fuse box is in the middle of the house and I have an air to water heating system is complicating matter.

You need an intelligent charger that will modulate the charge to the EV with respect to what the HP is drawing. This will lead to longer charging times at night
IIRC a simple priority switch will not work in this case

rolion · 15-09-2019 6:54pm

slave1 wrote: »

That looks like a great charger, wouldn't worry about November, not that far away really

My €600 charger does what the "VW badged" charger at €900 does for that price.

mightybashful · 15-09-2019 7:11pm

rolion wrote: »

My €600 charger does what the "VW badged" charger at €900 does for that price.

But it's €400?

rolion · 15-09-2019 7:22pm

mightybashful wrote: »

But it's €400?

If I read correctly, the €400 has no interaction with outside worlds, is just a "big granny charger" covered and sold with a nice badge.
Don't think you as a home user needs digital meters and hourly billing but probable you will love a mobile app / web based interface to it.

Ahh, those prices are introductory btw !

mightybashful · 15-09-2019 7:24pm

rolion wrote: »

If I read correctly, the €400 has no interaction with outside worlds, is just a "big granny charger" covered and sold with a nice badge.
Don't think you as a home user needs digital meters and hourly billing but probable you will love a mobile app / web based interface to it.

Ahh, those prices are introductory btw !

It does look nice in fairness

What charger have ya by the way? Still looking for something meself

pobber1 · 15-09-2019 7:37pm

Calahonda52 wrote: »

You need an intelligent charger that will modulate the charge to the EV with respect to what the HP is drawing. This will lead to longer charging times at night
IIRC a simple priority switch will not work in this case

.

Maybe a "smart" priority switch would work, if there is such a thing.

TheChizler · 15-09-2019 9:00pm

pobber1 wrote: »

.

Maybe a "smart" priority switch would work, if there is such a thing.

The Zappi does, if not mentioned already

Calahonda52 · 16-09-2019 9:49am

TheChizler wrote: »

The Zappi does, if not mentioned already

I believe the one that Rolion here got does as well. I think he mentioned it further up

MJohnston · 16-09-2019 10:15am

Getting one of these installed right this minute:
https://www.eocharging.com/eo-mini

Should be about €1150 pre-grant for that and a load balancing unit installed. Installer is http://evpowerireland.ie/

I'll weigh in later again when I see the quality of the work. Won't have my i3 for another week though so I won't be able to review it on that aspect!

copeyhagen · 16-09-2019 10:43am

al lour work depots have charge points, so I'm more or less sorted.

want to get one for the house though, have the grant approved, will only be used every few weeks probably, whats the ebst option? the zappi one?!

2015 tesla model s 90d in few weeks.

cheers,

Rob

MJohnston · 16-09-2019 11:21am

copeyhagen wrote: »

want to get one for the house though, have the grant approved, will only be used every few weeks probably, whats the ebst option? the zappi one?!

What I've come to realise is that the model of wall charger is pretty unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Smart wall chargers are generally a waste of money if your car comes with the right necessities to be smart itself.

For example, my i3 will be able to set a charging schedule, and the car itself, or the BMW Connected app, can control most of this. So there would be zero point in me looking for a wall charger with that functionality.

I believe the Model S is capable of doing a scheduled charging built-in.

Without caring about smart stuff, or solar panel compatibility, your wall charger choices to make are the power rating (3.6kW or 7kW) and tethered vs untethered. Brand really only seems to affect aesthetics and build quality.

Calahonda52 · 16-09-2019 11:30am

MJohnston wrote: »

What I've come to realise is that the model of wall charger is pretty unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Smart wall chargers are generally a waste of money if your car comes with the right necessities to be smart itself.

For example, my i3 will be able to set a charging schedule, and the car itself, or the BMW Connected app, can control most of this. So there would be zero point in me looking for a wall charger with that functionality.

I believe the Model S is capable of doing a scheduled charging built-in.

Without caring about smart stuff, or solar panel compatibility, your wall charger choices to make are the power rating (3.6kW or 7kW) and tethered vs untethered. Brand really only seems to affect aesthetics and build quality.

There are two aspects to the intelligence of the wall unit.
The first is how it can deal with the car/ night rates etc.
The second is how it balances the load being pulled to cater for HPs and electric showers.

KCross · 16-09-2019 12:01pm

MJohnston wrote: »

What I've come to realise is that the model of wall charger is pretty unimportant in the grand scheme of things.

Smart wall chargers are generally a waste of money if your car comes with the right necessities to be smart itself.

For example, my i3 will be able to set a charging schedule, and the car itself, or the BMW Connected app, can control most of this. So there would be zero point in me looking for a wall charger with that functionality.

I believe the Model S is capable of doing a scheduled charging built-in.

Without caring about smart stuff, or solar panel compatibility, your wall charger choices to make are the power rating (3.6kW or 7kW) and tethered vs untethered. Brand really only seems to affect aesthetics and build quality.

As Calahonda has said the "smart" element isnt really about charge timers. They are best left to the car timers.

Its more about being smart with load balancing and load limiting and Solar if you want that. Those are alot more important than having timer capability in the charge point and thats where the "smart" bit is really.

copeyhagen · 16-09-2019 12:14pm

cheers for replies, watched a bit more on the zappi, wont be getting soalr panels installed in enxt few years if ever, so just gonna go with the basic one. electric shwoers getting ripped out today as part of a new boiler installation and replaced with pressure system.

think ill just go with electricirelands ones, plan on doing 90% of my charging for free in work anyway

MJohnston · 16-09-2019 12:25pm

KCross wrote: »

As Calahonda has said the "smart" element isnt really about charge timers. They are best left to the car timers.

Its more about being smart with load balancing and load limiting and Solar if you want that. Those are alot more important than having timer capability in the charge point and thats where the "smart" bit is really.

True, although the one I just got done, there was a separate Auto Load Management unit installed into the external metre box:

https://eocharging.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360016116972-EO-ALM-Product-Overview

So it's not the end of the world if the wall charger itself doesn't have that functionality!

MJohnston · 16-09-2019 12:43pm

Here's my EO Mini install done by EV Power:

Really happy with this - the charger is very discreet, barely juts out beyond the drain pipe there. We've a Ring video doorbell up front, so no real need for security features on the charger itself.

KCross · 16-09-2019 12:52pm

MJohnston wrote: »

True, although the one I just got done, there was a separate Auto Load Management unit installed into the external metre box:

https://eocharging.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360016116972-EO-ALM-Product-Overview

So it's not the end of the world if the wall charger itself doesn't have that functionality!

You cant, for instance, buy a "dumb" Rolec and then fit that Auto Load management thing to the meter box. They go hand in hand and you've bought a charge point that can handle those signals to drop the load down when it senses other things in the house coming on. Thats good. Good purchase imo.

What I'm saying is, you have to buy a charge point that can load sense. You cant make it load sense later if it doesnt have the capability to begin with.

unkel · 16-09-2019 3:07pm

copeyhagen wrote: »

electric shwoers getting ripped out today as part of a new boiler installation and replaced with pressure system.

Nice one, you won't regret getting rid of those pieces of sh1te

Did you consider going solar thermal (€1200 subsidy) while you were replacing the boiler (and presumably your hot water cylinder)?

copeyhagen wrote: »

think ill just go with electricirelands ones, plan on doing 90% of my charging for free in work anyway

It's a decent deal. Try and get them to install using 6mm2 cable and a 40A RCBO. If they do that it's easy to upgrade the unit to 32A later DIY

copeyhagen · 17-09-2019 1:51pm

unkel wrote: »

Nice one, you won't regret getting rid of those pieces of sh1te

Did you consider going solar thermal (€1200 subsidy) while you were replacing the boiler (and presumably your hot water cylinder)?

It's a decent deal. Try and get them to install using 6mm2 cable and a 40A RCBO. If they do that it's easy to upgrade the unit to 32A later DIY

they emailed me back, circontrol ehome 7.4kw type 2 with 5m tethered for 1100 inc vat.

so that's 1100 minus the 600 grant I presume, still more than I was hoping to spend.

anything wrong with any of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=home+ev+charger&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

as long as theyre 32amp? can we still use them with the grant, just claim back at the end when the leccy signs off on it yeh?

JohnC. · 17-09-2019 2:51pm

If you do buy a charge point from the UK, are there any complications for the grant? In terms of currency, I mean. Or is the cost of the point irrelevant? I don’t actually know what information they look for other than it being properly signed off at the end of installation and the picture.

Mickeroo · 17-09-2019 2:57pm

JohnC. wrote: »

If you do buy a charge point from the UK, are there any complications for the grant? In terms of currency, I mean. Or is the cost of the point irrelevant? I don’t actually know what information they look for other than it being properly signed off at the end of installation and the picture.

No it doesn't matter at all. They don't look for receipts or anything just a total cost of charger and install.

copeyhagen · 17-09-2019 3:26pm

think ill go with a tethered 32amp from amazon so. try get one of the lads from in here to fit it then. will be doing majority of charging in work, so don't need anything fancy

Gumbo · 17-09-2019 3:32pm

JohnC. wrote: »

If you do buy a charge point from the UK, are there any complications for the grant? In terms of currency, I mean. Or is the cost of the point irrelevant? I don’t actually know what information they look for other than it being properly signed off at the end of installation and the picture.

I bought mine second hand on the Facebook Group for €200. No problems at all with the full €600 Grant.

copeyhagen · 17-09-2019 3:50pm

kceire wrote: »

I bought mine second hand on the Facebook Group for €200. No problems at all with the full €600 Grant.

whats the facebrook group kc?

cheers.

rolion · 17-09-2019 5:29pm

Mad prices for dummy chargers... just "bigger granny cables" in nice and costly cases.

Got my EVcharger from H E R E,i can say that is the smartest charger on the EU zone market not only by design & works but by mobile app, controls, settings and notifications.
One is working grand,waiting for the second.

KCross · 17-09-2019 5:36pm

rolion wrote: »

Mad prices for dummy chargers... just "bigger granny cables" in nice and costly cases.

Got my EVcharger from H E R E,i can say that is the smartest charger on the EU zone market not only by design & works but by mobile app, controls, settings and notifications.
One is working grand,waiting for the second.

Looking at website that's €695 ex shipping. Is that what you paid?

Any ongoing costs (app use, cloud account etc)?
Does it have any load sensing capability as I dont see it in the main page?

Gumbo · 17-09-2019 5:37pm

copeyhagen wrote: »

whats the facebrook group kc?

cheers.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/IEVOA/?ref=share

And

https://www.facebook.com/groups/irishevowners/?ref=share

Then there’s a few for your specific make of car etc

Dempsey · 17-09-2019 7:33pm

Do ye buy the chargepoint yourselves or get the electrician to buy it?

TheChizler · 17-09-2019 8:26pm

You can buy it yourself

unkel · 17-09-2019 8:54pm

copeyhagen wrote: »

they emailed me back, circontrol ehome 7.4kw type 2 with 5m tethered for 1100 inc vat.

Ah ok. Not such a good deal. I thought you were going for their deal to install the 16A enabled (but changeable to 32A by hooking it up to a laptop) German ABL charger for €749 all in

I have that charger too, it was part of the initial ESB eCars free charger offer that was on from 2014-2017 or so. I got the installer to use 6mm2 cable (that I provided) and I had an electrician friend later swap the 25A RCBO for a 40A one that I provided. I re-programmed the unit myself. Has been working flawlessly for 2.5 years now.

Dempsey · 17-09-2019 9:08pm

rolion wrote: »

Mad prices for dummy chargers... just "bigger granny cables" in nice and costly cases.

Got my EVcharger from H E R E,i can say that is the smartest charger on the EU zone market not only by design & works but by mobile app, controls, settings and notifications.
One is working grand,waiting for the second.

They dont accept Irish credit cards :mad::(

Gumbo · 17-09-2019 9:28pm

unkel wrote: »

Ah ok. Not such a good deal. I thought you were going for their deal to install the 16A enabled (but changeable to 32A by hooking it up to a laptop) German ABL charger for €749 all in

I have that charger too, it was part of the initial ESB eCars free charger offer that was on from 2014-2017 or so. I got the installer to use 6mm2 cable (that I provided) and I had an electrician friend later swap the 25A RCBO for a 40A one that I provided. I re-programmed the unit myself. Has been working flawlessly for 2.5 years now.

I have the same charger. Haven’t flashed it to 32a yet as I’m not confident enough to do it. In saying that, I’ve used it once since January due to work place chargers

Gumbo · 17-09-2019 9:28pm

Dempsey wrote: »

They dont accept Irish credit cards :mad::(

What about Revolut or monese or similar?

unkel · 17-09-2019 9:32pm

kceire wrote: »

I have the same charger. Haven’t flashed it to 32a yet as I’m not confident enough to do it. In saying that, I’ve used it once since January due to work place chargers

I did look for my keys (I left the little serial connector inside the unit) so I can help you do yours, but I can't find them

But if you only use it occasionally, I guess it doesn't matter much. You can still charge your car from almost empty to full within the 9 hours of night rate electricity

Dempsey · 17-09-2019 9:35pm

kceire wrote: »

What about Revolut or monese or similar?

I have revolut but I dont have 750 lying around at the moment:pac:

Gumbo · 17-09-2019 11:19pm

unkel wrote: »

I did look for my keys (I left the little serial connector inside the unit) so I can help you do yours, but I can't find them

But if you only use it occasionally, I guess it doesn't matter much. You can still charge your car from almost empty to full within the 9 hours of night rate electricity

I got a key from Nigel Daly for mine. He was very kind in offering one and didn’t charge me despite not supplying or installing the charger for me.

I doubt I’d try it myself to be honest, I don’t trust myself

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

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