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Why do you need a special charger?

  • 17-03-2019 9:17pm
    #1
    the_pen_turner
    Registered Users Posts: 7,505 ✭✭✭


    what does the dedicated charger do
    why cant that be inside the car
    why couldnt you plug it into a normal socket (13a or 16a etc)


    im not up on this side of things. surely making it so you could charge off of any socket would make it easier for a lot of people


Comments

  • #2
    goob20s
    Registered Users Posts: 138 ✭✭goob20s


    You can plug from any socket. The dedicated ones are faster and easier to use


  • #3
    manonboard
    Registered Users Posts: 1,102 ✭✭✭manonboard


    People charge off regular sockets alot, but they can only carry so much load as the circuits in a house were not designed for it, and the plugs we use too.

    They hold 13 amps generally which would take many hours at 240volts which we use.

    The dedicated chargers allow for a much higher transfer of power through the sockets, fuses, and thicker wires (more current) etc and the plugs are far more apt for heavier weather.


  • #4
    Gumbo
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 38,427 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    the_pen_turner wrote: »
    what does the dedicated charger do
    why cant that be inside the car
    why couldnt you plug it into a normal socket (13a or 16a etc)


    im not up on this side of things. surely making it so you could charge off of any socket would make it easier for a lot of people

    You mean something like this .......


  • #5
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users Posts: 14,906 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    Have a look at this explanation and see the different plug types and power handling requirements.
    https://www.zap-map.com/charge-points/


  • #6
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 64,744 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    You can plug it into a normal socket, most EVs come with 2 cables. One for a normal socket (the "granny cable") and one for a "special charger"

    The normal socket charges at about 2kW
    The special charger for most cars charges at 7.2kW

    Most EV owners charge at night at the night rate (of about 8c/kWh). If you do that with the normal socket, you can only get about 18kWh (2kW * 9 hours), which is not enough to fully charge any EV. For some newer EVs with big batteries like a Hyundai Kona with 64kWh battery, you can only charge it a bit with the granny cable. So basically the "special charger" saves money. Particularly when you got it either installed for free or got a €600 subsidy for it :D


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  • #7
    samih
    Registered Users Posts: 2,795 ✭✭✭samih


    Just to be complete: The real charger Indeed is in the car. The only thing an EVSE, which is therefore not a charger but a charge point, does is to negotiate the fastest charge rate both the power supply and the car can do. It also ensures you can't get electrocuted when plugging in and out and stops arcing when making the connections.

    They really are just overpriced power sockets. The public DC rapid chargers on the other hand are real chargers.


  • #8
    biko
    Registered Users Posts: 81,223 ✭✭✭✭biko


    I often charge my PHEV from a regular socket at work.


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