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Rolec EV:WallPod SolarCharge - Zappi alternative?

  • 20-06-2019 9:46am
    #1
    thos
    Registered Users Posts: 574 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,
    Looks like Rolec are bringing out a Zappi competitor with their WallPod EV:SolarChage

    Datasheet here
    Overview information here

    Pricing looks to start from £395+VAT, taking pre orders for June delivery - this is from evonestop.co.uk here
    Pretty competitive versus Zappi at £695+VAT

    No app or remote options available, all config or mode switch done via the unit itself.
    Doesn't look to have the Zappi 'Smart Boost' which I think is a pretty key feature for me.

    Anyone else know of other Solar charge alternatives out there?

    Tom


Comments

  • #2
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 64,760 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    I always reckoned Zappi were overcharging (because they can - lack of competition)


  • #3
    daheff
    Registered Users Posts: 5,833 ✭✭✭daheff


    does this need an isolator switch for those with a power shower? ie an extra cost?
    zappi seems to have that already built in


  • #4
    _ned_
    Registered Users Posts: 72 ✭✭_ned_


    A friend just bought an L30 and is looking for a charger. This Rolec looks very nice, but does it do grid current limiting? This is one feature of the Zappi that really is a must-have. You don't want to blow your main fuse, because you switched on the kettle, shower and a hairdryer while the car is charging. Does anyone know of a reasonably priced EVSE that has a limit feature? Or is the Zappi the only one?


  • #5
    ltd440
    Registered Users Posts: 292 ✭✭ltd440


    It says it has rcbo ( circuit breaker) on the specs, so looks like a good alternative to the Zappi


  • #6
    _dof_
    Registered Users Posts: 449 ✭✭_dof_


    ltd440 wrote: »
    It says it has rcbo ( circuit breaker) on the specs, so looks like a good alternative to the Zappi

    The RCBO is just a fault protection device, it's not the same thing as the grid limiting feature of the Zappi, so if you have an electric shower you would need to install a priority switch with this one.

    I think only the Zappi and the Garo have the grid limiting, standard in the Zappi and an optional extra with the Garo.


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  • #7
    JohnC.
    Registered Users Posts: 3,374 ✭✭✭JohnC.


    _dof_ wrote: »
    I think only the Zappi and the Garo have the grid limiting, standard in the Zappi and an optional extra with the Garo.

    Garo looks interesting. About how much are they? The website seems lacking in prices and looks geared more towards trade sales.


  • #8
    ltd440
    Registered Users Posts: 292 ✭✭ltd440


    _dof_ wrote: »
    ltd440 wrote: »
    It says it has rcbo ( circuit breaker) on the specs, so looks like a good alternative to the Zappi

    The RCBO is just a fault protection device, it's not the same thing as the grid limiting feature of the Zappi, so if you have an electric shower you would need to install a priority switch with this one.

    I think only the Zappi and the Garo have the grid limiting, standard in the Zappi and an optional extra with the Garo.
    Thanks for clearing that up for me, I'm still unsure which home charger to get. I don't have solar and won't be getting any in the next few years, so I'm thinking a basic second hand unit would do me. I was thinking this rolec would be a bit of future proofing but anyway back to plan a


  • #9
    ethernet
    Registered Users Posts: 3,568 ✭✭✭ethernet


    JohnC. wrote: »
    Garo looks interesting. About how much are they? The website seems lacking in prices and looks geared more towards trade sales.

    Last time I got quotes, an untethered model was around €800 and the tethered modal was a bit over 1k. That's before adding on loading balancing, wifi modules or other bells and whistles. Then again, they've been in the electrical game a long time so it's probably a solid piece of kit.


  • #10
    KCross
    Registered Users Posts: 12,070 ✭✭✭✭KCross


    daheff wrote: »
    does this need an isolator switch for those with a power shower? ie an extra cost?
    zappi seems to have that already built in

    By my reading of the spec, yes.

    The Rolec solar just diverts excess solar to your car but no load limiting built in.


  • #11
    _ned_
    Registered Users Posts: 72 ✭✭_ned_


    I emailed Rolec and they say that none of their current models have load limiting, but they expect to announce new models that will limit "in a few weeks". I'm happy with the Zappi and hub since I got the charging bug fixed, but they are quite expensive. I didn't know that Garo do a limiting charger.


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