Cheap charger

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Discussion

Somebody

Original Poster:

1,409 posts

97 months

Wednesday 7th June 2023
quotequote all
What's the consensus on this EVSE please?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EN-7-4kW-Smart-Charge-Poi...

No ideas for a name

2,577 posts

100 months

Wednesday 7th June 2023
quotequote all
Somebody said:
What's the consensus on this EVSE please?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EN-7-4kW-Smart-Charge-Poi...
Pricing mistake by Amazon?

https://enplus.uk/product_showcase/7kw-smart-home/

Seems to be priced at £550 elsewhere!


Somebody

Original Poster:

1,409 posts

97 months

Wednesday 7th June 2023
quotequote all
You’re probably right, given that it’s no longer available. Would have been a good buy at under £130. There’s an option to have it installed for £385+VAT (for standard installation).

OutInTheShed

11,219 posts

40 months

Wednesday 7th June 2023
quotequote all
Still seems to be available for £249 if you click on all buying options?

That seems about right for a plastic box, a 32A cable and plug, and a big WiFi switch?

Paul Drawmer

5,035 posts

281 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
It looks as if it is app controlled only.

It is probably not compliant with latest smart charge points regulations 2021. ( random charge delay etc.)

Frimley111R

17,007 posts

248 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
The only chargers that cost that little are non-compliant ones that suppliers are offloading.

Because the relevant bodies in the industry are pretty stupid they brought in the new regs but there were thousands of chargers still in stock in outlets and so manufacturers got special dispensation to sell these off first.

That's not the cheapest I have seen but it's half the price of a compliant one...

OutInTheShed

11,219 posts

40 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
Paul Drawmer said:
It looks as if it is app controlled only.

It is probably not compliant with latest smart charge points regulations 2021. ( random charge delay etc.)
Is that not upgradeable in that there 'software'?

No ideas for a name

2,577 posts

100 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
Paul Drawmer said:
It looks as if it is app controlled only.

It is probably not compliant with latest smart charge points regulations 2021. ( random charge delay etc.)
No dog in this particular fight, but from the published data...

Manufacturer states
Date First Available 15 July 2022
New UK Regulation Compliant

When the OP made their posting, it was up for about £130 with 7 units available.
Again I suspect that was a pricing mistake.

Presently listed by Amazon at £249.99 so still apparently good value.
If I was quick enough, buying one at £130 to do a bit of analysis would have been worthwhile.

My main interest is if it is OCPP compliant without relying on the manufacturer's servers.
Not keen on the tethered design - but that is just a personal preference.

LordFlathead

9,646 posts

272 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
It will burn the house down and kill all your children.

Unlikely = yes
Possible = yes

Why would you risk some nasty Chinese tat for your £40+k car? Spend a few extra quid and buy something that has a good reputation.

Tye Green

889 posts

123 months

Thursday 8th June 2023
quotequote all
LordFlathead said:
It will burn the house down and kill all your children.

Unlikely = yes
Possible = yes

Why would you risk some nasty Chinese tat for your £40+k car? Spend a few extra quid and buy something that has a good reputation.
How do you know it's tat? And nasty? Is it because it's made in China ?

A domestic charge point is just a box holding a few relays and a device for managing comms between the car and your 230v supply. Those manufactured and sold by UK manufacturers mostly contain Chinese parts and are vastly overpriced.

paradigital

1,033 posts

166 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
Tye Green said:
How do you know it's tat? And nasty? Is it because it's made in China ?

A domestic charge point is just a box holding a few relays and a device for managing comms between the car and your 230v supply. Those manufactured and sold by UK manufacturers mostly contain Chinese parts and are vastly overpriced.
If you are going to be pedantic, at least be correct about it. It will contain contactors, not relays wink

Tye Green

889 posts

123 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
paradigital said:
Tye Green said:
How do you know it's tat? And nasty? Is it because it's made in China ?

A domestic charge point is just a box holding a few relays and a device for managing comms between the car and your 230v supply. Those manufactured and sold by UK manufacturers mostly contain Chinese parts and are vastly overpriced.
If you are going to be pedantic, at least be correct about it. It will contain contactors, not relays wink
I wasn't being pedantic, just enquiring why the poster considered the device to be tat.

however, speaking of being pedantic, many EVSE units have their components mounted on PCBs and most definitely use relays though I'm not sure you can actually tell us the difference between a relay and contactor?

gmaz

4,873 posts

224 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
quotequote all
This is the cheapest smart charger I've found

https://evonestop.co.uk/products/qubev-smart?varia...

Old Rolecs didn't have a good reputation, but this is a totally new model so maybe it will be better?