Recommend me a simple uk 3pin to type 2 charger

[MB140]

Wife has just bought a Volvo xc60 T8. Really love it.

It’s supplied with a simple plug in charger that you run the mains on and it starts charging. Absolutely no buttons on it.

Problem is the cable isn’t long enough unless we start shuffling cars around every time we charge it

What I’m after is a very simple turn the electricity on at the 3 pin uk plug 15-20m long cable.

We currently use a smart plug (technics brand I think), this means we can turn the charger on and off with the App, can schedule the plug to turn on and off with the app any time anywhere in the world and can also use Alex in the house.

It’s currently plugged in to a socket in the garage with the cable led under the garage door. Don’t want to have to start opening the garage as another car is parked in front means moving cars around.

I can see many replacement chargers via Amazon, eBay, Google etc but they nearly all seem to have menus and buttons to press and I’m not sure if I just turn the power on at the wall if they will start charging. I could go around contacting all these companies but does anybody know off one without me having to do that.

[MB140]

dirtbiker said:

I've got a 10m Masterplug one which is decent (it does have a screen and buttons but would behave as you want it to if connected to a smart plug).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TYTW7HS/ref=pe_2706...

I'd be a little wary of the current draw through a smart plug though to be honest, especially if you were leaving it unattended.

I don't think many places do anything longer than 10m so you might struggle!

Yeah I did check the plug and it’s rated at 13amp, I think the current charger draws 10 amps. So it should be ok.

I’m actually wondering if it’s worth biting the bullet and getting a proper dedicated outdoor charger fitted to future proof the house. I do wonder if when everybody starts wanting the chargers fitted if the local infrastructure will run out of capacity and they might refuse people having a charger fitted at there home if the local infrastructure is operating near max.

[MB140]

So just for info below is the plug and charger we are using.





So it does seem like it should be ok. It’s in the garage which is always the coldest part of the house.

What is PEN DC leakage protection and if it’s in the regs why are Volvo allowed to sell a plug in charger if it can cause damage like in the photo above.

I’m really thinking maybe a proper EV charger might be best (about £1000) offset by say £200 for a quality mains plug in charger.

[MB140]

samoht said:

I charge my Citroen overnight at 10A from a Tapo P105 smart plug and a no-name 3-pin charger that the previous owner of the car threw in
https://www.johnlewis.com/tp-link-tapo-p105-mini-w...

Have done nightly since Nov with zero problems.

I can't say your house will be the same, but it's working well for me and saves me needing to spend a grand on a charger just yet.

Thanks for that info. The house is only 9 years old we bought it off plan so I know there shouldn’t be any dodgy below standard wiring in the house.

I’m still tempted to future proof and get a dedicated charger. Unfortunately we only have single phase in to the house but I can’t see that being a problem.

[MB140]

samoht said:

Just re-reading your original post, possibly this extension lead might be a cheap and simple solution:
https://toughleads.co.uk/collections/ev-electric-v...

I had thought about that. Problem then becomes people could just walk up the drive and nick the whole charger when it’s not in use. Obviously if plugged in it’s locked to the car. Not an issue.

Don’t really want to be dragging a wet cable back through the house in the morning. Currently the charge part of the cable (see previous picture) stays inside the garage with just the cable going out under the garage door so it’s secure.

Thanks for the idea though. Appreciate it.