Home charger woes
Discussion
I'm sure lots of people have bought electric cars because they see them as the answer to questions or perspectives that are personal to them. I've ordered an iPace from Rockar, based on the premise that it's cheap on BIK (so I've bought it using company funds), I can drive it in London and my commute to work and general use fits with the profile. I also have solar panels at home (on which I get a hefty feed in tariff payment), so you could probably describe me as someone whose interest in EVs is more financial than evangelical. Plus, I'd like to see how practical it is to run one: I have access to other cars which I'll use when I can't be bothered to charge on the road: I can't ever see me stopping and sitting around while my car charges at some godforsaken hole of a services, because I see that as a waste of a life.
However, the whole premise of ownership begins to fall apart when you try and arrange to have a 7kW charged installed at home. I live in an old farmhouse with nothing else around me, my wife and I are 'empty nesters' but we have the temerity to own a washing machine and tumble drier, a power shower and an electric Aga cooker. Apparently these modest electrical items mean that I have to have a new fuse fitted by the local power company (and can I get an answer to when this might happen? No) before they can install the charger, as the total existing load might exceed 79A and the standard fuse is 100A. So I'm faced with the prospect of taking delivery of a car that I can only charge through a 13A socket, which could take >24 hours.
I'm rapidly losing enthusiasm. Am I unusual or is this a taste of what everyone will experience? I'm sure the charger installers will bend over backwards to give good customer service but the power companies will be their usual useless selves: we've been waiting a year for them to trim back some tress which are touching their powerlines in our field!
However, the whole premise of ownership begins to fall apart when you try and arrange to have a 7kW charged installed at home. I live in an old farmhouse with nothing else around me, my wife and I are 'empty nesters' but we have the temerity to own a washing machine and tumble drier, a power shower and an electric Aga cooker. Apparently these modest electrical items mean that I have to have a new fuse fitted by the local power company (and can I get an answer to when this might happen? No) before they can install the charger, as the total existing load might exceed 79A and the standard fuse is 100A. So I'm faced with the prospect of taking delivery of a car that I can only charge through a 13A socket, which could take >24 hours.
I'm rapidly losing enthusiasm. Am I unusual or is this a taste of what everyone will experience? I'm sure the charger installers will bend over backwards to give good customer service but the power companies will be their usual useless selves: we've been waiting a year for them to trim back some tress which are touching their powerlines in our field!
Needing your main fuse upgrading isn't uncommon. I guess most people who buy EVs do few enough miles that charging from a 13amp socket for a few weeks isn't an issue for them.
It's certainly something which will have to be made more efficient as EVs become more mainstream, though.
It's certainly something which will have to be made more efficient as EVs become more mainstream, though.
Edited by kambites on Monday 24th February 15:18
RicksAlfas said:
When my main fuse blew it was replaced within the hour.
Maybe you could try plugging in everything you possess and see if you can blow the bugger?
The problem wont be physically replacing the fuse, any electrician can do that. The issue will be whatever tests they need to run on the cables leading ot the house to make sure they're up to it. Maybe you could try plugging in everything you possess and see if you can blow the bugger?
kambites said:
The problem wont be physically replacing the fuse, any electrician can do that. The issue will be whatever tests they need to run on the cables leading ot the house to make sure they're up to it.
Ok, I see what you mean.But just a point about the main fuse - that can only be replaced by the electricity board, not a local sparky.
RicksAlfas said:
But just a point about the main fuse - that can only be replaced by the electricity board, not a local sparky.
Mine was done by a normal electrician when I had my consumer unit upgraded? Although strictly speaking I suppose he might have put the same fuse back in rather than a new one. Not sure. 
kambites said:
RicksAlfas said:
When my main fuse blew it was replaced within the hour.
Maybe you could try plugging in everything you possess and see if you can blow the bugger?
The problem wont be physically replacing the fuse, any electrician can do that. The issue will be whatever tests they need to run on the cables leading ot the house to make sure they're up to it. Maybe you could try plugging in everything you possess and see if you can blow the bugger?
But my point is that to anyone who 'just wants a car', all this risks pushing EVs into the 'too much faff' category....and this is just the first ownership hurdle. I'm dreading having to deal with UKPN who are the definition of useless as they have a monopoly: I'm sure most people will just give up and order a PHEV or wait for hydrogen. Boris and his 2032/2035 promise already looks to me like the usual Governmental hot air (and just beyond when this current bunch of chancers have to worry about: by then it will be someone else's problem).
I live in a modern house with 100 amp fuse and already have one charger
Wanted to add a second charger for another car but can’t do it with 100 amp fuse. I need a three phase electric supply which can only be installed by Electricity Board. Estimated cost in excess of £10,000!! One benefit it will allow fast charging
So if Government want to phase out petrol and diesel, families with 2,3 or 4 electric cars will have complex home charging arrangements set on timers and rotation on different days !!
Wanted to add a second charger for another car but can’t do it with 100 amp fuse. I need a three phase electric supply which can only be installed by Electricity Board. Estimated cost in excess of £10,000!! One benefit it will allow fast charging
So if Government want to phase out petrol and diesel, families with 2,3 or 4 electric cars will have complex home charging arrangements set on timers and rotation on different days !!
Rob-s5mok said:
However, the whole premise of ownership begins to fall apart when you try and arrange to have a 7kW charged installed at home. I live in an old farmhouse with nothing else around me, my wife and I are 'empty nesters' but we have the temerity to own a washing machine and tumble drier, a power shower and an electric Aga cooker. Apparently these modest electrical items mean that I have to have a new fuse fitted by the local power company (and can I get an answer to when this might happen? No) before they can install the charger, as the total existing load might exceed 79A and the standard fuse is 100A. So I'm faced with the prospect of taking delivery of a car that I can only charge through a 13A socket, which could take >24 hours.
I'm rapidly losing enthusiasm. Am I unusual or is this a taste of what everyone will experience? I'm sure the charger installers will bend over backwards to give good customer service but the power companies will be their usual useless selves: we've been waiting a year for them to trim back some tress which are touching their powerlines in our field!
I have installed a home charger in the same scenario as you describe without having to upgrade the 100A fuse. Mine was done by Pod Point and it has load balancing which varies the power to avoid tripping the main fuse. I'm rapidly losing enthusiasm. Am I unusual or is this a taste of what everyone will experience? I'm sure the charger installers will bend over backwards to give good customer service but the power companies will be their usual useless selves: we've been waiting a year for them to trim back some tress which are touching their powerlines in our field!
Amateurish said:
I have installed a home charger in the same scenario as you describe without having to upgrade the 100A fuse. Mine was done by Pod Point and it has load balancing which varies the power to avoid tripping the main fuse.
Maybe they are a better option: Jaguar 'recommend' both Pod Point and Chargemaster: I opted for the latter for reasons that escape me now.....;-)cc3 said:
So if Government want to phase out petrol and diesel, families with 2,3 or 4 electric cars will have complex home charging arrangements set on timers and rotation on different days !!
TBH batteries on modern EVs should last many days for most people, you won't need to charge the car every night. Moderns EVs will do 200m+ on a charge and future ones will go further. No need for multiple chargers either really. Hi,
I’m no expert but have recently had several quotes for a charger. We have a 100amp fuse and also lots of current draw as our heating is electric. Not one has raised an issue with not enough power as they use zappi which has load balancing. It monitors the current draw on the input to the house and adjusts the charge rate of the load requires it. Maybe try another company who will fit zappi?
Good luck. I do understand it feels like a faf though, as I feel the same at times. It’s just not as easy as buying another petrol car
I’m no expert but have recently had several quotes for a charger. We have a 100amp fuse and also lots of current draw as our heating is electric. Not one has raised an issue with not enough power as they use zappi which has load balancing. It monitors the current draw on the input to the house and adjusts the charge rate of the load requires it. Maybe try another company who will fit zappi?
Good luck. I do understand it feels like a faf though, as I feel the same at times. It’s just not as easy as buying another petrol car
Please forgive me for hijacking this thread with a sort of relevant question as I have been pondering when/how I will switch to an electric car. I regularly only do 12 miles a day and maybe 40 miles at the weekend, not a lot I know, and the odd long distance ish trip of maybe 100 miles once a month. But I want a nice car to do it in, so have been considering a lease on an i-Pace.
Now it's a lease so this shouldn't really matter to me but whats good for the battery?
The scenarios as I see them:
1) Get home every night plug it in to a 13amp wall socket and top it up over night.
2) Let it run down a little bit more and maybe plug it in to the 13amp wall socket every other night or where ever the sweet spot is of gaining 100% battery to start the day after a charge. Meaning should one of those longer trips come up no planning required just plug it in the night before.
3) Let it run all the way down and then just charge over night every night till it gets full and then rinse and repeat.
4) Get a 7Kw home charger and then use it like a petrol station whenever I need it.
So to refine the question:
Does it matter how you charge the battery (for battery life/longevity/maximum capacity) at home in a low mileage situation or is there some fancy software dealing with it so I don't worry and all I have to think about is not rapid charging it too many times in a row?
I don't know how many miles the OP does, but I would have assumed getting a home charger was the right thing to do irrespective of miles to look after the battery, but then some posters are saying about "granny charging" and if that is acceptable am I over thinking it, the change is easier than I think and it might be for the Op as well if they are only doing low miles and just embracing what may be the future.
Now it's a lease so this shouldn't really matter to me but whats good for the battery?
The scenarios as I see them:
1) Get home every night plug it in to a 13amp wall socket and top it up over night.
2) Let it run down a little bit more and maybe plug it in to the 13amp wall socket every other night or where ever the sweet spot is of gaining 100% battery to start the day after a charge. Meaning should one of those longer trips come up no planning required just plug it in the night before.
3) Let it run all the way down and then just charge over night every night till it gets full and then rinse and repeat.
4) Get a 7Kw home charger and then use it like a petrol station whenever I need it.
So to refine the question:
Does it matter how you charge the battery (for battery life/longevity/maximum capacity) at home in a low mileage situation or is there some fancy software dealing with it so I don't worry and all I have to think about is not rapid charging it too many times in a row?
I don't know how many miles the OP does, but I would have assumed getting a home charger was the right thing to do irrespective of miles to look after the battery, but then some posters are saying about "granny charging" and if that is acceptable am I over thinking it, the change is easier than I think and it might be for the Op as well if they are only doing low miles and just embracing what may be the future.
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