Long term 3 pin charging - Bad idea?

[Casa1862]

I'm looking at using the 3 pin cable and somehow finding a reel or small box to hide the charger end when not in use, I'd have the 3 pin plug end inside and the charger end outside. I have a dedicated mains plug without the need for an extension lead.

I've got a Volvo S60 recharge that doesn't make use of of the 7 kw charger (but hardly any price difference 3kw vs 7kw chargers and might as well futureproof). I'm thinking of getting a proper charger installed at some point for convenience but has anyone done a DIY solution using the 3 pin cable, at the moment I need to open the garage door and run the cable under the roller door which is bit of a pain and squashes the wire ever so slightly, If I could find a temporary tidy solution DIY solution (or even use it longer term if it's ok), I'm thinking may Octopus agile might be an option when my current tariff expires but seems a long winded process to get the cheaper night rate and £199 charger. The discounted Octopus charger isn't very tide but it's cheap, the PodPoint is big but at least the cable is hidden in the reel when not in use.

[aparna]

I don't know how useful one date point is, but I've been charging a LR tesla almostly exclusively via 3 pin for 2 years now with no obvious ill effect.

Hard to tell though, as havn't been tracking degradation and may have just got lucky.

I have a decent dedicated garage outlet and run it under the garage. I did once try an extension cord but the Tesla app told me off and warned me it was getting hot.

I've been on the verge of moving constantly so havn't bothered with the install. Wish I had now, but prices have goine up I think. It wouldn't make any financial sense even with octopus, but would be much neater and probably safer.

[BFleming]

I'm led to believe you need to keep charging within 20-80% of the battery's capacity if you do random short journeys; you can go to 100%, but you're supposed to drive straight away. If you can charge on a timer, do that, and schedule it to finish as you set off on your journey.

[Casa1862]

aparna said:

I don't know how useful one date point is, but I've been charging a LR tesla almostly exclusively via 3 pin for 2 years now with no obvious ill effect.

Hard to tell though, as havn't been tracking degradation and may have just got lucky.

I have a decent dedicated garage outlet and run it under the garage. I did once try an extension cord but the Tesla app told me off and warned me it was getting hot.

I've been on the verge of moving constantly so havn't bothered with the install. Wish I had now, but prices have goine up I think. It wouldn't make any financial sense even with octopus, but would be much neater and probably safer.

I agree about the financial, if they don’t work for you they certainly won’t for me!! The Volvo only gives 24 mile range, spending £700 on a charger for 24 miles I don’t think I’ll ever get back, only thing would be convenience and being tidy. If I could somehow use the 3 pin cable and run in trunking and just have the last 1.5m in a reel or box would be good, I park practically next to where the cable would be.

The 3 pin charger takes about 4 hours from flat and dedicated charger might save 30 mins, DIY solution sounding more tempting, I’m thinking of a box like the posh Anderson Charger….a fake one😁

[SWoll]

15k miles of 3 pin charging with a Model 3 P here over 18 months. Charge to 85% most days with no noticeable ill affects.

I'm of the view regular rapid charging is where problems are more likely to occur due to temperatures etc.

[Mr E]

Fine. Probably better for the chemistry to charge at 2kw than 7kw.

[paradigital]

We charge our Passat GTE on 3-pin at home. I got a waterproof outside socket fitted, with a fused switch inside the house. The charger is kept in a gas meter box, with a cutout to allow the mains cable in, and the charge lead out. We just keep the gas meter box key on the car keyring so we can coil up/uncoil the lead as needed before/after a journey. Has worked so far for the 6 weeks we’ve been doing it, and I can’t see how a tethered charger would be any different for our use case (besides costing far more than a gas meter box and external mains spur).

[Casa1862]

Thanks for all the replies, I was looking at it being a temporary solution but quite encouraging that no real negatives using the 3 pin charger. I was looking at the Pod Point but just seems overkill for the car and way bigger than I wanted it to be, if ever move to a full EV then may consider it.

If I use an extension lead then I could find a better install position for it, Volvo say don’t use an extension lead but lots of people recommending the Tough leads with a RCD build in. Anyone use decent extension lead or very bad idea? Currently can get away without using an extension lead, the cable is not that long so I assume people must use extension leads.

Now just need to find a fake Anderson type housing!!