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shep1001

Original Poster:

4,617 posts

211 months

Monday 30th November 2020
quotequote all

We live in a new build property from 2019. Are there any EV chargers on the market that can be installed without the need for additional earthing protection, either through a rod or something like Garo's box of wizardry?

I don't want a big ugly charger stuck on the wall, I like the EO mini pro2 but I guess there is only so much tech that can be fitted into the small footprint of the EO charger.

Chris-S

282 posts

110 months

Monday 30th November 2020
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Check out the Andersen A2. Small they ain’t, but they do look stylish and are smart, in both senses of the word. No earth rod required. Of course, not exactly cheap, but then you do seem to actually get something for your cash, unlike the early ones like my Rolec which is a cheap plastic box with a relay in it, basically.

https://andersen-ev.com/

shep1001

Original Poster:

4,617 posts

211 months

Monday 30th November 2020
quotequote all
Chris-S said:
Check out the Andersen A2. Small they ain’t, but they do look stylish and are smart, in both senses of the word. No earth rod required. Of course, not exactly cheap, but then you do seem to actually get something for your cash, unlike the early ones like my Rolec which is a cheap plastic box with a relay in it, basically.

https://andersen-ev.com/
Won’t fit on the wall where I need it located sadly.

granada203028

1,500 posts

219 months

Monday 30th November 2020
quotequote all
Just get a 32A socket installed, then buy a 3rd party charging lead to taste.

The essential "tech" just tells the car how much it can pull. "Charger" is a grand term for what really is quite simple. The complex bit is on board the car.

Order66

6,740 posts

271 months

Monday 30th November 2020
quotequote all
granada203028 said:
Just get a 32A socket installed, then buy a 3rd party charging lead to taste.

The essential "tech" just tells the car how much it can pull. "Charger" is a grand term for what really is quite simple. The complex bit is on board the car.
Having just experienced the cost of getting a "smart" charger installed, I'm of the opinion it was a mistake. Unless you are on a sophisticated tariff with a smart meter then a 32A commando socket will charge the car just as fast and you could get it installed for a fraction of the cost.

shep1001

Original Poster:

4,617 posts

211 months

Monday 30th November 2020
quotequote all
Order66 said:
Having just experienced the cost of getting a "smart" charger installed, I'm of the opinion it was a mistake. Unless you are on a sophisticated tariff with a smart meter then a 32A commando socket will charge the car just as fast and you could get it installed for a fraction of the cost.
Cost isn’t an issue as my employer is paying. My concern is meeting install regs for earthing on houses with PME systems.

I could do the 32a socket thing and get an Ohme charger but the socket will be used for charging a car so the same rules apply for the supply like it were a wall box charger?


BeeGT

446 posts

238 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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In case timing is a factor in your decision making, I've just placed an order with Octopus for their EO unit and the install date is provisionally first week of January.

Maracus

4,545 posts

190 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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BeeGT said:
In case timing is a factor in your decision making, I've just placed an order with Octopus for their EO unit and the install date is provisionally first week of January.
I have this, great little unit. It's very small, and the cabling/wi-fi box for it can be installed in a garage if necessary.

ZesPak

25,997 posts

218 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
quotequote all
granada203028 said:
Just get a 32A socket installed, then buy a 3rd party charging lead to taste.

The essential "tech" just tells the car how much it can pull. "Charger" is a grand term for what really is quite simple. The complex bit is on board the car.
Wait, does this work? Can you just have a 32A socket to type 2 plug without anything in between??

Order66

6,740 posts

271 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
Wait, does this work? Can you just have a 32A socket to type 2 plug without anything in between??
You need a different adapter for the commando socket, but it's effectively a different plug on the end of the "granny" charger"
https://shop.tesla.com/en_gb/product/blue-adapter-...

about £40

If your car manufacturer can't supply a similar adapter, you can buy new 32A commando to type 2 cables, but expensive.

ZesPak

25,997 posts

218 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
quotequote all
Order66 said:
You need a different adapter for the commando socket, but it's effectively a different plug on the end of the "granny" charger"
https://shop.tesla.com/en_gb/product/blue-adapter-...

about £40

If your car manufacturer can't supply a similar adapter, you can buy new 32A commando to type 2 cables, but expensive.
I had no idea that worked that fast! Main limitations compared to a charger is that it's single phase I guess? I see for the Tesla 7.4kW.
That's not too shabby and plenty for most people.
Nice.

Order66

6,740 posts

271 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
I had no idea that worked that fast! Main limitations compared to a charger is that it's single phase I guess? I see for the Tesla 7.4kW.
That's not too shabby and plenty for most people.
Nice.
same output as you'll get on any of the "smart" charge points. Unless you specifically have 3-phase supply to your house (and if you are in any doubt, then you don't) you're not going to charge quicker.

ZesPak

25,997 posts

218 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
quotequote all
Order66 said:
same output as you'll get on any of the "smart" charge points. Unless you specifically have 3-phase supply to your house (and if you are in any doubt, then you don't) you're not going to charge quicker.
Agreed, but on both my charging locations I have 3 phase, so 22kW?

Now, single phase, a part from the convenience of having a cable on it, why would you install a simple Tesla charger then?

Order66

6,740 posts

271 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
Agreed, but on both my charging locations I have 3 phase, so 22kW?

Now, single phase, a part from the convenience of having a cable on it, why would you install a simple Tesla charger then?
I think the Tesla is limited to 11kW on 3-phase, so maybe not worth the cost uplift of a specialist 3-phase chargepoint.

NugentS

699 posts

269 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2020
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shep1001 said:
Cost isn’t an issue as my employer is paying. My concern is meeting install regs for earthing on houses with PME systems.

I could do the 32a socket thing and get an Ohme charger but the socket will be used for charging a car so the same rules apply for the supply like it were a wall box charger?
Zappi ?
No earthing rod required

shep1001

Original Poster:

4,617 posts

211 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2020
quotequote all
BeeGT said:
In case timing is a factor in your decision making, I've just placed an order with Octopus for their EO unit and the install date is provisionally first week of January.
Yes I have been quoted 14th Jan to coincide with my new car delivery

mateus77

13 posts

65 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2020
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Word of warning here...
I'm in the process of trying to claim back the costs of having a power surge damage my Audi A3 e-tron.
It would seem from my investigations that the car, nor the charging point has any surge protection.
The final response from Audi was that it is user responsibility to fit surge protection to their home!
Current bills total £1500 - this was via an approved charging unit.