Home charger- do I have to?
Discussion
SWoll said:
What EV?
What usage?
What local charging options are there?
Charge master type 2 7.2kwWhat usage?
What local charging options are there?
Charge your car type 2 7.2kw
Seat mii ev
Local <5mile and commute 16miles each way on the motorway.
I'll keep my Passat diesel estate for now to see how it goes/long journeys and trips to the Lakes, Scotland.
Yes, you could use ‘pay’ chargers as your primary ‘fill up’ but they are a very expensive way to get electricity compared with using your home supply.
Yes, you could use the 3 pin granny charger frequently, however a number of BEV users have reported issues with their domestic 13A sockets when using the granny charger regularly - mainly getting too hot so I would recommend you have the one you are going to use checked by an electrician first. It should be directly attached to the ring main, not on a spur off the ring main, and all connections tight in the back of the socket. Also you should not use any form of extension lead with the granny charger so it needs to be close enough to reach.
Yes, you could use the 3 pin granny charger frequently, however a number of BEV users have reported issues with their domestic 13A sockets when using the granny charger regularly - mainly getting too hot so I would recommend you have the one you are going to use checked by an electrician first. It should be directly attached to the ring main, not on a spur off the ring main, and all connections tight in the back of the socket. Also you should not use any form of extension lead with the granny charger so it needs to be close enough to reach.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Plugged into the mains like an extension?
Yes I have a drive
3 pin charge cable will do the job then with your usage. We've run an i3 and Model 3 for 2 years that way covering more miles than you do. Charging from midnight to 7am will give you 70 miles of range or so.Yes I have a drive
chrisch77 said:
Yes, you could use ‘pay’ chargers as your primary ‘fill up’ but they are a very expensive way to get electricity compared with using your home supply.
Yes, you could use the 3 pin granny charger frequently, however a number of BEV users have reported issues with their domestic 13A sockets when using the granny charger regularly - mainly getting too hot so I would recommend you have the one you are going to use checked by an electrician first. It should be directly attached to the ring main, not on a spur off the ring main, and all connections tight in the back of the socket. Also you should not use any form of extension lead with the granny charger so it needs to be close enough to reach.
This.Yes, you could use the 3 pin granny charger frequently, however a number of BEV users have reported issues with their domestic 13A sockets when using the granny charger regularly - mainly getting too hot so I would recommend you have the one you are going to use checked by an electrician first. It should be directly attached to the ring main, not on a spur off the ring main, and all connections tight in the back of the socket. Also you should not use any form of extension lead with the granny charger so it needs to be close enough to reach.
Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 16th February 08:34
Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 16th February 08:35
Whilst many are not, you can certainly get domestic sockets which are quite happy with a constant 13amp draw. We often draw 10+amps for months on end from normal three-pin sockets at work without issue; I think the sockets in the lab at work are MK.
But as above, be wary of wiring bodges. Sockets outside the primary residence (and sometimes inside) are often on poorly installed spurs which may be more of a current limit than the socket itelf.
Re. extension leads, again they vary hugely in quality. Some will be perfectly happy with a constant 13amp draw but most cheap "domestic" leads will not. The issue would be working out which are good enough.
Another option would be to get a "commando" socket installed and buy a cable with an integrated "charger". The total cost wouldn't be that far off a charger (about £300 all in I suspect) but the advantage is that you can take the expensive bit, the cable, with you if you move. Then all you'd need to install at the new place would be another commando socket.
But as above, be wary of wiring bodges. Sockets outside the primary residence (and sometimes inside) are often on poorly installed spurs which may be more of a current limit than the socket itelf.
Re. extension leads, again they vary hugely in quality. Some will be perfectly happy with a constant 13amp draw but most cheap "domestic" leads will not. The issue would be working out which are good enough.
Another option would be to get a "commando" socket installed and buy a cable with an integrated "charger". The total cost wouldn't be that far off a charger (about £300 all in I suspect) but the advantage is that you can take the expensive bit, the cable, with you if you move. Then all you'd need to install at the new place would be another commando socket.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 16th February 09:18
A 7kwh charger is obviously the best option and the grant won't be around forever.
You (an electrician) can remove and reinstall when you move.
Cheapest option is just a granny lead, but would recommend getting an external 13am weatherproof socket (about £50 fitted).
Also look at Octopus Go tariff which will reduce your charging costs dramatically, (4 hours at 5p/kwh)
You (an electrician) can remove and reinstall when you move.
Cheapest option is just a granny lead, but would recommend getting an external 13am weatherproof socket (about £50 fitted).
Also look at Octopus Go tariff which will reduce your charging costs dramatically, (4 hours at 5p/kwh)
3 years of Leaf and 2.5 years of Soul exclusively via granny chargers with no problems at all.
If you look at the ratings plates on granny chargers most are only 10 amps.
Current Tesla I've also been charging with a 10A Screwfix granny charger too, as it's got a long 10 metre cable so it saves shuffling cars about.
I fitted a 32A commando socket with it's own consumer unit slot for the Tesla charger and have hardly used it with lockdown.
As already said tighten everything up (or get an electrician to check it all), make sure the cabling is up to it and it'll be fine - and free!
If you look at the ratings plates on granny chargers most are only 10 amps.
Current Tesla I've also been charging with a 10A Screwfix granny charger too, as it's got a long 10 metre cable so it saves shuffling cars about.
I fitted a 32A commando socket with it's own consumer unit slot for the Tesla charger and have hardly used it with lockdown.
As already said tighten everything up (or get an electrician to check it all), make sure the cabling is up to it and it'll be fine - and free!
I replaced the 13a plug on a granny charger with a commando plug and fitted a commando socket (dedicated circuit with rcbo.) to the outside of the house. (for nissan leafs)
Previously used 13a socket but we did suffer a melted socket at one point - someone must have caught the cable because it had been pulled out a bit.
A granny cable can probably be picked up on ebay/fb for £100 or so.
Previously used 13a socket but we did suffer a melted socket at one point - someone must have caught the cable because it had been pulled out a bit.
A granny cable can probably be picked up on ebay/fb for £100 or so.
TooLateForAName said:
I replaced the 13a plug on a granny charger with a commando plug and fitted a commando socket (dedicated circuit with rcbo.) to the outside of the house. (for nissan leafs)
Previously used 13a socket but we did suffer a melted socket at one point - someone must have caught the cable because it had been pulled out a bit.
A granny cable can probably be picked up on ebay/fb for £100 or so.
I'd spend a bit more and buy a quality item for regular use personally. It's a long term investment anyway and can get 10m lengths that will hopefully remove the need for any kind of suitable extension lead.Previously used 13a socket but we did suffer a melted socket at one point - someone must have caught the cable because it had been pulled out a bit.
A granny cable can probably be picked up on ebay/fb for £100 or so.
Cost around £250 for a good quality 10m example.
SWoll said:
I'd spend a bit more and buy a quality item for regular use personally. It's a long term investment anyway and can get 10m lengths that will hopefully remove the need for any kind of suitable extension lead.
Cost around £250 for a good quality 10m example.
Any suggested brands?Cost around £250 for a good quality 10m example.
Just a cautionary tale.
Make sure the installation is up to par. Even though sockets in BE supposedly can deliver for 3500W, not all of them survive doing it for several hours.
This was in my inlaw's front yard. Upon inspection, the internals were heavily oxidated. It did melt the plug into the socket, so I was glad I used an extension cord otherwise it would have ruined my charger.
Make sure the installation is up to par. Even though sockets in BE supposedly can deliver for 3500W, not all of them survive doing it for several hours.
This was in my inlaw's front yard. Upon inspection, the internals were heavily oxidated. It did melt the plug into the socket, so I was glad I used an extension cord otherwise it would have ruined my charger.
uknick said:
Where's your nearest Tesco superstore. Many have free charging points at 7.2 kWh.
Beat me to it! Some have time limits on parking, but in 3 hours you should be able to get a decent amount in the battery.Covid means I'm not doing much mileage but ran mine for 3 mths doing exactly this and the odd top up with the granny charger. I used to do some work on the laptop and make calls while it was charging.
Also, rapid charges are always much more expensive. A 50 kwh Geniepoint 2 miles from me was 20p a KW compared to 16p at home so not much difference, and there were 3 drive-throughs on the same site - cost me more in coffee than charging!
As an aside, I work with a bloke who get a Kia Eniro in 2018 and charged it for free at a council charger 2-3 times a week. He didn't pay a penny for charging during the first 12 months of ownership and he was doing 300 miles a week.
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