Advice on charger installation

[ParkerG]

I’ve got my first EV on the way and need some advice on where to install a wall charger. I’ve sketched out three possible locations and would really appreciate any input before I make an expensive mistake!

Option 1: Easiest to fit, but a Hypervolt’s 10m cable would be maxed out. An Ohme ePod with a longer lead could work and let me park in any orientation. Slightly more hassle to plug in.

Option 2: Closer to the car and more convenient, but the cabling would need to run around brickwork and under a fence - likely not a great look.

Option 3: Most practical and tidy in the long run, but far more expensive (trenching through block paving and installing a pedestal). I'm guessing about £2k supplied and fitted?

Any thoughts or experience with similar setups much appreciated!

[paradigital]

No option to route option 2 internally (hidden internally obviously)?

I think I’d still go for 2 regardless.

[Geffg]

Option 2 for me and I think a good compromise on looks etc.

[TheRainMaker]

Option two.

But drill at an angle behind the drain pipe and pop out on the front wall.

[essayer]

TheRainMaker said:

Option two.

But drill at an angle behind the drain pipe and pop out on the front wall.

This

[ShortBeardy]

Part of the vision will include the cable although it's obscured by the car when charging. So, your visualisation will be more informative if you work out where you are going to coil, hang or merely drop the cable. This choice will also impact life of cable and cleanliness of mitts after use. It might be nice to be able to coil/dump the cable in a waterproof box for example, in which case option 3 leaves most freedom for that addition.
If on the other hand the cable is going to live in the motor, I'd note that this is probably a less convenient option unless its a car which requires you to carry the cable when charging away from home.

[Gone fishing]

Option 2 vote here too, but just testing an assumption you have made, you usually need to come from the fuse box not the meter box, they may be either side of the wall but they might not be. It may be possible to have a second fuse box next to the meter but only a sparky can confirm it’s possible in your situation.

[blueg33]

Mine is effectively Option 1 with a Ohme Pro with 8m cable. I prefer having that charger hidden behind the side gate.

[AyBee]

Another vote for option 2, but I'd probably keep the cable at option 1 height and drill a hole through the fence post at that height and then behind the drain pipe and around to the charger. Looks like a fairly standard install so would expect you could get it done for £1k.

[Mark V GTD]

Option 2 - but get the cable concealed behind the gate post rather than running up vertically to it. Some have suggested drilling through the corner of the wall to enter the charger directly - even better, if the installer has the confidence in his drilling angle to do that without risk of penetrating the inside finish.

[bennno]

How can any of those be 8 metres to the car?

[Mr Pointy]

Option 1. More secure & keeps the charger out of sight.

[blueg33]

bennno said:

How can any of those be 8 metres to the car?

Its surprising, but 1.5m down the wall, 1 metre up to the car then leaves circa 5 metres, op may need to leave space to move around the car etc. Our set up is like Option 1, mon sons EV has its charge port located on the "wrong" side of the car so he needs the full 8m cable, mine is on the other side, so I need about 5 metres.

[ParkerG]

Thanks for all the comments so far, much appreciated.

Interesting that option 2 is currently the favorite. My main concern is aesthetics: drilling diagonally through the wall for the power cable is a clever idea, but also a bit daunting - risk of cracking bricks or ending up inside the house.

Also that wall section is only 340 mm wide, while the Hypervolt charger is 243 mm, so it may look awkward, and the tether could be tricky to manage with the porch window right next to it.

An Ohme ePod is only 140 mm wide and might be a neater fit, though it would mean adding a small box on the garden border to store the cable.

Edited by ParkerG on Tuesday 23 September 10:55

[ParkerG]

blueg33 said:

bennno said:

How can any of those be 8 metres to the car?

Its surprising, but 1.5m down the wall, 1 metre up to the car then leaves circa 5 metres, op may need to leave space to move around the car etc. Our set up is like Option 1, mon sons EV has its charge port located on the "wrong" side of the car so he needs the full 8m cable, mine is on the other side, so I need about 5 metres.

Exactly this.

Plus a little for contingency. I'd be a bit of a muppet if I went through all this hassle and ended up being half a metre short

[JQ]

Option 2 for me too.

I couldn't be arsed opening and closing the gate and running the cable under said gate just to hide the charger. Ours is on the front of the house and I just don't notice it anymore.

Option 3 would be a complete non starter and would look worse than option 2 for not discernible benefit.

[Mammasaid]

Option 2 for me also, it will give you the most options when charging, especially if the charging port location changes between cars.

[ParkerG]

Great thanks, option 2 it is!

Now I just need to decide on tethered vs untethered.

[blueg33]

I went thethered. Saves buying a cable or having to pack one up when you are going away (destination charging often needs you to supply the cable)

[blueg33]

JQ said:

Option 2 for me too.

I couldn't be arsed opening and closing the gate and running the cable under said gate just to hide the charger. Ours is on the front of the house and I just don't notice it anymore.

Option 3 would be a complete non starter and would look worse than option 2 for not discernible benefit.

The gate is not an issue at all for us, it takes about 2 seconds to open it (it self closes) and it means the charger is hidden from view