Charging help

Hi

I run my Granny Charger on a dedicated 13A spur initially installed for a 3KW storage radiator (now removed)

This spur is wired directly to a dedicated econonmy 7 tariff consumer unit giving 7 hours overnight then switching off.

On a 13A setting (actually nearer 12A) it puts about 32% into the battery over 7 hours.

I have checked the wiring and 13A plug/socket and they don't get warm but I gather some cheap 13A sockets can't actually handle 13A and get hot.

If I charge everytime the battery gets slightly below 50% then an overnight charge brings it up to 80% - 85% which seems ideal.

Regards

Dave

Hi Jay, They are not the best solution but should work OK as a short term solution but their are some drawbacks against a proper 7kw installation which has its own feed connected directly to your incoming supply.

Firstly house ring mains which usually feed the sockets are normally rated at 32A, so a continuous 10A draw should not cause to much of an issue providing the ring is in tact, in good condition and you don't have other significant loads connected onto it, eg tumble drier, washing machine, electric fires etc. If these are connected the ring could easily become overloaded which is not a safe condition. This is probably the main drawback, the supply is not independant and things which are also connected to it may inadvertantly overload the circuit. Sorry to bore you but their is a significant flaw with UK domestic ringmains which is why they are not used on the continent and that is if the ring becomes broken it will still work but its safe capacity will drop to 16A but still with a 32A breaker in this condition it could be very unsafe. The point about a warm socket is of course relevant as mentioned earlier.

I have not used a 3 pin charger, don't have one, but I assume they can only charge to 100% and then the car prevents the charger from charging any further. It is not ideal to continuously charge a Zoe battery to 100%, this accelerates the degradation, better 7kw chargers have the ability to connect with the car, obtain the battery capacity and shutdown when the pre determined level is reached say 80% which is generally recommended. As already mentioned the small controller on a level 1 charger must be kept dry which is not always easy.

I understand the benefits of commuting with an electric car and they are significant despite what the anti EV brigade say, if your confident regarding the condition of your house wiring, i.e. recently inspected etc, you should be ok but be careful. Richy

Yes it would work - just posting to say you don't need any specific granny charger, I bought a new Lexus one for £90 and it is great ! Charging at 10a will be less efficient than at 7kw or 22kw so dont expect 2.3kWh battery improvement from each 2.3kWh of electricity consumed but you should still get at least 75 miles worth of charge for your 10 hrs.

Hi

I got mine in May on Ebay. FNRIDS brand.

Seller does not seem to be selling them anymore. I paid about £166 then.

There is one exactly the same for auction (unused but box has been opened) just now still at about £30 but I would think it would go a lot higher.

Having a variable output means you can charge at a low rate for longer.

Variable rate versions are more expensive.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285571598311?hash=item427d64c7e7:g:qKkAAOSwmv5lXmCC&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwDBQ1Kzai8i%2B2OdeyZ4mPEs682tcxKnWvkvsvME45VlbW8oRqjr6UYBUOjhBhSN96hCC%2BRDav67gU0TumOzPSedpLw31gea0e8uCtX1yNEu%2FTIsBjubuVSVWCqVZoO2%2B7dRDV1Qe29RvzxgQiGCkJVOs0T0sk%2BZTQMM1bzakhj8nNl0WgyyP%2FvUMv5JnLDkkli2eDNqPSxXDYcjbEZk2FkOWxrF6pPXvVEpmunEzZcFfjyDIWvnQMdOHGSo4XYJGCw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6TH6OuAYw

The version I got seems to have been re-designed with new style case.

They also do a 7KW version if you have a dedicated charge socket.

Mine is 3KW seems fine running off a 13A circuit.

Dave

It's fine, just make sure you use the 10A setting on the charger. Even though UK plugs are 13A, they were not built for prolonged use at that rate and will overheat and possibly melt.

My 'Ganny charger' charges up my GT Line at the rate of roughly 7 miles per hour if this helps.

A granny cable is now described by Renault as an "emergency" charging option. UK sockets are designated as 13a but the EV charging load continues for many hours so a socket with tarnished connections or substandard wiring can get hot with such use. For this reason granny cables typically signal the car to draw only 10a charge current and may go so far as to have a temperature sensor built into the associated 13a plug to turn off when/if over temp. A few granny cables allow you to set different, lower charge currents.

I've had my GTLine since April and I up to now I have only done short journeys, 85 miles being my longest so far, I've only got a " Granny charger" but found plugging in over night no problem but I do place a piece of board over the charger just in case it rains.

I can't see the point of paying around £1000 for a home charger when the £125 three pin one suits my needs.

Hi, 3 pin will charge at roughly 2.3kw per hour, so from empty to full you would be looking at just over 25 hours to charge from empty to full. Looking at your usage, I think you will fine for a few months. That said, as the house is rented it is still eligible for £350 grant funding towards the purchase and installation of their charging point. To be eligible for the grant funding, residents must have off-street parking and an eligible EV/PHEV.

The grant can also be claimed by the landlord, which may be of interest to them as it would give them an advantage for attracting future tenants.

Hi

Don't see any problems with that. An overnight charge will easily replace 60 miles from the battery.

I don't think Renault supply a "Granny Charger" as standard any more.

It might now be an extra? I did not get one with my Zoe.

I bought a variable rate of charge model. 6A, 8A, 10A and 13A.

Usually run at at the 10A setting but on 13A nothing gets hot.

I have an Ecconomy 7 tariff so I only charge for 7 hours at 11p/Unit and I only need to charge once a week. One 88 mile run/week plus normal 4/5 miles on other days.

Dave

I had to use my 'Granny cable' supplied free by the dealer when I took delivery of my Zoe and it charged fully overnight no problem. Very handy to have one of these for when visiting friends/relatives that do not have charging available. Only hazard would be that somebody would trip over the cable!

No problem at all.