Search with Wattson
PV and battery long...
 
Notifications
Clear all

Joining the Renewable Heating Hub forums is completely free and only takes a minute. By registering you’ll be able to ask questions, join discussions, follow topics you’re interested in, bookmark useful threads and receive notifications when someone replies. Non-registered members also do not have access to our AI features. When choosing your username, please note that it cannot be changed later, so we recommend avoiding brand or product names. Before registering, please take a moment to read the Forum Rules & Terms of Use so we can keep the community helpful, respectful and informative for everyone. Thanks for joining!

PV and battery long payback - sense check query

28 Posts
6 Users
6 Reactions
152 Views
Transparent
(@transparent)
Illustrious Member Moderator
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 3370
 

I'm just picking this up from your original post.

Posted by: @davidb

The EV will be charged using a dedicated 13amp socket and the vehicle systems used to control charging etc.

 

If the EV socket is dedicated, then you don't need to be limited to 13A. 

I have a 32A external "Commando" socket supplied direct from the consumer unit via a Type-B RCD.

Cable3b
Trips

Save energy... recycle electrons!


   
ReplyQuote
JamesPa
(@jamespa)
Illustrious Member Moderator
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 5262
 

Posted by: @transparent

I'm just picking this up from your original post.

Posted by: @davidb

The EV will be charged using a dedicated 13amp socket and the vehicle systems used to control charging etc.

 

If the EV socket is dedicated, then you don't need to be limited to 13A. 

I have a 32A external "Commando" socket supplied direct from the consumer unit via a Type-B RCD.

Cable3b
Trips

I can see that from an electrical regs PoV thats true, but is there any minimum functionality in a car charger that is required (other than to supply electricity).  I thought that there was some sort of comms protocol but it may not be necessary.  I guess that, since yours is labelled EV Charge point its presumably what you use it for and the answer must therefore be 'no' which makes you wonder why we all buy expensive highly functional dedicated chargers (answer - because thats what the market wants to sell)

 


This post was modified 51 minutes ago by JamesPa

4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.


   
ReplyQuote
Majordennisbloodnok
(@majordennisbloodnok)
Famed Member Moderator
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 2081
 

There's an article here on using a commando socket instead of a wallbox.

From a practicality viewpoint, a commando socket is either on or off; either you're charging at 32A or you're not. Moreover, there's no control over it as such which a wallbox can provide (schedules, integration with tariffs etc.). In both of these cases, @davidb has already said he's OK with accepting these limitations at 16A so switching from a 3-pin socket to a commando socket won't change his basic plan other than allowing quicker charging.

Now, I wonder if you can buy a 32A smart commando socket.... 🤔 


105 m2 bungalow in South East England
Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5 kW air source heat pump
18 x 360W solar panels
1 x 6 kW GroWatt battery and SPH5000 inverter
1 x Myenergi Zappi
1 x VW ID3
Raised beds for home-grown veg and chickens for eggs

"Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat"


   
ReplyQuote
(@etchedpixels)
Estimable Member Member
Joined: 3 months ago
Posts: 152
 

Posted by: @majordennisbloodnok

There's an article here on using a commando socket instead of a wallbox.

From a practicality viewpoint, a commando socket is either on or off; either you're charging at 32A or you're not. Moreover, there's no control over it as such which a wallbox can provide (schedules, integration with tariffs etc.). In both of these cases, @davidb has already said he's OK with accepting these limitations at 16A so switching from a 3-pin socket to a commando socket won't change his basic plan other than allowing quicker charging.

Now, I wonder if you can buy a 32A smart commando socket.... 🤔 

 

You can get "portable" EV chargers that plug into 16A or 32A commando sockets. They are incredibly useful when the regulatory system has it's head up its arse and you can install a commando socket without hassle but installing an EV charger requires a ton of mess because of conservation zones, listed buildings or other regulatory hassles.

 

 

 



   
ReplyQuote
Page 3 / 3
Share:

SPONSORS

Join Us!

Installer Finder

Degrees of Separation

Latest Posts

SPONSORS

Click to access the login or register cheese
Protected By
Shield Security PRO