Ideally I'd like to find a 3-pin charger for our second EV that has a built-in timer so that we can restrict charging to off-peak hours. Does such a thing exist? If we convert the socket to a 16A 'commando' socket, are there any chargers that include a timer? If not perhaps we're better off spending a bit more for a proper second charge point.
The excellent toughleads.co.uk sell a high current timer switch extension lead but it feels like it would be better if it was built into the 3-pin charger itself. If the 3-pin charger plug has a temperature sensor it seems safer if the plug is directly plugged into the socket rather via any extension cables, however well made they are.
The Tesla allows the charge start to be scheduled but not the charge finish time so we constantly have to guess the charge limit to stop charging within off-peak hours.
To pre-empt any obvious safety questions about the hazards of 'granny' charging
- The socket used is a brand new waterproof exterior socket installed at the same time and from the same new consumer unit as our charge point using the same grade of cabling as the charge point (designed to allow converting it to a second charge point later). The socket has never got warm in use in my experience.
- Our Zappi charge point is setup up to monitor the whole household supply and lower the Zappi current if the whole house load is too high.
- All fittings are waterproof and used under cover (a car port).
- I only ever charge at 10A (the maximum the Tesla UMC delivers)
I noticed quite a few 3-pin chargers advertised as 13A (I always use 10A). Is a sustained 13A actually safe from a well-installed household socket? Everything I read suggests it isn't.
The excellent toughleads.co.uk sell a high current timer switch extension lead but it feels like it would be better if it was built into the 3-pin charger itself. If the 3-pin charger plug has a temperature sensor it seems safer if the plug is directly plugged into the socket rather via any extension cables, however well made they are.
The Tesla allows the charge start to be scheduled but not the charge finish time so we constantly have to guess the charge limit to stop charging within off-peak hours.
To pre-empt any obvious safety questions about the hazards of 'granny' charging
- The socket used is a brand new waterproof exterior socket installed at the same time and from the same new consumer unit as our charge point using the same grade of cabling as the charge point (designed to allow converting it to a second charge point later). The socket has never got warm in use in my experience.
- Our Zappi charge point is setup up to monitor the whole household supply and lower the Zappi current if the whole house load is too high.
- All fittings are waterproof and used under cover (a car port).
- I only ever charge at 10A (the maximum the Tesla UMC delivers)
I noticed quite a few 3-pin chargers advertised as 13A (I always use 10A). Is a sustained 13A actually safe from a well-installed household socket? Everything I read suggests it isn't.