EV Car ordered - Options for potentially using solar to charge?

EricMears

Martyn1981 said:

 Eric has mentioned that he has a variable granny charger that can operate at half the watts, which would be very useful for us in the shoulder months. 

Not quite "half".  'Normal' is usually 10A   ; mine is variable in steps between 6A & 13A

Petriix

Realistically you need at least 3kWp of panels to get a meaningful amount of charge into an EV. You can get a contribution even in the depths of winter (if the sun shines) - we generated 8.5kWh today with our 3.42kWp system, and 80% of that was above the 1.4kW minimum charge rate for my EV.

So it really depends how big the garage roof is and whether there's a decent power connection to the house. Solar prices have been creeping up apparently (like with everything at the moment) so it might not be a perfect time to install. Get a few quotes and make a spreadsheet to see if it's worth while.

hollie.weimeraner

I was just exploring the viability but obviously not really viable. Thanks for the responses.

middlewife

Enjoy your e-Niro! I bought one in June and love it. Son was at Uni in Lincoln, there is a very useful Instavolt charger at M*cdonalds by Brayford pool if you don't get your zappi installed in time. You can rapid charge within an hour from empty, granny chargers are ok, but check they don't overheat the socket. There are quite a few EV forums around that can offer very useful, friendly advice too.

hollie.weimeraner

middlewife said:

granny chargers are ok, but check they don't overheat the socket. There are quite a few EV forums around that can offer very useful, friendly advice too.

Yes I'm aware thanks. I'm scouring speak ev kia forums for information

Bluebell1000

Free charging at 1NK in North Hykeham and at Tesco on Wragby Road as well last time I checked (pod point, you need the app). 7kw so they are reasonable, enough for a top-up if you are going somewhere nearby anyway.

hollie.weimeraner

Bluebell1000 said:

Free charging at 1NK in North Hykeham and at Tesco on Wragby Road as well last time I checked (pod point, you need the app). 7kw so they are reasonable, enough for a top-up if you are going somewhere nearby anyway.

Well I shop at that Tesco so my shopping trip will now be a freebie

tim_p

EricMears said:

Martyn1981 said:

 Eric has mentioned that he has a variable granny charger that can operate at half the watts, which would be very useful for us in the shoulder months. 

Not quite "half".  'Normal' is usually 10A   ; mine is variable in steps between 6A & 13A

Missed the original mention of the granny charger, can you post a link to it or the actual charger please Eric. 

EricMears

tim_p said:

EricMears said:

Martyn1981 said:

 Eric has mentioned that he has a variable granny charger that can operate at half the watts, which would be very useful for us in the shoulder months. 

Not quite "half".  'Normal' is usually 10A   ; mine is variable in steps between 6A & 13A

Missed the original mention of the granny charger, can you post a link to it or the actual charger please Eric. 

I bought mine two years ago for £170 or thereabouts but same seller now lists something very similar for £220


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Vehicle-10M-Type-2-to-3-Pin-Charger-6A-8A-10A-13A-settings-free-bag/353018462819

eBay never fails to amaze me !  My one was (obviously) no longer available but clicking on seller's other items brought up one above as nearest I could see to same spec.

But 'watching' that one and looking for similar brought up :-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353197372428?epid=27049432946&hash=item523c34340c:g:O6oAAOSw~zdgYvJ4 

Still from same seller but only £185 !  Only difference I can see is that dearer version has a 10m cable, less dear 5m.  But £35 for an extra 5m of cable struck me as a lot.

But a further looking for similar brought up :-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1313&_nkw=384283808105&_sacat=0
from a different seller.  Seems a similar spec but only £130.

Perhaps further searches might find an even lower price ?

HTH !

tim_p

Thanks!  Something good to go on.