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EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:19 pm
by Slathe
My new car is due for early March so dealer has said I should start looking at getting the wall charger installed. They have suggested Pod Point. Do I have to use them to get the grant? I was thinking of getting Solar Panels next year so was thinking of getting a Zappi.

If I do go for Zappi, which one is for the ID3. I live near Birmingham. Not sure if that makes a difference.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:31 pm
by G43FAN
They're not specific to the car.. It will be a single phase 7.4kW (unless you have 3 phase electrics which is highly unlikely).
You need to choose colour and tethered or untethered, my personal choice would be tethered it's a lot less mess to deal with in the wet weather.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:38 pm
by Slathe
What website did you use to order yours? Do they need to be under cover to protect it from rain?

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:51 pm
by Slathe
Also what access do they need to install a Zappi? Do they just need access to outside meter and fuse box? Would the wires need running from both of these to the wall charger? Or from meter to fuse to wall charger?

Fuse box is in garage which is in a right mess so just thinking of which walls I would need to clear.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:10 pm
by Utumno
Slathe wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 5:51 pm Also what access do they need to install a Zappi? Do they just need access to outside meter and fuse box? Would the wires need running from both of these to the wall charger? Or from meter to fuse to wall charger?

Fuse box is in garage which is in a right mess so just thinking of which walls I would need to clear.

Regardless of the brand EVSE being installed, a typical install will consist of taking a supply from wherever your electricity meter is and then putting that into a miniature little CU (“consumer unit”) box. This normally all happens inside the meter box. Then a cable is run from the miniature CU to the EVSE.

Various other optional details need sorting (earth spikes, surge detector/protectors, O-PEN devices, CT clamps, Ethernet cables etc) which vary depending on your installation and EVSE selected. Sometimes they’re not needed at all though, it depends.

In general you won’t supply an EVSE through your domestic CU (fuse box) due to the fact most aren’t designed to push 32A for hours on end.

So clear the area where the meter box lives, and ask for a couple of quotes. I used Elecology as installer, who I was happy with, and they do free remote surveys from pictures and free quotes as a result of that survey. They also handle and install many different brands of EVSE, saving you from chasing round multiple suppliers which can be extremely time consuming.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:11 pm
by Utumno
Also EVSE’s are all weatherproof. They typically do not need protection from rain.

EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 6:39 pm
by Cherry
If you do not want to shop around Octopus Energy deals are not as high as others.

https://www.octopusev.com/home-charging

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:51 pm
by Slathe
Thanks for the replies. How is the Zappi connected to your wifi? I’m hoping it’s wireless

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:11 pm
by Utumno
Sorry I should have been clearer! I don’t have a Zappi.

I suspect these questions are best directed at either myenergy or an installer as they’re pretty specific to your requirement.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:29 am
by G43FAN
Slathe wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:51 pm Thanks for the replies. How is the Zappi connected to your wifi? I’m hoping it’s wireless
No the Zappi is connected back to a Hub via ethernet running alongside the power cable.. The Hub is then connected to the router (again by ethernet) (I don't think it's wireless)

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:04 pm
by Raxacorico
G43FAN wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:29 am
Slathe wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:51 pm Thanks for the replies. How is the Zappi connected to your wifi? I’m hoping it’s wireless
No the Zappi is connected back to a Hub via ethernet running alongside the power cable.. The Hub is then connected to the router (again by ethernet) (I don't think it's wireless)
In my case the Hub is next to my wi-fi router, connected to the router via ethernet, and the connection to the Zappi, from the Hub is wireless.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 2:18 pm
by G43FAN
Raxacorico wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:04 pm
G43FAN wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:29 am
Slathe wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 7:51 pm Thanks for the replies. How is the Zappi connected to your wifi? I’m hoping it’s wireless
No the Zappi is connected back to a Hub via ethernet running alongside the power cable.. The Hub is then connected to the router (again by ethernet) (I don't think it's wireless)
In my case the Hub is next to my wi-fi router, connected to the router via ethernet, and the connection to the Zappi, from the Hub is wireless.
Yes, your right, the Hub can connect to the Router via a wireless RF signal.. I was thinking of the Routers wireless, it was just as easy to run a cable in my case.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:01 pm
by Slathe
Ok so I will need a Hub and a Zappi. Do I also need a Harvi? And where does that go, in the meter box?

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:04 pm
by Raxacorico
Slathe wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:01 pm Ok so I will need a Hub and a Zappi. Do I also need a Harvi? And where does that go, in the meter box?
No, you don't need the Harvi ...

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:11 pm
by Utumno
Raxacorico wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:04 pm
Slathe wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:01 pm Ok so I will need a Hub and a Zappi. Do I also need a Harvi? And where does that go, in the meter box?
No, you don't need the Harvi ...

Well, if he needs a CT clamp to manage the amperage being drawn, then a Harvi might be a good idea (as it's basically a wireless, rather than a wired, CT clamp). But it's hard to say as CT clamp requirements are very specific to an installation. We didn't need one, but other folks with more electrical equipment and a lower amperage main fuse did.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:14 pm
by Raxacorico
Utumno wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:11 pm
Raxacorico wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:04 pm
Slathe wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:01 pm Ok so I will need a Hub and a Zappi. Do I also need a Harvi? And where does that go, in the meter box?
No, you don't need the Harvi ...

Well, if he needs a CT clamp to manage the amperage being drawn, then a Harvi might be a good idea (as it's basically a wireless, rather than a wired, CT clamp). But it's hard to say as CT clamp requirements are very specific to an installation. We didn't need one, but other folks with more electrical equipment and a lower amperage main fuse did.
That's right Utumno, we have a CT clamp inside the fusebox.

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:55 pm
by Slathe
Ok thanks.

I went on the myenergi website and didn’t realise there is a zappi 1 and a zappi 2. On octopus and other sites it does give you the option. What’s the difference? Are they just selling zappi 2’s now?

Re: EV Wallbox charger, which one?

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2022 4:50 pm
by G43FAN
Raxacorico wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:14 pm
Utumno wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:11 pm
Raxacorico wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 3:04 pm

No, you don't need the Harvi ...

Well, if he needs a CT clamp to manage the amperage being drawn, then a Harvi might be a good idea (as it's basically a wireless, rather than a wired, CT clamp). But it's hard to say as CT clamp requirements are very specific to an installation. We didn't need one, but other folks with more electrical equipment and a lower amperage main fuse did.
That's right Utumno, we have a CT clamp inside the fusebox.
Oh !!! OK in my defense it was 10/11 months ago it was installed.. That purple cable that goes to the Zappi will be the CT Clamp and yeah.. Hub must be connected on Wireless RF also. I have a Harvi as well but that's connected to the PV array because all that is in the garage. (well not the actual panels but the other gubbins)