EV Charging | Home Charger Installation Guide

Despite major improvements in EV charging infrastructure around the country, the reality is that most EV drivers charge at home. It's more convenient and, more importantly, usually cheaper. In this guide, I show you around my home charging setup.

Stick around as Dave Takes It On.

Patreon
-----------------------------------------------------

Currently the channel only makes a small amount of money from YouTube advertising, which simply isn't enough to support running the channel fulltime. To help support our content and allow for more ambitious videos, please consider supporting us over on Patreon. Even small a amount can make a big difference.

And, as always, if you like our videos then please like and subscribe.

Patrons
-----------------------------------------------------
Tom Davison
Gary Heavens
Kodzo
Paul Egan

About The Channel
-----------------------------------------------------

Dave Takes It On is run by Dave - who creates the videos - and his son Jonas, who supports with thumbnails, titles, and the technical side of things.

Tags
-----------------------------------------------------
#homecharging #ev #electricvehicles #tesla #cleanenergy #renewables

[MrPWalden]

Thought I recognised that play park, you are only 10 min walk from me, just over the ‘blue’ bridge. Great video again! Thanks.

[Ian-xqrt]

Just had my Hypervolt installed this week, very happy with it so far. Note, I only currently have a 60amp mains fuse to the house, I have requested an upgrade to 100amps, but the charger knows this and will limit the current should the demand be too high within the house.

So, if you have a 60amp fuse, it doesn't mean you can't get one installed (some installers will insist on it being upgraded first), if the charger reads the current demand as my Hypervolt, then, it is possible.

[iantaylor]

Octopus contracted electricians tapped into the meter box no problem on mine. My consumer unit had no spare space. Hot tub wired into that.

[peterjones]

I had a Zappi 22kw installed a couple of years ago, just got in time for the grant that was then offered by the Government. I already had the set up for three phase. I went for non tethered but decided to, go, for 22kw to future proof the installation, plus at the time I had just purchased a Zoe. Also now have an MG4 ( only charges at 11kw ac). Like you Dave my consumer unit and charger close by so simple installation, ( although mine is next to the back door rather than front). Btw great videos you are doing, but I don’t know where you find the time!!!!

[paulscott]

I had an ohne charger fitted with a trip unit installed under the meter box and just around the side of the house no inside connection at all very neat and safe

[chrisswallow]

Dave, the first thing is the main incomming fuse size, inside the meter cupboard.

[Richieguy]

Great vid Dave! I had my charger fitted this week and I must say that after watching several videos on the subject I was a little nervous that in spite of the photos I had to send in before the installation was arranged, I was still a little worried about the size of the main fuse (80A), tale size etc etc. The actual install was as easy and trouble free as could be. I own a Hyundai which is not API complient but even so I have found charging at home to be as simple as I had hoped and now I smile as I drive past the local public rapid charger that I had been using up to my install date, while relishing the 7.5p per KWh that Octopus Inteligent Go provides. Love the channel Dave, more power to your elbow 🙂

[andyemmpee]

Am hopefully getting a 7kw Zappi installed by electrician this month. They are siting it right next to our meter box and putting an ev charger board in there, we have space luckily, rather than running from our consumer unit. Electrician also arranging 100amp main fuse upgrade via local dno. 3 phase supply is i understand very expensive to install, averages several thousand pounds and can only be done by the dno.

[QuestXS]

Good video for newbies Dave however I think you should mention that Tesla wall coonectors/chargers require an additional PEN fault protection box if fitted in the UK. I've had such an installation since March 2022 to "feed" my Model Y and its worked perfectly (and legally) Of course, as you stated, there are many different chargers available on the UK market now and most of them inckude PEN fault protection. Having said that I have no intention of changing my setup as I like the built in charge flap opening from the cable plug AND also the ability to limit the charger use to a particular Tesla.(useful in a communal car park like mine)

[chrisw]

Great simple explanation, my installation was a nightmare (read BP pulse took 7 months) I had to contact DNO as they didn't, had to have a live connection to install a double pole isolation switch (you can get this done free when you have a smart meter installed if you ask) Now just over a year after installation, I have an unusable home charger that BP think 6 weeks to get an engineer to is reasonable that overheats the supply cable to the point you can feel it through the conduit, that trips its own main breaker switch. This is a KNOWN FAULT! that they have an 'over the air' update for that reduces charge speed. Unfortunately the charger is wifi not SIM connected & the fault has killed it's wifi connection.
Home charging for me has been nothing but hassle, I know this is purely because of the make & model of the unit as others seem to have dealt with competent companies & can charge at lower tariffs. (They aren't recognised by any energy company because of the software)

[Troy_Loves_Custard]

An interesting point Dave and chat @QuestXS ... I had my house single phase supply cable moved, jointed at the pavement and new concentric cable, terminated at my new Meter box, with all new 100 amp main fuse cut out, meter head, cables, DP Isolator etc etc and the Northern Power Grid engineers, told the Electrician, that I did not need a PEN device with my GEN 3 Wall connector. Easily retro fitted if in light of matters they where wrong, so far no deaths ! ... 🤣

[solentbum]

A point to check, for your electrician, is 'Looping' of the mains supply. Several of the main housebuilders only lay one mains supply line to a pair of houses which restricts the available amperage available . Instad of 80 smps some semis can only take 40 amps approx.
My own house was equipped with a 100amp supply fuse, (the maximum SSE would allow) which permits me to charge 3 EVs plus dishwashers and washing machines. overnight. All with the correct protection systems.

[jonwragg]

I can reduce the charge rate on my ID3 so that I can charge from solar when the house battery is full without taking anything from the grid. It will do 1.9kW and 4kW as well as the 7kW on max. Only issue I have is that the house battery drains unless I set it to keep a particular charge while charging the car at night. Have to be wary as main fuse is only 60amp.

[solentbum]

I found that the lead supplied with my first charger was over 1m too short to be useful, so I obtained a 10m replacement from a known UK company which enables me to charge on any part of my house forecourt.

[chargehanger]

Nice install. You should add a chargehanger.

[Low.Level.Fugazi]

The cable is a trip hazzard when plugged into the car

[mikadavies]

Hi Dave,
Just for your information EDF no longer do the Overnight from Friday night until Monday morning.... As per one of your recent videos. They only offer the 6 hours per night.

[flamingstag]

have you thought about an airlock on your front door ?

[Youtubedotcomma]

That button on the plug is so underrated! Main reason I got a Tesla wall box

[AndrewLumsden]

If I were you, I would get another plant pot to hide that dreadful, excessive, pointing around the brick below the window!