Home Charge Point / Charger Suggestions [megathread]

[RedMod3]

Been on the phone to BPO Pulse, and they have told me that their chargers have built-in protection, and they must be wired direct to the incoming mains without going through an RCD at all (but they need an isolation switch). Also been told that if an RCD is fitted, it is likely to trip, and that is why they are not used.

Has anyone had a BP Pulse charger installed and was an RCD fitted?

 

[Tinca]

I've had a couple of detailed quotes on the Ohme charging point that didn't seem too bad. One was £685 and the other £688. The cable run I need is about 15m.
First one was via the Ohme website recommended installer - Cannon Electrical - and the second was Elecology. Both have the OLEV grant taken off those quotes already. I'm based in Lincolnshire.
Both easy to deal with and I sent plenty of photos and a couple of videos to show the full layout. Cannon offered to beat any like-for-like quote. Likely to go for them. Next stage is to get our meter upgraded to a SMETS2 through Octopus. The plan is then to switch to Octopus Agile and let the Ohme box do the clever stuff!
I did get a couple of prices off the web that came in at £850 and £1K, but I can't recall who they were through.

 

[Mrklaw]

Booked in for next week with mr charger. All three were around the same price for a zappi

 

[Adopado]

Been on the phone to BPO Pulse, and they have told me that their chargers have built-in protection, and they must be wired direct to the incoming mains without going through an RCD at all (but they need an isolation switch). Also been told that if an RCD is fitted, it is likely to trip, and that is why they are not used.

Has anyone had a BP Pulse charger installed and was an RCD fitted?

They will have an RCD inside. It's generally suggested that having RCDs in series is not the best approach. Having said that I have a Zappi that has an internal RCD and it was installed with an RCBO on the supply (which obviously incorporates RCD functionality as well as overload protection).

 

[Mrklaw]

Does it matter if they have to run cabling through a cavity wall or in surface trunking (from CU to outside)? Cavity would be neater for us but don’t know how much choice we’ll get

 

[Adopado]

Does it matter if they have to run cabling through a cavity wall or in surface trunking (from CU to outside)? Cavity would be neater for us but don’t know how much choice we’ll get

It can be done either way ... clearly there may be additional costs to run it through a cavity wall due to the work/time involved and possibly higher spec cable (because it's enclosed). The prices you have been quoted are at the cheaper end so will be for a "standard" install.

 

[RedMod3]

They will have an RCD inside. It's generally suggested that having RCDs in series is not the best approach. Having said that I have a Zappi that has an internal RCD and it was installed with an RCBO on the supply (which obviously incorporates RCD functionality as well as overload protection).

Thanks, BP Pulse wanted to charge £150 for an isolation switch. I'd rather buy a Type B RCB and 40A breaker in a box for £115 and have that fitted instead. Electric Vehicle Charger Protection B Type DC RCD c/w 40A MCB: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

 

[jager122]

Thanks, BP Pulse wanted to charge £150 for an isolation switch. I'd rather buy a Type B RCB and 40A breaker in a box for £115 and have that fitted instead. Electric Vehicle Charger Protection B Type DC RCD c/w 40A MCB: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

I'm in the same boat actually with Pulse, £150 for the switch. If you don't mind me asking, how much is your installation coming in at, and what made you select them? I am wondering if i've made the right choice at £699

 

[RedMod3]

I'm in the same boat actually with Pulse, £150 for the switch. If you don't mind me asking, how much is your installation coming in at, and what made you select them? I am wondering if i've made the right choice at £699

I've a Tesla charger wired temporarily to my M3. However, I've ordered a Smart Car and it comes with a free BP Pulse charger, but they are trying to load extra costs on me. My solution is to get my electrician to install the Type B RCD and then fit a changeover switch between the Tesla an BP charger and use the one that works best for both cars and keep the other as a spare. I've a problem at the moment getting BP Pulse to support my proposal and the BP Pulse charger has an inbuilt RCD and they want to connect it direct to the meter tails, and I'm not happy with that.

 

[Adopado]

I've a Tesla charger wired temporarily to my M3. However, I've ordered a Smart Car and it comes with a free BP Pulse charger, but they are trying to load extra costs on me. My solution is to get my electrician to install the Type B RCD and then fit a changeover switch between the Tesla an BP charger and use the one that works best for both cars and keep the other as a spare. I've a problem at the moment getting BP Pulse to support my proposal and the BP Pulse charger has an inbuilt RCD and they want to connect it direct to the meter tails, and I'm not happy with that.

If your electrician is clear that your proposal meets regs I'm not sure why BP Pulse have an issue? Unfortunately this forum has very recently lost the active involvement of our expert in these things @Glan gluaisne ... If he is looking in again you might strike lucky 'cause believe me he will know the answers!

 

[Adopado]

For anyone who is a more recent owner of a Model 3 I would like to point out that there was an old issue (sorted by software update a while back) where the cars would not respond to a timed charge from a charge point (any brand). This was due to the cars not waking from a sleeping state. Unfortunately some suppliers have not noted that the issue has long been resolved and are still advising Model 3 owners to leave Sentry Mode active on their cars to prevent them going to sleep. This is outdated advice ... your car should wake from sleep if offered a timed charge.

 

[RedMod3]

If your electrician is clear that your proposal meets regs I'm not sure why BP Pulse have an issue? Unfortunately this forum has very recently lost the active involvement of our expert in these things @Glan gluaisne ... If he is looking in again you might strike lucky 'cause believe me he will know the answers!

I checked with my electrician today; he will fit my new consumer unit with the 63A type B RCD and the 40A MCB and I have now asked BP Pulse to connect to the new consumer unit (they had nothing to connect to before). Once this is over, I'll post a full report with photos.