Is it viable to charge MG4 Trophy from a standard plug?
Discussion
Looks like I might be getting a Trophy through work but due to building works going on at home it doesnt make sense to get a charger installed on the outside of the house (until the rendering is done at least).
So would mean for a couple of months the only home charging option would be via 3 pin plug.
Car would mostly be used for 40-50 mile per day commuting, then could be (slowly) charged again overnight.
Anyone gone this route in the short-term? (assuming here that a 3 pin plug is even viable, not very up on this EV stuff !)
When the charger is installed i gather i will need a new fuse box (current one is plastic and not acceptable - or is that a sales technique?) so seems like supply/fit of everything will be £1,800 ish (Essex prices)
So would mean for a couple of months the only home charging option would be via 3 pin plug.
Car would mostly be used for 40-50 mile per day commuting, then could be (slowly) charged again overnight.
Anyone gone this route in the short-term? (assuming here that a 3 pin plug is even viable, not very up on this EV stuff !)
When the charger is installed i gather i will need a new fuse box (current one is plastic and not acceptable - or is that a sales technique?) so seems like supply/fit of everything will be £1,800 ish (Essex prices)
Loads of people on these forums have charged using the 3 pin cable for extended periods whilst sorting a proper charger, quite a few have actually stuck with the 3 pin plug and get on fine after years of doing so - although personally I think anyone that can get a proper charger really should, just in case you need to add decent range more quickly.
As for the 40-50 miles per day, you should see around 7-9 miles per hour charge rate so about 6 hours overnight would do it. In reality you need more sleep than that most nights (I assume) so you should easily have enough time to charge the car, no problem at all.
As for the 40-50 miles per day, you should see around 7-9 miles per hour charge rate so about 6 hours overnight would do it. In reality you need more sleep than that most nights (I assume) so you should easily have enough time to charge the car, no problem at all.
If your wiring is up to a reasonable standard you can run an EV entirely from a three-pin plug for that sort of usage. I'd probably get the wiring checked and install a good quality socket where you intend to plug the car in, but otherwise it'll be fine to add ~100 miles a night. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure you can add a new circuit to an existing, plastic, consumer unit as long as there's a spare "way" and it's in good condition. It might depend on quite how ancient your current consumer unit is though!
Edited by kambites on Friday 16th June 15:54
Thanks folks for the info. The existing Fusebox thingy was installed about 9 years ago. No idea if it has any spare capacity
The nearest power socket to where the car would be is a pretty flakey looking thing (put in about 20 years back as part of an extension) that would definitely need so form of testing my an electrically competent person
Least i have some options it seems so will likely progress to next step....assuming i can convince the wife that it is viable to occasionally do a 400 mile round trip to her mothers in a day!
The nearest power socket to where the car would be is a pretty flakey looking thing (put in about 20 years back as part of an extension) that would definitely need so form of testing my an electrically competent person
Least i have some options it seems so will likely progress to next step....assuming i can convince the wife that it is viable to occasionally do a 400 mile round trip to her mothers in a day!
This should be absolutely fine - with your usage you'll be adding more overnight than you'll be using during the day.
I've only ever used a 3 pin socket - initially I was charging the car every night, but after a week or so you figure out how much range you are using and you'll probably end up charging twice or three times a week.
I've only ever used a 3 pin socket - initially I was charging the car every night, but after a week or so you figure out how much range you are using and you'll probably end up charging twice or three times a week.
3anascooter said:
Thanks folks for the info. The existing Fusebox thingy was installed about 9 years ago. No idea if it has any spare capacity
Same age as ours then and I had a new way put into ours about 9 months ago to add an air conditioner with no problem. You do need to be a bit wary of 20 year-old sockets put in by generic builders building an extension down to a budget, but if it's a decent quality socket on a ring (as opposed to a single 2.5mm spur) it should be OK. Even a 2.5mm spur SHOULD be OK if there's nothing else on it, but for long-term draw of around 10 amps I probably wouldn't risk it.
Edited by kambites on Friday 16th June 18:25
kambites said:
If your wiring is up to a reasonable standard you can run an EV entirely from a three-pin plug for that sort of usage. I'd probably get the wiring checked and install a good quality socket where you intend to plug the car in, but otherwise it'll be fine to add ~100 miles a night. I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure you can add a new circuit to an existing, plastic, consumer unit as long as there's a spare "way" and it's in good condition. It might depend on quite how ancient your current consumer unit is though!
Edited by kambites on Friday 16th June 15:54
Just pull each socket faceplate on the circuit in question and check and tighten each terminal screw. Generally most newish houses will have a few slightly loose connections within a few years as the copper relaxes over time after the initial install.
This is basic stuff anyone can do - but if in doubt an electrician will check the circuit and re-tighten all the terminals on that circuit for £50-100 depending on location.
The above is belt and braces if you're worried. In reality you're simply plugging a 10a load into a socket and circuit rated for multiple 13a loads. It only feels weird because you haven't plugged a car in before. You've plugged a kettle in though, which is a higher peak load.
Just been to the local MG dealer and got the wife's blessing for the MG 4 Trophy "so long as it's orange" (wife is a McLaren/Lando fan)
Looking into extension leads that would get from out outdoor passageway plug socket to the drive. Guessing needs to be a decent pec extension lead !!
Looking into extension leads that would get from out outdoor passageway plug socket to the drive. Guessing needs to be a decent pec extension lead !!
3anascooter said:
Just been to the local MG dealer and got the wife's blessing for the MG 4 Trophy "so long as it's orange" (wife is a McLaren/Lando fan)
Looking into extension leads that would get from out outdoor passageway plug socket to the drive. Guessing needs to be a decent pec extension lead !!
Decent weathe protection (enclosed plug socket) is a good idea. Also ensure it's rated to 13a, most are 10a. Lastly, get one the right length as you can't leave it part wound up with a continuous load being drawn through it.Looking into extension leads that would get from out outdoor passageway plug socket to the drive. Guessing needs to be a decent pec extension lead !!
4 years, 50k+ miles and 99% of charging done on a 3 pin. Get the socket checked as discussed.
We've used one of these for 18 months with our etron without any issues.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083GLNAY/ref...
And if you need to extend to outdoors you'll need one of these (or similar)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-IP54-Weatherpr...
We've used one of these for 18 months with our etron without any issues.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083GLNAY/ref...
And if you need to extend to outdoors you'll need one of these (or similar)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-IP54-Weatherpr...
I charged my MG ZS from a three pin extension for ages, I’ve now done my own set up with a old school rolec three pin charger bought for pennies on eBay with a new garo RCBO, works great, I’m on a shared electric supply with 60amp fuse and can’t be arsed paying thousands for a electric box and dealing with the electric boards. Three pin is fine, despite all the internet fear mongering
Gooose said:
I charged my MG ZS from a three pin extension for ages, I’ve now done my own set up with a old school rolec three pin charger bought for pennies on eBay with a new garo RCBO, works great, I’m on a shared electric supply with 60amp fuse and can’t be arsed paying thousands for a electric box and dealing with the electric boards. Three pin is fine, despite all the internet fear mongering
Won't you be paying a higher rate for the juice compared to using a wall box and a specific tariff, or are there ways and means that I'm not aware of?AKjr said:
Gooose said:
I charged my MG ZS from a three pin extension for ages, I’ve now done my own set up with a old school rolec three pin charger bought for pennies on eBay with a new garo RCBO, works great, I’m on a shared electric supply with 60amp fuse and can’t be arsed paying thousands for a electric box and dealing with the electric boards. Three pin is fine, despite all the internet fear mongering
Won't you be paying a higher rate for the juice compared to using a wall box and a specific tariff, or are there ways and means that I'm not aware of?Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff