Granny Charger - Extension

[MondeoMan1981]

Can anyone recommend a heavy duty 1-gang extension cable suitable for use with a granny charger cable?

[andyspiers]

Yes - https://toughleads.co.uk/

I have their modular travel system with adapters for france, campsites and and extension lead - https://toughleads.co.uk/collections/ev-electric-v...

They have many other options including regular 13A socket extensions.

Quite pricey but seems very well made.

[Paul Drawmer]

Also used toughleads. I have one with an inline connector that allows it to run through a letterbox. Nicely made, good quality leads.

Don't forget to check that the socket you plug it into isn't overheating over the several hours charging use.

[MondeoMan1981]

Thanks all - toughleads was the website I had been looking at initially!

[RazerSauber]

I use some billy basic 2 gang extension on my own car and never had a problem. It gets mildly touch warm after being on literally all night. Never had a problem otherwise.

[Crook]

I used this, never had a warm plug / socket or cable. Always make sure the reel is fully unwound though.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/pro-xt-omu2513-13a-4-ga...

[samoht]

Another toughleads customer here with no issues

[lemonslap]

Tough leads extension lead user here as well, properly made, EV changing rated hager socket and very high quality cable. Very different to a normal extension lead.

[SWoll]

Tough leads here as welo. Need to buy another really as having moved house power is now at the back of the garage so a bit of a stretch for the 5m we've had for years.

Not cheap, but worth every penny IMHO.

[Back2theFuji]

I've got a question about the tough leads letter box conncetor on their extension leads but a bit embarrased to ask them

https://toughleads.co.uk/collections/ev-electric-v...

The website states that the connector part is added 40cm from the plug by default...am I understanding that correctly? Who has a plug socket 40cm from their letter box?!

[samoht]

Back2theFuji said:

I've got a question about the tough leads letter box conncetor on their extension leads but a bit embarrased to ask them

https://toughleads.co.uk/collections/ev-electric-v...

The website states that the connector part is added 40cm from the plug by default...am I understanding that correctly? Who has a plug socket 40cm from their letter box?!

So... when in use, the connector isn't going to sit in the letterbox itself.

The idea is that the connector allows you to break the cable, then feed one end through the letterbox, then rejoin it.

But having done so you would pull the cable through into the house, such that the connector will sit on the cable between the letterbox and the inside plug socket you're using.

                               _ 
CAR-----------LB------<>------|_  plug

Where LB is the letterbox and <> is the connector.

[Back2theFuji]

samoht said:

So... when in use, the connector isn't going to sit in the letterbox itself.

The idea is that the connector allows you to break the cable, then feed one end through the letterbox, then rejoin it.

But having done so you would pull the cable through into the house, such that the connector will sit on the cable between the letterbox and the inside plug socket you're using.

                               _ 
CAR-----------LB------<>------|_  plug

Where LB is the letterbox and <> is the connector.

Oh course, thank you for explaining so clearly! Knew I was having a thicky moment

[this is my username]

I looked at Toughleads but the delivery times were a bit longer than I wanted so I just bought some 2.5mm2 flex from Screwfix (or maybe Toolstation) plus a heavy duty plug and socket and made one up myself. I also added in an in-line RCD, but that was probably overkill.

[MondeoMan1981]

I went for toughleads after all. Delayed til Tuesday with DHL due to the bank holiday. Public charger here I come!

[Actual]

this is my username said:

I looked at Toughleads but the delivery times were a bit longer than I wanted so I just bought some 2.5mm2 flex from Screwfix (or maybe Toolstation) plus a heavy duty plug and socket and made one up myself. I also added in an in-line RCD, but that was probably overkill.

Not being able to wire a plug is the old joke but some plugs are so fiddly.

When I made up a heavy duty extension lead for EV charging the plug was getting hot at the live pin in the plug and the problem was at the screw down terminal inside the plug. I remade the plug end and solved the problem.

Adding an in-line RCD is introducing more connections and more vulnerabilities and the circuit could/should be RCD protected at the consumer unit/fuse box.

Everything should be fine as it's only a 13A plug on a 32A ring but do you trust your house internal wiring? The socket may be in the garage but the ring final circuit could be going all through the house, kitchen, bedroom? Nothing gets hot when you plug in a kettle but it only takes 2 minutes whereas the EV charger is used for hours at a time and while you are sleeping.

[tr7v8]

this is my username said:

I looked at Toughleads but the delivery times were a bit longer than I wanted so I just bought some 2.5mm2 flex from Screwfix (or maybe Toolstation) plus a heavy duty plug and socket and made one up myself. I also added in an in-line RCD, but that was probably overkill.

I did this, decided if I was making one it was easier to make 3! So bought a long length of artic flex & made 3, from memory 5, 10 & 25M All have double training sockets on the end. All had proper dura plugs on. This is for charging my Outlander Hybrid which is only 13kW/h or so and is limited to 2.6kW charge rate. Plugged into a 13Amp external wall socket which is directly connected to the disti board.

Only issue is an idiot fox decided to chew the cable near the car. If I was making another I would put a loose piece of garden hose over that end for protection.

[MondeoMan1981]

My order arrived today. What a cracking piece of kit that is. Will likely use it for some outdoor usage as well. It's currently in use for our electric blinds, will have it's first granny session (ooh err) tomorrow night.