Anyone looking at Landed?

[petetherock]

EV charging requires a dedicated 32A source in order to get the 7kwh for single phase chargers. Normal 13A power point cannot be used and is illegal not to mention it is a fire hazard. So if your point is already 32A with an isolator then it’s fine. Else if it is a shared point then you cannot use it due to risk of trips. If it is a dedicated 13A point, you could still use it if the internal cables are at least 2.5mm2 sized. Then you just need to change the 13A socket to an isolator and confirm the breaker inside the DB is suitable. But then you will have to run your charger at reduced rate of 3.5kwh which is a current draw of 16A only.

Thanks for the quick replies.
I did set aside one with an isolator, later on, I took out the isolater to fix a cabinet, haha. But there is a line with a normal socket that I hope does the job..
Toyota is actively trying to reclaim their crown, so if anyone is in the market, google BZ4X and see if it fits you..

 

[limck]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I did set aside one with an isolator, later on, I took out the isolater to fix a cabinet, haha. But there is a line with a normal socket that I hope does the job..
Toyota is actively trying to reclaim their crown, so if anyone is in the market, google BZ4X and see if it fits you..

A 13A socket is usually looped and shared with other sockets. It is not advisable to use this socket to convert it for EV charging as per the reasons I mentioned earlier. I don’t think the LEW will allow for this as well.
Chances are you will need to pull a new set of cables for your EV charger unless you are willing to cut a hole in your cabinet to connect back that isolator so that a proper electrical connection can be made. Honestly, if I see your EV charger is connected via a 13A circuit, I will not re-certify your EV charger as fit for use as well. Do note that EV chargers need to be certified by an equipment specialist every 2 years to be legal for use else you will fall foul of the law and insurance coverage will be affected should anything happen.

 

[RyanJ]

A 13A socket is usually looped and shared with other sockets. It is not advisable to use this socket to convert it for EV charging as per the reasons I mentioned earlier. I don’t think the LEW will allow for this as well.
Chances are you will need to pull a new set of cables for your EV charger unless you are willing to cut a hole in your cabinet to connect back that isolator so that a proper electrical connection can be made. Honestly, if I see your EV charger is connected via a 13A circuit, I will not re-certify your EV charger as fit for use as well. Do note that EV chargers need to be certified by an equipment specialist every 2 years to be legal for use else you will fall foul of the law and insurance coverage will be affected should anything happen.

Thanks for the sharing.

What are the miscellaneous ancillary costs for operating a home EV charger ?

I understand the registration fees may be "bundled" into the installation by installers.

So every 2 years there is a recertification cost ? How much is that ?

 

[limck]

Thanks for the sharing.

What are the miscellaneous ancillary costs for operating a home EV charger ?

I understand the registration fees may be "bundled" into the installation by installers.

So every 2 years there is a recertification cost ? How much is that ?

Registration is usually done by the owners with LTA and the fee is $375 until 31 Dec 2025 upon which it will revert back to the original fee of $750. This is a one time cost.
Previously home owners need to register the charger themselves but now third parties are allowed to do the registration. However owners still need to pay for the registration fee themselves through onemotoring website.
After this, the recurring cost is the inspection by a certified EV equipment specialist every two years unless you change your equipment or relocate the equipment to a new house. The original equipment installer/supplier may provide you with a quote upfront on this service 2 years later. I was quoted $200++ for this service by my equipment installer which was arranged by BYD. I do not know how much others will quote for this inspection. LTA has a list of certified specialists who can provide this service so you could also contact them for it as well. Anyway I will be doing this inspection myself since I am certified to do it.

 

[petetherock]

Very useful info bro, thank you
When I confirm, I'll have to talk to their charger vendor, see any freebies like installation etc..

 

[limck]

Very useful info bro, thank you
When I confirm, I'll have to talk to their charger vendor, see any freebies like installation etc..

So far I only know BYD throws in “free” charger installation. All others need to pay.
Anyway, BYD’s free charger is not really free as there is a $3k benefit for anyone buying their EVs so that $3K can be used for road tax, insurance, accessories or cover the entire EV charger installation.

 

[petetherock]

Now they charge 3k...
I'm waiting for the terms from the Toyota BZ4x, good price

 

[limck]

Now they charge 3k...
I'm waiting for the terms from the Toyota BZ4x, good price

EV charger installation cost varies from site to site based on charger brand/model and also whether pulling for single phase or three phase. Ballpark figure should be about $2.5k thereabouts for single phase 7kwh charger based on what I had found previously

 

[RyanJ]

EV charger installation cost varies from site to site based on charger brand/model and also whether pulling for single phase or three phase. Ballpark figure should be about $2.5k thereabouts for single phase 7kwh charger based on what I had found previously

How much is the ball park for doing up a three phase ?

( While 7kwh charging seems good enough for now, but just thinking ahead for future )

Also I see charger brands from Schneider to unknown brands. Does it really matter?

 

[limck]

How much is the ball park for doing up a three phase ?

( While 7kwh charging seems good enough for now, but just thinking ahead for future )

Also I see charger brands from Schneider to unknown brands. Does it really matter?

a 3 phase charger itself could be a few hundred dollars more expensive than a single phase charger. the additional 2 electrical cables will also cost extra but how much more will depend on how long the length is needed.

Brands wise, there's Schneider which you mentioned, ABB, some european brands as well as chinese brands. I was given a chinese branded one (with sticker paste over) which is commonly found in public spaces under Shell, CDG, etc branding. Some chargers can go up to 7.4Kwh which can then translate to about 7Kwh charging. Mine is max 7Kwh which provides up to 6,4Kwh charging (my car can take up to 7kwh). The difference between rated and actual is due to losses, etc. I don't think brands make much difference unless there is evidence that more expensive chargers can reduce the charging loss.

For future proofing, I think having the electrical infrastructure there is good enough. The charger itself is like any appliance which will die one day. So if you have a car that can only take 7kwh and is not planning to change to another car that can take 11kwh or 22kwh within the next 5 years, then I don't think need to get a 3 phase charger now.

 

[RyanJ]

a 3 phase charger itself could be a few hundred dollars more expensive than a single phase charger. the additional 2 electrical cables will also cost extra but how much more will depend on how long the length is needed.

Brands wise, there's Schneider which you mentioned, ABB, some european brands as well as chinese brands. I was given a chinese branded one (with sticker paste over) which is commonly found in public spaces under Shell, CDG, etc branding. Some chargers can go up to 7.4Kwh which can then translate to about 7Kwh charging. Mine is max 7Kwh which provides up to 6,4Kwh charging (my car can take up to 7kwh). The difference between rated and actual is due to losses, etc. I don't think brands make much difference unless there is evidence that more expensive chargers can reduce the charging loss.

For future proofing, I think having the electrical infrastructure there is good enough. The charger itself is like any appliance which will die one day. So if you have a car that can only take 7kwh and is not planning to change to another car that can take 11kwh or 22kwh within the next 5 years, then I don't think need to get a 3 phase charger now.

Thanks for ur advice and sharing, has been reading ur informative posts all the while.

Will look into a 3 phase charging infra and perhaps a charger up to 7.4kwh since my current ride is a plug in hybrid charging is more of an afterthought, but future may be different.

 

[limck]

Thanks for ur advice and sharing, has been reading ur informative posts all the while.

Will look into a 3 phase charging infra and perhaps a charger up to 7.4kwh since my current ride is a plug in hybrid charging is more of an afterthought, but future may be different.

It’s easy to change the charger but more troublesome to run new cables and not to mention that you will need to pay for labor cost again. Always good to plan ahead esp if this if your home for the long run

 

[petetherock]

Yeah the cable run is the headache..
Can you run a cable from the mains outside (before it gets to my main DB) instead?

 

[limck]

Yeah the cable run is the headache..
Can you run a cable from the mains outside (before it gets to my main DB) instead?

I'm not an LEW but I don't think that is allowed unless you want to redesign your house's electrical connections and shift the main DB or part of it to your meter box.

My EV charger is actually installed on my meter compartment structure but I had to run the cables through a spare lead in pipe which goes underground to the main DB inside my house. I was very lucky to have this spare lead in pipe else I would have a lot of problems running the cables.

 

[petetherock]

That's prob what I meant.. from the meter, see if I can find a way.. otherwise let's see..
Anyways, wife not keen on solar so that's off the cards..

 

[rlskyline]

That's prob what I meant.. from the meter, see if I can find a way.. otherwise let's see..
Anyways, wife not keen on solar so that's off the cards..

why not keen on solar?

 

[limck]

That's prob what I meant.. from the meter, see if I can find a way.. otherwise let's see..
Anyways, wife not keen on solar so that's off the cards..

If you don’t want to pull new cable then best bet is try to get access to the original point behind your cabinet now.

 

[petetherock]

why not keen on solar?

Small home, costs, hassle etc.. YMMV

 

[petetherock]

If you don’t want to pull new cable then best bet is try to get access to the original point behind your cabinet now.

Yeah try try.
It's a 20A line, with my home being three phase, it gives 11Kw, which is decent enough for a slow charge of 7-9 hours for a full charge.
Since we don't aim to do full charge, an overnight charge should suffice.

 

[limck]

Yeah try try.
It's a 20A line, with my home being three phase, it gives 11Kw, which is decent enough for a slow charge of 7-9 hours for a full charge.
Since we don't aim to do full charge, an overnight charge should suffice.

Your cables at the isolator is for single phase or three phase? Normally isolators are installed as single phase unless specifically required for three phase. If single phase then you won’t get 11kwh since 20A x 230V gives you 4.6kw max.
For EVs, it is always recommended to do a full charge every few weeks so that the onboard BMS can balance the battery cells.