Granny charging

[Gomev]

I had exactly the same 2 weeks ago, we’re you in the same caravan lol

LOL, not knowing anything about caravan park standards, I wonder if the 16amp is regulation.

 

[Lovemyev]

LOL, not knowing anything about caravan park standards, I wonder if the 16amp is regulation.

Could well be ??????.
It does appear to be a common fitment.
Mind you, the heating and the cooking facilities are all run from LPG gas in many cases, so the electrical demand is pretty low.
I don't expect when they designed the electrical system for caravans, they never expected people to be charging electric cars from them !.

 

[JodyS21]

Was surprised that the kettle being used in the caravan was such a high wattage one.

 

[Lovemyev]

Was surprised that the kettle being used in the caravan was such a high wattage one.

Most of these marketed "High Speed Boil" electric kettles are only able to achieve this by whacking in plenty of that lovely juice !.
Just watch the effect on a home energy meter, when you hit the kettle switch !.
Wow - OMG - It's pulling very close to 50% of what a wall box pulls.
Not over the same time scale of course, unless you drink a LOT of tea and have a HUGE bladder capacity to handle it that is .
Tumble drier / electric shower etc - same story.
Loves consuming power / cash like it's going out of style !.
Anything that has a decent size heating element inside, is going to bring pain on your energy bill.

 

[Les burrows]

Was surprised that the kettle being used in the caravan was such a high wattage one.

Hi Jody you can bet you life when it was Purchased by who ever, the look or design was the attraction odds on they never even looked at the wattage factor
Les

 

[RobH]

Advice please: Just purchased my ZS EV and the dealer suggested just use the granny charger and see how you go. What's the best way to avoid lengthy balancing charges: regular top up charging or let it go to 20%-odd then one long charge? Or doesn't it matter? Thanks, Rob.

 

[FCat53]

Has anybody else had problems with granny charging making the output socket and therefore the plug very hot? I have to use an extension as I can't get close enough to my house for the charger to go directly into the wall socket. I thought it may have been the extension cable but bought a new one and tried 2 others still same overheating thing happens, I'm therefore scared of using the granny charger, any advice would be appreciated.

I have been granny charging over 4 years, this is usually either a poorly wired socket, needs to be a direct from distribution board or strong ring main with nothing else on the ring using any power. Or a 10A rather than 13A extension.

 

[Lovemyev]

Advice please: Just purchased my ZS EV and the dealer suggested just use the granny charger and see how you go. What's the best way to avoid lengthy balancing charges: regular top up charging or let it go to 20%-odd then one long charge? Or doesn't it matter? Thanks, Rob.

A lot will depend on your usage case.
General rule is, not to let the HV battery go to low, or fully charge the battery and then leave it just sit without using up that storage energy.
A lot of people favour keeping the battery between 20 to 80% and then fully charge to make longer trips.
MG recommend that you should allow the battery to perform a balance process once a month to keep the cells equal.
Some owners just plug in their cars after every single use regardless if they need all that range or not !.
Although running to low IS regarded more damaging to the battery, than having it fully charged.
Remember that if you are running the car pretty low and then need a full charge to make a long trip, the charge time from a “Granny” unit is going to take a long time to complete, so factor this in.
I would say it would be sensible to charge the battery to a level that suits your daily requirements and do a balance cycle about once a month.
Again, it depends on your usage case really.

 

[RobH]

A lot will depend on your usage case.
General rule is, not to let the HV battery go to low, or fully charge the battery and then leave it just sit without using up that storage energy.
A lot of people favour keeping the battery between 20 to 80% and then fully charge to make longer trips.
MG recommend that you should allow the battery to perform a balance process once a month to keep the cells equal.
Some owners just plug in their cars after every single use regardless if they need all that range or not !.
Although running to low IS regarded more damaging to the battery, than having it fully charged.
Remember that if you are running the car pretty low and then need a full charge to make a long trip, the charge time from a “Granny” unit is going to take a long time to complete, so factor this in.
I would say it would be sensible to charge the battery to a level that suits your daily requirements and do a balance cycle about once a month.
Again, it depends on your usage case really.

Thanks a lot for the advice. Will see how I go.
Cheers... Rob.

 

[Gomev]

Advice please: Just purchased my ZS EV and the dealer suggested just use the granny charger and see how you go. What's the best way to avoid lengthy balancing charges: regular top up charging or let it go to 20%-odd then one long charge? Or doesn't it matter? Thanks, Rob.

No harm in filling it to full whenever you want (full is only 91% full anyway as there is a built in buffer). Treat charging your car like you would charge your phone.