Granny charger measurements

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gbrspratt

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Can anyone supply some photos and measurements of the MG granny charger?

Before I go further, I'm a geek... So just go with me..I know I could probably buy something but where's the fun in that?

I'd like to design and 3d print a wall holder for the MG charger for when it's in use. So width, length and depth of the unit. Does it need access to any buttons/switches? Also length of cable to each plug end would be handy to as I'll incorporate cable storage for while it's not being used

As I said, I'm sure I could buy something, but I'm waiting for the car to turn up and this will keep me busy! ?

Cheers


Matt
 
Generally granny chargers are intended for occasional use away from home, as a last resort or when visiting "granny".

Some people do use them day to day for all their charging either because they don't want to or can't have a home charger installed.

There is nothing dangerous per se in using a granny charger, however, because it uses a 3 pin plug it is susceptible to misuse which can cause risks, eg:
  • Plugging into substandard or old household wiring.
  • Overloading a shared socket with other appliances.
  • Use in combination with coiled or substandard extension leads.
The problem is, the issues of overloading often only show up after many cycles, and because there are no problems at first, people think they are actually fine.

There should be no problem if you:
  • Have your electrical wiring inspected by an electrician to check its suitability.
  • Use a dedicated 3 pin socket on a separate circuit.
  • RCD protect the circuit.
  • Avoid extension leads or at least buy a high load lead and fully uncoil every time.
  • Regularly inspect the leads, sockets and wiring for signs of heating and overload.
It is worth adding that Home chargers also add PEN fault protection, which granny chargers do not. This is a very rare fault, but the potential consequences are severe.
 
I will mainly charge at work. Home will just be for a top up if needed for a long journey. Long journeys are rare so yes occasional use. The socket that will be used is a brand new one freshly wired in so all connections are good and solid.

I just wanted to make a tidy wall holder for it while I wait.
 
So my problem is amount of solar. The granny charger just comes in under peak solar, any more juice would be drawing from our expensive grid. Low peak tarif is another problem, It puts AC use right in the very expensive rate.
I guess we'd need a smart charger that only used solar. But that's going to be a fairly big expense for not much obvious gain.
 
I've been using the supplied granny charger for 2 months so far and it's been fine. As long as you don't drive a huge amount, it's worth starting with that if you're unsure. It will only draw around 1.3kW in my experience so well below the 5 kW for most single phase solar installations. I will eventually get a 32A dedicated charger once I've made some changes to where I park the car.

FYI, the supplied granny charger only draws 8A* so well below the 10A for many household appliances like toaster, kettles and air friers. (Edit * in Australia - British get a different charger IIRC).
 
Nothing wrong with using only a granny charger. I don't know how it is in the UK, but at home (in the Netherlands) I installed an extra residual current circuit breaker (16A) in the meter cupboard and laid a separate 3-pin CEE socket outside (with 3x4mm2 YMVK cable). This way, I can safely charge my car with 16A. Since my MG4 SR only has a single-phase charger, a 'real' charging station doesn't offer many advantages for me.
I'm using a Feyree granny charger
 
Tomg4 said:
Nothing wrong with using only a granny charger. I don't know how it is in the UK, but at home (in the Netherlands) I installed an extra residual current circuit breaker (16A) in the meter cupboard and laid a separate 3-pin CEE socket outside (with 3x4mm2 YMVK cable). This way, I can safely charge my car with 16A. Since my MG4 SR only has a single-phase charger, a 'real' charging station doesn't offer many advantages for me.
I'm using a Feyree granny charger
Click to expand...
As usual being British we are different. Various differences like using ring finals and how our earthing arrangements are delivered can increase the risks. CAN being the operative word.
 
I've been using the granny charger, as I've only just got the car, but I've ordered a proper charging point because you need the patience of a saint to use the granny charger.
 
The granny suits us fine for general use. But I'm doing a calibration charge at the moment, from 9% to 100%. At 1.4kW it's taking about 30hrs.
Good job we have 2 cars.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
An EVSE is an investment in the house as far as I'm concerned.

It makes life easier.

If we sell the house then it is a bonus feature adding value from the buyer's perspective - they don't need to add one.
 
I would have thought that the cost of an EVSE is smaller than miniscule compared to the value of a property. Additionally, not having a charging point when buying a property allows choice of the latest tech when it comes to EVSEs on offer.
 
Tuareg said:
I would have thought that the cost of an EVSE is smaller than miniscule compared to the value of a property. Additionally, not having a charging point when buying a property allows choice of the latest tech when it comes to EVSEs on offer.
Click to expand...
That's true but if you have an EV and are moving house knowing that you haven't got to wait for the DNO, installer, electricity supplier to fit a smart meter if it hasn't got one etc. would be a bonus
 
Tuareg said:
I would have thought that the cost of an EVSE is smaller than miniscule compared to the value of a property. Additionally, not having a charging point when buying a property allows choice of the latest tech when it comes to EVSEs on offer.
Click to expand...
It's just like bathrooms and kitchens isn't it? Some people prefer a move in ready house, some people would like to do everything up and have the latest things.

I think I wouldn't be swayed either way by an evse, although I'm leaning more towards no-evse so I can pick my own. But I can imagine a lot of people would be happy not to have to look into what they should buy, because someone else has done that for them.
 
Damn those language-specific AliExpress links which screw things up when you want to go to just AliExpress.com itself in future - they always force you back to that last language-specific option! 🤬

(You have to delete all AliExpress cookies to make it work properly again).
 

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