Charging novice

JAD

JAD

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Northwich
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MG4 XPOWER
Since buying my MG4 XPower in September 23, I have only ever charged it at home in the garage on the "granny" charger (most journeys are local so a 20-80% charge overnight has been sufficient). When I charge overnight in the garage the car is obviously locked. Now, planning to go away, I will need to use public chargers. What is the procedure with respect to activating the charge? Do I have to lock the car, or can the car be left open or can I even sit inside while it's charging. All advice will be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi there JAD.

If your car has had all the updates, you should be able to charge with the doors unlocked. Just make sure the car is off before plugging in and initiating the charge. Everytime the car unlocks, the charge pauses for 30 seconds in case you want to remove the charge plug. If you don't touch anything, the charge resumes. So you can get in and out of the car as you please, go for a walk, go shopping, sit in the car and watch a movie on a USB drive . . Whatever you like.

I would advise that you visit a local charger and try it out before going on a road trip and realising that you don't know how to DC rapid charge. :)
 
My experience is this....

I pull up to a public charger (any provider, I use the same procedure) car stays on.

Get out and plug in.

Start the charge on the app, or at the charger itself (once again depending on who I am using)

Charge always starts in under 30 seconds.

Sometimes I sit in the car (switched on) Sometimes I lock it and go off.

I can come back before it has finished charging and unlock with no interruption of the charge.
None.

My car continues to charge and won't stop until it reaches the set limit or I end the charge.
 
Last edited:
Bricktop X PWR said:
My experience is this....

I pull up to a public charger (any provider, I use the same procedure) car stays on.


Page 175 of the manual:
Click to expand...

Rapid Charging Safety Precautions
• Before connecting the rapid charger, switch the vehicle
power system OFF and wait 10 seconds.

You are right about the locking for a DC rapid charger though.
 
Like I bothered to read the manual!

Perhaps if they had been good enough to have printed one out and put it in my glovebox, I would have had a gander.

Nearly 8000 miles in and yet to have a problem doing it my way.

Famous last words!


Oh and it says "Precautions"

Not "You Absolutely Must"
 
Download "plugshare" and scan the road that you intend to travel, check the companies that operate each different charging station - you will likely need to download an app on your phone for each and add your credit/debit card details.
 
pollenface said:
Download "plugshare" and scan the road that you intend to travel, check the companies that operate each different charging station - you will likely need to download an app on your phone for each and add your credit/debit card details.
Click to expand...
Here in the UK, the government mandated that all new rapid chargers should be contactless, and that existing chargers should be retrofitted for contactless. The only app I have is the Tesla one, which I am trying out this Friday.
 
Gadget Geek said:
Here in the UK, the government mandated that all new rapid chargers should be contactless, and that existing chargers should be retrofitted for contactless. The only app I have is the Tesla one, which I am trying out this Friday.
Click to expand...
Dead right, but I was in Alnwick at the weekend and the chargers in the services there had an on screen notice saying contactless not in operation so the app was needed. I will check who the chargers belonged to, I now have about a million or two apps!!!!.
The app was fairly straightforward but like every app I've used so far slightly different from all the others so not 100% intuitive. I managed to accidentally stop the charge by pressing the button on the app screen that I couldn't really see due to the bright sunlight and my reactolite glasses!!! I then had to walk back across to the charger to reinitiate.
A fella next to me also exclaimed " I think I've sussed it..... Oh hold on I'm not in Chile!!!!"
Great fun, seeing as it was sunny, but could be a pain I think under different circumstances. Not a major issue though, and not enough to put me off.
 
Get Electroverse, especially if on Octopus, as you can get offers and a card to make charging at many locations easier. Also Tesla app is great for accessing Tesla chargers which are more ubiquitous than ever. Also ZapMap is a more or less essential tool. Finally ABRP is a real gem of an app and you can share plans to your preferred navigation app.
 
This law that’s coming in 2025 to make all chargers contactless can’t come soon enough just got back from a week in Cornwall and the ball ache trying to use different providers chargers is a nightmare . Plus when you call the helpline (swarco) because there’s no internet signal they say there’s nothing they can do my question is what does the helpline do when the guy admitted every call was the same issue.
Plus I wonder how many ICE owners would go through the hassle of refuelling if they had to park there car a 2 miles away from where there staying and then walk 2 miles back 4 hours later in the dark just to put 24 kWh in roughly 1/3 of a tank fuel.
Why is it all these companies don’t just fit contactless anyway I dont get it rant over.
 
When I went to Cornwall last year, I booked a property that had ev charging. I would not consider a holiday cottage / house that I could not charge at, even if only via a granny on an outside plug. Not for free mind. I'd expect to pay.
 
Yes, Podpoint at Lidl's comes to mind. A good location, but unless you have the App, and can remember the password, useless..............:(
 
Headgas1 said:
This law that’s coming in 2025 to make all chargers contactless can’t come soon enough just got back from a week in Cornwall and the ball ache trying to use different providers chargers is a nightmare . Plus when you call the helpline (swarco) because there’s no internet signal they say there’s nothing they can do my question is what does the helpline do when the guy admitted every call was the same issue.
Plus I wonder how many ICE owners would go through the hassle of refuelling if they had to park there car a 2 miles away from where there staying and then walk 2 miles back 4 hours later in the dark just to put 24 kWh in roughly 1/3 of a tank fuel.
Why is it all these companies don’t just fit contactless anyway I dont get it rant over.
Click to expand...
Have you got the Electroverse app/card just had a look and there’s quite a lot that are compatible with the card
 
Have been only charging the MG4 (Trophy) at home so decided to check that it would charge with rapid charger. Tried the Tesla chargers at Denbies (just outside Dorking). So easy, already had downloaded the app. From 40% to 80% in 18 mins, max rate 140 kW (only issue is not really enough time for a relaxing coffee :(). I have charged the ZS all over the place including Wales (dragon) and France with the Electroverse card (just get one).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Headgas1 said:
This law that’s coming in 2025 to make all chargers contactless can’t come soon enough just got back from a week in Cornwall and the ball ache trying to use different providers chargers is a nightmare . Plus when you call the helpline (swarco) because there’s no internet signal they say there’s nothing they can do my question is what does the helpline do when the guy admitted every call was the same issue.
Plus I wonder how many ICE owners would go through the hassle of refuelling if they had to park there car a 2 miles away from where there staying and then walk 2 miles back 4 hours later in the dark just to put 24 kWh in roughly 1/3 of a tank fuel.
Why is it all these companies don’t just fit contactless anyway I dont get it rant over.
Click to expand...
Do you use Electroverse, highly recommend it
 
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