MG ZS EV trickle charge likely to catch fire?

[ryanoneill1970]

I know, bear with me.

We are after a replacement for our trickle charge lead (the one with the 3 pin UK mains plug) which we ordered through Clarkes of Kidderminster (clown show, I do not recommend them).

On mentioning that we were charging this way (we are in rental for a while and will have a charger fitted when we buy a place) the person at Clarkes was a bit shocked we were using it to charge our car. She said it was likely to catch fire and should not be really used other than to get the car to a real charge point. She really mentioned fire risk quite a few times. She likened it to a 'Jerry Can', suggesting it was not safe and should only be used in an emergency.

This took me aback. I've not see any news stories on fires caused by this and neither have I heard of a safety recall. It strikes me that this would be illegal to sell in the UK if she was correct.

Is she talking absolute nonsense as I suspect?

Yes, I understand 3 pin charging is not a long term solution.
Yes, I understand it is pulling 2kW (I think) from the mains. But the circuit was only recently fitted by a qualified electrician with a full check after.

Thanks for reading

Ryan

 

[GOMG]

As a 13amp cable for 240VAC is rated at 3kW, and as long as nothing else is on the socket with the granny lead, it should surely be fine?

Catie

G7KTL - licensed radio ham and 224 electronics trained

 

[Gadget Geek]

I regularly charge mine with the "granny charger". As long as the socket is in good condition and any extension lead is heavy duty you'll be fine. As for the staff at the dealership, you're lucky if they know anything about EV's.

 

[Jomarkh]

Hi, what happened to your MG granny EVSE?
Yes it does pull about 2.2kW for hours on end but if checked regularly for excessive heat on the plug top, sockets and leads etc. You should be fine until you get a 7kW EVSE.

 

[ryanoneill1970]

Hi, what happened to your MG granny EVSE?
Yes it does pull about 2.2kW for hours on end but if checked regularly for excessive heat on the plug top, sockets and leads etc. You should be fine until you get a 7kW EVSE.

The old granny cable had the cable slip out of the grommet so it showed the 3 wires. My wife asked them to replace it under warranty, they said it was not part of the warranty and said it was a fire risk / hazard and should not be used.

She was a bit panicked and ordered a replacement cable. They then went quiet for a few weeks, she phoned them and they said 'oh yes, it's here'. They ordered in the wrong part, an untethered public charging cable which we already have. So I've got to get them to refund it Monday.

This evening I took the granny charger apart and reseated the cable into the clamp inside the sealing grommet. It's fine. I would not have ordered the replacement as I knew the charger was fine, but she was dealing with it.

Bit of a story, they've mucked quite a bit up. Too tedious to tell. All is well apart from us having had to pay over £200 for a cable we didn't need.

Thank you for your advice.

Thank you all for your answers. As I assumed, they don't know their 3 pin from their untethered charging cable (arse / elbow).

 

[pollenface]

What they are worried about I suspect is plugging it into an underrated outlet with shonky wiring. Bad connections and narrow gauge wiring will cause heat.

 

[Jto]

The old granny cable had the cable slip out of the grommet so it showed the 3 wires. My wife asked them to replace it under warranty, they said it was not part of the warranty and said it was a fire risk / hazard and should not be used.

She was a bit panicked and ordered a replacement cable. They then went quiet for a few weeks, she phoned them and they said 'oh yes, it's here'. They ordered in the wrong part, an untethered public charging cable which we already have. So I've got to get them to refund it Monday.

This evening I took the granny charger apart and reseated the cable into the clamp inside the sealing grommet. It's fine. I would not have ordered the replacement as I knew the charger was fine, but she was dealing with it.

Bit of a story, they've mucked quite a bit up. Too tedious to tell. All is well apart from us having had to pay over £200 for a cable we didn't need.

Thank you for your advice.

Thank you all for your answers. As I assumed, they don't know their 3 pin from their untethered charging cable (arse / elbow).

If this has happened then it has lost its IP rating and is in a dangerous state and should not be used out side. This now not waterproof.

 

[Terry2]

I use the granny charger regularly, charging up to 8 hours at a time. I’ve done this for 3-4 years without a problem. I wouldn’t normally use that method of charging overnight or when I’m not in. I have a smoke detector by the socket. However my electric installation is quite new snd the only other thing connected to that double socket is a porch light. I would not use an extension cable, even if it has a thermal cut-out, since it could overheat and it’s not worth the risk (everyone is against this for that reason). So use a cable that’s long enough since it’s important. I also use a cable cover outside. It’s a heavy duty one with a cable channel. It’s charged despite an unexpected downpour with no problem and guards against trips by the postman! If you’re unsure then maybe get a reliable electrician have a look to make sure there’s no risk if overheating due to a heavy load. My standard plug point works perfectly fine but nothing much more is drawing on it.