[Bespoke]

Hey guys,

New (Australian) EV owner here, so please, go easy on me!

I've just purchased a used i360rex and the original owner didn't leave the charging cable in it, which was nice of him.
So I've been confusing/frustrating myself with a search for a cable.

I intend to charge the car exclusively at work, from a 3 phase socket in the car park about 1-2m from the socket in the car, which will be free -so very convenient.
Looking to purchase basically an extension cable with a 3 phase plug at one end and a Type CCS on the other and for the life of me I cannot find that solution.

The only option I can find is what I need plus a box in the middle with electronics, which I'm not sure I require, that is AU$1500+
I was thinking a 2-5m long 3 phase to Type 2 solution should be $500 absolute max.

Am I misunderstanding what I require?

 

[cah197]

You need an EVSE, which is a box that ‘talks’ to the car. This can be portable or fixed.

You can get three phase versions, but they are more expensive.

Yes, they probably are $1,500 AUD new, once import taxes are paid.

Now you could try and get a second hand one. If you can find a Tesla UMC, the early versions support three phase charging.

However I’d question if you really need a three phase EVSE. You can get an adaptor tail to go from three phase outlet to single phase.

 

[cah197]

Also CCS is DC and Type 2 is AC, which is what your three phase outlet will be.

 

[amaterB]

There are EVSEs where all electronics is integrated into the Type2 connector, so it does look like a plain "3-phase to Type2" cable, e.g. https://eauto.si/en/products/charging/ (sadly the web page not fully translated to English). It's similar to the "granny" charger, but doesn't have the big box in the middle of the cable (NOTE: this means no RCD protection, thus should only be used on sockets that already are RCD protected!) and you can choose plug type, cable length, 1 or 3 phase, and Ampere rating.

 

[Bespoke]

Thanks guys,

I'm still a little confused, so I can use a cable (essentially an extention cord) with an AU 3 phase plug at one end and Type 2 at the other?

Here's the point I'd like to charge from...

 

[Bespoke]

You need an EVSE, which is a box that ‘talks’ to the car. This can be portable or fixed.

You can get three phase versions, but they are more expensive.

Yes, they probably are $1,500 AUD new, once import taxes are paid.

Now you could try and get a second hand one. If you can find a Tesla UMC, the early versions support three phase charging.

However I’d question if you really need a three phase EVSE. You can get an adaptor tail to go from three phase outlet to single phase.

I only say that I want a basic extension cord because I've seen people charging without any electronics between the 3 phase outlet and the vehicle...

Is this not a suitable solution?
Or is it potentially dangerous?

 

[dk6780]

Yes, but it needs some electronics in the middle to communicate with the car to let the car start and control the charge - but these are hidden in the plugs sometimes. The type two has all three Live phases, Neutral, and the two pilots used for controlling the communication.

 

[cah197]

Yes, it's possible.

Now that's a 10 Amp socket, so you're going to get potentially 8 kW from it?

 

[cah197]

I only say that I want a basic extension cord because I've seen people charging without any electronics between the 3 phase outlet and the vehicle...

Is this not a suitable solution?
Or is it potentially dangerous?

Not possible.

You can plug it in but nothing will happen.

They will have been using some sort of portable EVSE, just it wasn't obvious to you.

 

[Bespoke]

I was hoping for more, but I think 8kW is better than the standard 240V 10amp cable that BMW provide?

The standard cable as I understand it charges from empty to full ~12 hours, I'd like to get it to around 4 hours which is apparently 11kW.


Hey thanks, really appreciate the prompt replies!

 

[Bespoke]

Now I'm confused (again), so it is or isn't possible?

 

[cah197]

Now I'm confused (again), so it is or isn't possible?

Yes. You need a portable EVSE that can handle three phase.

Yes, these are generally expensive.

Look for one on eBay?

 

[cah197]

The standard cable as I understand it charges from empty to full ~12 hours, I'd like to get it to around 4 hours which is apparently 11kW.

The real question is how far is your round trip commute?

How long are you at work each day?

If you are able to plug in every day then you might find the standard EVSE is fine.

 

[dk6780]

It is possible - it is a 3 phase portable EVSE.

 

[Bespoke]

I did check eBay, no go unfortunately.
Also, wasn't too sure on exactly what I required.

So, an evse (cable) with the electronics somewhere along the way to 'talk' to the car.

So $1,500. Oh well.

 

[cah197]

I only say that I want a basic extension cord because I've seen people charging without any electronics between the 3 phase outlet and the vehicle...

Just to clarify, that video is the cable with the EVSE built into the Type 2 plug, as referenced above.

 

[Bespoke]

It is possible - it is a 3 phase portable EVSE.

I'm confused again, really quite frustrating.
So I don't need a $1500 'evse'?

 

[Bespoke]

Just to clarify, that video is the cable with the EVSE built into the Type 2 plug, as referenced above.

Got it! Thanks that's what was confusing me. So it's a $1500 cord.


My round trip to/from work is 50-75km, I then will travel 50-75km for work most days and I spend 4-8 hours at work most days.

 

[cah197]

I did, no go unfortunately.
Also, wasn't too sure on exactly what I required.

So, an evse (cable) with the electronics somewhere along the way to 'talk' to the car.

So $1,500. Oh well.

Something like this: Simple 11kW EVSE Ladegerät/charger 3x16A 3 phase typ2 Mennekes tragbar Ladegerät | eBay

That 3-phase socket is wrong for you, so you'll need to get a tail made up. Check with someone who knows three-phase better.

 

[cah197]

Got it! Thanks that's what was confusing me. So it's a $1500 cord.


My round trip to/from work is 50-75km, I then will travel 50-75km for work most days and I spend 4-8 hours at work most days.

OK, so to cover the round trip (if you're not charging at home) that would be about 12.5 kWh.

8 hours at work plugged in with the 10 Amp, single phase EVSE (or granny cable) should be fine. (In fact you could get up to 18.4 kWh in a shift).

Then you can keep things simple and just buy an adaptor to go from the 3-phase socket to your single phase EVSE plug.