[Paul_Moxhay]

Re: IEC / Mennekes / J1772 / Eu mode / this weeks favourite

Hi Richard,

Yes, it is confusing at first but it isn't as bad as all that really once you understand what is happening.

Firstly, the reason that the supplied cable cannot charge at more than 10A is that the plugs in our homes cannot supply more than that. Theoretically they can supply up to 13A but not safely for the time that we have a car on charge. Even 10A should only be used on sockets and wiring we are certain of being sound. Otherwise we should switch to 6A.

The 6 hour charge should never really be an issue for Ampera owners. We normally charge at home and possibly work when 6 hours is normally never a problem. When we travel away from home yes it is good to be able to charge at public charging stations but the Ampera is an ER-EV with a petrol generator so if you are on a long trip then you will be using a bit of petrol instead. OK, if you can charge then I am sure you will, but the Ampera is not a 100% battery car so fast charging is not really a priority.

Apart from the 3 pin 13A plug on the supplied cable there is really only one other cable you might choose to get and that is the type 2 cable. The type 2 cable allows you to plug in to public charging stations that have the type 2 socket and charge at 16A. 10A will add about 10 miles per hour of charging whereas 16A will add about 16 miles. These cables currently cost about £250 so most Ampera drivers will probably not bother because with the petrol generator faster charging away from home is not our priority and we can certainly live without it. I have one but I also own a Nissan Leaf which is a 100% battery car and so charging away from home is essential and the extra speed is more important.

So, that is it really. They are your two options when away from home... 3 pin using the supplied cable charging at 10A or 6A (switchable) or a type 2 cable on a compatible public charging station at 16A.

The only other cable, well converter really, that you might want to get is a 3 pin to blue "commando" converter to allow you to use the supplied cable at caravan sites etc. Again, this is totally optional and most people won't worry about that either.

I hope this helps. If not then please say and I, or others, will gladly try to explain more if we can.

 

[Paul_Moxhay]

Re: IEC / Mennekes / J1772 / Eu mode / this weeks favourite

I can see what you are doing and I salute and support your "minimum petrol" approach

Don't join Source London though. Instead join the new POLAR scheme. It is the same price at just £10 per year and it gives you automatic membership of Source London, but also Source East, Milton Keynes, and the National POLAR network including all the Little Chef locations.

 

[Paul_Moxhay]

Re: IEC / Mennekes / J1772 / Eu mode / this weeks favourite

They are talking bo***s - none of their sockets are 400V! The Ecotricity type 2 sockets work just fine with the ZCW cable - when the sockets are actually working that is...

Actually it is not bo***s !

Their type 2 sockets are 3-phase sockets. It is possible to use a 3-phase type 2 socket at 400V and about 43kW so in that respect it is not rubbish (to change the expletive ) . In fact, the 3-phase charger on the Renault Zoe will be able to use the Ecotricity stations at 43kW using the 3-phase 400V through the same socket. However, proddick is correct in that they also work fine with our type 2 cables at 240V and up to 7kW... we of course only use up to 3.3kW.

Having said that I do believe that some, if not all, of their type 2 sockets are still wired for single phase but that will change as they upgrade.

 

[Paul_Moxhay]

Re: IEC / Mennekes / J1772 / Eu mode / this weeks favourite

Ok, Cool. So the type 2 plug seems to be 5 power pins and two 'other' pins. So, even though its three phase, our car would only use a single phase of that, and at 16A? So no smoke and fire then?

Yup... you got it

I'm almost there. Just need a type 2 cable, a home charging station, and a car full of RFID cards.

Yes for now but with the POLAR initiative and with the general trend now towards Pay-As-You-Go, even that will soon change and improve.

 

[Paul_Moxhay]

IEC J1772 is American standards, and EU standards is IEC 92196-2
see this: http://www.jpson.com/products/plug-connector_c1242.html

<Pedant warning!>
IEC 62196-2
<End Pedantry>

 

[Paul_Moxhay]

This is just a farce though isn't it... surely charging a car has to get more simple than this what with J1772, Type 2, IEC 62196, CCS (type 1, type 2 etc), CHAdeMO, 3-pin 13A, 16A Commando, 32A Commando... how are the general public going to be convinced to switch when there is such complexity?

I think this much all consolidate into a single car charging standard that encompasses both DC and AC. Just plug in to any car and the technology sorts out the rest.

Am I dreaming of the impossible? Perhaps.

 

[Paul_Moxhay]

Can I use the Ecotricity chargers at the service stations using the cable?

No. The plug and socket are designed not to fit together. They look like they should but it is not permitted to extend the AC tethered cable. Some people have modified their own cable so it does fit but it isn't a good idea as they will not be held together properly making it unsafe.