Home charging - cables

[dan_b]

Ok. What do people think of this?
First time I’ve been able to park my car outside my front door in about a month, but also first time it’s been properly sunny - getting just shy of 2kW - so thought why not plug the car in?

Yes I know the cables are crossing the pavement.  Do you think I’m going to get into trouble?  I’ve put down some cable protectors. Am I a terrible person?
It’s not like many people are out at the moment anyway as we’re all meant to be self isolating!

[kdmnx]

Looks fine to me! Maybe some gaffer tape to keep the parts of cable not covered by the protectors from causing a trip hazard?

[M]

Friends further up our road have a camper van, and when they plug it in they place a plastic mesh/grid mat over the cables, about 2ft wide, where it crosses the pavement. Large, obvious and I think pretty safe??

[HalcyonRichard]

There are a number of councils who issue guidance with pictures such as :-

https://www.hants.gov.uk/transport/ev-charging-points/ev-charging-guidance


This would at least you tried to be safe and followed the guidance. When we make things idiot proof nature comes up with better idiots 

[Nickel2]

There's a very handy joint in the pavement between the house and the kerb, by that pillar. When I was a nipper my dad couldn't afford a new car-battery, so our old 1956 Humber Hawk was put on float every winter night.
The neighbours never caught on, but he progressively raked out the joints between the slabs, then eased a row on either side of the chosen gap to the side until there was then enough space to slip the charger cable down into the gap as required. On my estate, everyone weeded the verges and pavements outside their own house, so it was not unusual to see a man sitting there winkling out stubborn roots...  ...Alternatively try something like this:
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2drZIPsd3o>

[dan_b]

I had it plugged in for 3.5 hours, set the current to 6A so that it wouldn't draw from the grid, nice bit of free home grown motoring energy - probably what, 15-20 miles worth?
No one complained and no one fell over, so I think that counts as a good experiment. Will probably be doing more of this in the coming weeks with everyone self-isolating/ working from home.

[Quakered]

Just delighted. Over the last 3 days we have not drawn a milliwatt from the gird and also not exported anything either. The PV has met all our household demands, has ensured the Powerwall is full charged and had enough left over to add 85 miles range to the car. The only bad news is that with the plague lockdown the car is not being driven and fear that with another 4 days of sunshine that the car might run out of spare capacity to hold all the surplus.

[dan_b]

The clear sunny skies are due to last for the whole week apparently, and with it being on the fresh and breezy side too it's great conditions for PV.

[kdmnx]

I had it plugged in for 3.5 hours, set the current to 6A so that it wouldn't draw from the grid, nice bit of free home grown motoring energy - probably what, 15-20 miles worth?
No one complained and no one fell over, so I think that counts as a good experiment. Will probably be doing more of this in the coming weeks with everyone self-isolating/ working from home.

You obviously don't live in a particular part of the country!

A friend of mine is a lawyer working for a major supermarket chain. A staggering proportion of their "slip & trip" claims come from a tiny number of stores in a very tight geographical area.

[billi]

found that funny today cycling home ....

[dan_b]

Wow !

Note that’s a London registration on the Tesla but it’s not mine !

[kdmnx]

Wow !

Note that’s a London registration on the Tesla but it’s not mine !

Some holidaymakers wonder why locals hate them!

[Nickel2]

How about this for an option?
(Not my photo, belongs to an advert £30)



Or make your own, but be wary of overhead cable safety regs.
Drive over base, fit tubular extensions, run extension cable.