Using an old rarely used charger

[senwar]

I pick my CT4 up tomorrow and am having an Ohme Home Pro fitted on 27th (didn’t expect car as quickly).

I have a Rolec 32 amp charger I had installed in January 2016 as I had a Golf GTE company car at the time. I only used it about 5 times and got rid of the Golf in 2018 (hated it). The charger has been used once since about 3yrs ago to help a neighbour diagnose a charging problem.

I feel too nervous to use the charger on a new car - am I being silly? Or will it be ok until I have the new one fitted?

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[tigerbalm]

Defo being over cautious. The thing to remember here is that they are not "chargers". They are just a socket – with a relatively primitive control protocol (based on electrical resistance).

The charger is in the car – and it is its job to protect the car from any electrical situation it is not happy with.

Even though "chargers" – technically called EVSE's – come with ever increasingly fancy features – the basic function are all the same. Despite all the features, the EVSE contactors are either open (on) or closed (off).

PIN control, RFID card control, timers, data logging, online connections, etc – all add functionality – that you may or may not value – but it is all just wrappers around a socket with a switch!

Your 32 AMP Rolec will supply power just as well as the one you're waiting on – especially if you only have a single phase supply (which is typical in UK and Ireland).

Plug it in!

 

[whitex]

Is it hardwired? Was is professionally installed? If the installation is solid, there is nothing to worry about. EVSE’s are just glorified extension cords with GFCI built in, there isn’t much a an EVSE (AC charging equipment you call a charger) can do to damage your Taycan, unless it melts or catches on fire.

An actual DC charger is a different story, but back in 2016 they didn’t have residential options so what you have is definitely an EVSE.

 

[tigerbalm]

Is it hardwired?

To the best of my knowledge – EU* wide electrical regulations insist on all EVSE's being hard wired back to a dedicated fuse in the distribution board. With an emergency switch off installed between the EVSE and the fuse – located beside the EVSE.

The NEMA stye sockets being a completely alien thing over this side of the pond.

* – And UK was EU back in 2016.

 

[W1NGE]

I pick my CT4 up tomorrow and am having an Ohme Home Pro fitted on 27th (didn’t expect car as quickly).

I have a Rolec 32 amp charger I had installed in January 2016 as I had a Golf GTE company car at the time. I only used it about 5 times and got rid of the Golf in 2018 (hated it). The charger has been used once since about 3yrs ago to help a neighbour diagnose a charging problem.

I feel too nervous to use the charger on a new car - am I being silly? Or will it be ok until I have the new one fitted?

There should be no reason not to use it - all are compatible. With a 32A setup you are set for 7.4kW home charging.

Just check that you don't use any programme features of the EVSE and rely exclusively on My Porsche app for timed charging.

 

[senwar]

Thanks all - that makes me feel a bit more comfortable - and especially making me realise its just a fancy plug

Defo being over cautious. The thing to remember here is that they are not "chargers". They are just a socket – with a relatively primitive control protocol (based on electrical resistance).

The charger is in the car – and it is its job to protect the car from any electrical situation it is not happy with.

Even though "chargers" – technically called EVSE's – come with ever increasingly fancy features – the basic function are all the same. Despite all the features, the EVSE contactors are either open (on) or closed (off).

PIN control, RFID card control, timers, data logging, online connections, etc – all add functionality – that you may or may not value – but it is all just wrappers around a socket with a switch!

Your 32 AMP Rolec will supply power just as well as the one you're waiting on – especially if you only have a single phase supply (which is typical in UK and Ireland).

Plug it in!

Thanks - that makes sense - and I'd not even thought/considered that its just a socket, and that's absolutely right. I have no issues using plugs in the house that are infrequently used. Thank you

 

[senwar]

Is it hardwired? Was is professionally installed? If the installation is solid, there is nothing to worry about. EVSE’s are just glorified extension cords with GFCI built in, there isn’t much a an EVSE (AC charging equipment you call a charger) can do to damage your Taycan, unless it melts or catches in fire.

An actual DC charger is a different story, but back in 2016 they didn’t have residential options so what you have is definitely an EVSE.

Thanks - yes hardwired and installed by EV Solutions. Appreciate the reply

 

[senwar]

There should be no reason not to use it - all are compatible. With a 32A setup you are set for 7.4kW home charging.

Just check that you don't use any programme features of the EVSE and rely exclusively on My Porsche app for timed charging.

Thanks also - yeah will just use the Porsche app for the moment. I'm switching over to OI once the Ohme is installed

 

[RGBArgee]

I pick my CT4 up tomorrow and am having an Ohme Home Pro fitted on 27th (didn’t expect car as quickly).

I have a Rolec 32 amp charger I had installed in January 2016 as I had a Golf GTE company car at the time. I only used it about 5 times and got rid of the Golf in 2018 (hated it). The charger has been used once since about 3yrs ago to help a neighbour diagnose a charging problem.

I feel too nervous to use the charger on a new car - am I being silly? Or will it be ok until I have the new one fitted?

Think you are being silly!

 

[senwar]

Think you are being silly!

Straight to the point - I did ask tho lol

 

[RGBArgee]

Straight to the point - I did ask tho lol

See the other posts. It’s just a hard wired 7kw charge outlet. It should work fine. Good luck though!!

 

[bn8959]

Thanks also - yeah will just use the Porsche app for the moment. I'm switching over to OI once the Ohme is installed

Note, you dont need Ohme EVSE to switch to OI, Octopus supports the Taycan directly, so you can have any EVSE.

 

[senwar]

Note, you dont need Ohme EVSE to switch to OI, Octopus supports the Taycan directly, so you can have any EVSE.

Ah right thank you. I’ll try and sort it this weekend then. ?

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