Charging the car with solar power. ☀️ I finally have a Zappi!

[@colin.d]

Great to hear you now have a Leaf. I got my first EV last October, the 62kWh e+ Tekna model, Love it.

[@AL-ib3lu]

Was I the only one hoping Mrs Till would appear and say "I don't like it"?

[@andrewdyson4255]

Getting measured up for mine today, you convinced me. Keep the videos going I don’t do Twitter. I’ve had solar panels for 5 years, now going to get battery backup. MG EV coming end of next week so Zappi going to be my charging unit. Can’t wait to see how it all goes

[@007jerkins]

I have a Zappi in my porch - one day a friend who works in physiotherapy came around and her first thought was "why does he have a defibrillator by his front door?".

[@MrEV]

They'd have been in for a shock if they tried using it.

[@andrewcharles5575]

@@MrEV Not half as much as the person they used it on!

[@richardalderton1047]

People are usually shocked when they find out I'm not a very good electrician.

[@Cobraguy321]

Thanks for a great video on the installation of your zappi and using it with solar panels. It was all I wanted know when I get one fitted. Thanks again.

[@SebastianFleischhacker]

Loved the form. It makes installation a lot more convenient.

[@kinross24]

Also love my black v2 tethered Zappi

[@TheRamblyChannel]

Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this video. This looks amazing! There are not enough superlatives to express my excitement about the Zappi. I have no idea how much energy I export to the grid so that alone has got my interest, but being able to have a home charger that will cleverly charge only from the PV array is 100% what I want when I get an EV. Wonderful stuff! 🥳

[@WanderingFriar]

100% vouch for this. I already have a 16 panel solar panel installation about 8 years ago. I now have the Zappi charger and hub installed. I get solar energy, use a minute amount for the household and the rest goes into the grid with a nice cheque every quarter. I now power my new EV car exclusively (during the day) from the panels during the day and the rest goes to the grid - ECO Mode. All of this is visible on the Zappi ios app like shown here. Amazing technology! I plan to install batteries in the future to harness and store energy. Yep, Mr Smug here too 🙂

[@MrEV]

16 panels?! Nice one! I'm not at all jealous... 😀

[@henrytaggart4270]

Super helpful video - just got my quote in today for Mr Zappi and Solar panels - very tempted to just go for it !

[@helent9696]

Really loving this about the Zappi. We have one on order together with a e Niro 2 long range. Can't wait!

[@Jaw0lf]

I have reached my 2 week wait for the checks with the electric company and now waiting for confirmation of my fitting date. This will accompany my Tesla Powerwall2 that is first in line to use my 8kw solar. Then is my Eddi, also from myenergi, that heats the hot water. This uses the Smart hub so don't need one with thezappi! Glad you have joined the solar club!!!

[@renaulttraficconversion]

Thanks for the video, Andrew. After seeing this video, I will look for a Zappi Charger in Australia.

[@noname1st139]

Good information my friend, this is exactly what my step dad is looking for, Only he has to figure out a way to run the power lead from consumer unit and run out the back garden (20m) ,I suggested run cable outside the home to a seperate unit>charger but can't find any vids showing that,my mum don't want leads running through the Home and don't want to rip up floors etc,👍

[@peterpowis4145]

great video! glad you got a Zappi too! great product and now you have convenient home charging!

[@ramblerandy2397]

Unfortunately, I can't live the dream with the Zappi. But what I did do was ask my boss if the company could install a charger. And he didn't say No. That was last September. By December, two had been installed. They were switched on in late February, and on the 1st April I had my leased EV delivered at work. One week later a did a little charge. It was fantastic using one of our Zappis, and it was FREE. So ask your company. They may say Yes. Nice video. 👍

[@philipbroggio9315]

Have had a Zappi 2 since 2019 and yes it is a bit addictive. Only got the Zappi as I initially had a subscription Zoe from Onto which made me think about installing solar (4.2 kWp) which then made me think about a Zappi. The addiction continued as I then bought an Eddi. Now saving around £800 per year on petrol etc. Final addiction I have written a spreadsheet to record all my driving and charging events and linked to solar generation, consumed generation ,imports and exports. A new hobby and the car is amazing and the Zappi is great.

[@chrissmith9839]

Andrew great video. I had my Zappi installed by Mike, brilliant piece of kit as you've highlighted. I'm also charging my E Niro from the excess power produced by my solar panels (6.75kw system) - I'm only roughly 25 miles away from you and producing around 20-30kw a day. This is just about covers all my home charging which is amazing. I note your looking to increase your pv system. How many panels are you thinking of installing?

[@johnrush3596]

You can use a type 2 to type 1 connector. These work well.

[@darbarrow1203]

We have solar and a EO Mini Pro 2 - 70% in the ENiro from solar this week plus the house of grid all week. Lovely stuff.

[@leoclarke6462]

Great , glad it is giving you a buzz Andrew- are you planning to stay in this house for a while ? I note several moves .. if so I can understand you wanting more solar - friends use Zappi to heat their Emerson heater , so their hot water tank becomes in effect their battery !

[@johnmassey1249]

Hi Andrew, I have thought about having a Zappy charger installed but worked out that I could buy about 5000 Kwh of electricity @ 16p per Kwh for the cost of the installation, so I will use the KIA UVO app to schedule my solar charging and if I happen to use some grid power when the sun goes in then I have a 5000Kwh buffer which should last quite a long time. hopefully the government will increase the OLEV grant in the future at which time I will review the costs involved.

[@RWBHere]

If anything, they will remove the grant.

[@newbeginnings8566]

@@RWBHere they most certainly will give less and less aid....

[@chrisbudge1159]

Another great video - I was looking at a zappi as just had solar/powerwall and a charger installed - went for synch ev as nice small neat charger with smart features and seemed less advantages over the zappi as we are on Tesla Lite octopus tariff - our mini ev comes in a week Seems a good plan to add on to your solar although you wouldn’t get the fit now I’m sure the cars would make good use of it

[@richardwaller7721]

I'd thoroughly recommend having the same set up myself. Benefit is that if you need to charge more rapidly you can do so by using a combination of current solar from the PV array and stored solar from the Powerwall (I find that when you set the fast charge mode it'll draw down whatever stored energy you have in the Powerwall until it reaches the specified lower limit). Provides an additional level of flexibility and enjoyment.

[@jtchivers]

Good overview video that, Andrew. Whilst I similarly appreciate the app graphs, I'd love myenergi to offer an API or a simple means to download stats in a CSV file. I hear you on the dangers of the smug thing, but I look at it as simply showing friends in particular the reality of how easy it is to capture the free energy from the big glowy thing in our solar system. 😊

[@MrEV]

I'd geek out massively if a CSV export was available! As for smug mode, you're absolutely right. I do like to think our enthusiasm is infectious!

[@adamhardy8690]

@@MrEV Hi Andrew interesting video, I note you are in the summer here on a relatively sunny day yet not producing enough for the Zappi to kick in on Eco+ mode. I understand it needs at least 1.4 Kwh to kick in. This can be tricky to reach if you have a lot of draw on elecric e.g. with heat pumps etc. Does this not pretty much render the Zappi useless?

[@MrEV]

@@adamhardy8690 This was actually mid-April. We have a 2kW array which is pretty small, really. They're also quite old panels and not as efficient as new ones. If we covered the roof we could manage about 10kW (theoretical maximum) so even half that would easily be enough to have the heat pump running and car charging.

[@adamhardy8690]

@@MrEV I have a 4Kw array and an ASHP. We need more panels as this is often not enough and certainly not in winter or when ASHP and car are on at same time.The car needs a mimum 1.4Kw to charge on Eco so a little confused how this can be very advatageous for you in your set-up. Anyway, thanks for responding.

[@edwyncorteen1527]

If you need to you can set the lead to be permanently locked to the Zappi on the lock function page, hopefully the leaf you get is the old shape, all new ones use type 2 charge leads!

[@TheEVside]

Great stuff mate

[@MrEV]

Thanks sir!

[@samreijers909]

With the single phase (7kW) model you could go without the harvi and use a data cable to have a wired connection between the charger and the clamps in the fuse box. Similar charger that functions the same is the Ratio Solar Box, however I'm not sure if it is available in the UK

[@n1ch0las51]

Thanks We are just thinking about getting solar we already have a leaf and a Pod Point which we have had for 10 years. I have a small pottery and the Kiln uses a lot of power. I am considering getting a power wall to run the kiln.

[@JonathanPorterfield]

Welcome to the zappi smug club 😎🌞🤪

[@markgilder9990]

Installing my solar this week. Company I work for have given me an electric van and paid for an Alfen charger to be installed. When I retire, the Zappi is going in. Will be running the air con and heat pump off the solar very soon. (Me feeling all smug 😂).

[@nickieredshaw7835]

Well done great video thanks enjoy the free power !

[@MesoScale]

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you. Hopefully they are available in Germany.

[@JD-lv3oo]

I’m new to your channel and think you are doing a great job. Looking forward to more of your content…

[@AdrianMcDaid]

Congrats hour new home . Have something similar. Have 5.4kw solar array, zappi 2 for charging i3 , Eddie for heating my hot water tank on back that got shower pump it's amazing. Hardly ever use the electric shower . Zappi is always plugged in on eco++ to suck up any excess electric. Last thing want to do is send power to the grid and of course 7.5kw storage batteries. Just need more ⛅🌞

[@MrEV]

Eco++ is wonderful, isn't it? That's a great setup you've got there!

[@CaroAbebe]

I love to see you being smug about your Zappi. Yes, solar is addictive, I know... ;-)

[@krewpeter1436]

i know Im kind of randomly asking but do anyone know a good site to stream new series online ?

[@jackdavion8782]

@Krew Peter I use FlixZone. You can find it by googling =)

[@damianbridger7845]

@Jack Davion Yup, been watching on Flixzone for months myself :)

[@krewpeter1436]

@Jack Davion thanks, signed up and it seems to work =) Appreciate it !

[@jackdavion8782]

@Krew Peter You are welcome :D

[@philipwoodford6286]

Andrew the leaf has a type 2 and Chademo port we have a leaf and EQC using a tethered Zappi2 no issues

[@MrEV]

The old-style Leaf like mine is Type 1. They very sensibly changed to Type 2 for the refreshed one. I should have clarified that!

[@philipwoodford6286]

Great point thanks Andrew roll on dropping Chademo for CCS!

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

I think having untethered is the better option by default. Very easy to switch cable if you have to when you switch car, as mentioned with the Leaf. More convenient to be able to swirch cable when you have visitors, and they have a different connector.

[@davidsommen1324]

Yes but apart from the Leaf there are few cars around that have a type 1 connection. So for most people tethered won't pose any problems and it is definitely more convenient.

[@dadjv1926]

Agree, if digging your lead out of the car is a pain you can always get a second one and hang it on the wall. Appearance, risk of theft and cost being a trade off of course but you retain the felxibily to charge any vehicle. I have one EV and wish I'd done that with my excellent Ohme charger.

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

@@dadjv1926 I would of course recommend to have a spare cable, for the chargbox, and to have a box with option to lock the cable. I have a 10m cable for my at home, usually 3 loops on the wall, but to reach if I have my trailer behind, or if I want to park closer to the road when the forcast said lots of snow. I have the shorter "OEM" cable in my car for daily driving, but when I go on a long trip, I sometimes unlock the long cable to bring it, just in case.

[@dadjv1926]

@@thorbjrnhellehaven5766 sounds like a good setup. I'm jealous!

[@richardwaller7721]

I was equally excited when I replaced our PodPoint charger with a Zappi in February following a solar PV install the previous month. It's that ability to generate energy at home and decide how it's used coupled with the ability to "refuel" your electric vehicle where suddenly everything starts to make sense. With all this fine weather, I've already put 100 kWh in the BEV so all our driving so far has been based on "home grown" solar. Gets really interesting when you add a domestic battery to the mix and can then charge on a combination of current and stored solar if you need to charge more quickly but still not draw from the grid. Will get even more fascinating when more BEVs have bi-directional charging. Such an exciting journey to be a part of.

[@bhutomycar]

What did you do with your old PodPoint charger, as I’ll be replacing my dumb BMW charger (with a Zappi 2) and am not sure what I’ll do with the BMW charger. There doesn’t seem to be a market for used EV chargers.

[@richardwaller7721]

@@bhutomycar I've been having exactly the same thought. Currently sat in the garage but I'm planning on donating to a charity that's keen to provide some initial on site EV charging. As you say, it'd be great if there was some sort of scheme whereby these chargers could be re-deployed.

[@tonysheldon6696]

we have the EO which also has solar. The app isn't quite as cool, but works fine. The unit is a little more discreet than the Zappi if you prefer a smaller unit.

[@nxsynjs]

I've got a zappi also, and I get the feeling I've not even scratched the surface of what it can do.. Is there any chance of an EV update video as it seems you'll have more EV's than you know what to do with atm. :) Previous video you had a Fiat 500e coming and was leasing the Citroen, now a leaf is arriving. It's all good, if not a little puzzling for avid followers :)

[@PJRye]

One important point - if you get a feed-in tariff from providing power from your solar to the grid, in charging your car you are forgoing income you would otherwise have gained, so charging is not free. In my case it's pretty small, 7.11 c/kWh (AU) equating to about 1 c/km in my MG4, but it still should be part of the sums.

[@marcusswalwell209]

early feed in tariffs reward you for generating the kWh whether you export it to the grid or not!

[@solentbum]

Andrew , are you aware that the newer LEAFs have a type 2 charge port from the Mk 2 models. You could have had a type 2 tethered lead for your existing EV and used an adapter/ converter for an older LEAF with a type 1 port. I do it the other way using a type 1 to type 2 converter from my , now 9 years old , charger to supply my MK2 LEAF. Good luck with the solar charging, It is worth the effort.

[@neilarmour4497]

We got ours installed in Dec 2022 for £1400. Things have changed a bit!

[@jonwetherell5214]

Zappi appears to be one of the best available on UK market.Both in terms of flexibility and safety. Untethered ( IMO) is more sensible as it can be easily upgraded to meet different standards.. Anyway are you going to get a power wall and start selling that solar energy at peak rate?

[@MrEV]

Battery storage is a long way down the line I think. We'll add more panels and see what our consumption is like. With two EVs and now with an air-source heat pump, I don't think we'd be storing much!

[@rodden1953]

Hi Andrew , pleased to see you have solar now , when were they installed , if the have been there a long time the FITs will be really good .my panels were fitted in 2015 so i only get 15p per kwh . i got the Zappi for my Kona in 2019 . very interesting video .

[@philipbroggio9315]

You only get 3p/kWh now. Need to charge an EV to have any chance of getting a fast pay back 😃

[@rodden1953]

@@philipbroggio9315 i still get 15p and i charge the car . 3p is what you get now with new panels .people who had them 10 years ago still get 58p

[@keithjohnston1981]

Just increased with inflation too so over 60p for some now.

[@rodden1953]

@@keithjohnston1981 Really ? i was told that it was linked but i hadnt heard it had gone up , im waiting for my next payment now thanks

[@keithjohnston1981]

@@rodden1953 yep. I googled and found the government docs for last year and this year to confirm my figures. Managed to get just over £2k tax free income from mine over the last 12 months. This year if the same closer to £2200. 😀

[@petecousins6364]

2 EVs, 2 OLEV grants, 2 Zappis !!

[@BigBampot]

Recommendations for solar panel system at home? I have a zappi and an EV on the way but keen to use solar to sell back to grid, charge the car, run the house ..

[@wobby1516]

That was very cheap considering they didn’t supply your Zappi. I’ve the mark 1 model and since installation I’ve had a couple of hiccups mostly sorted with updates. My only complaint and it’s a smallish one is one has to do the updates manually, hopefully myenergi will improve on this so that updates are automatic. Like you I’ve solar panels 22 of them I’ve also got Eddi that heats water a Powerwall and a Kia Niro 4+. As we’re with myenergi we have their Go tariff so can charge at night when solar isn’t available.

[@pikeoblisco1623]

Interesting! We have a similar solar set up (though added more panels last October - note to Andrew; when it comes to solar, size is important!). We have the immersun (forerunner of eddi) and zappi mk1 and a Niro 4+. So how do you find the power wall? Is it effective?

[@brianmoulson5512]

Hi, great video but confused the Zappi site says "eco charging The eco charge mode is a mixture of both green energy and energy imported from the grid. eco mode minimises the use of grid power, generally taking advantage of cheaper rates overnight, but can also charge using 100% green energy. Essentially giving you the ability to charge up your car for free! The charging power is continuously adjusted in response to changes in generation or power being used elsewhere in the home. If the surplus generation drops below 1.4kWh some power will be drawn from the grid to top it back up" Its the last line, I dont want to draw anything from the grid, if there is no surplus solar I want the charging to stop. Your video semed to suggest it does what I want, but that conficts with the eco description?

[@myevcp5835]

My EVCP can install within a week if you are looking for an install in the Hampshire area.

[@David-bl1bt]

Very useful and informative video. I can see the excitement in your face.😊 Many hours of graph analysis in the pipeline I'm guessing 🤔

[@MrEV]

Yes. I’m obsessed!

[@petecoventry6858]

3:20 no they are Type 2 now..

[@drreality1]

Which charger would you choose if you don’t have solar? Thanks Andrew

[@kunqian1184]

Great video! One question if I may: do you have a battery installed at home for the generated solar power? If yes, what is the size of the battery? Thank you.

[@MrEV]

Thanks! I don’t have a battery installed yet. We are hoping to in the future, but will install more solar first.

[@James-zu1ij]

I have the same setup + a Tesla battery (13.5Kw) It sounds counterintuitive, but, with less sun, go bigger. This is because sunny days in the UK are like islands, i.e. scattered and sometimes far away. (a boat would need a lot of diesel to go from one island to another) I would, ideally, prefer to have 2 Tesla batteries. Once the sun is out, the batteries charge fairly quickly (Including the car). Incidentally, with this setup I have used only 3KW of grid energy since May, and that is including charging the car. However, if the car is not charged, I don't use it; I cycle to work.

[@fredflintstone1428]

Wow amazing, you're getting all your electricity from the solar panels and charging your car and exporting stuff to the grid. You must be saving a fortune now that your bills are zero and making some money from the exports as well.

[@fester879]

I'm a smug Zappi user too. Nice to power a car with the sun..................

[@cheveredj8435]

Hi great video, did they charge you for installation on top of the price of the zappi unit? I've got a price off octopus energy for the unit of £735 but I'm not sure if installation is on top of that, thanks in advance.

[@VroomBroomZoom]

I lvoe the lack of a 'hello' intro...just gettin straight into it! 😀

[@michaeldavidwoodcock]

Just on whether to get a tethered cable….. I would prefer a tethered cable and am wondering if a “type 2 to type 1 adapter” would solve the problem of charging a Leaf (I may want to buy a 2nd hand Leaf as a second EV car) Will such adapters work? You can get one on Amazon I think…… K.H.O.N.S. EV Adapter Type 2 to Type 1 32A Electric Car Charging Cable Converter for Type 1 Electric Vehicle, 0.2M TUV

[@malcolmsutton6740]

Good video, just one thing. The charger is in the car. The bit we have at home is an a.c. power supply with controls.

[@MrEV]

Good point!

[@alcorpage]

What does your ladyship think?

[@martinvincent8810]

Can you recommend which EV charging cards to get for a UK road trip I drive a Tesla model 3 currently but plan to move to an eNiro or ID4 any thoughts

[@mcarrapiett]

HI Andrew, did you ever do another video explaining the Zappi App functions ?

[@MrEV]

I didn't actually! Did I say I would in the video? Apologies if so.

[@glenf4115]

Solar is free in the UK? It's a fortune here in Canada and no incentives/rebates.

[@ourcolonel1685]

Could you install a Power Wall? (a battery that is large and is installed on a wall of your home) You can charge the Power Wall during the day and use it to charge your car and your home at night.

[@MrEV]

I’d love one! Powerwalls are very expensive but there are cheaper options out there. Hoping to look into it properly soon.

[@JanetCLARK-h9w]

Have only just come across your videos, after owning BMW i3s since March which I love driving. Also, have a Zappi which is linked to our solar panels. One thing which puzzles me is that when charging on eco or eco+, which I always do, have noticed the smart meter shoots up to orange or red zone during charging, even on sunny days. Any thoughts on why this happens, as should just be usung solar power, not from grid?

[@MrEV]

That's a great question. (And the i3s is a great car, congratulations!) I think not all smart meters can show solar consumption/export, but it's worth checking with your energy company. It may be a simple fix for them. Fingers crossed! Do update me if you get anywhere with it.

[@peterb2149]

Andrew, very interesting video....thanks. One thought.....my understanding is that all EVs have a minimum charge rate of 6 amps......around 1.5 kw. If your system is generating around 1.8 kw on a sunny day and your house is using 300 watts then you will have a surplus of 1.5 kw which can be diverted to charging your car battery....all fine. However, if you are only generating 1.3 kw, with a house usage of 300 watts then your surplus would only be 1kw............too low to be accepted by the EV charging system, so redirected to the grid, rather than your car battery? So, much of the time, a lot of your surplus energy may not in fact be going into your traction battery but to the grid? Is this your understanding of the situation? I am thinking of buying an EV and have solar panels so this is something I have been looking into.

[@pauldarlington9157]

I have that problem and Zappie will not export to the EV unless its a minimum of 1.4kW. Seriously considering a power wall as I no longer have a FIT.

[@nervousfrog101]

Niro or Kona will charge at 0.8kw if you play with the settings. Not sure if any other cars will.

[@peterb2149]

@@nervousfrog101 well that is interesting as they are EVs I am considering.... will investigate further....thanks.

[@txaliocat2239]

@@nervousfrog101 Which settings do you have to change? I have an e-niro and am planning to install panels. Thanks!

[@nervousfrog101]

@@txaliocat2239 Take a look at this video it will walk you through the settings. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5iyhXWbbKaaq9E It does not seem to quite work the same on my Niro Nigel seems to be able to get his Kona to charge as low as 0.6kw but I have not been able to replicate this with my Niro. It might be because my Niro has the 11kw three phase on board charger so it may work slightly differently to the older Kona's and Niro's. Or maybe it's something to do with newer Zappi software or my particular setup.

[@sunilraggoo1269]

What's the range on your new EV?

[@wentworthlongfellow1347]

The Zappi tends to turn charging on and off regularly if using excess solar - is this good or bad for battery health?

[@MrEV]

That's a really good question. The Zappi waits a few seconds before stopping the charge (in case it's a passing cloud, for instance) so that limits the 'off and on-ing'. As far as I know, batteries don't suffer from being charged in that way. Perhaps if they were rapid charged, but not as slow as this.

[@goproracertv]

How much power do you generate on a cloudy day into your car and I take it you don’t have a battery pack

[@chillmeister]

I saw on a response you mentioned getting an air source heat pump. I’m really interested in the viability of this for our own home but it’s complicated and I fear getting the wrong people involved and it all going wrong at great expense. Would love to hear your plans.

[@chillmeister]

Bugger. Just saw green homes grant has been scrapped. There goes that idea.

[@MrEV]

I'll certainly be making a video about it. So many options. We're actually getting an air-to-air system initially to replace our heating (it's effectively just air conditioning) but that wasn't covered by the Green Homes Grant anyway. The next phase will be air-to-water or solar thermal which we'll use for heating the water. We'll hopefully get the grant for that as we got in just in time (literally on the last day it was open for submissions). Look into RHI though as that is still available I believe? www.gov.uk/domestic-renewable-heat-incentive

[@chillmeister]

@@MrEV I didn’t spot the grant was being scrapped. I didn’t spot anything in the news about it and foolishly assumed that the scheme would be open for the proposed period and I’d have some time to dither some more. Well done getting in just in time. That combined with the RHI seemed like a no-brainier! I thought we needed to get proper quotes to apply for the grant and it was lockdown. Bugger again.

[@RWBHere]

When the smug bug bites do you get a buzz from it? 😁👍 Thanks for the video, Andrew.

[@dalroth10]

Hello Andrew I had solar panels installed last July and will be getting my very first EV, a Hyundai Kona 64kWh, at the end of this month. I'm having a Myenergi Zappi home charger installed in the next two weeks, which I'm really looking forward to. I'm expecting my solar panels and/or the Octopus Energy night time tariff to satisfy the majority of my charging needs. But I do have a question about charging when on longer trips, where I'll be needing to use the public charging network. I need to work out which are the best/most reliable network operators at the moment and then make sure I get the apps, or set up an account, so I can use their chargers. I've watched a lot of videos on this subject and ended up confused to be honest. There does seem to be a wide variety of experiences! 🙄 There are a reasonable number of public charging points near where I live but where I'm travelling to may mean only certain networks are available. I don't want to sign up to every network in the UK unless I've really got to. The public charging infrastructure is improving quite rapidly, driven in part by Ecotricity and Gridserve joining forces to roll out a huge upgrade programme for chargers on the UK's motorway network. But it's how you get on when you go off the beaten track that I need to consider. Any help or advice will be very much appreciated.

[@MrEV]

Firstly, congratulations on getting the wonderful Kona and the Zappi soon. The simple rule with public charging networks is just to head for Instavolt or Osprey chargers. They have rock-solid reliability and you can pay with a normal payment card. No faffing around with apps or RFID cards. Failing that, I've had good luck with Shell Recharge but not everyone does. BP/Polar chargers have a terrible reputation now due to contactless payments being unreliable but they tend to be fine if you have their RFID card. Hyundai do have an RFID card you can get which apparently works on a lot (most?) chargers so worth getting that as a backup. chargemyhyundai.com/web/hyundai-gb

[@dalroth10]

@@MrEV Thank you Andrew, I've just had confirmation that my Zappi will be installed next Thursday and I'll be collecting my Kona two days later. Can't wait to get behind the wheel! Really appreciate your advice on charging networks too. I've installed the Instavolt app and will get the Osprey one. I've also got some others, just to be on the safe side, so fingers crossed I won't have any problems. I didn't realise that Hyundai have their own RFID card for public charging so I'll speak to my dealer about that. I'd rather have too many backup options that too few! 😁 Did you and the boss come to a decision on which EV is going to replace your e-Niro? Apologies if you've posted this new elsewhere and I've missed it.

[@maruda80]

Hi Could you let me know which Zappi Charger is that and also do you require Harvi ?

[@MrEV]

It's the v2 I have. You don't need Harvi, but if the Zappi isn't near the consumer unit or incoming power feed, it makes things much easier. Without it, you have to have a wired CT clamp going all the way from the Zappi to wherever the power leads are.

[@AdamAugustPhoto]

So when you're charging on eco+ it's only using energy from the solar. I assume it needs to be generating a minimum amount before the car will actually take the charge though right? I'm looking at an Enyaq & I've read that it won't accept a charge of less than 1.4kw. I looked at some generation history from my inverter and it seems like from sept-march I'm unlikely to get more than a few minutes a day above that.

[@MrEV]

That’s correct, although it doesn’t have to be 100% solar. You can tell it at what percentage it should start charging on Eco+ mode. For instance, if set to 100% eco it would charge if there’s 1.3kW of excess solar to use. If set to 50% then it would use 650w of solar and 650w from the grid to charge at 1.3kW.

[@AdamAugustPhoto]

@@MrEV Brilliant, thanks for the info! Looking forward to my first EV and hopefully filling it at least a little bit with solar energy.

[@jadejensen4990]

Andrew did I just hear you say you are getting a Leaf? How do you go from the long distance driving Niro to a Leaf & a fiat 500e?

[@MrEV]

The Leaf's a second car and the 500e is a fun one to have for a while until we actually decide on a proper e-Niro replacement!

[@morecheeseplease4012]

My money don't jiggle jiggle

[@craigevans6156]

Looks like you need to get some battery storage?

[@MrEV]

That's the dream! One day I hope.

[@craigevans6156]

@@MrEV They are a big investment but well worth it. We also have an Air Scource Heat Pump system. Again expensive but we are getting the funds back through the government scheme and saving a fortune on the LPG bill.

[@RWBHere]

@@MrEV I thought that Nissan can use the Leaf as battery storage?

[@thebigchip]

So you’re getting a Leaf as a second car to the E500? Nothing more exotic like the Tesla?

[@MrEV]

We're not planning on having the 500e for very long so something more exotic will replace that!

[@duaplex1]

So for those of us without Solar would you recommend this over the Hypervolt? I'm torn between the two at the moment.

[@MrEV]

I've heard some negative things about Hypervolt (the company more than the charger) but I've had no experience with it personally. Have you seen EV Nick's videos? Worth watching if you haven't.

[@duaplex1]

@@MrEV Cheers Andrew I'll check it out. I had ordered the Hypervolt based on the installers suggestion, but I will certainly have a look to see.

[@AdamPurcell]

I've been contemplating a Zappi, especially now that Type 1 is behind me and I can confidently put my seven year old untethered Rolec out to pasture. The only thing holding me back is the price. My old unit still works, though it does mean I have to get the cable out of my car to charge. I do have solar and, even with house batteries and immersion heater diversion, I am already finding myself exporting to the grid this time of year and on into September or so. Nonetheless, at 5p per kWh (also on Octopus Go) it's going to take a long time to pay for itself. Probably around 500 30%-80% charge sessions (2020 Kia Soul). Maybe seven or eight years (longer if factoring in the winter months). A financial advisor would probably recommend I keep the Rolec until it fails. Still, I like the tech and analytics of the Zappi...

[@geoffnicol4481]

Hi Andrew/all, I'm looking to get a zappi, solar panels and a leaf e+ or id3. Will the zappi work okay on eco+ mode?(solar only) as I've read that there is an issue with the id3 and the car keeps stopping charge, I presume when there is no generation. Issue is with the car not the zappi I think. What about the leaf in eco+ mode? Thanks

[@MrEV]

The ID.3 really does seem to have an issue with charging. We tested one and I wanted to do a scheduled charge overnight but it seems to time out. However, I don't know whether that's been fixed in a software update as the ID.3 we hired was due an update. The Leaf wouldn't suffer from the same issue I think (our old Leaf 24kWh is certainly fine).

[@dhekalia]

Zappi new, delivered within 2 weeks September 2021

[@lifeonanotherplanet]

Who did you use to install the solar panels?

[@MrEV]

They were already here when we bought the house, installed by a company that’s no longer in business unfortunately. We’d like to get some more at some point soon so will do a video then.

[@lifeonanotherplanet]

@@MrEV Ah ... thanks 👍 You and Mrs EV make a great double-act BTW

[@kinross24]

Looked like your engineer trapped the facia o ring seal on the right hand side when he screwed the front on.

[@MrEV]

That’s going to drive him crazy when he sees the video! I wonder whether he corrected it actually as I remember him taking the front off again.

[@kinross24]

@@MrEV it’s easily done.

[@themanofmead5273]

You’re going to need a lot more solar generation capacity (panels) to make decent use of Eco mode.

[@MrEV]

That’s the plan! Especially as we’re getting air source heat pumps as well.

[@davidsommen1324]

@@MrEV Might be worth considering a home battery system as well then. And on it goes... :)

[@sandyfordd1843]

@@davidsommen1324 , where does it end? Trying to power a house, a BEV, heat pumps, backup batteries, etc is going to take an awful lot of panel. Maybe 20Kw of panels?

[@davidsommen1324]

​@@sandyfordd1843 That depends on the energy efficiency of the house and the capacity of the batteries. But anyway you don't need to be completely independent of grid electricity. Batteries enable you to profit from the solar to the maximum, and if you have a variable tariff also from cheap electricity from the grid.

[@nervousfrog101]

I only have 1.85kw of solar on my roof with battery storage and a Zappi v2. The battery charges up at night on Octopus Go and then tops up in the morning on the solar. I regularly get a kwh or two into my Niro on a sunny day. The Niro will support charge rates as low as 0.8kw which helps a lot. I'm not sure if there are any other cars out there that do. I do want to get more solar though for when I start driving around more.

[@davidpearn5925]

My basic Zappi switches on ok but for some reason doesn’t switch off when charge limit reached.

[@MrEV]

Have you contacted myenergi support?

[@davidpearn5925]

@@MrEV being in Australia makes contact somewhat clumsy but I expect to get there .....EVentually -)) The sparky came back and fitted the CT clamp but still no joy.........at this stage.

[@ashtontechhelp]

I'm intrigued as to why the house move? The old place looked idyllic. This looks like a 60's bungalow on a fairly busy road. Not awful, but not really the cosy cottage in the country either.

[@MrEV]

The place you're referring to was actually just somewhere we were renting for six months to see if we wanted to live somewhere more rural! Our actual proper house was (funnily enough!) another '60s bungalow in the centre of Canterbury. The place we have now has lots of scope to do work on it and we have beautiful walks all around us so we're loving it here so far.

[@ashtontechhelp]

@@MrEV I'm sure you will make a success of it. Good luck!

[@Guysontherun1]

Good video very informative - however you talk about being ECO etc etc and then you mention the dishwasher is running? I feel like you're more of a technology geek (nothing wrong with that, I'm a geek in my own way) but dropping in the odd line "it's all very ECO" here and there is where it all goes a bit wrong. I do hope you don't own a tumble dryer too 🤣 other than that like I said nice video.

[@MrEV]

I’ve not watched the video for ages but was my point that I was running the dishwasher powered by solar?! I hope it was anyway! At the time we had a dishwasher with no timer but these days it starts going when at 12:30 when it’s cheap rate. Which is all very eco. 😀

[@briankirk2995]

Hi, get a battery lad, you will be overjoyed…..Brian

[@MrEV]

I’d love to but we won’t be staying at the house long enough to justify the cost, sadly.

[@didierpuzenat7280]

Nice, but too bad the charge is not DC while the source is. The DC/AC and then AC/DC conversions probably waste a quarter of the energy generated. Not to mention the AC/DC charger of the car is not designed to work below a given power so it will quite often start and stop with a probable impact on its longevity. Anyway, it is already a great product.

[@MrEV]

That's a good point regarding efficiency. Unfortunately DC chargers (and I can only think of the Wallbox Quasar) cost a fortune.

[@didierpuzenat7280]

@@MrEV Just because they are rare, from a technological point of view they are simpler than AC chargers, at least at the same power. However, adding the possibility to charge from the grid if the sun does not shine enough will make it more expansible, as well as adding a battery not to loose energy when the car is not connected, and/or a DC/AC converter to send to the house if the car is not connected and the batteries full, etc.

[@MrEV]

@@didierpuzenat7280 Definitely. In fact, we may be getting a V2H charger for the Leaf as part of a trial with a company called Indra.

[@johnedmeade]

That's going to be a pain get the lead out every night 🌙😪

[@themanofmead5273]

Yes indeed, when he said he’s got the untethered version I thought oh dear you are going to regret that decision. There’s a certain logic to it but in my humble opinion a tethered charger and getting any other CCS charging vehicle (rather than a Leaf) would have been a better decision.

[@MrEV]

It's really not too bad. We didn't have a tethered charger before so we're used to it. Of course, that was with an e-Niro which didn't need charging much! 😬

[@NorbertColonify]

We generate about 60,000 kWh a year with our wind turbines but installing the Zappi still reduced our electricity bill by £150 a year (we drive about 20k miles a year with 2 EVs). The combination of a car with a big battery and a Zappi with home generation is addictive, it's gratifying to see other people also become anoraks about this stuff. Soon you'll find yourself explaining your strategy for using the Smart Boost function one afternoon to your wife and through the miracle of extreme boredom she won't remember a word you're saying.

[@MrEV]

60k kWh a year with wind turbines?! That's fantastic! How many do you have? And where do you live?!

[@RWBHere]

@@MrEV In case Norbert doesn't reply, a rough estimate can be made, by dividing 60,000 kWh by (365x24). That's 60,000/8760. In an ideal world, with wind blowing 24/7/365, that's a little less than 7 kW continuously. Assuming that the wind only blows for about 33% of the time, you might only need a couple of 10kW generators for the job.

[@NorbertColonify]

@@RWBHere Pretty close, we've two 15kw (peak) Proven P35-2 Wind Turbines on 15m towers. Fairly small fry by wind turbine standards but we installed a GSHP as well so they provide our heat, hot water and car fuel for a family of four in a 1850s stone farmhouse leaving us with a relatively modest electricity bill. We're on the West coast of Scotland near Stranraer so wind isn't in short supply very often.

[@jazzyzzzzzzzz]

60 mwhs year is incredible. Puts my solar efforts to shame. That's enough to heat the house without the heat pump.

[@keithnewton8981]

Total rubbish the grant takes 4 day tops my grand was approved with 48hrs everything was completed grant was 72hrs instalation 10 days There are lots 9f companies who do the charger and most are registered with the grant scheme myenergi never even came up when I did a search.

[@niceboy60]

I don't get why people say , charging a car for free 🤔😒

[@MrEV]

Obviously if you factor in the cost of buying solar panels then yes, it's not free. We bought a house that already had panels, so it's free for us when we just charge on solar.

[@MegaSkengman]

Has anyone ever said you look like David de gea?

[@MrEV]

I've not heard that before, but it's just because I had a radical haircut at the time!