Recommended Extension Lead

A

Adam C

Established Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2024
Messages
229
Reaction score
384
Points
103
Location
Isle of Wight
Driving
MG4 Trophy LR
Morning folks

As I explained when I recently joined the forum I was due to have a 7kwh home charger installed in February but due to work being carried out I’ll have to wait until April/May now

Now when parking allows at the back of my house I will use the MG Lead ( Granny Charger ) but I’ll need at least a 12-15 meter extension cable

Now I’ve got an ancient extension lead in the cupboard but that will probably blow every fuse in the house so for those that have used an extension lead with the granny charger is there any you recommend?

I don’t mind paying a higher price for a better quality one

Many thanks
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
VAG said:
Hi, normally using extension cables with the granny charger is not recommended. In case that you do not mind about this recommendation, you should use one with a section of wires of 2.5mm², so you can be sure that it will afford the current that the charger demands.
Click to expand...
This is what the MG dealer told me. He wouldn’t recommend it but if I was to go ahead to make sure it was a “good quality” lead.

He also recommended not always using fast/rapid chargers but now with my home charger being delayed I have no choice.

The car will literally get 1 - 2 charges a month so I wonder if the better option for me will be maybe stick it on a 22kwh ( I believe it will only give me 7kwh ) public charger for a few 2-3 hours just to top up rather than use an extension lead?

Being totally new to EVs, it’s all new to me so apologies for all the questions but do appreciate the reply

Grriff said:
I made one up using 2.5mm cable and a masterplug weatherproof socket. The cable is a tight fit.
Click to expand...
Thank you buddy
 
Upvote 0
I have a heavy duty extension lead (although it is more like 8m rather than 10-12m) that I use with my granny lead on the rare occasions I need it. (E.g. when staying with family, or at hotels with an outside plug but not a charge point). Works fine and gives me ~1.8kW charge rate, and doesn't even get warm never mind hot.

The key point is to ensure what you are plugging in to (i.e. the socket) is good quality, is suitably rated (i.e. on a ring main), and has clean and tight electrical connections.
 
Upvote 0
If you are only charging a few times a month then use a local destination EVSE charge point. It will be much safer and quicker than the 'granny'.
 
Upvote 0
I wouldn't worry about charging at home until you get your home charger installed. As you said you will only be charging twice a month and will have your home charger fitted at the latest by the end of May so that's only 8 charges.

The battery won't come to any harm during that time although your wallet might take more of a hit than you hoped, but by the time you've bought a decent extension lead and reduced the risk of overloading the existing wiring, it won't be that much more.

Charge the car at a fast charger when you need to and enjoy it.
 
Upvote 0
Look at Screwfix. They have a decent range of heavy duty outside extention leads with waterproof sockets you plug into. When using a granny and and extension (if away from home somewhere), I will place the plugged in bit under the car when charging, to reduce impact of rain even further.
 
Upvote 0
Grriff said:
I made one up using 2.5mm cable and a masterplug weatherproof socket. The cable is a tight fit.
Click to expand...
Same here !.
I made my own lead to use if we take a short break away and the public charging network availability is poor.
I already had the flex, so it was a cheap job.
Some links below, if you feel comfortable in making one yourself ?.
As you require a lead 12 - 15 metres long, then the best option is likely to be half roll of 25 metres.
A full drum is 50 metres in length.
Given the distance, I would not be tempted to drop the cross sectional size of the cable lower than 2.5mm for safety reasons.
If you decide to go down the route of making your own cable, here are some links below, that you may want to consider suitable for your requirements.
Only consider these recommendations if you feel comfortable to carry out the work yourself, or speak to a friendly spark ⚡️.

www.screwfix.com

Time 3093Y White 3-Core 2.5mm² Flexible Cable 25m Drum - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Suitable for electric hobs and storage heaters. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.
www.screwfix.com www.screwfix.com

www.screwfix.com

British General IP66 13A 2-Gang DP Weatherproof Outdoor Switched Socket - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Weatherproof and dust-tight 13A socket. Manufactured from robust, impact-resistant polycarbonate with multiple gland entry positions. Double pole switching. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.
www.screwfix.com www.screwfix.com

Error 410 | Screwfix

Thousands of products at low trade prices | FREE next day delivery available | 30 day money back guarantee on all orders.
www.screwfix.com www.screwfix.com

www.screwfix.com

13A Fused Heavy Duty Plug Black - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Durable and hardwearing. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.
www.screwfix.com www.screwfix.com
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Ian Key said:
I wouldn't worry about charging at home until you get your home charger installed. As you said you will only be charging twice a month and will have your home charger fitted at the latest by the end of May so that's only 8 charges.

The battery won't come to any harm during that time although your wallet might take more of a hit than you hoped, but by the time you've bought a decent extension lead and reduced the risk of overloading the existing wiring, it won't be that much more.

Charge the car at a fast charger when you need to and enjoy it.
Click to expand...
That's a good shout - the money spent on a suitable extension lead would probably pay for a lot of the DC rapid charging cost. (Although with an extension lead you'd at least have the physical item at the end of it).
 
Upvote 0
the other key point about using extension cables if they are drum ones is to make sure they are fully unwound when charging the car

it prevents heat build up in the drum

had a good one where the wife used a drum extension cable when ironing indoors and only unwound enough to reach the ironing board, an hour into the ironing the breakers tripped and the cable drum was a sticky mess of molten plastic

I use the granny charger for my Hyundai plug-in all the time, it is mounted in a waterproof box (the ones you can get for putting xmas lights outside) on the front wall and a short 1m single socket extension lead run through the wall to a socket on the other side, works well
 
Upvote 0
I bought one of these, not for daily use, but to carry with me when visiting friends just in case.

toughleads.co.uk

EV granny charger 13A weatherproof extension lead

High quality 13A weatherproof outdoor waterproof extension leads heavy duty 1.5mm H07RN-F rubber cable. RCD option. IP66. Designed specifically to overcome the issue created by chunkier plugs on electric vehicles (EVs). 2m, 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m and 25m lengths.
toughleads.co.uk toughleads.co.uk

I charge on my granny lead all the time (without any extension cable) and I've had no trouble. But then the power points in my garage are metal-jacketed and on their own circuit.
 
Upvote 0
Adam C said:
...

He also recommended not always using fast/rapid chargers but now with my home charger being delayed I have no choice.

..
Click to expand...
Just a terminology tip for yourself and it seems your dealer......your home charger will be a fast charger and is a very good way to charge as often as you like.
 
Upvote 0
I second @Rolfe 's recommendation. We got that one, 15m long, and it doesn't get hot at all. Mind you, we already knew that our socket was good, because it's the same one we use for the tumble dryer, and that draws a largish amount.
 
Upvote 0
I've used a 5m weatherproof plugged into a 10m weatherproof plugged into the granny charger ( so I had options for lengths to use depending on where parked), left out in the rain many times before I had a home charger installed and had no issues. Just make sure that the wire is not coiled at all and it won't get hot. Ideally plug it into an outside socket or one on a different RCA just in case.
 
Upvote 0
@Rolfe I have read several articles which say the plug on the granny charger won't fit in the socket of the extention lead. Can you confirm that it does?
 
Upvote 0
Rolfe said:
I bought one of these, not for daily use, but to carry with me when visiting friends just in case.

toughleads.co.uk

EV granny charger 13A weatherproof extension lead

High quality 13A weatherproof outdoor waterproof extension leads heavy duty 1.5mm H07RN-F rubber cable. RCD option. IP66. Designed specifically to overcome the issue created by chunkier plugs on electric vehicles (EVs). 2m, 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m and 25m lengths.
toughleads.co.uk toughleads.co.uk

I charge on my granny lead all the time (without any extension cable) and I've had no trouble. But then the power points in my garage are metal-jacketed and on their own circuit.
Click to expand...
I also bought a lead from here for same reasons, and had no problems.
 
Upvote 0
Rolfe said:
I bought one of these, not for daily use, but to carry with me when visiting friends just in case.

toughleads.co.uk

EV granny charger 13A weatherproof extension lead

High quality 13A weatherproof outdoor waterproof extension leads heavy duty 1.5mm H07RN-F rubber cable. RCD option. IP66. Designed specifically to overcome the issue created by chunkier plugs on electric vehicles (EVs). 2m, 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m and 25m lengths.
toughleads.co.uk toughleads.co.uk

I charge on my granny lead all the time (without any extension cable) and I've had no trouble. But then the power points in my garage are metal-jacketed and on their own circuit.
Click to expand...
Perfect - I’d also advise if you’re charging at a rented or friends house with unknown quality or integrity of the wiring to use the socket on the electric cooker switch. This will (or should) be wired with heavier section cable.
In any case check periodically to see if smells or gets hot.
Remember if checking anything you think might be hot to always use the back of your hand. A natural reaction to excessive heat is for the fingers to curl and close. You could be struggling to let the hot plug go.
 
Upvote 0
Support us by becoming a Premium Member

Latest MG EVs video

MG3 Hybrid+ & Cyberster Configurator News + hot topics from the MG EVs forums
Published
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Back
Top Bottom