Extending Slow charger lead

[abucksdiver]

This might be a silly question, but ...
I have the slow charger that came with the car, but I don't have any sockets close enough to plug it into.
Can I use my Type 2 cable as an "extension lead" between the charger and the car?

(Id rather use some excess solar to charge the car, than to give it away to the National Grid)

 

[GaryMG4]

You can use a good quality 13amp extension lead there's quite a few posts elsewhere about what to use. I occasionally use one from Screwfix, just do not use a coiled lead, it must be fully extended and rated for continuous 10 amp plus.

 

[Jacko]

EV Portable (Granny) Charger Extension Lead: Heavy Duty & Weatherproof

Heavy Duty EV Granny Charger 13A Weatherproof Extension Lead. Safely extend the reach of your 3-Pin EVSE portable home charger, compatible with Type 1 and Type 2 connectors. CE, UKCA certified and PAT tested. Inline RCD protection suitable for UK-standard sockets and IP66 weatherproof rating for...

stellacharge.com

Just ordered one of these.for that very use case.

 

[GaryMG4]

(Id rather use some excess solar to charge the car, than to give it away to the National Grid)

I know what you mean, plugged in today while I was out and about, added 13kWh to the car spent a total of 6p according to the smart meter.

 

[mystreet]

This might be a silly question, but ...
I have the slow charger that came with the car, but I don't have any sockets close enough to plug it into.
Can I use my Type 2 cable as an "extension lead" between the charger and the car?

Short answer, No.

The pins in the cables are to short to make contact with the other end.

 

[M44LCY]

Don't use a standard domestic extension lead. Better to use an industry-strength extension lead from socket outlet to the EVSE. They will be waterproof and last forever. A good, reliable, source is Tough Leads, who have extensions specifically designed for EV charging.

Electric vehicle leads

Tough Leads products are renowned on EV forums and Facebook groups for their high quality and reliability. Please see our article on safely charging electric vehicles for advice on extension leads. It is the responsibility of the EV user to consider the manufacturers guidance, the safety of the...

toughleads.co.uk

It's worth noting that the current UK wiring regulations say you shouldn't use an extension cable. But sometimes (as in my own case) you don’t have an option because the standard unit simply won't reach.

Ideally, also get their regulation compliant EV socket outlet (designed for continuous higher current use)

13A EV Sockets Compliant with BS 1363-2 EV

Weatherproof BS 1363-2 EV compliant high quality single socket designed for the connection of a granny charger.

toughleads.co.uk

Get the right stuff, and sleep without any concerns.

 

[fred12345]

Check out this guy too, might be good value for money, drop them a line and see if it works out

UK EV SHOP

Online shop just West of Glasgow Scotland UK. Sells: 16A 32A Type2 cable EV BEV PHEV Hybrid. V2X V2L Vehicle to Load adapter bidirectional discharge energy from electric car battery female socket when camping or power cut MG MG4 MG5 Kia Hyundai and BYD. S4L - Station for Load - charging eBike...

www.ukev.shop

 

[Coulomb]

The pins in the cables are to short to make contact with the other end.

This is by design. The people designing the cable standards decided that allowing chaining like this should not be allowed.

There is actually a good reason for this. Each type 2 cable has a resistor at the end that tells the vehicle what maximum current it can safely handle. You could plug a high current cable at the end of a lower rated cable, which would allow the vehicle to draw too much current for the first cable. This is a fire hazard.

In the particular case of extending a granny "charger" with a type 2 cable, the typical type 2 cable is rated at 32A, way more than the granny charger can handle. But in this case, the pilot signal from the granny would override the cable maximum current. So the only way a fire hazard could exist is if you have say a non tethered 32A EVSE (AC "charger"), you plug in a 16A cable, then extend that with a 32A cable. Then the pilot signal and final cable both say 32 amps is allowed, and the vehicle could easily overload the 16A cable. It would be a rare case, but the designers didn't want to take that risk.

There is also the issue of how waterproof the cable to cable connection would be, and the arcing that would happen if the cable was disconnected under load. Type 2 cables should be locked or tethered at both ends to prevent disconnection under load. The cable to cable connection, if allowed, would not be locked.

 

[Tim Green]

Much easier to use a standard 13A mains extension, any should carry 10A with no problem. Position the plug/socket under cover.

 

[M44LCY]

Much easier to use a standard 13a mains extension, any should carry 10A with no problem. Position the plug/socket under cover.

True, and if it works for the individual, that’s fine.

I don’t want to come across as one of those know-it-alls (I don't) but the cheapest outdoor lead from Screwfix is £20.45. A 'proper' EV extension from Tough Leads is £27.99 (5 metre). It's not that much extra.

A cheap one from a supermarket would work for a short while. They might be able to take the peak load, but we're talking 10 amps continuously for several hours, and perhaps several days each week. Eventually, something has to give.

I save ££££ each month on my charging, so judged that even £50 for a 'proper' extension would be a good investment. I guess it's all down to personal judgement.

 

[Slipstream]

Much easier to use a standard 13A mains extension, any should carry 10A with no problem. Position the plug/socket under cover.

You can also get a weatherproof junction box from eBay or Amazon which keeps the cables dry.