Unusual charging bays at hospital - picture

[user 816]

I must admit I have not really considered charging any where other than home and have not even bought a cable of any sort, so I was curious what you make of this.

There is an EV charging facility I spotted the other day when visiting Lister Hospital in Stevenage. According to the sign its available if you ask but mention nothing else, there were about 4 spaces all unused and in prime location on the ground floor, coned off. I didn't have time to go ask.
It mentions the facility in the press release for the new car park

http://www.vincipark.co.uk/our-markets/healthcare/lister-hospital

What I don't understand is the sockets, usually charge points are boxes with electronics on, these were just small boxes with some sort of socket and switch on, perhaps the clever stuff is in a box somewhere nearby? Anyone reckon it would be usable for a PHEV and with what sort of cable?

 

[jaapv]

It looks like a CEE connection, which cannot be used by any EV vehicle cable that I know of. It is meant for caravans.
Somebody blundered, I suppose.... Well, maybe the parking shop has adapters available.

But why wouldn't you charge away from home? The electricity is free in quite a few places.

 

[anko]

Indeed, it does look like CEE. Perfect for my switchable mode 2 cable. What's the address? :mrgreen:

 

[user 816]

It looks like a CEE connection, which cannot be used by any EV vehicle cable that I know of. It is meant for caravans.
Somebody blundered, I suppose.... Well, maybe the parking shop has adapters available.

But why wouldn't you charge away from home? The electricity is free in quite a few places.

Good question, my vehicle is used for work, mostly I visit several hospitals during the day that have no facilities to charge (that is why this one is interesting but rare) On the road I don't have time to stop to charge at services, I am GPS tracked and the company have no allowance for this. Also my company pay the fuel bill, I just repay my private usage which is quite small. Like many owners in the UK I got it for the 4wd and BIK advantage.

Maybe I will email the parking company and ask what the deal is at this hospital, although its not one I visit very often.

I do intend to get a Type 2 to Type 1 cable at some point, I may ask the company if they will let me put it on expenses as it saves them fuel if I use it.

Going back to this hospital socket, if the sockets are not connected to a charger but just straight 240 volts, then maybe they can supply an adaptor lead so you could plug the charger supplied with the PHEV into it?

 

[jaapv]

http://www.elektrostores.nl/verloopadapter-cee_schuko-16ax?gclid=CMay69m6hcQCFWTItAodGAYAiA

 

[user 816]

http://www.elektrostores.nl/verloopadapter-cee_schuko-16ax?gclid=CMay69m6hcQCFWTItAodGAYAiA

Then what would you plug in a Schuko?

 

[jaapv]

A three-pin adapter for your standard charging cable. Possibly in the UK there is a single adapter available.

 

[anko]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003IJAKLE/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/280-4198092-7757702?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=1WE6V6MJA8TBPFXJC2ZN&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_i=B002CM9BK4

Or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-amp-3-pin-plug-to-13-amp-UK-socket-adaptor-converter-weatherproof-outdoor-13A-/271754243183

 

[user 816]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003IJAKLE/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2/280-4198092-7757702?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=1WE6V6MJA8TBPFXJC2ZN&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_i=B002CM9BK4

Or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-amp-3-pin-plug-to-13-amp-UK-socket-adaptor-converter-weatherproof-outdoor-13A-/271754243183

Seems reasonable. Do all other EV's come with portable chargers to then? I guess so.

I use my supplied charger as my home station so it would be a nuisance to take with me, I have filled the storage space in my car with other stuff.

 

[jaapv]

It is not really a charger, more of a switching unit. It is not unwise to carry it with you on extended journeys.

 

[anko]

It is not really a charger, more of a switching unit.

A bit OT, but how is that different from the thing that is installed in your garage or driveway? When it comes to the basic functionality (charging your car), the only real difference is that one is directly connected to the grid (mode 3) and the other is connected to the grid by plugging it into a 13A socket (mode 2).

(Don't know if grid is the proper word to use. Perhaps I should say household installation or such )

 

[jaapv]

It isn’t. What I meant it is not one of those transformers that one uses to charge an iPhone.

 

[maby]

It isn’t. What I meant it is not one of those transformers that one uses to charge an iPhone.

The ChaDeMo chargers are more analogous to the iPhone charger - albeit rather higher current!

 

[anko]

It isn’t. What I meant it is not one of those transformers that one uses to charge an iPhone.

Oh. I see

 

[sokratesagogo]

There are 10 bays with these sockets in the Vinci car park at Addenbrookes; I don't think they get a lot of use, you have to tell them a day in advance if you want to use one, otherwise used for ICE vehicles. Were charing £3.40 on top of parking fees for the charge. Seems thye bought a Del boy job-lot.