Using an timer to charge on off-peak hours

[The Waiheke Don]

Hi Peter, I really like your suggestions and will follow up. The first idea will require a sparkie and I can have the timer shipped here. Tuya idea lifts the convenience to a new high. Apparently they won't ship to NZ, but at least I have something to search for here.
Once again, REALLY appreciate your efforts to solve my problem..
Hope to see you here some time.

Don

Oh, second question? I plug in at Woolworths and might get a few kms in an hour. From what I read on this forum a short charge like this might reduce the life of the battery for an old iMiev like mine? Better to charge when down to 2 bars (10 km) and then let it charge from midnight until it's finished? Cheers, Don

 

[MickeyS70]

Oh, second question? I plug in at Woolworths and might get a few kms in an hour. From what I read on this forum a short charge like this might reduce the life of the battery for an old iMiev like mine? Better to charge when down to 2 bars (10 km) and then let it charge from midnight until it's finished? Cheers, Don

No, it’s actually the opposite, frequent, short charge cycles create for example less heat which in turn benefits all electronics in the car.

What you describe is a battery calibration, which should be done every couple of weeks.

What can also help greatly with longevity of the OBC is to reduce the charge current on the EVSE side from max 16A to min 6A. Avoid charging during a hot day altogether.

Ideally one would keep the battery in the 30-80% SoC range but obviously that only works if half the capacity is still sufficient for your daily drive.