New i3s owner in Leeds, UK with National grid issues

electriclightweight · Jan 14, 2025

New to me 2019 i3s 120. It's my first EV but not my first BMW. Love the car so far. Unfortunately I'm struggling to get a charge point installed at home as the house I have is from 1910. Northern powergrid can't even give me a date when they will come and sort it out as it's not urgent. Tried making a complaint but got nowhere. Very frustrating! So granny charging and local charging for the foreseeable future.

Mondomensch · Jan 15, 2025

Looks great!

electriclightweight · Jan 15, 2025

Mondomensch said:
Looks great!

Thanks!

i3m3fan · Jan 15, 2025

electriclightweight said:
New to me 2019 i3s 120. It's my first EV but not my first BMW. Love the car so far. Unfortunately I'm struggling to get a charge point installed at home as the house I have is from 1910. Northern powergrid can't even give me a date when they will come and sort it out as it's not urgent. Tried making a complaint but got nowhere. Very frustrating! So granny charging and local charging for the foreseeable future.

View attachment 1919

there are wys around this. dm me

TedStriker · Jan 15, 2025

Unless you do a lot of miles, granny charging can be perfectly ok.

drcarrera · Jan 15, 2025

Jealous you managed to find a red i3S!
As Ted says above, granny charging may be OK. We got our i3S last Autumn and decided to see how we got on with granny charging before we forked out for a charge point. We've got on fine. We're on Octopus and I typically set it to charge in the cheap overnight time slot which equates to 3 hours a night and also top up in the day if our solar is generating excess power (not likely at the moment!). We do less than 100 miles a week so it's fine like this and some weeks I don't need to charge it at all.
I made sure I checked the socket and circuit its plugged into to ensure it could handle the constant(ish) 10A - if unsure get it checked by an electrician. When I first started I used the medium current setting for a few days before ramping up to the maximum just to be on the safe side.
It's such a brilliant car - we love ours!

TedStriker · Jan 15, 2025

drcarrera said:
Jealous you managed to find a red i3S!
As Ted says above, granny charging may be OK. We got our i3S last Autumn and decided to see how we got on with granny charging before we forked out for a charge point. We've got on fine. We're on Octopus and I typically set it to charge in the cheap overnight time slot which equates to 3 hours a night and also top up in the day if our solar is generating excess power (not likely at the moment!). We do less than 100 miles a week so it's fine like this and some weeks I don't need to charge it at all.
I made sure I checked the socket and circuit its plugged into to ensure it could handle the constant(ish) 10A - if unsure get it checked by an electrician. When I first started I used the medium current setting for a few days before ramping up to the maximum just to be on the safe side.
It's such a brilliant car - we love ours!

If you're on Octopus you can use Intelligent Octopus Go (if you have a smart meter). Any charger will work as it's the car that is compatible. Even if you don't use the 'intelligent' bit, you get guaranteed 6 hours of 7p per unit electricity every night from 11:30 to 05:30. And that goes for the whole house too.

Mustrum Ridcully · Jan 15, 2025

electriclightweight said:
New to me 2019 i3s 120. It's my first EV but not my first BMW. Love the car so far. Unfortunately I'm struggling to get a charge point installed at home as the house I have is from 1910. Northern powergrid can't even give me a date when they will come and sort it out as it's not urgent. Tried making a complaint but got nowhere. Very frustrating! So granny charging and local charging for the foreseeable future.

View attachment 1919

I love the black over the red of your I3S I hunted for over six months, and in the end, I bought my 2021 i3S in all black, which I have grown to love, but it is hard to keep clean.

Tech Admin · Jan 15, 2025

Welcome to the community! We're glad to have you join us!

Gonville · Jan 15, 2025

electriclightweight said:
New to me 2019 i3s 120. It's my first EV but not my first BMW. Love the car so far. Unfortunately I'm struggling to get a charge point installed at home as the house I have is from 1910. Northern powergrid can't even give me a date when they will come and sort it out as it's not urgent. Tried making a complaint but got nowhere. Very frustrating! So granny charging and local charging for the foreseeable future.

View attachment 1919

I’m guessing you tried these steps:-

Steps to Address Power Grid Complaints in the Northern Powergrid Region:

1. Contact Northern Powergrid (Your DNO):

• Northern Powergrid is the distribution network operator for the region. You should report complaints about power cuts, network maintenance, or grid-related issues directly to them.

• Website: Northern Powergrid

• Customer Services: 0800 011 3332

2. Escalate to the Energy Ombudsman:

• If Northern Powergrid doesn’t resolve your issue, escalate it to the Energy Ombudsman.

• Website: Energy Ombudsman

• Contact: 0330 440 1624

3. Involve Ofgem (the Energy Regulator):

• Ofgem oversees energy companies and ensures they adhere to regulations. While Ofgem doesn’t resolve individual complaints, they can investigate systemic issues and penalize companies.

• Website: Ofgem

Gonville · Jan 15, 2025

Also what is it that you need the DNO to do? No approval is needed for the installation of a 32a charger? If your property has a ‘looped’ supply I can imagine there is a waiting list for the groundwork’s to unloop.

The only other thing the DNO might be needed to do is install a cutout switch? 100a? So that trades can work on the house side safely as t hey are not allowed to pull the man in fuse anymore.

There is a very Knowledgable i3 UK facebook group where these issues have been covered quite a few times. Are you a member?

electriclightweight · Jan 15, 2025

drcarrera said:
Jealous you managed to find a red i3S!
As Ted says above, granny charging may be OK. We got our i3S last Autumn and decided to see how we got on with granny charging before we forked out for a charge point. We've got on fine. We're on Octopus and I typically set it to charge in the cheap overnight time slot which equates to 3 hours a night and also top up in the day if our solar is generating excess power (not likely at the moment!). We do less than 100 miles a week so it's fine like this and some weeks I don't need to charge it at all.
I made sure I checked the socket and circuit its plugged into to ensure it could handle the constant(ish) 10A - if unsure get it checked by an electrician. When I first started I used the medium current setting for a few days before ramping up to the maximum just to be on the safe side.
It's such a brilliant car - we love ours!

It was definitely right place and right time with this Melbourne red i3s. It's not the perfect car with 5 previous owners but it all checked out ok and has a full service history. I've booked it in with Wisely for a post purchase inspection in February so wish me luck!

We are getting on with granny charging so far and we also don't generally cover more than 100 miles in a week either so it could work out ok will just have to see how it goes. I'll get the plug and wiring checked to make sure its safe as you say. Thanks for the help, much appreciated!

electriclightweight · Jan 15, 2025

Mustrum Ridcully said:
I love the black over the red of your I3S I hunted for over six months, and in the end, I bought my 2021 i3S in all black, which I have grown to love, but it is hard to keep clean.

As I said in my other reply it was definitely right place and right time with this Melbourne red i3s. I honestly didn't realise it was a rare combination till after we bought it. It's older being a 2019 and not in perfect condition but I can sort it out I'm sure!

electriclightweight · Jan 15, 2025

Gonville said:
I’m guessing you tried these steps:-

Steps to Address Power Grid Complaints in the Northern Powergrid Region:

1. Contact Northern Powergrid (Your DNO):

• Northern Powergrid is the distribution network operator for the region. You should report complaints about power cuts, network maintenance, or grid-related issues directly to them.

• Website: Northern Powergrid

• Customer Services: 0800 011 3332

2. Escalate to the Energy Ombudsman:

• If Northern Powergrid doesn’t resolve your issue, escalate it to the Energy Ombudsman.

• Website: Energy Ombudsman

• Contact: 0330 440 1624

3. Involve Ofgem (the Energy Regulator):

• Ofgem oversees energy companies and ensures they adhere to regulations. While Ofgem doesn’t resolve individual complaints, they can investigate systemic issues and penalize companies.

• Website: Ofgem

Hi Gonville, thanks for the detailed reply!

The house main fuse is the original from approx 1910 and is situated on the opposite side of the house to the main fuse box. OVO advised us at the time it would need relocating (by Northern Powergrid) next to the fuse box and also the fuse updating to a current standard. OVO then sent the request to NP. I rang NP to be told the request sent from OVO was the lowest level of urgency and that they could not even give me an idea of when it would be done. I have since spoken to another NP telephone team member who said it could be years rather than months! We have since switched to Octopus and I've arranged for them to come out on the 20th Jan to fit a smart meter. I'm sure they won't be able to do but I'll plead with them to upgrade the urgency indicator as that would get the work done in less than two months apparently. I did make a complaint to NP but they simply pointed out the low priority indicated by OVO and referred us back to them. So that's where we stand currently.

electriclightweight · Jan 15, 2025

Gonville said:
Also what is it that you need the DNO to do? No approval is needed for the installation of a 32a charger? If your property has a ‘looped’ supply I can imagine there is a waiting list for the groundwork’s to unloop.

The only other thing the DNO might be needed to do is install a cutout switch? 100a? So that trades can work on the house side safely as t hey are not allowed to pull the man in fuse anymore.

There is a very Knowledgable i3 UK facebook group where these issues have been covered quite a few times. Are you a member?

The OVO chap that came out to fit the smart meter originally did say next doors power is supplied from our connection if that what the term 'looped' means?

I am on the Facebook i3 pages but I've been on car forums for years and much prefer this format to be honest. I will have a look on there though now you've mentioned it, thanks!

electriclightweight · Jan 15, 2025

Tech Admin said:
Welcome to the community! We're glad to have you join us!

Thanks, very happy to use this great forum!

Mondomensch · Jan 15, 2025

You may also want to ask on the stackexchange DIY / home improvement forum. There are a number of electrician experts there, some with UK knowledge and others with detailed knowledge of the electrical requirements for home EV chargers.

madasa fish · Jan 16, 2025

Our house has an old fusebox with 60AMp main fuse. (like 1940s? ) 1820s house rewired 1976 ish.
A spur to the extension has a more modern 50 year old fusebox with a 60?amp fuse.. Both worked perfectly for 30 odd years until the main fuse in the house blew - old age as nothing else wrong.
The Mark 1 Smart Meter no longer works to send data..but I do that manually..(and they wonder why people don't want one)
We charge our I3 with granny charger with no issues .. 100 miles a week usually,
I changed the garage socket from the 40 year old one - which warmed up a lot on full charge ! - to a modern one rated for EV charging - no warming at all.
No issues at all,,, so far.

RafflesNRH · Jan 16, 2025

electriclightweight said:
New to me 2019 i3s 120. It's my first EV but not my first BMW. Love the car so far. Unfortunately I'm struggling to get a charge point installed at home as the house I have is from 1910. Northern powergrid can't even give me a date when they will come and sort it out as it's not urgent. Tried making a complaint but got nowhere. Very frustrating! So granny charging and local charging for the foreseeable future.

Snap(ish)!

I've recently bought my first i3, a 2019 in Imperial Blue, as a second car to replace a petrol Corsa as a shopping trolly.
I rang Wisely yesterday to book its next biennial service in July and now waiting for Emma to email me back with details.
May I ask whereabouts you're based? I'm near Warrington and might consider asking Wisely to do a post-purchase inspection on the same date as you in Feb if you're close by.

mojo · Jan 16, 2025

electriclightweight said:
The OVO chap that came out to fit the smart meter originally did say next doors power is supplied from our connection if that what the term 'looped' means?

Yes - that will be what is slowing things down in terms of remedial work. IIRC the general rule with a "looped" supply is that the main fuse rating will be relatively low (because in effect the supply to 2 houses is shared on one incoming cable).

There are quite a few charge points available now which include current monitoring, which are capable of scaling back the car's charge rate when the total power consumption for the property exceeds a given threshold, but I'm not sure if the DNO will accept that as an adequate precaution on a looped supply.

New i3s owner in Leeds, UK with National grid issues

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