How to maintain your home EV charger for longevity

There is an increasing need for efficient and reliable charging solutions as more and more people switch to Electric Vehicles (EVs). You must properly care for your EV charging units and keep your chargers in top shape to ensure optimal performance and longevity. This article gives you a helping hand by explaining how to maintain your home EV charger for longevity.

You can also learn why you should properly maintain EV chargers, errors to avoid during electric vehicle charger maintenance, and home charging and public charging best practices. Read on for more!

Why you should properly maintain EV chargers

You must regularly maintain your EV chargers if you want them to perform optimally. Here are other reasons to keep EV chargers properly.

• Regular maintenance of EV chargers helps provide consistent charging for EV owners.
• Prompt attention to maintaining electrical vehicle charging stations can help reduce downtime and ensure a reliable charging experience.
• Regular and professional maintenance helps minimise wear and tear and improves the lifespan of EV chargers.
• You would thus be avoiding potentially costly replacements.
• You would also optimise efficiency, contribute to cost-effective operations, and reduce running costs.

How to maintain home EV charging stations

There are dos and don'ts for EV charger maintenance that you need to follow if you want your EV charging stations to last long. Read on for valuable tips on how to maintain your EV charger.

Switch off the home EV charger and isolator

It is important to turn off your EV charger and switch off the isolator before cleaning or maintaining it. This helps ensure optimal performance and prevent electrical accidents.

Disconnect the charger from the electric vehicle

Also, unplug the charger from your EV before cleaning it. You do not want to cause accidental damage to the EV or the EV charging cables.

Only use a soft cloth on a sponge on your EV charger

You must use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or a sponge to clean your EV charger. Do not use harsh chemicals that may lead to scratches on the charger's surface. Also, avoid using abrasive materials for the same reason.

Use a mild cleaning agent mixed with water

Ensure that the water and cleaning solution mixture will not scratch the surface of your charger. A diluted cleaning solution helps to prevent residue build-up during thorough cleaning.

Carefully clean external surfaces

Only clean the external surfaces of your home EV charger. Wipe away accumulated dust, dirt, or grime. Do not apply too much pressure, and avoid pushing dirt into crevices.

Fully dry the charger

Moisture can lead to damage to the electrical components of your EV charger. You should, therefore, dry the charger thoroughly after you clean it. Also, confirm it is fully dry before turning it on or plugging it back in.

Limit your use of DC fast-charging

Constant DC fast charging can weaken your vehicle's battery. The life of an EV's battery degrades faster when using DC fast charging. As such, you may limit fast charging for long journeys or emergencies.

Ensure prompt software updates

Updating software and firmware promptly helps to ensure optimal charger performance. EV chargers need these software and firmware updates to control operation and charging performance effectively.

These bug fixes and security patches also help to improve your experience and reduce potential vulnerabilities. They also help to make your EV charger more compatible with the latest EV models.

Implement a preventive home charging maintenance schedule

A preventive maintenance schedule helps ensure that you provide consistent and effective EV charger maintenance. Some tasks to include in this schedule are visual inspections, maintenance cleaning, software updates, and testing of components.

When deciding the maintenance frequency, consider your usage frequency and manufacturer recommendations. Also, document repairs and issues for future troubleshooting insight.

Make use of smart EV chargers

Using a smart EV charger can significantly improve your home EV charging. You can program it to charge at specific times with off-peak rates. Meanwhile, another advantage of smart EV chargers is their ability to simultaneously accommodate multiple vehicles in areas like parking lots and charging hubs.

Consider using a solar panel system with battery storage

Integrating solar panel systems and battery storage with your EV charger can significantly boost the efficiency of your home EV charging unit. You will also be reducing electricity costs in an environmentally friendly manner. At the same time, your home EV charges with backup power sources.

Errors to avoid during EV charger maintenance

The following EV charger maintenance tips can help you avoid mistakes and ensure a safe and long-lasting charging experience.

• Never try to clean your EV charger while the power is still connected. You may be at serious risk of electrical shock.
• Don't let any water or cleaning solution into electrical components. Moisture can cause electrical short circuits, internal circuit damage, and faults in the EV charger.
• Check the cables and use the protective caps of the charging cables to protect the contacts. This will help prevent water infiltration.
• Don't clean EV chargers with a pressure washer. Pressure washers are unsuitable for EV chargers because they can force water into electrical components.
• Ensure you perform regular maintenance of your EV charger. Regularly cleaning your EV charger ensures its longevity.
• Visually inspect your EV charger regularly for signs of physical damage. Also, examine the exterior, connectors, and cables.
• Try to spot loose connections, signs of wear, and other electrical issues on time.
• Invite a licensed professional to address the electrical problems promptly.

Home and public charging best practices

Performing regular EV charger maintenance and following battery charging best practices assist in extending the life and longevity of your home charging unit. Here are some of these best practices and EV charging guides for home and public charging points.

• AC power types charge slowly, while DC charges fast.
• You can find the AC power types at home, workplaces, and public charging stations. You can use them when you do not need a quick recharge.
• DC fast charging is standard in public charging stations. You can use them for faster top-ups.
• Level one chargers provide 'trickle charging' from a standard three-pin plug and are typically 240 volts.
• Level two chargers can be installed using single-phase or three-phase wall box stations.
• Level three chargers are public fast charging stations with 400 – 800 volt capacity and 25 - 350kW DC specifications.

Home charging tips

• A single-phase level two charger takes 5 – 8 hours for a full charge, while a 3-phase level two charges entirely within a few hours.
• While at it, inspect brake pads and discs for signs of wear and tear.
• Pay attention to regular tasks such as changing filters and checking lights and tyres to keep your EV running smoothly and efficiently.
• A reliable, professional electrician can help you set up indoor or outdoor charging stations. Note that outdoor EV chargers require charging cables of appropriate length.

Battery charging and public charging tips

• When charging electric cars in public charging stations, be familiar with the plug types, charging speed outputs, and your EV model's AC/DC limits.
• Some commercial charging stations require memberships or payments. You should, therefore, confirm such public charging stations ahead of time.
• Be familiar with plug types, charge speeds, and the energy capacity of your vehicle's battery.
• Rapid level three charges reduce battery life by a small bit for each use.
• It is best to use AC or home chargers to complete vehicle charges from 80% to full. The charging rate of DC fast chargers is slower than that of DC fast chargers, which charge past 80%.
• Avoid frequently deep-discharging electric vehicle batteries. Charging your EV battery whenever it goes below 20-30% is best.
• In other words, the EV battery charging status or state of charge should remain between 20-80% full. This will help prevent slower charging times.
• Too much exposure to extreme temperatures and extreme weather conditions such as freezing or high temperatures can hamper the functionality of EV batteries. As such, use a garage to park your EV in cold weather and park in a shaded area in hot weather conditions to avoid direct sunlight.
• It would be best to inspect vehicle batteries occasionally for signs of damage or corrosion.

Role of electricians in EV charger installation

• Your professional electrician will likely follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing electric car chargers.
• They can also help you inspect and maintain your EV charger regularly. Their service includes addressing safety hazards such as exposed wires.
• In line with reducing safety hazards, your electrician may recommend surge protection devices and other EV charging solutions.

A contractor can help with EV charger services

This guide on maintaining your home EV charger for longevity has covered various tips on safely and efficiently managing your EV charger. A licensed and professional electrician is trained in EV charger installations and maintenance. As such, it is advisable to invite them for EV charger services. They can provide EV charger solutions to meet your needs and install your EV charger when needed.