Anyone got an aliexpress EV cable?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Anyone got an aliexpress EV cable?

richms

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#301905 14-Oct-2022 13:56

Saw this 32A one when looking around for one since 8A will possibly be a bit limiting and I can just swap the old range outlet over to a blue one and reach where I park.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004504197357.html

Not sure how it differs from this one that is more expensive - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001014168927.html

Has anyone got one of this Mida brand, know of any reviews of this brand?

The price is comparable to others I have seen that are only 16A, and 32 is better than 16...

Richard rich.ms

networkn

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#2982640 14-Oct-2022 14:07

Given how variable quality is on those sites, not sure I'd trust either my home power supply, or my EV by using a cable I didn't have any come back on purchasing personally, regardless of the savings.

richms

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#2982643 14-Oct-2022 14:12

Yes the quality is variable on there, which is why I am asking about this supplier in particular as they appear to have a lot of EV cables only, the Aliexpress store only sells EV cables and they have considerable web presence as an EV charging supplier.

I dont want to go spending 3x the price on the same thing inside a box that has a brand on it from somewhere else if that isnt needed.

Richard rich.ms

billgates

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#2982653 14-Oct-2022 15:21

Anything mains powered, you want to buy locally or that has NZ/AUS electrical certification attached to it. The question you want to ask is, can you afford to re-build your home incase of fire from cheaper AliExpress alternative when insurance will refuse to pay out for using non-compliant gear.

Do whatever you want to do man.

jarledb

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#2982654 14-Oct-2022 15:45

Yeah, knowing what I know about some chinese manufacturers I am very sceptical about buying anything that goes on 230V from Aliexpress. Not to mention something that is going to draw that kind of power.

Like most anyone else here has said, buy it from a NZ company and make sure it is certified for use in NZ.

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billgates

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#2982655 14-Oct-2022 15:49

I have bought electrical items from Australia in the past after checking that they have the required AS certification for them which is required for NZ use as it was much cheaper than buying here locally in NZ so that is prob your best option if you can find it cheaper in Australia and shop is happy to ship it to you.

Do whatever you want to do man.

tripper1000

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#2982662 14-Oct-2022 16:17

EEVblog (an electrical engineer who does tear-down videos) had positive things to say about the Mida brand. Apparently they are not a fly-by-night company, they're just not known in this part of the world. The unit is fairly well designed and built, but time will be the true test.

Link to video here:

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jarledb

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#2982664 14-Oct-2022 16:25

Even if the Mida brand is good, that does NOT mean that the listings on Aliexpress claiming to be Mida is actually that product.

Neither of the two listings that were posted by OP has any significant amount of orders. I would be very careful of buying from there.

networkn

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#2982692 14-Oct-2022 16:36

jarledb:

Even if the Mida brand is good, that does NOT mean that the listings on Aliexpress claiming to be Mida is actually that product.

Neither of the two listings that were posted by OP has any significant amount of orders. I would be very careful of buying from there.

And even if they are reputable, and genuine, if they get here and have a manafacturing fault that causes a major problem, you have zero come back on them.

I just wouldn't risk it, which was my original point.

If you are saving $500 and maximum damage is $500 then fine, but when you could cause major electrical issues to your home, and or presumably not inexpensive car, I wouldn't do it.

MadEngineer

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#2983155 15-Oct-2022 20:25

tripper1000:
EEVblog (an electrical engineer who does tear-down videos) had positive things to say about the Mida brand. Apparently they are not a fly-by-night company, they're just not known in this part of the world. The unit is fairly well designed and built, but time will be the true test.

Link to video here:

I watch all his videos. It should be noted that he’s an EE with literally zero knowledge outside of what’s in that box. He has zero knowledge of mains regulations and zero knowledge of the incoming regs required for EV supply.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

boosacnoodle

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#2983160 15-Oct-2022 21:52

I wouldn’t even purchase a phone charger from AliExpress, yet I’ve purchased many things on there.

tripper1000

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#2983625 17-Oct-2022 09:54

The biggest problem I've found with Chinese EVSE is they poor weather resistance. OK for in door use but that is it.

IMHO EVSE are very over priced for what they are. They will drop in price once mass manufacture of them settles down. The elitist tones in this thread are reminiscent of the audiophile forums and their million dollar IEC power leads.

I've had/have an American, a European, a Japanese, an Aliexpress/Chinese, and 2 home-built EVSE. The European EVSE (Charge Amps) was the most expensive but it was also the most unreliable - a feat of form over function - too many times it went into trickle charge mode. (It has been retired to the rubbish bin with prejudice). The remainder, including the Chinese one still work fine. Looking inside, you can't see a difference in board quality between the USA (Clipper Creek) and Chinese. The fit and finish of the plugs and case are definitely better on the USA model than Chinese. The USA one would definitely survive being out in the rain longer than the Chinese one. The Japanese OEM Leaf charger can not be beat for ruggedness (they survive being run over just fine & you could use them to drive in nails) they're just not made for N.Z. voltages.

No, EVSE are not some magical, mysterious or complex device that will blow-up your car or wiring if you go budget. They should comply to a reputable and relevant electrical standard (ANZS, DIN etc). Electrically, they are very simple. They are NOT a charger and do NOT condition nor convert the power. They perform 3 key functions: 1) they monitor for a ground fault in the EV (aka RCD), 2) they signal a current limit to the EV, 3) they connect and disconnect the power when commanded by the EV. Some also have temperature monitoring of the mains plug.

Yes, you need to select the seller carefully when buying from Aliexpress. Many Chinese companies have official stores on Aliexpress, and are a much safer bet to buy from (avoids the knock-offs and 2nds).

MadEngineer: I watch all his videos. It should be noted that he’s an EE with literally zero knowledge outside of what’s in that box. He has zero knowledge of mains regulations and zero knowledge of the incoming regs required for EV supply.

I think you're being a bit harsh there and missing the point: E.G. an electrician would be very knowledgeable in electrical regs, but clueless about appliance build quality. The subject of the review wasn't the N.Z. electrical Regs, just the quality of design and build. EE is also a repair technician with decades of experience in diagnosing and fixing electrical failures so he is more qualified on what goes bang and why than most.