Recent content by Volt3939

Being able to charge them up during off-peak times could save a lot of $$$, eliminating demand charges is key to the savings, along with ant TOU discounts.

This is great advice. Applies to most EV's sold today. Possibly excepting the GM 120V that defaults to 8 amps. Not really though, 8 amps continuous can still make some serious heat in truly deficient wiring! I have a dedicated 15A circuit using 45 feet of 10AWG with a 20A rated socket for my...

Many options, google EVSE 240V. I'm currently looking at getting a Bosch from here: http://www.pluginnow.com/charging_stations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; because I can get a $500 credit for getting a '14 Spark. The cheapest one is then basically free. (16A with a 12' cord...

Exactly what happened to me with my Spark, only the GM dealer put in a Q instead of an E. (Q means Volt.) The form letter was very specific about the statement of facts and how it should be signed and dated, etc. I had the clerk at the dealer re-do it in blue ink since the black ink made it look...

Got the Spark 8-12. Took until 10-18 to get the stickers. Of course the dealer* added a couple of weeks by getting the motive power code wrong, they put down Q rather than E, so I had to get them to correct that, which added about 2 weeks. *(GM dealer that sells lots of Volts, which are...

You'd probably burn more gas getting your 10 mile charge than a tow truck would driving to you, towing you home and driving back to wherever it came from. :roll: Using 12VDC converted to AC is about the least efficient way possible to charge...

If you spend 5 seconds plugging in, and 5 more to unplug, that's an entire hour per year. Buying gas can take that long sometimes! OK, maybe 10-20 minutes is more likely, but as often as it needs to happen, that's still way more time wasted. Clueless...

Lug wrench?

What you need to do is figure out what plug is on the upgraded EVSE, and get the same type receptacle installed in your garage. The adapters are for when you are out and find a 240V outlet that does not match the one you use at home. It might be nice to get the 120V adapter, as those are a lot...

Hard wire units typically require that the wires be installed inside the unit itself. My (Nissan) AV did not come with any wire, aside from the J-1772 cable. It had a couple of spots that could be knocked out for, IIRC 3/4" conduit, or in my case, a cable clamp. (I used an existing 6-50 socket...

Rubber ages. I prefer to have new rubber all around. By leaving the rears on through so many fronts, you might be risking an age related failure.

You can get the same trickle charge by keeping a small panel on your dash. I got a couple of them from Harbor Freight, just to keep my pickup ready for use. Cost around $15. Truck sits for months and the parasitic draw from it's alarm system eventually drains the Optima battery. One panel is...

Huh, looks the same as this to my untrained eye. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCO7nrvfLWY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I see why side airbags are used now...

Funny, I get the same behavior in my Volt. My home EVSE is the Aerovironment Nissan branded Level 2, (on 240-241, whatever it takes 8-) ) and it consistently finishes before the estimated ending time. I use a ChargePoint, and the estimate is dead on...

Yes, it does. What we need is a dirt cheap public Level 1 station that could be installed for not much more than a GFCI outlet in every space in the lot. No moving cars, and everyone gets a charge during their workday. You'd need a few Level 2 stations for some drivers, and maybe a QC for...