Talk to me about charging/EVSE and charging stations

[lifeincolor]

Ok for some reason I stopped getting email notifications that people were still responding to this thread! Oh my goodness thanks for all the great responses, I even appreciate the debate, I like to know the pluses and minuses. I went to test drive the Volt this morning and what a disaster. I don't know why the salesman who was assigned to me, "the volt specialist" didn't know his **** at all but it was so annoying. I asked if we could turn on the gas engine (generator) to see what that was like while we were on the freeway and he didn't know how to do it. Once we were at the dealership I figured it out because it was printed huge on one of their laminated book things. Annoying. Anyway I was not impressed. I want to be as low/no emissions as possible and he told me that Chevy dealerships probably wouldn't let me charge if I was away from my home dealership. Lame. It doesn't sound like they are doing much to improve infrastructure in our area and I know Nissan is.

As someone mentioned we live in a great area for charging. I didn't know it was odd to have so many quick chargers around, and I'm glad we do! I may look into getting the EVSE cable (still working on getting all the terminology right!) modified to make trips to friends houses in more remote areas. Like I said we can switch the carseats over to the gas powered car, but besides the fact that now that car seems like a dinosaur (don't tell my husband who loves his Audi), anyone with carseats knows what a pain it can be! We are going to lease so I may have to find a used EVSE and have it retrofitted or buy a retrofitted one from the company. Not sure if it will be worth it at this time. I think we're going to wait and see how we end up using the car.

That's right we're going to pick it up today! We are for sure getting an SL, but deciding on color and a few little upgrades still. We always buy but I've been persuaded to lease and put the money we would have used for the car in a conservative fund. Even assuming the fund gets only 3% and the car does not depreciate like I think it will it looks like we still come out ahead with a lease.

I look forward to being on this board for many years. If you see a woman with two kids screaming in the car while I try to plug in my leaf downtown Portland please come help me! Hehehe

Amber

 

[Wennfred]

Chevy dealerships probably wouldn't let me charge if I was away from my home dealership. Lame. It doesn't sound like they are doing much to improve infrastructure in our area and I know Nissan is.

Grats Amber on your new Leaf! I went with the Red one as it looks sporty. The other colors didn't look a good to me, that charcoal one looks nice....Call your Nissan Dealers in your area to ensure they allow you to charge at their locations, Mossy Nissan here in San Diego (Like 5 Mossy Dealers) they are cool with us Leafs but we have one called Pacific Nissan that won't allow you to charge unless you got the Leaf there, not friendly at all. So call those Nissan Dealers around you.

As for that so call Volt Sales man, I feel them out first and if it seems like he doesn't know his product, I simply request someone else and let management know that their people need training and that they just lost a sale.

Take care and can't wait to read about your new experiences with the Leaf

One last thing, Make sure your tires are properly inflated, I mean check them yourself before leaving.

 

[RonDawg]

I want to be as low/no emissions as possible and he told me that Chevy dealerships probably wouldn't let me charge if I was away from my home dealership. Lame. It doesn't sound like they are doing much to improve infrastructure in our area and I know Nissan is.

At least the salesman was honest. There are some Nissan dealers that won't let you charge if you didn't buy or get service from them, and others that reluctantly let you do so.

We are going to lease so I may have to find a used EVSE and have it retrofitted or buy a retrofitted one from the company. Not sure if it will be worth it at this time. I think we're going to wait and see how we end up using the car.

Check the marketplace on this forum, eBay, and even Craigslist. As December will be the 3rd anniversary of the first Leaf delivery in the US, you will start seeing many accessories being sold off by Leafers who leased and have opted to go to something else. Someone is already selling his Leaf seat covers.

Failing that, do NOT buy a pre-upgraded EVSE as a second. For half the price you can get the Clipper Creek LCS-25P, although it won't be dual voltage. If you can survive on public charging for a couple of weeks, you can send in your unit for upgrading. Or if you're in a hurry, you can opt for rush service which is an extra $75 plus an $800 hold on your credit card until the company gets your original in exchange.

 

[LeftieBiker]

I don't know why the salesman who was assigned to me, "the volt specialist" didn't know his **** at all but it was so annoying. I asked if we could turn on the gas engine (generator) to see what that was like while we were on the freeway and he didn't know how to do it. Once we were at the dealership I figured it out because it was printed huge on one of their laminated book things. Annoying. Anyway I was not impressed.

The first time we drove a Prius PHEV, I spent the drive explaining how it works to the salesman. He found it quite interesting. ;-) The Leaf 'specialist' was much better, although he knew only about as much as I'd expect a typical Nissan salesman to know, assuming I didn't know car salesmen...

 

[Nubo]

Now at least I can stop grumbling over the detailed post this site's server ate! The only quibble I have with the two excellent posts above is that I seem to get 5% per hour on L-1, with my 2013 SV.

5% per hour is correct. That's how I represent it now to people who ask. The confusion arises when people try to state it in terms of "miles of range per hour". It's best stated as a percent, and the miles calculation left up to the reader.

 

[lifeincolor]

I'm in love! Drove it home tonight (dealership is 36 miles away), then of course had to drive it all over town to show people. And take it off Eco mode and show off a bit and I still have charge, it says 31 miles (looking at it from the phone app so I can't figure out how to see %.). It will be no problem at all to drive to Portland and charge and come home. Yay! I'm going to try going south to Eugene (60 miles), but I need to plan out the route first. There are lots of quick chargers there and on the way so I'm not worried. Thanks again for all your help. I'll probably be searching the forums tonight so I can figure out sounds and buttons and stuff. My sales person was super knowledgable (could not stump him at all) and he walked me through a lot but I was itching to get home with two little kids who were sick of test drives!

 

[cwerdna]

It says 31 miles (looking at it from the phone app so I can't figure out how to see %.). It will be no problem at all to drive to Portland and charge and come home. Yay! I'm going to try going south to Eugene (60 miles), but I need to plan out the route first. There are lots of quick chargers there and on the way so I'm not worried.

Yay! BTW, forget the GOM (guess-o-meter aka the supposed distance to empty). I know of no way to view battery SoC % via Nissan's official Leaf app (on both Android and iOS). You'll have to cycle thru the b&w dash display using the upper left corner trip computer button (on the left side of the car).

Yes, you have a very good CHAdeMO DC fast charge infrastructure up in OR.

 

[TonyWilliams]

This chart may help for your trips:

Your state is a partner with Washington and British Columbia on the West Coast Electric Highway.

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/OIPP/Pages/inn_ev_sites.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Oregon DOT and partners are continuing to "electrify" the transportation system as we build out more fast-charging infrastructure to support the growing number of electric vehicles on Oregon highways. Here are the communities where ODOT has installed or will soon install EV fast-charging stations funded by the federal TIGER program and the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:"

Ashland (Texaco, 2371 Ashland St.)
Astoria (Sunset Empire Transit Ctr, 900 Marine Dr.)
Aurora*
Banks (Jim's Thriftway, 660 S. Main St.)
Cannon Beach (RV Resort at Cannon Beach, 340 Elk Creek Rd.)
Canyonville (Seven Feathers Truck & Travel, 130 Creekside Rd.)
Cascade Locks (public parking lot, NW Lakeside Dr. & Cascade Locks Hwy)
Central Point (Fairground Chevron, 1510 E. Pine St.)
Coos Bay*
Cottage Grove (Vintage Inn Restaurant, 1590 Gateway Blvd.)
Detroit (Cedars Restaurant, 200 Detroit Ave. N)
Elkton*
Florence (Three Rivers Casino, 5647 Oregon Hwy 126)
Grand Ronde (Spirit Mountain Casino Service Station/Market, 26820 Salmon River Hwy)
Grants Pass (Chamber of Commerce, 1995 NW Vine St.)
Halsey/Brownsville (Pioneer Villa Truck Plaza, 33180 Hwy 228)
Hood River (public parking lot, 7th & Columbia)
Lincoln City (Cultural Center, 540 NE Hwy 101)
Madras*
McKenzie Bridge (Harbick's Country Store, 91808 Mill Creek Rd.)
McMinnville (Oregon Mutual Insurance, 400 Northeast Baker St.)
Mill City*
Monmouth (Dairy Queen, 320 Pacific Ave. So. - OR-99W)
Newberg (Chevron, 3645 E. Portland Rd - OR-99W)
Newport (public parking lot, 9th & Hurbert)
Redmond (Fred Meyer, 944 SE Veterans Way)
Reedsport*
Rice Hill (Motel 6, 621 John Long Rd.)
Roseburg (Wagon Wheel Restaurant, 227 NW Garden Valley Blvd.)
Scappoose (Fred Meyer, 51501 Columbia River Hwy)
Sisters (Sisters Mainline Station, 1001 Rail Way)
Springfield (Gateway Marketplace, 840 Beltline Rd.)
Tangent*
The Dalles (Fred Meyer, 1215 W. 6th St.)
Tillamook (Fred Meyer, 2500 Main Ave. N)
Veneta (Park-n-Ride, Broadway and Territorial Rd.)
Warm Springs*
Welches (Barlow Trail Roadhouse, 69580 E. Hwy 26)
Wolf Creek (Wolf Creek Inn, 100 Front St.)
Yachats (City Hall, 441 Hwy 101)


*stations to be built throughout 2013 and 2014

 

[LeftieBiker]

I'm in love! Drove it home tonight (dealership is 36 miles away), then of course had to drive it all over town to show people. And take it off Eco mode and show off a bit and I still have charge, it says 31 miles (looking at it from the phone app so I can't figure out how to see %.). It will be no problem at all to drive to Portland and charge and come home. Yay! I'm going to try going south to Eugene (60 miles), but I need to plan out the route first. There are lots of quick chargers there and on the way so I'm not worried. Thanks again for all your help. I'll probably be searching the forums tonight so I can figure out sounds and buttons and stuff. My sales person was super knowledgable (could not stump him at all) and he walked me through a lot but I was itching to get home with two little kids who were sick of test drives!

Remember that you have a "floor" in that range estimate of about 20 miles - don't go below that unless it's really necessary. The car will tell you about it if you do.

 

[LeftieBiker]

That range chart is interesting, but I'd hate to have to consult it while driving. A simplified version using the most common three or four parameters might be very helpful... So would a program that will print out a chart for you, based on your own typical driving conditions.

 

[cwerdna]

Remember that you have a "floor" in that range estimate of about 20 miles - don't go below that unless it's really necessary. The car will tell you about it if you do.

I don't care much about the GOM. I can confirm what's been reported here before that LBW is triggered around 17-18% SoC and VLBW at 7-8%. I haven't taken it down to turtle but hear it's at 1-2% SoC.

Even w/the '13's GOM, which I hear is better than on earlier Leafs, I've seen the GOM drop by ~30-40 miles after going 10 miles, part of it going up steep hills (going south towards Santa Cruz on highway 17) and then not drop at all while going down the hill for many miles.

 

[LeftieBiker]

Yes, but a new driver is going to be looking at the GOM, not the SOC, so I used that as a reference.

 

[planet4ever]

Yes, but a new driver is going to be looking at the GOM, not the SOC, so I used that as a reference.

True for many new drivers, but Amber (lifeincolor) sounds like she's a cut above the average. My recommendation to her is to start each day with the "Trip computer" display (bottom center of the dash) on "Energy Economy". This will help teach you how to drive efficiently. Another alternative is to have the console display set on "Energy Usage" and to look over there frequently to see what the left pie chart is doing, but that takes your eyes further from the road. When the "fuel" bars on the right side of the dash drop to 3 or 4, switch the Trip computer display to State of Charge (the next panel displayed after Energy Usage). That gives you a very good idea of how your battery is doing. As LeftieBiker suggested, you probably won't want to drive much below 20% on a routine basis, though the car will continue to perform without any loss of power down until well below where that gauge gives up (at about 5%) and switches to displaying three bars.

Congratulations! I know you're going to continue to love your car, even if it occasionally puzzles or even frustrates you. And don't be a stranger, OK?

Ray

 

[lifeincolor]

A cut above, thanks maybe not since I can't figure out what some of the abbreviations mean (GOM?). My daughter was so excited to plug the car in for the first time tonight. I just imagine her in the very distant future telling people, "we got our first electric car I was a very young girl. Before that everyone had gas." And explains gas stations a green minded mama can dream right?

Once I get a chance to access the forum from my computer (I'm on my phone), I'm going to surf around the forum and try to be helpful to others, I saw the list of prices you paid that I can add to at least. And of course I have to recommend the dealership and super knowledgable salesman. Maybe I'll even meet some of you at local events? The salesman says there are plug in events around here. I know there are two Tesla S in my town, now I'm on the lookout for another leaf!

Maybe one will be a friend of mine. I have multiple friends who drive trucks or older big cars/SUVs and spend $400 plus on gas a month. At that rate a Leaf would practically be free for them to lease! Hopefully I'm leading the way in my circle of friends!

 

[cwerdna]

A cut above, thanks maybe not since I can't figure out what some of the abbreviations mean (GOM?)
...

Re: the GOM, see http://www.mynissanleaf.com/wiki/index.php?title=Glossary" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=271853#p271853" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Maybe one will be a friend of mine. I have multiple friends who drive trucks or older big cars/SUVs and spend $400 plus on gas a month. At that rate a Leaf would practically be free for them to lease! Hopefully I'm leading the way in my circle of friends!

Yep. Hope you're able to convert some of them. Unfortunately, if you tell people in cents/mile, unless they've calculated themselves, they won't get how comparatively cheap is to drive a Leaf. I'd imagine your electric rates are WAY lower (judging by rates at say Seattle City & Light) than ripoff PG&E down here. Maybe more meaningful numbers to them would be cost to drive 250 or 300 miles, or however many miles they get out of a "tank" of gas.

 

[lifeincolor]

Ah guess o meter. Yes the salesman showed me how to put it on battery percentage and told me never to use that as a real guide, that it was for estimating only. I believe our power must be pretty cheap. We pay a premium for renewable (wind) power and our bills are still low. And regular gas is $3.50 I think. So it's a huge difference. I noticed the little power ball gauge thing and the tree earning also made me drive much more efficiently. It certainly points out your weaknesses!

 

[LeftieBiker]

Ah guess o meter. Yes the salesman showed me how to put it on battery percentage and told me never to use that as a real guide, that it was for estimating only. I believe our power must be pretty cheap. We pay a premium for renewable (wind) power and our bills are still low. And regular gas is $3.50 I think. So it's a huge difference. I noticed the little power ball gauge thing and the tree earning also made me drive much more efficiently. It certainly points out your weaknesses!

You'll also find out a few things that seem counter-intuitive. For example, unlike an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle, driving the Leaf gently at freeway speeds will still suck power. 55-60MPH is much better than 65, no matter how slowly you accelerate. This appears to be because the Leaf, while it looks aerodynamic, isn't especially 'slick' at speeds above 50 MPH. At low speeds, on the other hand, you can have a little fun and accelerate quickly without paying a huge penalty, as long as you use regenerative braking much more than the mechanical brakes. This makes the Leaf a lot more fun than, say, a Prius.

 

[Epi117]

I'm in love! Drove it home tonight (dealership is 36 miles away), then of course had to drive it all over town to show people. And take it off Eco mode and show off a bit and I still have charge, it says 31 miles (looking at it from the phone app so I can't figure out how to see %.). It will be no problem at all to drive to Portland and charge and come home. Yay! I'm going to try going south to Eugene (60 miles), but I need to plan out the route first. There are lots of quick chargers there and on the way so I'm not worried. Thanks again for all your help. I'll probably be searching the forums tonight so I can figure out sounds and buttons and stuff. My sales person was super knowledgable (could not stump him at all) and he walked me through a lot but I was itching to get home with two little kids who were sick of test drives!

Woodburn stores has a few chargers
Beaverton has a ton chargers
Nissan Dealer in Beaverton has a free charger and is surrounded by about 5 blink chargers within one miles
Electric Ave has free changers near PSU http://www.pdx.edu/electricavenue/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
OSU has free chargers after 5pm
library in Beaverton has 4 chargers and its right next to a nice park and AVA Cafe if you need a good safe place to charge
http://www.beavertonlibrary.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Always have a plan b in case chargers are being used, there are an amazing number of EV's in Portland area.

Plugshare and Recargo are my Fav apps for finding chargers

order a free chargepoint card and another for the company taking over for blink, but blink cards should still work

"Blink cardholders should continue to utilize the Blink InCard or Blink mobile app session codes at the thousands of Blink stations nationwide. While anyone can utilize the Blink chargers, to become a Blink Member, please visit Blink Network."