Longest Road Trip Question/ Phil's Road Trip Solution

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Darren

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 19, 2010
Messages
127
Location
San Diego, CA
UPDATED:

The thread has now evolved in Phil/ Ingineer's thoughts on how to create a road trip solution from my original question:

" Have to plan a trip from Utah to Southern California in the coming weeks which got me to thinking "What is the longest road trip done in a LEAF to date?"

I am guessing that the 660 miles of my route all the way up I-15 is likely not drivable yet but has anyone tried Los Angeles to Las Vegas?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks."
 
Darren said:
Have to plan a trip from Utah to Southern California in the coming weeks which got me to thinking "What is the longest road trip done in a LEAF to date?"

I am guessing that the 660 miles of my route all the way up I-15 is likely not drivable yet but has anyone tried Los Angeles to Las Vegas?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.


Just thinking out loud, but if you were to plan your trip legs just right, you could perhaps get 75 miles per leg with some reserve battery. I recently went on the Nissan site and used the trip estimator mapping program to plan a trip to Redstone Arsenal, in Huntsville, AL That trip is only 110 miles each way including up and down mountains, from my crib and is "doable" assuming that there are working QC's at the Cracker Barrels in route. Lots of assumptions, however, sort of like planning a cross-country hop skip and jump airplane flight. Also assumes that you can spare the time from the trip for some 6-hour L2 charges at friendly Leaf sites on the way.

Interesting and challenging exercise planning such a long trip.

Good Luck!

Dave
 
Longest trip I've taken is 226 miles, or 452 miles round trip. Fresno, California to Santa Monica, California and back in order to attend EV Parade last October. Plan ahead, drive the plan, allow plenty of time, and just enjoy the trip!
 
I don't think I am serious about driving it in the LEAF as I think the distances are simply too far and even with Level 2's it would be a very lengthy trip.

From Salt Lake to Los Angeles the potential stopping points are:

Salt Lake
Spanish Fork
Nephi
Beaver
Fillmore
Cedar City
St. George
Mesquite
Las Vegas
Baker
Barstow
Inland Empire
Los Angeles

The Google Maps link with distances is here. http://g.co/maps/bbk52
 
At some point soon, I'll either be taking a trip from SF to LA or maybe up north to Tahoe. Of course, I'll be cheating as I won't need to stop and charge! ;)

pic


-Phil
 
Darren said:
Can I borrow your trailer or when are you going to start marketing them?
No immediate plans to market it, it's mainly a proof-of-concept engineering exercise.

It's not as simple as one might think to connect it to a car other than the prototype test Leaf, otherwise I would consider renting it. It would require several things done to a stock Leaf before it can be used. The most obvious is that it needs a trailer hitch installed. Depending on how this is done, it may be reversible, but keeping the hitch might be a desirable option anyway. The other issue is the wiring; I've had to make up a number of custom hand-made wiring harnesses so that it can be "plug and play", and without altering any of the OEM stuff. These harnesses are installed semi-permanently in the test car, and then several cables run to the rear so that they can connect to the trailer. This enables quick disconnection of the trailer, and then the test car operates as normal, while the harnesses just stay in place unused. Since these harnesses are all just plugged into various existing connectors, they can be removed and the car (electrically) returned to stock if I wanted to spend the better part of a day removing them.

A rental business would need to install these harnesses along with a hitch much like you take your car to Uhaul and they install the trailer hitch before you rent one of their trailers. There would need to be a substantial development effort to get these things "production ready" and done in a manner that would be safe and reliable. Then installers would have to be trained and set up. The bulk of the wiring cost and installation complexity is the large 400 volt bus that has to run from the front to the back, as it has to be carefully executed to insure safe operation.

-Phil
 
I did well over 700 miles in 4 days in TN and AR area before shipping my Leaf home (Utah). Although some planning was required, it was easy to do in TN. In Utah, on the other hand, 700 miles in 4 days would not be at all possible -- public charge station infrastructure is not yet in place.
 
tcherniaev said:
I did well over 700 miles in 4 days in TN and AR area before shipping my Leaf home (Utah). Although some planning was required, it was easy to do in TN. In Utah, on the other hand, 700 miles in 4 days would not be at all possible -- public charge station infrastructure is not yet in place.
700 miles in 4 days sounds theoretically possible on L2, but a bit grueling. (Maybe 50-60 hours of charging out of 96.) Did you perhaps have access to one or more QC stations?

Ray
 
tcherniaev said:
I did well over 700 miles in 4 days in TN and AR area before shipping my Leaf home (Utah). Although some planning was required, it was easy to do in TN. In Utah, on the other hand, 700 miles in 4 days would not be at all possible -- public charge station infrastructure is not yet in place.

Glad to hear there is another Leaf in Utah. Where are you located ? Maybe you could join us for the next Utah Leaf meeting.

http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=7402" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
planet4ever said:
700 miles in 4 days sounds theoretically possible on L2, but a bit grueling.
If you search for "Prius Motel" you'll find what you should probably do if your considering a long L2-only trip. I made a really nice sleeping arrangement in my custom Plug-in 2008 Prius, and have camped in it many times. If you had the time, and were comfortable with only several hundred miles a day, you could definitely do it. :shock:

If I were to suddenly become homeless, I'd probably rig up a nice set of amenities in the Leaf and quickly learn were all the free outlets are! :lol:

-Phil
 
Darren said:
Have to plan a trip from Utah to Southern California in the coming weeks... <snip> Has anyone tried Los Angeles to Las Vegas?
I haven't tried it, but I've given it some thought. Heading down I-15 from Vegas, here's where I'd stop:
1. Primm, NV, on the CA/NV state line (40 miles)
2. Baker, CA, perhaps near the Mad Greek restaurant (50 miles)
3. Barstow/Calico KOA campground, Yermo, CA (55 miles)
4. Valley Hi Nissan, Victorville, CA (42 miles)
5. Many possible SoCal destinations

As the KOA near Barstow allows EVs to charge, we'd just need to figure out charging arrangements in Primm, NV and Baker, CA. Ultimately, Quick Chargers in each of those locations would be great. Eventually, it'd be fun to try driving a LEAF from SoCal to Zion National Park in Utah!
 
Sounds like we are getting there. Thank you so much.

I have located a confirmed charge by a Tesla at a KOA in Fillmore, UT.

I noticed there are Cracker Barrels in Springville and St. George. Does anyone know if they plan EVSE installs outside of TN (Level 2 or 3)?

I also remember rumors of Best Buy. Has anyone heard any more details of that?
 
Phil is that the famed APU on a trailer? I see you built a metal enclosure for it I am assuming as a fire barrier. Who really needs those? Certaintly is an interesting idea/concept, and something to bridge the gap till battery tech catches up with where the main stream wants it. I do think the idea of renting something of that nature would be risky. As most people do not understand the unique operating procedures, and dangers that turbines present. Working in aviation I know all to well when one of the turbine wheels gives up the ghost and goes shooting out the exhaust at high velocity, or you get an ejected blade.
 
Roadburner440 said:
Phil is that the famed APU on a trailer? I see you built a metal enclosure for it I am assuming as a fire barrier. Who really needs those? Certaintly is an interesting idea/concept, and something to bridge the gap till battery tech catches up with where the main stream wants it. I do think the idea of renting something of that nature would be risky. As most people do not understand the unique operating procedures, and dangers that turbines present. Working in aviation I know all to well when one of the turbine wheels gives up the ghost and goes shooting out the exhaust at high velocity, or you get an ejected blade.
The enclosure is made of 1/8" Aluminum and is light weight. There is no need for a fire barrier in principle, but there is a need to protect the components, especially the electrical ones, from the elements.

This is nothing like the turbines you are familiar with. The compressor and power fans are about the size of an automotive turbocharger, and there is only 1 moving part, which is supported by air bearings. There are no lubricants, etc. If somehow the turbine were to fail as you mention, the combustor, recuperator, and outer housing would definitely prevent anything from leaving the housing. You cannot see the exhaust, nor is there a direct path externally, as there is a heat exchanger in the path. (recuperator) There is no special operational concerns, as the unit is controlled by a FADEC system with many failsafes, and the system as a whole is designed to run 40,000 hours without any maintenance other than air filter changes.

These turbine systems are built to be installed in office buildings for cogeneration. They are relatively quiet and proven safe with millions of operational hours. (Feel free to Look them up)

pic


-Phil
 
Nice job on the trailer Phil. From your explanation, it wasn't entirley clear if it charges while you drive. Does charge while driving? I like it and look forward to seeing it working live.
 
It has several modes:

1. Range extension: This keeps the Leaf's SOC at about 90% (or any target SOC desired) while you drive on the highway. It basically directly provides the average power needed to the traction motor. If you floor it and pass and use greater than 30kW, it will use any additional power from the pack, and then when you return to cruising it will replace what was used to return the SOC to the set value.

2. Quick charge to any target SOC up to 90%. This can happen while driving or parked, though charging will be slower if driving faster.

3. Stand-Alone CHAdeMO quick-charging. The trailer is disconnected from the Leaf, and the CHAdeMO cable is connected and used to recharge any CHAdeMO compatible EV at up to 30kW. This makes it a mobile QC station. This could be driven to a stranded EV to allow it to gain an emergency charge. I can also be taken to events where large numbers of EV's will be present in order to allow people travelling longer distances to attend. The unit can also be hooked into a Natural Gas line in this mode, so that it can offer a lot of charging without the need to refuel.

If time/space permits, I will try to bring it to the BayLEAFs / EAA meeting in San Francisco next Sunday.

-Phil
 
Darren said:
I noticed there are Cracker Barrels in Springville and St. George. Does anyone know if they plan EVSE installs outside of TN (Level 2 or 3)?

We asked about NC and they don't seem particularly interested.
 
Certaintly interesting. For a small turbine like that I guess you could call it a FADEC. More commonly it is just an ESU (Electronic Sequencing Unit). A small box with little bit balls on it that just controls the start sequence. Certaintly cool that it has no lubrication. You would be right in that I would not be familiar with that at all. I am used to pre-flighting, checking oil, etc... To not check the oil would be weird to me. We have had a couple turbine failures in my almost decade in aviation that I have seen. We had one where stuff ejected through the case, and another where the wheel and other bits shot out the exhaust. So just coming from an environment like that makes me leery of it. Never would of thought of having them in office buildings. Before your reply I just pictured you blasting down the road with ear plugs in, and the APU roaring along. :lol: On the plus side you would not need VSP at least.
 
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