ElMoto.net - the electric motorcycle forum 2.0

Home charging of electric vehicles

Richard230 — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:22:15 GMT

A long article in the business �technology� section of the Monday issue of the San Jose Mercury News by Dana Hull, titled �All charged up and ready to go?�, was quite interesting. The article is about the infrastructure needed to keep electric vehicles moving.

A sidebar titled �Are you EV ready� states: �If you plan to buy an electric car, here are a few questions to consider: What kind of home charging system does the automaker advise you to get? Do you have a garage? How many miles do you expect to drive each day? Have you called your utility company and told them of your plans to get an electric vehicle?�

The article says that Nissan recommends a Level 2, 240 V, 40 amp, charging system for their vehicles. The charging dock will need to be hard-wired directly to the breaker box by a certified electrician and will require an electrical permit from the local building department. This permit may take between 30 and 45 days to issue. (Last year I obtained a permit from my city to install a 3� pipe through my 6� high street curb and it took 3 months to issue the permit and the fee was $400 for $100 worth of work.) Nissan has chosen Aero-Vironment, a SoCal company best known for its work on battery-powered planes, to install �home charging docks� specifically for their Leaf. The estimated cost for this installation is $2,200.

GM has yet to announce a company authorized to install its charging dock.

The article goes on to say that anyone who doesn�t have a garage to park their vehicle in while it is charging has a problem.

Pacific Gas and Electric expects to see 219,000 to 845,000 electric vehicles on the road within Northern California by the end of 2020. The utility company says that the SF Bay Area will be �ground zero� for electric vehicles. However, they are worried that too many EVs charging within the same neighborhood will fry their local transformers and they want to be notified of each customer who has an EV so that they can inspect their facilites and upgrade them if necessary. �Home charging is a shared responsibility� said Saul Zambrano of PG&E. �Our responsibility is to make sure the grid is safe.� (Apparently he didn�t say exactly what the customer is supposed to do to share this responsibility � no doubt that will come later.)

The article finishes up with a discussion of PG&E�s E-9 rate, which it says is mandatory for residential customers who plan to refuel an EV at their home. The charge is as little as 5 cents a kWh for charging after midnight. Customers need to contact PG&E to arrange to be on the E-9 rate schedule. That rate could change however, as the California PUC is examining EV rates and is expected to make a decision about them by the end of December.

Distance or Endurance Records on EV Bikes

EZwryder — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:26:59 GMT

As some of you probably know, there is an active endurance riding community in gas-powered bikes dubbed the "Ironbutt". Ride a certain distance in a certain amount of time, (minimum 1000 miles in 24 hours), get a certificate suitable for framing and a cool license plate frame. I've done it a couple of times and it's fun to earn the cert.

My question is -- is there any similar recognition in EV cycles? It seems like if racing is good for advancing the breed, keeping tabs on endurance/distance records would be useful as well. Anything like that exist?

d.

Throttle adjustments

Red — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:13:20 GMT

Now that I have logged a few hundred miles on my 72 volt, Etek RT motor with an Altrax 7245 controller, I have a tuning question for some of our seasoned professionals.

When I hit city speeds (around 30 - 40 mph) I find it is difficult to hold a steady throttle (Magura) and am constantly trying to maintain a steady speed. I'm twitching on and off the throttle constantly.

Also when I hit higher speeds (over 40 mph) the bike has a slight shudder (which may have nothing to do with the electrics), along the difficulty holding a steady speed. It just feels like it has something to do with power train.

Any ideas whether I can adjust this out on the Alltrax settings?

Input from others with similar setups is greatly appreciated.

The Zap Xebra

EVcycle — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:00:41 GMT

Here is the new toy.

The Specs:
72 volt Gel cells (soon to be 84 Volts)
3 wheel, motorcycle. It is VINed /licensed and insured as a motorcycle.
It even has a center on all the time motorcycle light.
72VDC Delta-Q charger
80V Curtis Controller
30 Mile range, 45 MPH (local commuting only ....go figure)
and people will stare at you!!!!

And it even has a fake tail pipes??? Whats that all about? :)

and yes, we got a DEAL on it..... I would say to drive it like we stole it, but that would be silly!

EV Ed

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Zero demo bikes for sale!

justzeros — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:50:28 GMT

As the summer season starts to wind down now, I need move my demo bikes out to make room for new bikes next spring. I have a 2009 X and a 2010 DS that need a good home. Both machines have been very well cared for and used appropriately. I am a long time motorcycle industry professional and took exceptional care of both of these bikes. They are VERY low mile machines as I wanted to keep them looking and performing as new for demonstration purposes. Both bikes have all updates installed.

The 2009 X is still on its original tires and have been worn by about half and I have replaced the front brake pads once. This bike has the early flat body style. Some off road miles, but mostly parking lot demonstration time. $4500 firm.

The 2010 DS is dressed in the blue graphics. Less than 50 miles as of today. Again I do not ride it much to keep it prestine for demos. $7500.

This is a great opportunity to get the Zero you want at a significant discount.

***Note: Purchaser responsible for all freight and pick up arrangements!***

Please email any questions to brandon@justzeros.com

Thanks!
Brandon Glanville
www.justzeros.com

Im Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack

EVcycle — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:40:02 GMT

Ok, I left for a while.....changed the name and if everyone is cool with it, I would like to make a few ( hundred) posts?

Crazy Ed

Article: Is Gas-Powered Racing Innovation Dead?

elmotomaster — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:43:53 GMT

You can view the page at http://www.elmoto.net/content.php?14...nnovation-Dead

Is Gas-Powered Racing Innovation Dead?

elmotomaster — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:43:32 GMT

Written by Susanna Schick
Published on September 6th, 2010 on gas2.0

The Symptoms:

* Event attendance at NASCAR, MotoGP and other series has plummeted during the recession.
* Formula One and MotoGP fans and racers alike complain that excessive use of electronics has ruined the sport by making it less competitive.
* The new Moto2 spec engine class is by far the most competitive and exciting, yet comparatively low-tech.
* Electric motorcycle racing series TTXGP has spawned more innovation halfway through its first season than quite possibly the entire ICE motorcycle industry has over the past decade.

Read more HERE

Article: Racing Improves the Breed - The TTXGP Story...

elmotomaster — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:40:16 GMT

You can view the page at http://www.elmoto.net/content.php?14...TTXGP-Story...

Racing Improves the Breed - The TTXGP Story...

elmotomaster — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:39:51 GMT

Published on Sept 3 on egrandprix

Catch a unique evening with TTXGP, Team Werkstatt at the Santa Clara Intel facility.
See the Mavizen TTX02 Championship bike up close and meet the rider, Jennifer Bromme and hear her elecric adventures in the championship.
Some snacks and drink will be provided during the networking sessions

DATE:
14th September 6:30 pm - 9:30pm

VENUE:
INTEL SC9 - Santa Clara 9, 3601 Juliette Lane, Santa Clara, CA 95054

This is a limited capacity event; in order not to be disappointed please register by emailing rupal@egrandprix.com your name, business name, website, telephone contact and area of interest. Prior registration is MANDATORY.

Read more HERE

Zero S/DS storage options?

rewski — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:13:51 GMT

Anybody worked out a way to add some aftermarket storage options for the Zero? Like adding a Givi box or panniers? It seems like something could be mounted over the rear. Also, it seems as Zero does have plans to release some factory panniers soonish.

Paul and Sabrina's Open ReVolt (or Cougar?) Controller

Thalass — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:53:11 GMT

Has anyone built one of these for a motorcycle yet? It's designed for 144v 500a, but you can use lower power components for a smaller vehicle - so i was thinking of using it for my bike. It seems like a great controller, for a decent price and very customisable.

Anyone had any experience with it?

kill switch?

teddillard — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:20:17 GMT

Juiced had posted a bar-mounted kill switch a long time ago, that could handle 72V- red, rocker style, shown here:

Anybody know where it came from? I bought mine from him... can't find any reference to it.

Trying to complete my parts and pieces post:
http://evmc2.wordpress.com/2010/09/0...ons-decisions/

Zero X fork flex

magicsmoke — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:02:03 GMT

jeepers!
Can this be true?

Roehr eSuperSport now at Hollywood Electrics!

harlan — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 23:59:15 GMT

Hollywood Electrics now has the Roehr eSuperSport in stock and available for test rides. With 100mph top speed, this is the fastest production electric motorcycle available!

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