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G. David Felt

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Everything posted by G. David Felt

  1. G. David Felt
    Having gone to college in Kobe Japan spending almost 3 years there, the face is off the Toyota Crown cars that have been their standard like forever as taxis due to you being able to order them with rear doors that can be opened and closed by the drive from inside. This looks like a Crown that they just raised the roof on it giving it a bit of the UK taxi look. Should be comfy and roomy inside plus far easier for the elderly with walkers and canes to get into and out of.
  2. G. David Felt
    Yawn, Nothing special here move along.
  3. G. David Felt
    Interesting find, many people are NOT happy with the Level 1 charging cords coming with their EV's, I found on the DIY (Do it Yourself) sites, one example is the instructables web site for DIY peeps. http://www.instructables.com/id/313CONVERTING-A-2013-LEAF-LEVEL-1-12AMP-CHARGER-TO/ Found it very interesting how many people are clearly converting their cords to handle both 110 or 220 charging so they reduce their charge times. Also found a site that allows you to pick your EV auto you bought and then get commercial 3rd party made cords so you can have a portable Level 1/2 charging cord. http://evseupgrade.com/ So just to clarify for those wondering what this Level 1, Level 2 Level 3 charging is, you have 110V the slowest trickle charge out there at 14 to 16 hours, 220V faster charge usually you see an 8hr charge time and the fastest 440 3 phase charging or level 3 which gives you 80% charge in 30 min. So what is the difference of a DIY cord versus buying one that was made? Your time and on average a difference of about $500 dollars. But if looks do not bother you, build it yourself. If you do not mind paying and getting a nice looking commercial level 1/2 portable cord, then buy. Your choice. Less I forget that this is about Tesla, what is the Supercharger that Tesla does compared to these? Superchargers coupled with SolarCity (of which Musk isChairmen) will produce “more energy than the cars will draw” from the unit, so you can be confident of truly green power in your Model S units currently charge at 100 kW according to Musk (although Tesla’s official Superchargerpage lists therate at 90kW), and 120 “into the future” Supercharging is available for both the 85 kWh and 60 kWh versions of the Model S (not the entry level 40 kW) Network consists of 6 stations now, that almost give total coverage of California (provided you are driving a 85 kWh/265 mile Model S)
  4. G. David Felt
    Fast Facts Some of the terminology and acronyms you will find when researching electric vehicles may seem confusing. Here are some definitions that will help you better understand the literature you will find. EV - Electric Vehicle - A vehicle that is propelled by a motor powered by electrical energy from rechargeable batteries or another source onboard the vehicle HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicle - An EV that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system. The charge on the batteries is maintained through the normal operation of the engine PHEV - Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle - An HEV that incorporates a separate battery system where the charge is maintained by plugging into an external power source BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle - An EV that does not have a combustion engine at all, rather it relies solely on a battery system and must be plugged into a charging source to replenish the charge EVSE - Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment - The "charging" equipment used to maintain a charge on EV battery systems Level 1 EVSE - 120 Volt Charging Equipment - Can fully charge an all-electric vehicle in about 18 hours. A plug-in hybrid may charge to capacity in as little as six hours depending on the capacity of the battery pack Level 2 EVSE - 240 Volt Charging Equipment - Similar to what is used for a clothes dryer, and is well suited for more quickly charging BEVs. Charging time is approximately three to eight hours, depending on vehicle type Level 3 EVSE - High Voltage DC Charging Equipment - Requires three-phase electric service and is the most expensive system. The primary benefit is the capability to charge the vehicle to approximately 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes Charge Coupler - The connecter and mating vehicle receptacle that connects the electric charging source to the electric vehicle EPRI - Electric Power Research Institute - An independent, non-profit company performing research, development and demonstration in the electricity sector for the benefit of the public SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers - A non-profit educational and scientific organization dedicated to advancing mobility technology to better serve humanity J1772 - The North American (And Japanese adopted) SAE standard for the design of the Charge Coupler (a pin and sleeve device) CCID - Charge Circuit Interrupting Device - A safety device that will disable utility power to your electric vehicle charger in the event that a loss of isolation is detected
  5. G. David Felt
    Fast Facts Some of the terminology and acronyms you will find when researching electric vehicles may seem confusing. Here are some definitions that will help you better understand the literature you will find. EV - Electric Vehicle - A vehicle that is propelled by a motor powered by electrical energy from rechargeable batteries or another source onboard the vehicle HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicle - An EV that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system. The charge on the batteries is maintained through the normal operation of the engine PHEV - Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle - An HEV that incorporates a separate battery system where the charge is maintained by plugging into an external power source BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle - An EV that does not have a combustion engine at all, rather it relies solely on a battery system and must be plugged into a charging source to replenish the charge EVSE - Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment - The "charging" equipment used to maintain a charge on EV battery systems Level 1 EVSE - 120 Volt Charging Equipment - Can fully charge an all-electric vehicle in about 18 hours. A plug-in hybrid may charge to capacity in as little as six hours depending on the capacity of the battery pack Level 2 EVSE - 240 Volt Charging Equipment - Similar to what is used for a clothes dryer, and is well suited for more quickly charging BEVs. Charging time is approximately three to eight hours, depending on vehicle type Level 3 EVSE - High Voltage DC Charging Equipment - Requires three-phase electric service and is the most expensive system. The primary benefit is the capability to charge the vehicle to approximately 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes Charge Coupler - The connecter and mating vehicle receptacle that connects the electric charging source to the electric vehicle EPRI - Electric Power Research Institute - An independent, non-profit company performing research, development and demonstration in the electricity sector for the benefit of the public SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers - A non-profit educational and scientific organization dedicated to advancing mobility technology to better serve humanity J1772 - The North American (And Japanese adopted) SAE standard for the design of the Charge Coupler (a pin and sleeve device) CCID - Charge Circuit Interrupting Device - A safety device that will disable utility power to your electric vehicle charger in the event that a loss of isolation is detected
  6. G. David Felt
    So you saying VW is withdrawing from the US?
  7. G. David Felt
    I agree EVs are here to stay, who will be the main supplier is another thing and yes the US is a bit behind Europe in the roads that do charge the car as it drives. But the problem with that idea is you limit where you can go if you are low on power or use minimal battery just so the auto can get to the highway. I want a 600 mile range battery pack in a wrangler so I can go off road and not worry about it.
  8. G. David Felt
    Car is a fail for everyone, this is just for the stupid 1/10th of 1% crowd. Next!
  9. G. David Felt
    Your days for V12, V10 Even V8 are limited. Emissions, hybrid and pure electric will replace it in the next 10-15 years I believe. You monster engines will be a V8 top with supercharger or turbo. Eventually even MB and BMW will drop those 10 & 12 cylinder engines.
  10. G. David Felt
    I will say that the OEM tires that came on my Trailblazer were just OK, but for my AWD SS beast, the Bridgestone Duelers are awesome. Rain, Snow, hot sun, they just grip and wear very well.
  11. G. David Felt
    Bigger issue is why GM has their start that I bet has Tesla trembling in the Bolt, China is also pushing hard to bring out EV's from entry level to Tesla level. They are going to have to turn a profit and quickly grow or sell out and merge with someone to survive.
  12. G. David Felt
    Triple Tread design might be the Rage, but the Jury is still out on whether you truly get better traction, comfort and tire life. Some auto's seem to eat these types of tires up.
  13. G. David Felt
    It can be done though. The last gen Camaro was a heavy beast compared to the Stang but offered similar and sometimes better performance in some trims. We will see what Ford does over the next few years. Maybe they will take a page from the 222Zombie Mustang and do an EV with 1000lbs of Torque and 500HP with a 168mph top speed. Then we will have a fast exciting pony!
  14. G. David Felt
    So not a fan of any of these minicars but if I had to I would look to some of the other alternatives like the Elio or VW concept.
  15. G. David Felt
    Exactly, and would you pay a premium for them? Me? Depends what that premium is and if they are actually a good tire. I would have to imagine manufacturers would be lined up for these if they are any good. LRR plus whatever this tech is called.. CAFE is hanging over everybody's head. Yet these fins on the the side wall , so with most people hitting curbs so it scrapes the tire wall down roughing up the tire, I see this benefit being gone fast and all you have is an over priced tire that does nothing really. Lets get them into real world testing and see if they hold up. Right now the low resistant rolling tires suck in wet weather. Great if you live south where mostly dry, but up north they are terrible tires.
  16. G. David Felt
    ftfy OK, you move to England where the student use text shorthand so the rest of us old goats do not understand you? I had to bing ftfy, why not just say fix it for you. Everyone can understand from the start rather than WTF, one of the few I know.
  17. G. David Felt
    Like This?
  18. G. David Felt
    weird that the link did not work for you as I clicked on it and it took me to the Costco page for Grape Solar systems. Cool to know you are spotting places that companies can address to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
  19. G. David Felt
    Look for signs like these next time your out and about.
  20. G. David Felt
    West cost range is not as big of an issue due to the Electric Highway. I wrote about it here: http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/84688-electric-highway-west-coast-style/ There is also what is considered 1 of the top 10 drives in the country a 440 mile highway that is electrified and connects to the West Coast Electric Highway, so you can drive, enjoy the beauty and not worry about getting stuck due to all the quick chargers. http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/85161-440-mile-washington-cascade-scenic-loop-highway-is-ev-ready/ Examples of what you find all over the west coast for EV charging.
  21. G. David Felt
    This is a step in the right direction, 300 models, I bet a number of them was just to keep production lines going and not necessarily contributing profits.
  22. G. David Felt
    That depends. Any reason it couldn't ride on the same frame as a crew cab pickup? might need stiffer springs but nothing drastic in the suspension. Front clip, doors, dash, seats, ... everything forward of the backside of the second row could all carry over. Full Size SUV that would have a Diesel, something us GM fans have wanted like FOREVER! They could get my business if they did it right with a Diesel. That would truly take business from GM and Ford.
  23. G. David Felt
    Drew, the solar solutions you do are they other than size that much different than a solution you would do on a home? Also what are your thoughts on the solar solutions that are currently being sold such as by Costco? http://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?catalogId=10701&langId=-1&keyword=solar&storeId=10301&refine=13223%2b
  24. G. David Felt
    I will have to disagree with you. While I think the smart move is and will be for businesses to move to CNG and it could be a hit with people at home who could refill their auto with time filled over night fueling of CNG, Electric is totally quiet which most people want. You can get a quick charger at home and this then comes down to range. Like anything a change in auto's has to cover a very important point, you have to have range, people do not want to worry about if they will get stuck out on the road. This explains the real lack of EV's taking off as 40 to 60 miles of range in a Leaf, Spark EV, 500EV, etc is just not enough when people do not want to have to think of plugging in every night. The story I did on EV conversions shows that it is expensive. Yet I can get a 200 mile range battery pack covering one section of the undercarriage. I could also get 400 mile range and even higher if I put a battery pack where the gas tank goes behind the rear tires. Sadly the thing holding up a 600 mile range battery solution is cost. About $90,000 on batteries alone. Once the cost comes down, all will be good and I can see EV's taking off as you have no emissions so people will love that.
  25. G. David Felt
    Oh, and SuperChargers were never intended to replace regular charging at home. They are a courtesy add-on. What was tacky was people parking there all day or using it for all of their fill-ups. Very true Drew, I have found many rich Tesla owners think they are entitled to everything free as they are better than the rest. It was and always will be tacky for someone to abuse a system meant for everyone.
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