2011 Nissan Leaf modifications (efficiency and utility) - Page 11 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

gumby79 · 07-16-2018, 04:53 PM

resistance heater upgrade

This may help come winter.
I'm glad to see you going after the electric with the same Outlook and enthusiasm as you did your non-EV's

redpoint5 · 07-16-2018, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gumby79

resistance heater upgrade

This may help come winter.

Cool. I was always disappointed that not only does the '11-
12 Leaf use resistance heating, but they run it through a liquid to air heat exchanger. That means when you arrive at the destination, the heat leftover in the coolant loop is wasted, and that it takes a while for it to come up to temp and begin heating the cabin.

Would have been better to have an air to air heat exchanger like a normal portable electric heater. Instant heat, and no waste.

JSH · 07-16-2018, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I don't think it costs any extra for an EVSE to be capable of 240v in addition to 120v because the amperage rating is the same, and it's essentially just a smart extension cord.

I don’t know about the internals but they would at least need to offer different plug adapters for 120 vs 240. And then which 240V “dryer plug” to use?

redpoint5 · 07-16-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSH

I don’t know about the internals but they would at least need to offer different plug adapters for 120 vs 240. And then which 240V “dryer plug” to use?

Exactly. The Bolt EVSE is designed to be 120v and 240v compatible; you just need a NEMA 5-15 (standard 120v plug) to NEMA x-xx (whatever 240v receptacle) adapter.

oil pan 4 · 07-17-2018, 03:30 PM

I know the 2011 leaf heater is lacking.
Most winters I have here are mild winters.
If it gets really cold I'm driving a gasoline powered vehicle and leaving the leaf in the garage.

For dryer plugs there's 3 and 4 prong.

I'm just going to use nema 6-20 because that's all you need for a 16 amp charger.
I tried using dryer plug because I was already setup to use nema 10-30, but my 10-30 plug extension cords for my welders, plasma cutter and air compressors are made with 10/3 SO cord are fat and heavy and dragging them around got old quick.

oil pan 4 · 07-28-2018, 03:38 AM

Long over due, I switched out the 10 gauge nema 10-30 dryer cord I had on my Panasonic made gen 1 leaf brick charger for a 7 foot length of 12/3 SJ cord and a nema 6-15 plug.
The dryer cord is just over kill on a 12 amp charger.

oil pan 4 · 08-24-2018, 04:13 AM

It's time to put on my Yokohama avid ascend tires. The 2 rear tires are getting pretty slick looking.

oil pan 4 · 09-05-2018, 03:46 PM

I put the new tires on the back and reset the energy economy meter which has very consistently been at 4.5 aside when I do a lot of trailering.

oil pan 4 · 09-06-2018, 06:49 AM

After 2 days of driving on the new tires the miles per kwh are down sharply. From 4.5 down to 3.7 miles per kwh.
That's like putting the cruise control on at 75mph and just letting the motor just eat up power like there is no tomorrow.
It's only 2 days but it's not looking great.

ldjessee00 · 09-06-2018, 02:41 PM

The Yokohama tires are that bad? Sheesh.

Our Leaf is just 1 year old for us, so not ready for new tires yet, but have been hit by different tires effecting efficiency on other cars in the past.

Because we do most of our charging at work ($3/month EV parking permit includes all the electrons we can use), I have held off setting up a 220 socket in the garage and buying a charger that would take advantage of it.