2011 Nissan Leaf modifications (efficiency and utility)

[oil pan 4]

First night it's getting into the mid 20s.
I don't have to work in the morning so I plugged it in with my Panasonic gen 1 brick charger (2011 and 2012 charger) converted to 240.
I charged it up to 9 of 12 bars. Since I don't have to work in the morning I am going to plug it in and charge it before I go anywhere. I'm expecting the battery heater to kick on.

Earlier when I left work it was right about freezing and I was getting intermittent to no brake regen.

If you live some where cold and want a leaf you should probably have a semi heated garage.

[Daox]

I take it your Leaf doesn't have the cold weather package?

[oil pan 4]

It has a 2014 battery so it should.

[oil pan 4]

Alright my leaf has always had the cold weather package. It has the 5kw heater option. Standard is 3kw.

Looks like nissan made the new 40kwh battery found in the new 2018 leafs to be exactly the same as the 2011-2017 aside from it holds about 2/3 more power more than double the power if replacing a worn battery.
Not just the same size, same electrical connectors and all too.
http://www.insideevs.com/lvideo-insi...0-battery/amp/
This may be why the price of a new leaf battery jumped by about $3000 this year.



If that is the case then this is the one mod to rule them all.

[oil pan 4]

Youtube:
PowerElectronicsBlog

And he is an ecomodder fan.
Anyone who has a leaf and thinking about modding something needs to be subscribed to this channel.

[redpoint5]

If Gen I can be upgraded with Gen II battery, that would be the power move. I'd get a dead Leaf, and a battery from a wrecked Gen II and do the swap. Probably software limitations though.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

If Gen I can be upgraded with Gen II battery, that would be the power move. I'd get a dead Leaf, and a battery from a wrecked Gen II and do the swap. Probably software limitations though.

I'm watching.
As far as I know it hasn't been done yet, but nissan made it way to convenient for it not to work.
This also points to an attempt at standardization.
What I'm thinking is get a 2013 non-sport leaf with CHAdeMO, (will have 6.6kw regular charging, heat pump heating) with a boat anchor battery for cheap and put a 2nd Gen battery in it.

[oil pan 4]

A new hope.
There is a Ukrainian guy who has already gotten a 30kwh pack to work in an older 24kwh leaf.
He seems to think that the best way to get a 40kwh pack for a first gen leaf is take an old 24kwh pack, gut it, rip out all the first gen modules and repack it with second gen modules.
All he is waiting for is a 2nd gen battery to be come available.
And for Russia to not invade them.

[ldjessee00]

I am hoping that some day, with as many Leaf's are out there, that someone will design a aftermarket pack that bolts up, but has active heating/cooling and maybe the same or more power.
But seeing the only vehicles that usually get that kind of support by 3rd parties has to have a higher volume or have a higher price tag (so a high price 3rd party item is acceptable by the owner).

[oil pan 4]

The 60kwh leaf pack is supposed to have active cooling, maybe heating too.