its %$*&ing cold up here... (EV winterizing tips needed) - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

RobertSmalls · 12-14-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oval_Overload

Nobody else has any winter EV stories or tips to share?

When the NiMH batteries in my Honda are cold, the regenerative braking is weak. The Regen gauge only gets 2/3 full, but my butt-o-meter says it's less than half. Some days, I like to warm them up by using them for propulsion. But that's a good way to quickly deplete the batteries, and in the cold, it's hard to pay that back.

I ought to grid-charge my battery pack. I just need a 144V smart charger. Too bad no such thing exists, right?

Oval_Overload · 12-14-2009, 05:12 PM

Hey! Hey Bob! HEY BOB!

Exactly what type of charger do you need? I think you could series wire two Delta-Q Quic Chargers. They can be programed to charge pretty much anything.

I'll get you a quote on them if you like.

MetroMPG · 12-14-2009, 05:30 PM

I feel your pain. My worst ever electron economy for the year in the ForkenSwift yesterday: 438 wh/mile. (Yearly average is around 270ish). Snowy roads, short distance before recharging, and a cold, uninsulated/unheated battery pack will do that.

Have you looked through Ben's Electro Metro thread yet? He insulated & heated his pack, I believe:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...hread-848.html

Someone else posted results (actual temperature data) of adding 1 inch foam board insulation around his floodies as well. Don't recall which thread though (search is your friend!).

PS 553 Wh/m - OWCH!

Oval_Overload · 12-14-2009, 05:49 PM

Yeah, I need to get more consistent consumption data from the Whip. I think the return charge may have actually filled the pack more than the charge at the restaurant, because the batteries were 20ºF warmer and it had time to trickle. Therefore, my data is skewed. I'm parking it in the shop for now... It will be delivered to a customer in a matter of days. We made a sale! *uncorks champaign*

*edit*
EV geeks, check this out

RobertSmalls · 12-15-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oval_Overload

Hey! Hey Bob! HEY BOB!

Exactly what type of charger do you need? I think you could series wire two Delta-Q Quic Chargers. They can be programed to charge pretty much anything.

I'll get you a quote on them if you like.

Sure, I'd love to get a quote.

It's 120 NiMH cells in series, 144V nominal, 6500 mAh. I'd like to come home with a mostly-dead battery, plug it in, and have it mostly-charged within 8 hr. I need it to shut off automatically, because I'm likely to plug it in and forget it.

The pack has 10 RTD's throughout. It also has a 12V fan, which I can run at 7V if need be.

Goals: safe, cheap, effective, in that order.