Re: New job is a little too far

Tim, that EV is just too cool. Especially too cool to give up driving to work now. What's your employer like? Can you negotiate charging at work? Offer to pay for an outlet and meter to reimburse the company? Park nearby someowhere that WILL let you charge up? For a "parking" fee perhaps? Take a page from Bob Rice's book and bang on some doors.

Perhaps there's a slighty longer, yet not as hilly route home? I drive to the train station one way, and home a different way because it's nearly all down hill even though it's a mile longer. GPS and Google Earth/Google Maps are a great way to analyze the terrain.

Last ditch effort, I recommend starting the Honda a few hours before you start home, not trying to drive with it running. I mean, yes I know you can charge and discharge at the same time, but it just seems safer to charge it while stationary.  There's got to be a way to mount and hide that little Honda in your truck, yet let it exhaust to the outside while you're still working in your office.  You could either fire it up after you arrive, and shut it down before you take your lunch or start the charge right after lunch and shut it down before you take to the highway. Unless you work in the ghetto, where people steal your gas or your catalytic converter like we have around here. Can you imaging the confusion when they open up my fuel door and see the plug? Lol...

As far as "will it work?" I don't see why not, just don't overload the Honda. Turn down the charger amps to match the load to the generator. I just used a 2000i today at my reserve unit. I can't believe how quiet and clean they are, especially in the "eco" mode. If you're really worried, contact Rudman. He built the thing. Running the Honda isn't the optimal solution but I still think it's better than giving up on the EV, especially if you have another use for the genny in your camper.

Good luck and let us know what happens. I really want to know!
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 17 May 2008 11:38:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: TiM M
Subject: [EVDL] New job is a little too far
To: ev@...:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I can make it to work but I come up short on the return trip :-( I confirmed this with my ice, to work I averaged 25mpg, on the return trip I was averaging 15.5mpg. It's all up hill and I need about 20% more power to make it home. I was thinking about picking up one of those Honda EU300i generators and firing it up when I leave. Has anybody tried this with a PFC20? I know it's not the best solution, but I think I'd be doing better than the ice, I'd be buying the CARB compliant version of the generator, and it would fit in nicely with my camper when I'm not usuing it in the truck. Is this a reasonable compromise or should I just wait for my Aptera?

TiM '61 Corvair Rampside
http://www.evalbum.com/656
________________________________

Rich A.
Maryland
http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/371.html
http://patriotfuel.blogspot.com/




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