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Cannonball Run in the Leaf

1…45679

Comments

  • #242
    df_h
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 85 ✭✭df_h


    flanders2006 wrote: »
    Nissan Leaf charging!


    Is it me or does it look like anyone can just steal that cable, these cars would work out great in the some parts of Dublin (ahem)


    btw had a powercut this morning, time to invest in UPS before my computer breaks :(


  • #243
    Hiace.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 208 ✭✭Hiace.


    df_h wrote: »
    Is it me or does it look like anyone can just steal that cable, these cars would work out great in the some parts of Dublin (ahem)

    They are defiantly going have to put some keypad lock plug covers on both the cars and the chargers.

    Also what happens if someone, or another car gets caught up in the loose cabling ? Do you end up with an insurance claim ? and potentially an exposed live cable lying about at public level ?


  • #244
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    @keithclancy

    You would sell electricity back to the grid because your car would be part of a smart grid the ESB are planning on investing in.

    http://www.smartgrid.epri.com/Demo.aspx

    SmartGrid-graphic.jpg

    http://www.smartgrid.epri.com/doc/1020598%20ESB%20Smart%20Grid%20Project%20Overview.pdf

    174271.jpg

    Smart metering has already been installed in some homes in Ireland.

    I linked to the story on the Nissan/Mitsubishi/Toyota home charger that allows you to run your home from your car to demonstrate that linking your EV to a smart grid is not wishful thinking.

    I think you missed the main thrust of my argument. That is smart grid and what I feel are inevitable improvements considering the money now flowing into EV battery research and manufacturing

    http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10303477-54.html

    Your link about the environmental costs of EV's was more about the environmental cost of hybrids.

    http://environment.about.com/od/environmentfriendlyautos/a/new_old_cars.htm
    And don’t forget that the new hybrids—despite lower emissions and better gas mileage—actually have a much larger environmental impact in their manufacture, compared to non-hybrids. The batteries that store energy for the drive train are no friend to the environment—and having two engines under one hood increases manufacturing emissions. And all-electric vehicles are only emission-free if the outlet providing the juice is connected to a renewable energy source, not a coal-burning power plant, as is more likely.

    The part I've highlighted, my reading of this is that they are talking about hybrids here. The bottom part about EV's I already know. Nobody is saying they are 100% clean. However they do get greener as the power supply gets greener. How dirty are they currently? MIT have done a well to wheel analysis.

    http://web.mit.edu/evt/summary_wtw.pdf

    By the way as a smart grid advocate, I'm all for diversification. I honestly don't know a whole lot about the pros and cons of LPG. For me it's still a fossil fuel, but perhaps it is one we could utilise within Europe? I'm also all for stepping stones onto greater things. I don't think anyone wants to be discussing the price of a litre of petrol/diesel in the next century.


  • #245
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    df_h wrote: »
    Is it me or does it look like anyone can just steal that cable, these cars would work out great in the some parts of Dublin (ahem)


    btw had a powercut this morning, time to invest in UPS before my computer breaks :(

    The cable automatically locks on the charger side. On the car side it can be locked using a physical lock. Of course with enough force you could rip it off, not without doing serious damage to both car and charger. Best of luck to those who want to play with electricity :)

    I'm moving my insurance policy to Zurich soon as they have a special EV policy that covers theft of the cable.


  • #246
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    Hiace. wrote: »
    They are defiantly going have to put some keypad lock plug covers on both the cars and the chargers.

    Also what happens if someone, or another car gets caught up in the loose cabling ? Do you end up with an exposed live cable lying about ?

    The ESB send you an RFID card, the chargers won;t open unless you have one.

    The charger and the car negotiate with each other, neither are dumb. The charger won't send power to the car unless the car is requesting it, so ifthe cable is broken there should be no power flowing as the car and charger can no longer talk to each other.


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  • #247
    df_h
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 85 ✭✭df_h


    Eric Cartman wrote: »
    ever since the builders all got rid of them in the 'recession' theyre back to being a luxury


    and in that time youd have to make 10-15 quick charges , id easily do that distance in 12 days , carrying 1-200kg of tools and with the aircon on pretty much solid and it costs me about 310 euro in diesel , so your saving 290 euro , but also losing the aircon and carrying capacity , also depending on what im doing , that 290 euro is between 2 and 6 hours work for me , even at 5 hours work thats 10 quick charges , which is the minimum youd make on your journey so even in my 4x4 it currently balances in my favour , i would have to make maybee 2 fuel stops in that at about 10 minutes each.

    im not trying to put down your electric car, if it works for you, it works, but at this moment in time it still suits me to drive a 4x4 more than it does a leaf



    a lovely beast

    4.4 X5 here and love it
    Thank god for the recession :P luxury driving is finally within reach

    Btw for the price of Leaf I would pay for my 4x4, pay top tax for few years, insurance, AND all the petrol and still have enough left over to put into savings
    Why waste a fortune on an "electric version of a Micra" when you can drive a beast of car (courtesy of FF dragging the country down the dumps) and have fun while at it.


  • #248
    krissovo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,645 ✭✭✭krissovo


    df_h wrote: »
    4.4 X5 here and love it
    Thank god for the recession :P luxury driving is finally within reach

    Btw for the price of Leaf I would pay for my 4x4, pay top tax for few years, insurance, AND all the petrol and still have enough left over to put into savings
    Why waste a fortune on an "electric version of a Micra" when you can drive a beast of car (courtesy of FF dragging the country down the dumps) and have fun while at it.

    For some reason you remind me of this fella:
    1scai1.gif


  • #249
    Hiace.
    Closed Accounts Posts: 208 ✭✭Hiace.


    df_h wrote: »
    4.4 X5 here and love it
    Thank god for the recession :P luxury driving is finally within reach

    Btw for the price of Leaf I would pay for my 4x4, pay top tax for few years, insurance, AND all the petrol and still have enough left over to put into savings
    Why waste a fortune on an "electric version of a Micra" when you can drive a beast of car (courtesy of FF dragging the country down the dumps) and have fun while at it.

    Thank God, some sanity prevails.


  • #250
    df_h
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 85 ✭✭df_h


    krissovo wrote: »
    For some reason you remind me of this fella:
    1scai1.gif

    Lol don't know who he is...

    This whole
    "recession == bad"
    or
    "must save the planet for the Chinese (who will **** all over it anyways)"
    or
    "lets spend few K extra on a diesel to save few cents on petrol"

    mentality is a bad buzz,
    Hell there are some really nice cars now available courtesy of the "recessionTM" like nice M5s for ~22K :eek:


  • #251
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    df_h wrote: »
    4.4 X5 here and love it
    Thank god for the recession :P luxury driving is finally within reach

    Btw for the price of Leaf I would pay for my 4x4, pay top tax for few years, insurance, AND all the petrol and still have enough left over to put into savings
    Why waste a fortune on an "electric version of a Micra" when you can drive a beast of car (courtesy of FF dragging the country down the dumps) and have fun while at it.

    If everyone did as you suggested the price of those secondhand 4x4's would sky rocket as demand increased and limited stock got even more limited.

    I had a loan of a Micra for a day while my Leaf was getting an upgrade. The Leaf is far beyond an electric version of the Micra.


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  • #252
    krissovo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,645 ✭✭✭krissovo


    I know there are some nice cars around, I have been looking myself. I quite fancy as the family second car a S Class merc, there is a great deal on out there for a AMG but that is too much.


  • #253
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    krissovo wrote: »
    I know there are some nice cars around, I have been looking myself. I quite fancy as the family second car a S Class merc, there is a great deal on out there for a AMG but that is too much.

    How much does a good set of rear tyres cost for an AMG or X5 4.4? Other consumables like brake pads probably cost a lot more as well.


  • #254
    wiseguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 370 ✭✭wiseguy


    Sesshoumaru wrote: »
    How much does a good set of rear tyres cost for an AMG or X5 4.4? Other consumables like brake pads probably cost a lot more as well.

    How much is your life (and your loved ones) worth to you if you are involved in a car crash in the Leaf as compared to something like an X5?


  • #255
    stimpson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,864 ✭✭✭stimpson


    Actually, I think it's more likely to be this:

    http://www.yellowwheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/timandrew_YSH-7607-600x400.jpg


  • #256
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    wiseguy wrote: »
    How much is your life (and your loved ones) worth to you if you are involved in a car crash in the Leaf as compared to something like an X5?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nsb7SkrpyE&feature=player_embedded

    http://www.euroncap.com/results/nissan/leaf/2011/432.aspx


  • #257
    wiseguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 370 ✭✭wiseguy


    Crash a Leaf into an X5 and observe the destruction :o in the smaller car


  • #258
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    wiseguy wrote: »
    Crash a Leaf into an X5 and observe the destruction :o in the smaller car

    People have an image in their mind that constantly equates EV's with small and puny. It's not like I hadn't heard the Leaf being called an electric Micra before :)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Leaf
    curb weight 1521kg

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X5_(E70)#Performance
    ~2150kg

    For sure 600kg is significant, but clearly the Leaf isn't small either.


  • #259
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,427 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    MYOB wrote: »
    Same technology. A battery exploding in a car is likely to kill you, a battery exploding in a laptop isn't.

    People who work in IT don't consider modern battery technology safe, and if people who work in EV do, they are endangering their customers lives. That is why EVs use older technology and there is extremely little safe advancement on the horizon.

    Wheras a 60 litre tank full of petrol strapped to the bottom of a car is perfectley safe.


  • #260
    wiseguy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 370 ✭✭wiseguy


    Sesshoumaru wrote: »
    People have an image in their mind that constantly equates EV's with small and puny. It's not like I hadn't heard the Leaf being called an electric Micra before :)

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Leaf
    curb weight 1521kg

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_X5_(E70)#Performance
    ~2150kg

    For sure 600kg is significant, but clearly the Leaf isn't small either.


    Good chunk of that weight in the Leaf is in the batteries...
    Deleted User wrote: »
    Wheras a 60 litre tank full of petrol strapped to the bottom of a car is perfectley safe.

    Have you not seen mythbusters?


  • #261
    Owen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    I knew I shouldn't have clicked into this thread ... but jesus, how many evangelistic threads to we have to suffer about the Zanussi Leaf?


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  • #262
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 1,427 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    wiseguy wrote: »
    Good chunk of that weight in the Leaf is in the batteries...



    Have you not seen mythbusters?


    If I recall correctly they showed that it was almost impossible to set fire to petrol while it is still in the tank (hardly surprising, there's no air in the tank to support a fire). However if you are in a crash and the tank ruptures, it can cause a fireball.

    Ever hear of the Ford Pinto?


  • #263
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    Deleted User wrote: »
    Wheras a 60 litre tank full of petrol strapped to the bottom of a car is perfectley safe.

    jackbauer put up a good post on this

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=74359633&postcount=218


  • #264
    Sesshoumaru
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭Sesshoumaru


    Owen wrote: »
    I knew I shouldn't have clicked into this thread ... but jesus, how many evangelistic threads to we have to suffer about the Zanussi Leaf?

    LOL Maybe a sub forum for EV's would be a good idea? :D


  • #265
    Owen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    Maybe you getting a blog would be a good idea :pac:


  • #266
    PaudyW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 120 ✭✭PaudyW


    no he didnt


  • #267
    Shane732
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,006 ✭✭✭Shane732


    Ok just to get this thread slightly back on track in relation to the Cannonball and the Leaf....

    I have heard from a very reliable source who did the Cannonball run that the Leaf started the journey on Friday but tended to go missing and just appear at the destination.

    Apparently the ESB people who were driving it actually got lifts with other people and rarely drove the car at all.

    Apparently it was a running joke at the dinner on the Saturday night about the Leaf going missing. I'm not even sure if it did the run on Saturday or just went straight to the finish for Sunday.

    Maybe if any of the members here were on the cannonball they can confirm same.


  • #268
    jackbauer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 685 ✭✭✭jackbauer


    Shane732 , if that were true i'd be very concerned. I can't see it staying hidden for long these days where everyone has a hd camera and internet access! That said I can't see ESB doing something silly and risk being caught out. To the best of my knowledge the car should not have had a problem doing the route as outlined.

    PaudyW , were you referring to my post? If so have I missed something regarding Lithium safety? I'm asking that honestly. No sarcasm.


  • #269
    SV
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,534 ✭✭✭SV


    Shane732 wrote: »
    Ok just to get this thread slightly back on track in relation to the Cannonball and the Leaf....

    I have heard from a very reliable source who did the Cannonball run that the Leaf started the journey on Friday but tended to go missing and just appear at the destination.

    Apparently the ESB people who were driving it actually got lifts with other people and rarely drove the car at all.

    Apparently it was a running joke at the dinner on the Saturday night about the Leaf going missing. I'm not even sure if it did the run on Saturday or just went straight to the finish for Sunday.

    Maybe if any of the members here were on the cannonball they can confirm same.

    Oh god I hope that's true :)


  • #270
    keithclancy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,208 ✭✭✭keithclancy


    Sesshoumaru wrote: »
    @keithclancy

    You would sell electricity back to the grid because your car would be part of a smart grid the ESB are planning on investing in.

    http://www.smartgrid.epri.com/Demo.aspx

    Smart metering has already been installed in some homes in Ireland.

    I linked to the story on the Nissan/Mitsubishi/Toyota home charger that allows you to run your home from your car to demonstrate that linking your EV to a smart grid is not wishful thinking.

    I think you missed the main thrust of my argument. That is smart grid and what I feel are inevitable improvements considering the money now flowing into EV battery research and manufacturing

    http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10303477-54.html

    Your link about the environmental costs of EV's was more about the environmental cost of hybrids.

    http://environment.about.com/od/environmentfriendlyautos/a/new_old_cars.htm

    The part I've highlighted, my reading of this is that they are talking about hybrids here. The bottom part about EV's I already know. Nobody is saying they are 100% clean. However they do get greener as the power supply gets greener. How dirty are they currently? MIT have done a well to wheel analysis.

    http://web.mit.edu/evt/summary_wtw.pdf

    By the way as a smart grid advocate, I'm all for diversification. I honestly don't know a whole lot about the pros and cons of LPG. For me it's still a fossil fuel, but perhaps it is one we could utilise within Europe? I'm also all for stepping stones onto greater things. I don't think anyone wants to be discussing the price of a litre of petrol/diesel in the next century.

    Why would I want to sell Energy back to the Grid using extra charge and discharge cycles ? I'm not generating anything and its costing me money in lost charging cycles, the Energy company will only pay you for kWh you put back into the Grid.

    The Article I linked to shows its useful in a case whereby the Power Supply is unreliable and this is what made the manufacturers jump on the bandwagon (Earthquake in Japan)

    CNG and LPG.

    CNG - Compressed Natural Gas
    LPG - Liquid Petroleum Gas

    CNG is very clean and you use it in your own home already, your not dependent on the Oil Producing countries for your supply either (Well maybe Russia here on the Continent but thats a different issue)

    You can install a compressor and fill your CNG Powered car at your own house.

    LPG is very popular on the Continent and has been for 20 years, it was around Ireland for a while back in the eighties but didn't take off.

    CNG and LPG you can apply to existing cars very easily.

    http://cleanairinitiative.org/portal/node/3684

    Environmentally CNG is cleaner than Electric simply because you can apply it to cars already on the road rather than having to manufacture completely new ones.

    Any they have pretty much the same range as Petrol cars.

    And since Ireland uses it to run its Power Plants already, why not just use it directly in your Car ?

    I would be less skeptical if Ireland learned to walk before it could run.

    Still though, you haven't commented on the actual cost per km ?
    Or Reliability ?

    Renewable Energy isn't even cheap, as I said you pay for it twice in the form of subsidies.

    http://theenergycollective.com/willem-post/61774/wind-energy-expensive

    This was slightly more impressive than the Leaf doing a "I can't believe its not a Cannonball run" ;) and this was 3 years ago.

    http://www.ngvaeurope.eu/800-cng-filling-stations-in-80-days-motoring-globetrotter-rainer-zietlow-goes-for-cng-filling-stations-tour-through-germany


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  • #271
    Shane732
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,006 ✭✭✭Shane732


    jackbauer wrote: »
    Shane732 , if that were true i'd be very concerned. I can't see it staying hidden for long these days where everyone has a hd camera and internet access! That said I can't see ESB doing something silly and risk being caught out. To the best of my knowledge the car should not have had a problem doing the route as outlined.

    PaudyW , were you referring to my post? If so have I missed something regarding Lithium safety? I'm asking that honestly. No sarcasm.

    Well I have no reason to doubt what was being said to me.

    I merely asked the person how the Nissan Leaf got on and was told that it was a joking joke on Saturday night that the Leaf had gone missing. I was also told that the ESB drivers were getting lifts with other people for most of it.

    I'm also told that Shane Lynch damaged the rear axle of the vehicle he was driving and ended up going around with the Jap speed guys.

    It could be the case that the Leaf was just so far behind that it wasn't noticed arriving each night. The cars were being driven fairly hard from what I'm been told so there's no way the Leaf would have been keeping up with them. Apparently they were cruising at 120mph once outside the towns and driving much harder at times. The Leaf would have been left for dead not to mention having to charge - I would imagine the longevity of the battery charge drops once you're doing its top speed (160km/h apparently!!)


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