September 25, 2008 by Rob.

With the nice weather, I’ve been driving electric nearly everyday and racking up the miles.  Today the RAVolt’s Odo spun to 150500.  The amount of gas I have not bought is adding up - hahahaha!

Even with the stock market meltdown, Laura’s impatient to get our Honda Fit….tick, tick, tick.

BTW: We’re planning to be at the 2008 Austin Maker Faire October 18-19.  The RAVolt will be in the AustinEV area while my boys have a table hacking Wii Motes - bring your mote and they’ll make the “A” button glow.  Alex is buying all the supplies out of his own $$$ with the dream of making a profit at the Faire (DIY kits for @ $10-12).  Can’t argue with that!

Posted in Daily Use, AustinEV | No Comments »

September 23, 2008 by Rob.

It must be Detroit in another galaxy because I’m having trouble believing the news that Chrysler is promising multiple EVs by 2010.  They’ve got a retro-modern EV blister thing, a totally hot Tesla-stomping electric Viper, a EV Mini-van, and an electric Jeep SUV.  Apparently some are pure EV and others are plug-ins.  Hmmm….this is getting interesting.

Posted in Major Car Makers, EV News | 2 Comments »

September 20, 2008 by Rob.

GM’s making serious headway and commitments around the green flagship, the Chevy Volt.  This is a serious contender that could vault GM into a leadership position.  Unfortunately the news was completely eclipsed by the Wall Street meltdown (see my post: Now I’m really scared…Financial meltdown foreshadows sustainability crisis).  (more images >> Jalopnik)The Volt’s got the right design components to be a winner:

• It’s a series hybrid - really an EV with a generator
• It’s using lithium batteries (from A123)
• The cost is Prius level ($30-40k) - low enough for middle class green freaks.  
• It also has a 30-40 miles 100% electric range which covers 70% of US daily driving.
• Looks are pretty good (according to Jalopnik.com, but not Edmunds) - I think it’s a sexed up Cobalt.
• The gas generator (range extender) is enough to run the car without batteries - helpful insurance for nervous buyers.

Posted in Major Car Makers, Electric Vehicles, EV News | No Comments »

September 11, 2008 by Rob.

I put myself into a stressful situation yesterday.   I promised to pick up my daugter from a birthday party near the Trail of the Madrones deep in the heart of Westlake (clap clap).  If you are not fortunately enough to drive in Michael Dell’s back yard, you may not realize that Westlake is 1) hilly, 2) confusing, 3) not accurately Google mapped.  In an ICE car that’s no big deal, but an EV is very stressful when you’re lost, past bingo (1/2 fuel), late, and swelting without A/C.I ultimately found the party (10.5 miles into my 20 mile range) and drove conservatively (belated appologies to south bound 360 traffic) to my daughter’s soccer game.  It’s important to note that 20 miles is my safe range and it’s possible to nurse more miles out the batteries.  Yesterday I got 22 miles and could have gone longer.  Yeah!I drove 30 miles today.Yes, 30.  The batteries got a long drink after the deep discharge yesterday then I took a 6 mile trip with recharge bounce at home.  The result was extra long range!  Even after 30 miles (ok, 24) the batteries had relatively little sag.  I probably could have gone another 5 miles!Hopefully this means that nursing my batteries has been paying off and they are recovering some of their lost zest. 

Posted in Daily Use | 1 Comment »

August 31, 2008 by Rob.

Alex and I watered the RAVolt’s batteries yesterday.  I’m right on schedule, but the cells were very dry (4+ oz instead of 3) due to Austin’s relentless heat.

I can tell when the cells are getting dessicated because it cuts down my range (to about 18 miles).  That leads to sphincter tightening when my batteries start to sag uncomfortably and I’m a few miles from home.

Post-watering, I did a 20 mile ride and the batteries were still nice and bouncy.

image source

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August 27, 2008 by Rob.

I got an email from Kurt B today asking about lessons learned.  I’ve been meaning to post this for a while so I thought it would be good to recap. The “improvements” category also flags posts with ideas.

1. get 110 VAC charger instead of 220
2. get a better DC-DC converter that can trickle charge the aux battery and has a choke voltage instead of just shutting off
3. upgrade the rear suspension
4. skip the power steering pump work - it’s not needed.
5. weld supports for the front battery box to the frame. My box rests on part of the engine mount and I’m not crazy about that.
6. learn to weld (buy a welder). I did not need much welding, but it would have been nice to be independent.

Added 8/31: I’d also put the volt meter higher on the dashboard so that I did not have to look away to read it.  The analog meter is fine - I’m very happy with that.

Posted in Improvements, Planning | 1 Comment »

August 20, 2008 by Rob.

Sure it’s hot - that’s what fans are for.

Posted in Daily Use, Pictures, Storyline | No Comments »

August 19, 2008 by Rob.

SCAM WARNING!  Do not mistake this post for an endorsement - this is a warning to stay away from these kits!

I’ve been wondering if those ICE water conversion kits could actually work.  I have never met ANYONE who installed or got benefit from these kits.  The only people who claim they work also sell them.  BEWARE.

I was pushed over the edge by back-to-back twitter SPAM follows that are clearly just link hounds.  They have “bogus234″ handles with cheerleader pictures and a single twit linking back to their shell web site.   It that does not scream out SCAM then please wire me some money so that my work-from-home Nigerian uncle can liquidate his day trading fortunes and make you a viagra millionaire! It’s a sure thing.

Posted in ICE Cars, Rants | 1 Comment »

August 16, 2008 by Rob.

Last year’s Maker Faire was a must see event.  The RAVolt and AustinEV gang are planning to be there again.   I think my (lil) makers will have their own table with Wii mods - so bring your Wii mote to get it pimped.

Posted in AustinEV, Planning | 1 Comment »

August 14, 2008 by Rob.

Today I got to watch (and photograph - belated sorry to other drivers on Bee Caves) the RAVolt turning over four zeros!  That’s a huge milestone for the glider and over 3,400 electric miles.

An, yes, the old gas gauge is covered with a sticker that says “Outta Gas! Running on E-”  I simply can’t resist EV geek jokes (non-geek translation E- = electrons).

Almost…   Spinning…

There it is!

Posted in Daily Use, Pictures, Storyline | 1 Comment »