FAQ: For Beginners
Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 9:34 am
What is its maximum Range
Insurance Suppliers
Heater Operation
- People frequently get 60 miles at max speed of 45 mph in mixed driving
- 60-65 mph and is electronically limited.
- In theory more than 60 kmiles but it really depends on how it is driven and serviced.
- -The service manual goes upto 60kmiles.
-Calculation of the point that the battery capacity decreases to 80% corresponds to 60kmiles as well.
- -Evan is at 71kmiles.
-Steve Thayne's is heading for 90kmiles (one one battery pack replaced).
- -A Peugeot 106 Electric did 90kmiles and is has probably been driven a little harder.
-Currently a 1989 GMC Electric G-Van has 20 year old batteries of the same type but of low mileage
- -Ideally choose one without the Battery Cell Manufacturer Weakness See Berlingo Electrique Service Manual for more info
-Make sure that you are clear on its current range capability and at what typical speed this is measured at.
- -Compare against the expected range above.
-This can identify problems with the batteries. The less miles or the slower the speed the older/more-problems the batteries have.
Insurance Suppliers
Code: Select all
Supplier Cost Type Yrs Miles Excess Owner Notes
n/c Limit Age
www.budgetinsurance.com\ £? - - - - [1]
NIG £196 FC - - - - [1]
Adrian Flux (Equity Red Star) £225 TPFT 2 3k £200 - [1] Legal prot. Can provide fixed value !
www.churchill.co.uk\ £231 FC 5 7k £350 - [1]
www.footmanjames.co.uk\ £238 FC 0 - £200 49 arsharpe (Peugeot 106)
- Notes:-
- [1] From "Berlingo Electrique Insurance" posting.
Heater Operation
- -It takes 5-10 mins to warm up.
-When it is working correctly, from within the engine bay, it sounds like a 747 taking off (very authentic).
-It still continues for a couple of minutes after the ignition is switched off.
-Because it continues after ignition off, the unit is always powered and therefore do not dismantle without disconnecting the 12v battery.
- -The vacuum pump (sounds like a compressor) comes on periodically to keep the brake server system under vacuum.
-Normal duty cycle is about 20 secons on couple of minutes of.
-If the pump comes on longer than that it might indicate a leak in the system.
- -If the batteries are in good condition the energy meter is supprisingly linear (even though the battery voltage against charge is non-linear).
- -Be aware that driving in the rain can reduce your range by about 15% (e.g. a very precise circuit went from 51 to 45 miles in the rain @ 40 mph with the lights on).
-The slower you go the longer the range.
-Note that regerative breaking does not operate the brake lights. (See http://batteryvehiclesociety.myfreeforum.org/about95.html).
- -If you are doing your own battery servicing you will need Evan's EvLite meter (see http://www.tuer.org.uk/evs2/myev.html)
- -Public and private charging points are shown at http://www.ev-network.org.uk/ [Move this to a generic EV FAQ][/url]
-Fast charging information and requirements TBC
- Occasionally If you remove the charging plug before it is fully charged, the 'Electrical Fault Light' comes when the ignition is on and stays on until a full trickle charge is performed.
- Unfortunately this is not shown in the handbook and be quite disconcerting as it says you have to take it to the dealer to reset the problem.
- Also, you cannot, or should not, perform a fast charge when it is in this state.