ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ethestral on June 29, 2016, 11:43:40 PM
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Hello internet!
There's an awesome community with EV's these days and I'm planning to jump in but I figured I'd ask folks for their thoughts before laying down giant sums of money.
How many folks charge at work exclusively. My apt will make charging difficult so I'm wondering what headaches I'm not aware of yet.
My thoughts are along the lines of, I'm at work way too long as it is so both time and permission are in my favor. As for charging I'm in the D.C.metro region so there are plenty of alternate sources. I just can't plug in at home.
Any guidance for unseen headaches? Am I safe in the assumption that charging at work is a decent plan? I'm planning in a high kw onboard mounted smart charger (j1772 w/ ne ma 14-50 pigtail) but that will wait for a moment.
Thank you all, this forum is awesome
-MOCO maybe
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First thought, how do they think about that at your work?
How is the situation at your apartment, if you already have a bike how do you park it and at what floor do you live?
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If your one way commute is <30% of the range, it works great. You want the 30-40% buffer to run errands or occasional short trips during the weekend.
It has worked for me in the past 1.5 years.
The only inconvenience I've experienced has been when I took it to the dealer for the 4k miles service.
It's about 50 miles away and they didn't fully charge it afterwards. I had ~60% left that was just enough to get home.
So I had to leave my Zero charging at work overnight instead, have the wife pick me up, and get a ride for the following morning.
I guess the caveat is that you want to be sure you have emergency charging solutions where you are comfortable leaving your Zero overnight.
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"I'm doing what the manufacturer says and charging after every use; Is there somewhere else near [workplace] that you think I should plug it in to?"
My bike was once "relocated" via mechanics dolly by another department manager because I was plugged into "their" outlet. It would be a good idea to leave a note on the bike for the first month or so with your name, phone number, department, contact info for your boss, and to discuss briefly with your boss that you have a new motorcycle and that it will be plugged in when you're not actively riding it.
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Parking inside is a no go, I am a good 10 steps up from grade. The only stairwell is in the front too, no sneaky back way in. I have no doubt a dsr could handle the set, but I doubt my ability to get it there.
I think the work folks are open to the idea as the company owns four hybrids in their fleet. Another staffer has a leaf, and plugs that in at work so I doubt they will resist the idea of a new smaller plug in EV. My direct boss is ok with it, so at least in my little world I cant go wrong.
I am currently inside the 30% range of my office. Additionally near where I work they just installed 12 level 2 charging stations. 8 are at meter spaces, the other four are open with time limits. Most of those spots are within walking distance of my office (3 min) from the closest. Looking to the future, if I moved it would be to somewhere where I would have my own garage space so home charging would my new cheese.
Parking right outside my shop the bike might be "relocated" because they think its funny to do, but its a small organization so I can creatively park someone else's car in retaliation (those things always escalate though). Additionally there's a gate that closes overnight so if I needed to park and take the metro home I wouldn't loose too much sleep.
Thank you for the tips, I didnt think about relocating even though I have come back to a moved moto parked in the city more than once. If there are more first timer mistakes you can think of to toss my way I am all ears, or eyes as my computer isnt fancy enough to read to me.
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I've charged almost exclusively at work for the last 3 years.
Make sure to clear it with your manager first (principle of least surprise). Leaving contact info on the bike for a period of time is also a good idea.
Not being able to start the day fresh sucks, and not having the flexibility to charge for weekend riding sucks. No two ways around that.
The expense is relatively minimal. I offered my boss a check for $20 to cover the first year's charging costs and he tore it up, told me not to worry about it. Worth offering at any rate, to alleviate hurt feelings among coworkers who may feel that you're raking in the pennies.
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Welcome.
I started writing this yesterday but didn't finish, so others have probably covered it mostly.
Are you confident you'll be able to charge at work if you change jobs? I was able to charge but now I can't. Even if you are able to charge at home, being able to top up at work is important. Sometimes you might want to go for a ride after work.
If I were you I'd go for it. Just try and find somewhere near home you can top up conveniently. Buying a Diginow Super Charger would be very important to me if I were in your shoes.
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Parking inside is a no go, I am a good 10 steps up from grade. The only stairwell is in the front too, no sneaky back way in. I have no doubt a dsr could handle the set, but I doubt my ability to get it there.
This is the point where English as a second language fails me, but I guess you live on second floor with that?
If that's the case you might make it with a decent extension cord out of your window.
I think the work folks are open to the idea as the company owns four hybrids in their fleet. Another staffer has a leaf, and plugs that in at work so I doubt they will resist the idea of a new smaller plug in EV. My direct boss is ok with it, so at least in my little world I cant go wrong.
That is a good starting point at least. If you don't want it moved a chain lock and contact information on the bike will go a long way. And of course relocating the bike after charging is done.
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Do you have a Winter storage plan?
From the Manual...
"Again, as long as the battery was initially topped off by the charger above 32°F(0°C) and remains on the charger through the winter at temperatures above -31°F (-35°C), the system will guard the battery from damage."
Have you in range of an FX instead? The removable battery can easily be brought inside to charge.
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-fx/ (http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-fx/)
"The Zero FX features a fully modular power pack system. With slots for two power packs, you can operate the Zero FX with either one or both slots filled. The modules can be charged either on the motorcycle or elsewhere using optional accessories, giving you the ability to charge without a street-level outlet.
The Zero FX can be purchased with either one module (ZF3.3) or two modules (ZF6.5)."
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I charge more at work than at home.
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It is important to attend your charged voltage ::)
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Thanks for the input I'll see if it's relevant to update this once I take delivery and live with the DSR fit a while.
I do live on the second floor and heavy extension cords are something I need for work. Trouble is there's a sidewalk between my cord and the parking lot. The only acceptable way to charge without creating a tripping hazard is to load the motorcycle into my truck and suspend the cord from balcony, to tree, to truck. I've done this in the past soldering connections inside the cab. I'm sure if I made it a habit I'd end up with a strongly worded letter from the management telling me to stop.
I considered the FX until I got to the range specs. Just too low for my practical use. Now if I was clever enough to be able to swap batteries in a similar fashion from the DSR I would be quite pleased with myself (I don't like my chances, smarter folks have looked at this I'm sure).
The job is quite stable and likely to stay that way for some time. It's more likely I'll move to a new state than change jobs right now. If the folks above me change drastically I may start looking again, but for my own sanity I'm assuming that facet to be a constant. My life may dictate differently but my plan is to not.
I do have winter storage options, my garage is an hour and a half from my local address. I've got closer places, but if I'm super lucky I'll get a workspace locally and store there.
What about daytime rain or snow? Has this caused harm in anyone's case? Not talking about low traction commuting, more about water logged connections throwing codes or bricking the bike.
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Now if I was clever enough to be able to swap batteries in a similar fashion from the DSR I would be quite pleased with myself (I don't like my chances, smarter folks have looked at this I'm sure).
What about daytime rain or snow? Has this caused harm in anyone's case? Not talking about low traction commuting, more about water logged connections throwing codes or bricking the bike.
If you are using a cord longer than 25ft. make sure you use 12AWG.
Good luck with charging a 4 brick monolith outside the bike. The monolith is removed from the bottom and the charger is mounted below the monolith. It won't be so much a swap as a removal and reinstallation.
I live in STL and commute on my Zero year round...rain...snow...shine. The bike has been out in all weather and been ridden in a down pour. The only issue I have had is with the headlight. When it gets drenched for some reason the bike wants to turn on the H-beam regardless of the switch position. Everything works fine once it dries back out. I think it's the switch that's the issue. I have a 2014 S and I think the new bikes are better.
Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk
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Thanks for the input I'll see if it's relevant to update this once I take delivery and live with the DSR fit a while.
I do live on the second floor and heavy extension cords are something I need for work. Trouble is there's a sidewalk between my cord and the parking lot. The only acceptable way to charge without creating a tripping hazard is to load the motorcycle into my truck and suspend the cord from balcony, to tree, to truck. I've done this in the past soldering connections inside the cab. I'm sure if I made it a habit I'd end up with a strongly worded letter from the management telling me to stop.
Park your bike on the sidewalk while charging?
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What about daytime rain or snow? Has this caused harm in anyone's case? Not talking about low traction commuting, more about water logged connections throwing codes or bricking the bike.
I try to unplug when there is heavy rain...but a few times I forgot or couldn't get to the bike because I was stuck in meetings, and I had no errors or consequences of any kind (it' a Zero S 2015). Downpours are not common here in California, though. The bike has never experienced snow.
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When I was working I always used to charge at work so that I could get home. Fortunately I had an office with a window that was adjacent to a decorative sidewalk which was not used by the public. :)
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I have it plugged in here on the 10th floor of my building at work.
I had to install a tail tidy on the back of the SR to fit it in the freight elevator.
I have to lift up the rear wheel and slide it from side to side to get it through the serpentine hallway.
Full charge in about 5 hours. I usually have 30% or so left when I arrive, that's for a 60 mile ride, mixed traffic conditions.
2014 SR 11.3
If you need to park it on the street so it doesn't roll, use a "grip lock" or an appropriately-sized clone.
https://www.amazon.com/LEXIN%C2%AE-Motorcycel-Scooter-Handlebar-Security/dp/B011NN3ILU (https://www.amazon.com/LEXIN%C2%AE-Motorcycel-Scooter-Handlebar-Security/dp/B011NN3ILU)
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Wanted to come back and say thank you on this one, I will add some take-a-ways too for anyone that searches the thread in the future. You all put my mind at ease, so I bought a thing, and its awesome.
Protomech hit the nail on the head.
Not being able to start the day fresh sucks, and not having the flexibility to charge for weekend riding sucks. No two ways around that.
I am lucky that I can throw a contractor grade extension cord out the window over the sidewalk and to a parking space. This doesn't upset my neighbors too much, and the management is rarely present on the weekends so it hasn't been an issue (at least in the first 7 days).
I will be adding a fast charger, just watching the ever changing world of quick chargers and weighing the options of how to void my warranty.
Here's photo plugged in at work, with the inverter off the 10kw array charging away. Thanks again to the internet I will post some more when I make changes to the bike. Or have more questions.
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8706/28296829606_135da260a5_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/K7uDAw)20160715_073404 (https://flic.kr/p/K7uDAw) by Ethestral (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ichamber/), on Flickr
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promotech has a good habit of doing that. When I see one of his posts I know we're in for some top notch analysis or some solid words of wisdom. [emoji4]