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[Electric Terry]

That's right, I'm now charging my 2012 Zero S ZF9 at 4kw!



Forgot how to do all the link stuff, hope that works!  If those don't, I know this one does: http://www.facebook.com/lifeoffthegrid

[Richard230]

Now that is what I call charging!      What did it take to get the juice from the meter to your bike?  A backpack full of accessory chargers?

[Electric Terry]

The chargers are on the bike.  Check out the facebook page above.  And then a j1772 port and a bunch of 14 awg computer cords from a surplus store that I cut and soldered together.  Each charger uses 208 volts and 5-6 amps, so running 20-24 amps total into the j1772 port.

[rotoiti]

What did you need to do to generate a pilot signal for J1772 connector?

[oobflyer]

Sweet 

Will you use this setup regularly or just on longer rides?

I would like to get another off-board charger, but I don't know how I would hook them all up simoultaneously. The Chargepoint station that I used only had two outlets - a 120V and the J1772.

A Zero tech told me that I could plug both the regular charging cable and the J1772 at the same time, but then warned me that not all J1772 charging stations work with the Zero J1772 adapter. Decisions...

[BSDThw]

Hi Terry,

cool modes and an interesting Facebook page.

I would like to build two charger like “Side Bags” so I can take the charger with my at a longer trip but remove it for normal use.

The company I work, is producing charger, so I can modify it for my need. But I have no idea what type the battery connector is.

I saw a picture of your bike with a bunch of cables.
Is this all original Zero Y-Cable stuff or did you built it.

Does anyone know what connector-type it is. Brand or datasheet?

[Electric Terry]

the connector is an Anderson connector.  No signal is needed for the j1772 port, it has 5 connections, 3 like a recular 240 volt plug and 2 safetey connections that cut off current to the others if they aren't touching.   made the rest of the connectors with computer cords and power pole connections before zero got anderson y connectors last week.

[BSDThw]

Thanks for answering our questions.

I guess it is the Anderson SBS75XGRN (not 100% sure) but searching the NET I don't find a place to order in Germany. 

Maybe I will order two charger from Zero with cable.

Terry, I really admire your courage to strip the Zero, in Germany it is not possible to modify so much.

But one more question, what have you done with your rear brake?   

At the moment I make a new holder for the Dash, the original angle of view and look of the dash is strange. I will post some pics.
Next, I try to connect the  "High Beam Flash-to-Pass" switch  to the ECO switch. When I pull it the regenerative braking increase.
Maybe this will bring back a piece of your rear brake

[Larry295]

Now quick question about fast charging:  Does anybody know if it damages the batteries to charge them faster? Due to heat generate by fast current?
Anybody with knowledge about that?

[rotoiti]

Now quick question about fast charging:  Does anybody know if it damages the batteries to charge them faster? Due to heat generate by fast current?
Anybody with knowledge about that?

I believe Zero authorizes use of up to 4 chargers simultaneously (on board + 3 external). I imagine the heat generated with more than 4 would be too high and would deteriorate the battery too much.

[Larry295]

yes but if you are in no rush, I would imagine that it is much better to charge the battery slowly... Just my hunch...

[BSDThw]

Hi Larry295,

Charging and discharging lets your battery age, the harder you do the faster it age.

But if the life time of the FZ9 is 302,000 miles (487,000 km) it should not be a problem.

Additionally the years before you have charged all Zeros with 3KWh with the 1KW charger.
If you do now the 9KWh with 3KW it should be the same for the battery.

very strange
I asked my dealer he should order 2 Charger for me and ask if all is included for the triple charge.

But the European Office told my dealer I will lose Warranty if I use more than one additionally charger!

I asked Zero for that (yesterday) but didn't receive an answer till now.

[Larry295]

ya off course there's a lot of lifetime in those batteries.
But since I am strictly commuting, I don't mind charging it overnight. So no need to fast charge for me, therefore better treatment of the batteries overall.

[manlytom]

very strange
I asked my dealer he should order 2 Charger for my and ask if all is included for the triple charge.

But the European Office told my dealer I will lose Warranty if I use more than one additionally charger!

I asked Zero for that (yesterday) but didn't receive an answer till now.

The Zero has a connection build in to connect a second charger - at least my 2011S ! So this is available and cannot create problems on warranty. Guess ideally it should be the offical Zero supplied charger. if you try another one it might be a problem.

[ColoPaul]

ya off course there's a lot of lifetime in those batteries.
But since I am strictly commuting, I don't mind charging it overnight. So no need to fast charge for me, therefore better treatment of the batteries overall.

I'm like Larry295.  My Zero usage just doesn't justify needing a quick charge.  I commute, run errands, but I'm not pushing the range so ultimately I have all night (or 8 hours at work) to charge.  So slow-charge is easy for me, and certainly doesn't hurt the batteries.

Do you think that they built the Zero thinking fast charging would be a "not-so-well-used" feature??  In general, I would think when you want to fast charge, you're likely not at your house.  Which means carting extra chargers around, and they're relatively heavy and bulky.  Plugging two chargers into the same 120 outlet stretches a 15A circuit --  official public charging stations likely require some kind of J1772 adapter setup.   And the extra chargers aren't cheap. 

Maybe the 2013 Zero's will come with a 1kW 120V socket (like the do now) if you want to slow-charge overnight, and a on-board integrated 4kW charger w/ J1772 socket for charging on the road!  That would be pretty cool.