One easy question: If I buy a Zero I will ride it (in rotation) with my 9 other motorcycles. I ride 4-5 times a week, for about 50 miles each ride, which means I ride one of my bikes about twice a month. The Zero would be ridden in the same manner. So, given that I will never ride it more than 50 miles twice a month, can I charge it using a normal 110V line in the garage? Does the line have to be a dedicated line? What amp circuit breaker? Keep in mind that I won't be buying any super-fast charging option -- won't need it.
I see more than one easy question.
Yes, you can charge with any voltage from around 90 VAC to 250 VAC. The current will automatically drop as the voltage increases. Therefore charge time will be about the same. A higher AC voltage is better to charge with, as that means less current and that means less heat and very slightly better efficiency but perhaps not enough to be concerned with. I now charge mine with 240 VAC but I have used 120 VAC for more than a year. At 120 VAC expect it to draw around 13 amps for the single on-board charger at 120 VAC. Half that (6.5 amps) at 240 VAC.
Above is true for the Zero on-board chargers as well as for the Zero Quick Chargers.
So yeah, it's best to have a dedicated line on 120 VAC but as long as the total current stays below 16 amps or so, you should be okay if you have 20 amp breakers. For a continuous or long term draw, you should be at least 20% below the rating of your circuit breaker. On 240 VAC, you can usually run several chargers. I run three (on board plus two Zero quick chargers) when I charge at 240 VAC on a single line, but I have 60 amp AC circuits at my house for my Tesla which I convert to a J-plug for my Zero motorcycles.
FWIW, for my shorter rides, I ride my two Zeros more than all my other bikes combined.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Topic: I'm looking (again) at Zero motorcycles -- is the company still viable? (Read 2011 times)