ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Harley LiveWire Forum => Topic started by: DonTom on December 14, 2019, 03:44:22 AM
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I just now got back from Tucson Harley-Davidson. There I was told they will not have the LW, and none of the HD shops near Tucson will have them.
The closest place to here a new LW can be even looked at will be in Phoenix.
Tucson HD is a bit more than 20 miles from here. I am about nine miles south of the Tucson Desert Museum. The HD shop is up in the very northern part of Tucson.
Fortunately, they have AC outlets on the rear of the building, so I was able to charge up my Zero DS ZF 6.5 while I was there looking around.
-Don- Tucson, AZ (RV)
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I saw a charger at one on the south east side of Atlanta from the ChargePoint map. So I guess that's at least one in GA.
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I saw a charger at one on the south east side of Atlanta from the ChargePoint map. So I guess that's at least one in GA.
IMO, they should not limit the chargers to only the shops that sell the LW. If all the HD shops had the charge stations, it would make a big difference in their useful range, as there are many HD shops in this country.
-Don- Tucson, AZ (RV)
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Yeah, but they can't force shops to have the charger, can they?
-Crissa
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If the dealership wants to sell Live Wires it has to pay to install a charging station first.
Which is really quite counter productive to getting the bikes out to customers.
Harley should pay for the charging stations for all dealers and go from there.
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Yeah, but they can't force shops to have the charger, can they?-Crissa
I think they could. BMW has many requirements for their shops, including expensive changes. IIRC, they had to change the carpet at the Sparks BMW shop and make other expensive changes to continue to be an authorized BMW shop. That was just a couple of years ago.
Adding a CCS charger to all the Harley shops would not be a major expense to them, IMO.
One of the main reasons EVs do not sell as well as they should is the poor charging infrastructure. IMO, it's also time for every gas station to be required to have at least one type of charge station available in their parking areas.
I have said before the range of EV's is not as important as the charging infrastructure. Especially when out in the middle of nowhere or trying to get somewhere on an electric motorcycle. Can't even make it to Salt Lake City from Reno on I-80 on any electric motorcycle and that is ridiculous, IMO. And I blame the poor infrastructure more than the range of the bikes.
The biggest problem is all the chargers are grouped together in the major cities. If they were more spread out, that would solve much of the problem right there.
-Don- In 75 F. Tucson, AZ
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American dealer/franchise contracts are usually quite favorable to the dealer, at least with vehicles.
That's one of the problems Chevy and Nissan have had in getting their electrics supported.
There should be chargers everywhere. But there aren't, because only people in cities want to change laws or spend money to change infrastructure. The current Administration has ruled that charging can't even be installed in rest areas - even though pilot projects had been.
There needs to be chargers everywhere. And enough Level 2 that we don't care if non-charging vehicles park in the spots.
-Crissa
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Sorry, thread hijack.
The first thing is to stop putting stations at the edge of parking lots. Only two cars can use it.
Make an "island" of concrete filled barrier rails and put a nice long swing arm with the cable attached high so it can reach at least 6 parking spots.
Patent pending. Just as soon as I apply. Oh and figure out how to make a charging station.
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The current Administration has ruled that charging can't even be installed in rest areas -
I assume you mean CA as look at the rest area in Hawthone, NV (https://www.plugshare.com/location/144823).
And notice that it is free 50 KW CCS charging! At east for now.
Also has free J1772 as well as CHAdeMO.
But why would CA rule such out?
-Don- in warm Tucson, AZ (RV).
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There were some pilot ones, but the Feds now say it violates law to install more. And the current administration is moving to removed them altogether. https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061656653
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There were some pilot ones, but the Feds now say it violates law to install more. And the current administration is moving to removed them altogether. https://www.eenews.net/stories/1061656653
According to the article, the Trump administration proposed a program to commercialize rest stops with EV as part of it, but special interests were able to stop it (mainly truck stop owners). It seems like a smaller bill would be appropriate and stand more chance of passing, just to allow commercial charging stations by classifying them as "vending machines". Having the govt supply free electricity would be very damaging to commercial charging companies. Neither truck stops nor charging companies should have much reason to complain about a smaller measure to allow commercial charging.
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Having the govt supply free electricity would be very damaging to commercial charging companies. Neither truck stops nor charging companies should have much reason to complain about a smaller measure to allow commercial charging.
I am reading some older messages tonight.
IMO, a law can be written to cover all that. Such as only have the government supplied free chargers in areas where there are no other chargers of that type for so many miles. And then, if a company wants to build a charge station there, the government should remove theirs.
I do agree that government should not compete with private business more than necessary. But I think that can be worked out in a way to keep everybody happy.
Often rest stops are far from anything. Perhaps government can give a break to charging companies who do put charge stations at such places.
I see the main problem as not being enough charge stations. That needs to be worked out.
I think I heard somewhere (here?) that Europe is passing a law where every gas station must have a charge station. I wish they would do that here in the USA.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Charging Stations at gas stations don't make sense. Even DCFC takes a hell of a lot longer than filling up a tank with gasoline. However, charging stations at major chain restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls? NOW you're talking. Hell, even public libraries should have charging stations. SOMETHING for you to do while you wait for your vehicle to get charged.
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Charging Stations at gas stations don't make sense. Even DCFC takes a hell of a lot longer than filling up a tank with gasoline. However, charging stations at major chain restaurants, movie theaters and shopping malls? NOW you're talking. Hell, even public libraries should have charging stations. SOMETHING for you to do while you wait for your vehicle to get charged.
On I-80 between Reno and here, there are many CCS/ChAdeMO charge stations at gas stations. The charging areas are always well away from the gas pumps, either behind the gas station or on the side, and they have many at each of the stations that have such. Mostly Shell Gas stations (https://www.plugshare.com/location/120131)and a U-76 (https://www.plugshare.com/location/118996). They also have a J-1772 at the Chevron gas station on at Cisco Grove. (https://www.plugshare.com/location/64737) Check PlugShare and you will see there are many other charge stations at gas stations besides the ones I show here. Not just here in CA, but also in NV, such as the one in Fallon, NV where they have both J1772 as well as CCS at a gas station, Fox Peak Gas Station (https://www.plugshare.com/location/98462).
I have used all of them shown above. All above are at gas stations.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Charging stations at gas stations does make a lot of sense. There is a Tesla SC at the WAWA station in Chester, VA that I frequently use. I am only charging for about 30 minutes to reach my destination, enough for a rest room break, buy lunch and have something to drink. Best of all the WAWA is open 24 hours a day, unlike most malls, shopping centers and restaurants. It is very rare that I need to charge so long that I could enjoy a meal in a restaurant. Also use the SC in South Hill, VA a lot and it is in the parking lot of a restaurant. Never ate there because I don't charge very long, again, only 20-30 minutes. I have been to Tesla Super Chargers in malls, nice if they are open and it sucks when they aren't. Much rather stop at a WAWA or Sheetz to charge because I know they are always open, clean restrooms, and can get something to drink or eat.
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It is very rare that I need to charge so long that I could enjoy a meal in a restaurant.
Whenever I think I could need more time than the charge will normally take, I turn the charge all the way up to 100% to get the max time. The charge rate slows down a lot near the end, so if I get back late, I won't have to pay an idle fee. And still have five minutes after the charge is completed. It's usually enough time for a meal. I keep an eye on the Tesla app while it's charging so I know when I need to get back.
I have had the issue more on my Energica motorcycle. But I hear now in CA, they can no longer charge by time, only KWHs used. So I should be able to turn the charge rate down to buy more time.
I have not yet looked this year at a CA CCS charger. Can somebody here in CA explain how that now works? Higher connect fee or what did they do and how does it effect cost?
Lately, I have been riding my ICE bikes mostly.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Okay, Wawa and Sheetz stations are an exception because they're not JUST gas stations. I'm thinking of the pure gas stations that MAYBE sell cigarettes and cans of soda besides gasoline. Those are the majority of the stations I see where I live. We don't have any Wawas or Sheetz stations here. Upstate there are Cumberland Farms stations that are similar in concept.
The eastern most charging station I could find on Long Island is at a police station on Shelter Island. I have no idea how I would kill time there unless there's a doughnut shop nearby...
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Okay, Wawa and Sheetz stations are an exception because they're not JUST gas stations. I'm thinking of the pure gas stations that MAYBE sell cigarettes and cans of soda besides gasoline. Those are the majority of the stations I see where I live.
Same with every gas station I mentioned there with the Chargers. You can get food and drink at all of them, right at the same gas station. One of them also has a Burger King right next to it, another a Pizza place, besides the store at the gas station. That is the norm these days. I cannot remember the last time I was at a gas station that only sold gasoline. That must have been many years ago.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Okay, Wawa and Sheetz stations are an exception because they're not JUST gas stations. I'm thinking of the pure gas stations that MAYBE sell cigarettes and cans of soda besides gasoline. Those are the majority of the stations I see where I live.
Same with every gas station I mentioned there with the Chargers. You can get food and drink at all of them, right at the same gas station. One of them also has a Burger King right next to it, another a Pizza place, besides the store at the gas station. That is the norm these days. I cannot remember the last time I was at a gas station that only sold gasoline. That must have been many years ago.
California is FAR FAR more progressive than the other 49 States, I'm afraid. New York has a LOT of catching up to do...
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Gas stations are about the only thing open over night. Unlike restaurants.
But that's why there's pushes to require charging in some number of any new parking spots added.
-Crissa
Don: Well, CostCo gas stations sell only gas, Renner stations and other commercial stations sell only gasoline... They still exist. The station in my town (a Shell) sells some candy and sodas, and the soda machine isn't very reliable. ^-^
But I wish we had a charger in town.
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But I wish we had a charger in town.
PlugShare (https://www.plugshare.com/location/15885) shows dozens of charge stations in Santa Cruz and surrounding area.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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PlugShare (https://www.plugshare.com/location/15885) shows dozens of charge stations in Santa Cruz and surrounding area.
...And Santa Cruz is ten miles from which small town I'm in, which has only one gas station. And no charge points.
Not all the chargers on Plugshare are public, either.
-Crissa
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PlugShare (https://www.plugshare.com/location/15885) shows dozens of charge stations in Santa Cruz and surrounding area.
...And Santa Cruz is ten miles from which small town I'm in, which has only one gas station. And no charge points.
Not all the chargers on Plugshare are public, either.
-Crissa
People normally don't need chargers closer to home while on the road as most charges, by far, are done at home.
On PlugShare, you have to read about each charge station to see if there are such issues as not being open to the public, or not working, etc. Some have key pads to operate and often the codes are listed on PlugShare. Such as this one (https://www.plugshare.com/location/13814), which I have used (you can see I logged in there).
-Don- Auburn, CA
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I don't need a charge point here; but the town could use a charge point. The restaurants and bar and grocery store depend upon tourists.
If you look at the Plugshare map, you'll see a big blank area to the north and west of Santa Cruz. And most of the little green dots are hotels or resorts which do not allow public charging. Yes, I can get free charging downtown, but pretty much only downtown. And the three dots that say CCS are confusing, as I think they're only chademo, at least when I looked.
-Crissa
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I don't need a charge point here; but the town could use a charge point. The restaurants and bar and grocery store depend upon tourists.
If you look at the Plugshare map, you'll see a big blank area to the north and west of Santa Cruz. And most of the little green dots are hotels or resorts which do not allow public charging. Yes, I can get free charging downtown, but pretty much only downtown. And the three dots that say CCS are confusing, as I think they're only chademo, at least when I looked.
-Crissa
West of Santa Cruz? ??? Are you looking for a floating charge station for your boat? ;)
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I'd just like to be able to charge in Bonny Doon or Davenport. Maybe Pescadero.
My friend had to drive his i3 in limp mode and if there were a charger out there, he'd have been able to take the easy coast route back to the city.
-Crissa
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And the three dots that say CCS are confusing, as I think they're only chademo, at least when I looked.
Are you aware that you can have Plugshare only display the type of chargers you wish to see on the map?
Click on "Charging Locations" on the bottom right and you will get a new window pop up where you can set the type of chargers you wish to see. Default is to see everything, which can be a big mess in some areas.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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Are you aware that you can have Plugshare only display the type of chargers you wish to see on the map?
Are you aware there are plug types that are on the map but aren't really there in reality?
-Crissa
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Are you aware there are plug types that are on the map but aren't really there in reality?
Can you give me an example? I find Plugshare to usually be up to date as such problems usually get reported by the users. What I have seen is different chargers a block or so apart, such as in Colfax, the CCS chargers on the opposite side of the train station from the J-1772, which can cause some confusion when trying to find what you need.
BTW, there is a charger at the Colfax Train station that uses the disks instead of the plug. I don't think there is an EV in the entire USA to still use such. It's there, and I assume it works, but it doesn't show on the PlugShare page, I assume because there are no vehicles left that can use it.
The disk itself is the primary of a transformer. Works by induction. The old EVs that used them contain the secondary windings that you slide the disk into. There's a story about what happened to such vehicles. Some expect the gas companies were behind it in the early EV days. But I really don't know the story.
Anybody here know the proper name for that old type of charge station that used the disks?
I guess those who do not know what I am talking about will have to visit the train station in Colfax. It's right next to their J-1772 station.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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............
BTW, there is a charger at the Colfax Train station that uses the disks instead of the plug. I don't think there is an EV in the entire USA to still use such. It's there, and I assume it works, but it doesn't show on the PlugShare page, I assume because there are no vehicles left that can use it.
The disk itself is the primary of a transformer. Works by induction. The old EVs that used them contain the secondary windings that you slide the disk into. There's a story about what happened to such vehicles. Some expect the gas companies were behind it in the early EV days. But I really don't know the story.
Anybody here know the proper name for that old type of charge station that used the disks?
I guess those who do not know what I am talking about will have to visit the train station in Colfax. It's right next to their J-1772 station.
-Don- Auburn, CA
Assuming it’s a Magne, there MIGHT be a few ev’s left that use it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magne_Charge
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Assuming it’s a Magne (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magne_Charge), there MIGHT be a few ev’s left that use it.
Yep, that is it! Thanks for the info. on Magne-Charge.
I am surprised that there still could be a few EVs around to use it. I assume those vehicles can also home charge, perhaps with 240 or 120 VAC. Or I wonder if they had those type of induction chargers at home.
-Don- Auburn, CA
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I believe the answer is yes, Don.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosbFlnb5DM&list=PL0tVAP7GqUpZW8d4Px-fOLmMNc-MIvTPd
-Crissa