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Posted by jeffthewalker
Mar 9, 2016 16:00:29 GMT 11
Jim started a new topic for long EV journeys (thanks Jim).

Around about the 1st of May (this year if I can plan it in time), I will take my LEAF around Australia (hence the thread title:-). I am an intrepid traveler and a great EV (in particular LEAF) fan and this journey will cover both of my passions.

I will be "carrying the flag" for The Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service, known as NETS in NSW, Victoria, ACT and WA. The same service is in other states under similar names. As I will have a daytime charge of 6 hours or so, I will have time to visit NETS wherever I can and also spread the word in hospitals and clinics as I go, hopefully with some NETS public relations personnel pre-arranging visits. I will be happy to promote NETS, the LEAF and EVs in general, either as it happens or if arranged, for a presentation, workshop, etc., with groups such as Lions, Apex, etc.

So far I have drafted an itinerary to cover Sydney (start and finish) to Broome via Darwin. For this part of the trip I have only one section that I have a doubt about a charging place and I am pretty sure I can cover that.

I originally planned to travel anti-clockwise to get "over the top" during the dry (winter) but I am now required to return to WA for (roughly) the month of June. So plan 'A' now is to cross the Nullarbor, Sydney to Perth, in May, then continue north in July.

Hopefully Nissan will get on board as I can also visit Nissan dealerships around the nation. I will be asking Nissan for whatever support they can offer in the way of keeping the LEAF on the road.

I don't need or want any financial support and I will not be collecting donations for NETS along the way. However, I will be handing out leaflets (or are they LEAFlets) telling about NETS and how to donate through their web site, bank deposit, etc.

If other LEAF owners or the general public want to make suggestions or think they can organise publicity like media interviews, you are most welcome. Also I listen to all advise about how I should go about this trip but there can be only one "final arbiter", so please don't feel offended if your advise is not taken.

I will have a full itinerary worked out in the next few weeks including dates as far as Perth. The month in Perth is still a little flexible so the rest of the trip dates will be finalised later. But, it will finish by September in Sydney.


Posted by Feng
Mar 9, 2016 16:28:42 GMT 11
Sounds epic! Looking forward to catch you again when you pass through Sydney. Will your car have any sponsorship on it? I doubt Nissan will offer much. Maybe you can pick up some charge from their HQ while trying to get a conversation out of whoever is in charge of LEAF sales.
Posted by jake
Mar 22, 2016 12:26:50 GMT 11
Are there are enough places to charge to cross the Nullarbor?! wow!
Posted by jeffthewalker
Mar 22, 2016 14:20:12 GMT 11
jake Avatar
Are there are enough places to charge to cross the Nullarbor?! wow!
Not quite. Well, not quite just yet. I have done an initial survey and there are two gaps. One is 185km between Nullarbor Roadhouse and Border Village. The other is between Caiguna and Balladonia and at 155km I just might make this one. I have yet to check further than my maps so there is still a chance that there is a camp of some sort out there. In any case, I have a 30kg generator which I will take along (I have tested it over a 6 hour charge). In the worst of these two cases I will need only a few hours running the generator to get to the next charging point.

I have done a preliminary survey for the rest of the trip and again there are only a few gaps. For purity's sake, I will try for a plug in site, but its all about the journey for me. I am not out to prove anything. Sydney to Perth itinerary is on line as a PDF.

That itinerary will change as I am inviting NETS and Nissan and amateur radio clubs to have me visit their sites along the way. Those deviations will need to be in one month before my due date there so that I will have a relatively fixed timetable.
Posted by jeffthewalker
Mar 22, 2016 14:44:04 GMT 11
Ahhhh.

I will be getting a fair bit of signwriting (I am self financing this trip) but I was considering asking for a sponsor for personalised number plates. I reckon there will be more than a few photos taken and a business name prominently displayed around/under interesting plates could attract a sponsor. But, I just checked out the cost of a plate LEOZAF (that is LEAF around OZ) and it is $2395!!!!!! I couldn't get the link to work www.jeffswalk.com/LEOZAFplate.pdf
Posted by Phoebe
Mar 22, 2016 15:03:15 GMT 11
jeffthewalker Avatar
 But, I just checked out the cost of a plate LEOZAF (that is LEAF around OZ) and it is $2395!!!!!!
Gosh, that's gone up! When I got 'Phoebe' plates in 1986, they cost $269, but that was annually, so I had them one year and gave them back.
Posted by jeffthewalker
Mar 22, 2016 15:05:20 GMT 11
Phoebe Avatar
jeffthewalker Avatar
 But, I just checked out the cost of a plate LEOZAF (that is LEAF around OZ) and it is $2395!!!!!!
Gosh, that's gone up! When I got 'Phoebe' plates in 1986, they cost $269, but that was annually, so I had them one year and gave them back.
I think it is because I want 6 letters. It was that price as soon as I put the letters in the box.
Posted by jeffthewalker
Mar 22, 2016 15:11:40 GMT 11
Phoebe Avatar
jeffthewalker Avatar
 But, I just checked out the cost of a plate LEOZAF (that is LEAF around OZ) and it is $2395!!!!!!
Gosh, that's gone up! When I got 'Phoebe' plates in 1986, they cost $269, but that was annually, so I had them one year and gave them back.
Yikes. If that is an annual cost then there is no way it will ever happen at $2400. I just checked and even for a 4 letter combination it is the same ($2400) price.
Posted by Phoebe
Mar 22, 2016 15:40:20 GMT 11
Of course, that was in NSW, might be different in Q.
Posted by antigas
Mar 22, 2016 18:56:23 GMT 11
QLD is a once off payment if that lessens the affect......
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 5, 2016 17:19:54 GMT 11
Phoebe Avatar
jeffthewalker Avatar
 But, I just checked out the cost of a plate LEOZAF (that is LEAF around OZ) and it is $2395!!!!!!
Gosh, that's gone up! When I got 'Phoebe' plates in 1986, they cost $269, but that was annually, so I had them one year and gave them back.
That reference to the licence plate link does not work and I can't edit in Phoebe's post. The link should be www.jeffswalk.com/LEOZAFplate.pdf.
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 19, 2016 14:31:44 GMT 11
Testing out $12.50 Anaconda 2 man tent. Looks good enough for me. Getting close to start time. I go to the Gold Coast on Friday and pick up big brother Bill from the airport on Saturday. Then 4 days (three overnights) to Bill's place in Stockton (he likes an adventure too:-). Official start from NETS Westmead on 1st May.


Attachments:



Posted by Feng
Apr 19, 2016 14:45:03 GMT 11
Safe travels!
Posted by Deleted
Apr 19, 2016 15:18:35 GMT 11
Do you have 15 amp evse ?
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 19, 2016 16:09:22 GMT 11
Thanks Feng: I'll see if we can set up a meeting in Sydney. I will be a bit rushed with just a day or so. Arriving around 30th April and (officially) leaving from NETS Westmead on the 1st May. Chatswood would be ok for me but date/time will be restricted.

g4qber: Nup, just the 10A as supplied. It'll be fun:-). Time is not a problem so an overnight charge and an "overday" charge between 9am and 4pm. I will be in WA for all (or at least most) of June.

I will be available for drop ins or talks to interested parties, clubs, etc., along the way. Itinerary Sydney to Perth is on line.
Posted by Deleted
Apr 19, 2016 21:22:20 GMT 11
Does your generator handle 15 amps ?

Perhaps you need to have a backup evse?
A $350 10amp Holden evse?

You know about plugshare I presume.
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 20, 2016 2:30:24 GMT 11
g4qber Avatar
Does your generator handle 15 amps ?

Perhaps you need to have a backup evse?
A $350 10amp Holden evse?

You know about plugshare I presume.
The generator is 3kVA from Aldi which I have run for 5 hours several times to test its ability to do the job. I have considered a backup EVSE. Time is on my side so I will "wing it" without a spare. Without a trailer or roof rack, space is very limited. This trip will be an exercise in minimalism.

I am a great fan of plugshare and always add a site after getting permission from site owner/manager.
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 25, 2016 14:16:50 GMT 11
I have left Queensland and I am on my way to Sydney to "officially" start the LEAF around Oz trip. I will be carrying the flag for NETS (Newborn Emergency Transport Service) whose main presence is at the Westmead Children's Hospital. There are also facilities in Newcastle. A similar State based service is available in the other states and I will be visiting them as I travel around.

My brother, Bill, flew up from Newcastle to the Gold Coast to join me back to Newcastle 'cos he also like the adventure side of moving the LEAF over long distances. I'll be in Newcastle for a few days and while based there I will be getting the sign writing done by Andrew Crane in Kuri Kuri who does the signage for the NETS 4WD for Kids event each year.

Currently we are enjoying a 6 hour stopover at the NRMA Darlington Beach Resort (and caravan park) for a long charge to get us to my daughter's place in Urunga for tonight's overnight charge. They have great facilities here so the long stop is quite pleasurable.

While I am in Sydney I will be fitting my new Yeasu FT-450D amateur radio. For those interested I will be calling daily on 40 and/or 20 meters.
Posted by jake
Apr 27, 2016 10:01:17 GMT 11
Reading and following with interest
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 28, 2016 20:08:04 GMT 11
Sign writing designed today. Printing and cutting tomorrow and finishing on Saturday on the way to Sydney.

Attachment Deleted
Posted by duncan
Apr 29, 2016 8:47:29 GMT 11
Well done, looks easy to spot :) Have you done anything from the front and rear as that's often what people see more of in traffic?
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 30, 2016 13:08:43 GMT 11
duncan Avatar
Well done, looks easy to spot :) Have you done anything from the front and rear as that's often what people see more of in traffic?



Got the final signage on this morning. Now on the way to Sydney but sad to find out that the L2 charger at Shelley Beach is no more (according to a phone call this morning). Meeting up with another EVer at Manly 3pm tomorrow.

Then on Monday (10am to 11am), it is the official start from NETS at the Westmead Children's Hospital. I originally planned to leave on the 1st but realised only at the last minute that it was a Sunday and we all had to change plans quickly. And now I will have to change all the dates on the way to Perth. This will also give me a chance to include a few more lay days in case of delays.

Duncan, here's a couple more shots of the signage. This time for real (the previous one were just the computer renditions).







Posted by Feng
Apr 30, 2016 16:12:51 GMT 11
How about the one up the road at the Couchman Motor Inn?
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 30, 2016 16:30:19 GMT 11
Feng Avatar
How about the one up the road at the Couchman Motor Inn?
Hmmm. Can't find it. What suburb/town is it in. Is it the Coachman at The Entrance? It is not on Plugshare.
Posted by Feng
Apr 30, 2016 16:39:32 GMT 11
Posted by jeffthewalker
Apr 30, 2016 17:32:56 GMT 11
Thanks Feng. That works ok when I use your link. But It does not show up when I go into that area with Plugshare. I may have some filter happening. I will look further.

I am currently at Tumbi Umbi at a friends Tyres & More visiting and getting a 10A charge. I'll check out the Coachman's Motor Inn as I leave.

Jeff
Posted by jeffthewalker
May 1, 2016 8:50:53 GMT 11
jeffthewalker Avatar
Thanks Feng. That works ok when I use your link. But It does not show up when I go into that area with Plugshare. I may have some filter happening. I will look further.

I am currently at Tumbi Umbi at a friends Tyres & More visiting and getting a 10A charge. I'll check out the Coachman's Motor Inn as I leave.

Jeff
Ahhh. Time got the best of us and I was not able to get to check out the Coachman's Motor Inn charger. In fact we left on 3/4 charge, 110 klm in ECO mode for 110 klm trip.

Interestingly, we saw the "three bars" for the first time as we approached our destination at our sister's place in Manly. It dropped from 8klm remaining to three bars around Mosman. It was downhill to the Spit bridge but the climb out to Balgowlah was a worry as the three lane traffic was high and stopping part way up and rolling back was not a good thought. I knew of a "back way" up with no traffic so I took that. Arrived all ok but an interesting start to an interesting adventure.
Posted by Phoebe
May 1, 2016 11:00:12 GMT 11
That's scary!
Posted by caroline
May 1, 2016 20:42:25 GMT 11
jeffthewalker Avatar
jeffthewalker Avatar

Interestingly, we saw the "three bars" for the first time as we approached our destination at our sister's place in Manly. It dropped from 8klm remaining to three bars around Mosman.


Do all Leafs drop from 8 to ---? Mine does but assumed it's related to the dodgy battery
Posted by Feng
May 1, 2016 20:44:07 GMT 11
I think that's normal, mine does that too. There's usually around 7-10km reserve when it hits three bars but I haven't tested it since getting the P3227 update.