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Post by duncan on Feb 7, 2013 21:36:57 GMT 11
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Post by leafboi on Feb 8, 2013 8:13:05 GMT 11
Hey Duncan, I had ChargePoint deliver me some cards long before I had the LEAF or the Origin supplied cards. I have used only 3 ChargePoints simply to have them save onto the LEAF's GPS memory. I don't feel that they are located in places that I would really need to use them anyway here in Melbourne. But I guess you never know and I'm sure as the network expands they will pop up in places that are more convienant. And it's free for the time to charge too, so no harm in opening an account and carrying the cards in the car, just in case.  |
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Post by duncan on Feb 8, 2013 21:12:42 GMT 11
Thanks for the feedback, I have requested a pass too. There seems to be a competing group at www.betterplace.com.au/ , but they have announced today they are widing up their operations. I assume someone will end up buying their infrstructure. TBH, while I am happy to join up a plan or 2 at no or minimal cost, I expect to do 99%+ of my charging at home each night. Even if charging stations where everywhere I can't see how they would be practical in daily use. Maybe on longer trips stations 100klm apart would be useful; but let's face it, who would be OK to stop 9 times for hours each on a drive from sydney to melbourne? I'll always take an old fashion petrol burner for that |
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Post by David on Feb 10, 2013 6:23:00 GMT 11
Has anyone used the fast charge at North Strathfield. I thought I was a bit stuck the other day and was going to be passing by that area. I called origin who did not even know they had one, promised to get back to me and never did. It features on their website, but with little info. What I wanted to know is if I needed an account or whether I could pay there or whether it was free as a promotion at this stage. What the hours of operation were etc.... As it turned out, I was saved by ECO, AC 0ff and no pedal to the metal type of driving. Got home with 12Km range left. Got low battery warning at 15. I actually was not anxious at all, having learnt to trust the estimator over the 4+ months of driving my leaf. The night before was the first time I had forgot to charge the car! won't happen again
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Post by David on Feb 10, 2013 6:25:09 GMT 11
On another point, how much are people driving their leafs (did we ever resolve whether it was leafs or leaves). I have averaged 2000Km every month for 4 months. So far I don't see any major decline in range and have driven up to 140km (as above) on one charge over 2 days
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Post by duncan on Feb 10, 2013 8:25:09 GMT 11
Hi David, the North Strathfield one was by far the most likely for me to use. I haven't checked it since I got the car but I would expect that you need the Origin card to unlock the charger.
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Post by Phoebe on Feb 10, 2013 8:55:38 GMT 11
David. In contrast to you, I only drive my LEAF about 40kms per week. Because it is a good idea to keep battery charged between 20% and 80% I only charge my battery about once every 3 weeks, but then I do a full charge. I have had my LEAF 3 months and if anything the full charge range has increased, it certainly hasn't decreased.
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Post by leafboi on Feb 10, 2013 9:19:47 GMT 11
I can't comment on the quick charge unit your talking about as I'm in Melbourne but don't be mistaken by Origin advertising ChargePoint stations as their own. The belong to the company ChargePoint and you will need a ChargePass to use it. The pass can come from ChargePoint EVSE directly or from Origin when and if you purchase the ChargePont through Origin. It's a partnership they have where Origin supplies the 'green power' and ChargePoint supplies the EVSE and any maintenance it requires, including managing any accounts or passes we EV driver have. www.chargepoint.com.au |
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Post by duncan on Feb 10, 2013 21:20:59 GMT 11
Has anyone used the fast charge at North Strathfield...... In a funny twist....I ran out of juice today and headed here to recharge. The deal is that it is a fast charger, and free to use. It recharged the car to 80% before I got back from the shops about an hour later. |
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Post by David on Feb 11, 2013 16:49:58 GMT 11
Thanks Duncan. Great to know. Did you notice if it is open all the time, or does it have certain hours.
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Post by duncan on Feb 11, 2013 18:46:49 GMT 11
I didn't specifically see any time restriction, and it is on the curb so I can't see why it wouldn't be available any time. But don't head there at 3am on the way to the kebab shop and blame me if it's closed |
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Post by David on Feb 12, 2013 10:42:42 GMT 11
Thanks. Kebab at 3am is something my 14 year old would do. I am way past that!
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Post by Feng on Jun 24, 2013 18:52:14 GMT 11
I tried to use a Chargepoint on the weekend to see if a credit card would work on it. It said it wasn't a valid card, even though the Chargepoint website says you can use a CC to access their chargers. Does anyone else have any experience with this? I just want to know that it's possible in case I need to use one for an emergency. Otherwise, does it cost anything to join?
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Post by duncan on Jun 24, 2013 19:23:07 GMT 11
I have a card, there was no up front cost (and I think they may actually be free to use too).
However, the only place I've charged on the road is North Strathfield, where it is free
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Post by leafboi on Jun 24, 2013 21:44:58 GMT 11
Seems currently all ChargePoints are free. That said I also have a ChargePoint account/card and haven't tried to access one with only a credit card. The units that are in use are somewhat universal and they all display the Visa/Mastecard symbols. But I think because they are free, credit cards won't access them. Just jump onto www.chargepoint.com.au crest an account and they will send you an access card you can keep in the car just incase. |
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Post by Feng on Jul 19, 2013 23:21:05 GMT 11
Well I'm writing this while charging at the Sydney City Nissan Chargepoint. The service department has moved but they haven't relocated the charger yet. It looks like it hasn't been used for quite a while because it's completely covered in cobwebs in the corner of the car park. So depressing! I feel seedy just using it!
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Post by duncan on Jul 20, 2013 9:05:29 GMT 11
Hey Feng, did you need to use it, or was it just convenient to do so?
I'm sure we'd all like to see charge points everywhere, but as a group we are not really using the ones that are there....so we are part of the problem....
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Post by leafboi on Jul 20, 2013 9:41:28 GMT 11
This is a problem. The ChargePoints that are being deployed are not conveniently located, especially L2. I don't want to go somewhere for the day and need to plug my car in at a nissan dealer that is in the industrial area 2 or 3 km walk from where I really need/want to go.
Fast charger I wouldn't mind so much as I'm probably not going to be leaving the car for long period anyway.
Hopefully it won't be too long until ChargePoints pop up in unpaid shopping centre car parks. This is where they need to be to really put it in the publics mind that charging an EV out and about is not inconvenient.
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Post by Feng on Jul 20, 2013 11:34:01 GMT 11
Hey Feng, did you need to use it, or was it just convenient to do so? I needed to use it for logistical reasons, my mum was using the car till late last night and I'm going to Katoomba again today and there wouldn't have been enough time to charge overnight to full. I charged it there for two hours and got 75km out of it. Currently writing this at Penrith McDonald's while charging the LEAF to make the jump. |
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Post by Phoebe on Jul 20, 2013 11:47:16 GMT 11
Feng, I've just given you a Karma. You so much share your whole LEAF experience with us all, that you deserve it  |
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Post by duncan on Jul 20, 2013 13:44:02 GMT 11
haha we need a "Where Feng is charging today" thread |
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Post by Feng on Jul 21, 2013 11:26:54 GMT 11
Feng, I've just given you a Karma. You so much share your whole LEAF experience with us all, that you deserve it Thanks Phoebe! I had a great day yesterday, I'll attribute it to your karma! I'll write about it in the other thread. |
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Post by Jim Hare on Jul 22, 2013 9:45:44 GMT 11
I gave you a karma point as well. Great to have you here, really enjoy the posts!
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Post by leighf on Aug 17, 2013 0:14:05 GMT 11
The only time I've used my Chargepoint card was to charge at Blackburn Nissan one weekend. I also charge at home pretty well exclusively as there aren't any charge points at useful locations for me (except at the airport where I have charged twice). Leigh |
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Post by leafboi on Sept 20, 2013 11:45:55 GMT 11
Anyone else with the ChargePoint installed by Origin receive a phone call for a ChargePoint Technician to come out and give their unit a 'check up'?
Mine is booked for next Wednesday. They will be giving it a memory upgrade and I presume enabling it to use it's full 32amps (when usable in a car with a higher kW charger, like LEAF 2.0) vs the limited 16amps they set it to upon installation.
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Post by duncan on Sept 20, 2013 11:47:36 GMT 11
Interesting. Is there a cost?
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Post by Jim Hare on Sept 20, 2013 11:50:33 GMT 11
I haven't been contacted and mine was the first one to ever go in. They even made the training video at my house!
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Post by leafboi on Sept 20, 2013 11:51:30 GMT 11
Interesting. Is there a cost? It's free of charge. Pun not intended!! |
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Post by leafboi on Sept 20, 2013 11:52:39 GMT 11
I haven't been contacted and mine was the first one to ever go in. They even made the training video at my house! Ya, have seen you video!  I have been fairly involved with Origin and ChargePoint here in Vic so maybe I'm first off the line for the memory upgrade so they can continue to collect my data for free... |
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Post by leighf on Sept 20, 2013 20:29:25 GMT 11
Anyone else with the ChargePoint installed by Origin receive a phone call for a ChargePoint Technician to come out and give their unit a 'check up'? I had the phone call on Sept 3 and the Chargepoint tech came out about a week after that. He said that the software had to be updated because the log was filling up and it would stop working if it was full. Since the unit isn't networked I guess that's what the issue was. Anyway there was no cost and it's all fine. Leigh |
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