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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 21, 2015 15:57:14 GMT 11
Starting out on Sunday 25th Oct I am heading off to Sydney in my LEAF. I have left the planning a bit late but I a now into it. Sunday 25th depart Beaudesert to Southport, Gold Coast for lunch with friends and overnight. Monday 26th depart Southport early and short top up in Burleigh for 100k drive to Nimbin. Long day charge at the Rainbow Power Company then 85k to New Italy roadside stop for snacks and 6-8 hour charge. Stay with the car overnight. Tuesday 27th 90k to Grafton recharging at a solar power company or a residential Plugshare. Then another 90k to Coffs Harbour with a few hours top up at a solar company and continue on to my daughter's place at Urunga. Just got a "more than welcome" email back from Grafton - Northern Rivers Renewable Energy (and it will be solar:-). Wednesday 28th 90k to Kempsy, 50k to Port Macquarie and another 50k to John's River for overnight. Still checking charging options. Thursday 29th 60k to Nabiac, 90k to Karuah then 50k to my brother's at Stockton. Still checking charging options. Stockton to Sydney will be a few days later and I will stay at my sister's place at Manly stopping along the way at Tumbi Umbi on the central coast for a daytime charge. I would like to meet up with other LEAFers and I will be in Sydney for about a week. I may come back "inland". Filling up for the long trip:-). The LEAF is in the background behind the battery/inverter shed. Jeff
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Post by gabzimiev on Oct 21, 2015 16:10:10 GMT 11
where in tumbi umbi ? seems like a odd place.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 21, 2015 16:52:29 GMT 11
John's River Tavern (now Blacksmith's Inn) has free camping and a power point on the pole outside the pub. When I meet these folks along the way I will ask if they want their site up on Plugshare. Tumbi Tyres and More. Steve and Sarah are long term friends. It was Steve that talked me into the East West walk across Oz (after I turned 70:-) for his favourite charity NETS - www.nets.org.au. Tumbi Umbi is exactly 99kms from Stockton and 99kms to Sydney.
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Post by gabzimiev on Oct 21, 2015 18:59:00 GMT 11
Tumbi Tyres and More. Steve and Sarah are long term friends. It was Steve that talked me into the East West walk across Oz (after I turned 70:-) for his favourite charity NETS - www.nets.org.au. Tumbi Umbi is exactly 99kms from Stockton and 99kms to Sydney. oh yes my geography is a bit off tumbi tyres is pretty much next door to sun valley where I normally charge. it has a 7kW EVSE by the way.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 22, 2015 8:58:50 GMT 11
Hmmm. I was unaware of the public charge at Shelly Beach which, as you say, is just round the corner from Tumbi Umbi. I might not have even looked for it as I would always only consider visiting Steve at Tumbi. (From the Beaudesert - Gympie thread) > Phoebe: I'm in Maitland, almost on your way! Love to catch up. I have seen that you have solar there as well. I will be in Stockton for at least several days so count on a visit. I will be in touch. > Feng: I'm intrigued with the idea and will be following your movements with interest when you make the trip. I've exchanged emails with an owner who made it to Port Macquarie from Sydney over a weekend so that's half your trip worked out if you retrace his steps. He stopped at a few caravan parks along the way. Maybe we can have an owners meet and follow you in a convoy on the last leg of your trip. I have yet to tie in charging at (or near) Nabiac and Karuah. I will be making my first approach today. Also I have no reply yet from New Italy so I am looking for a location relatively nearby. The meet and convoy sounds good. My dates are fixed as far as Stockton. I am considering re-activating my Spot device. I will turn it on each time I stop and it will create a link to a map on my Findmespot page and Facebook. I will be spending a week or so in Sydney. While there I will be heading out to St Mary's to visit a daughter and family. I am also dreaming of trying the trip west to Grenfell where I have another daughter. That about 350kms each way. I want to establish the location of public stations and also any 240V 10A GPO that can be made available. I love to travel and now fully retired and a great car that I can afford to take on long trips, this is starting to excite me:-).
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Post by Phoebe on Oct 22, 2015 11:53:45 GMT 11
Looking forward to meeting you. Blue Mountains Solar at Katoomba have a LEAF. See bluemountainssolar.com.au/ I think others from Sydney have made it up there, charging somewhere on the way.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 22, 2015 11:58:30 GMT 11
Just got a very nice, helpful phone call from John from New Italy museum and cafe roadside stop. He responded to email I addressed to the secretary and does not work or live on site. There is a large, roofed (no sides) function area with concrete floor and public access power points. This will suit me perfectly for Monday 28th overnight charge and sleepover. Alongside the ablution block there is a donation box. I will avail myself of this facility as well:-). Thank you New Italy for being there.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 22, 2015 12:21:34 GMT 11
Just got an email reply from the Tourism Officer at the Kempsey Shire Council. They offered their public BBQ area 240V power point. I have appended their reply and my query to show how I am going about getting access to power.
--------------------- Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your email. Currently in South Kempsey Park (62-118 Lachlan Street, South Kempsey) there is a BBQ shelter shed which has a general power point available to use. Can you use the usual 240V power? If so, stop in the park during the day and use the power. Our centre is open 9:00am to 5:00pm weekdays and 10:00am – 4:00pm on weekends if you would like to pay.
Regards Angela Davis-Smith Tourism Officer Kempsey Shire Council E: info@macleayvalleycoast.com.au
Sent: Wednesday, 21 October 2015 5:10 PM To: Kempsey Visitor Information Centre Subject: Online Contact Request from website
Good afternoon, I am a retired technologist and have recently purchased an electric car (a Nissan LEAF). I am planning a trip to Sydney from South East Queensland and would like to arrange to stop somewhere in Kempsey to top up my batteries. I would be happy to cover the cost of the power (max about $4) plus a fee if required. I will be passing through Kempsey on Wednesday afternoon 28th and would require a 240V 10A GPO for approx 4 hours. I will stay with my car until the charging is finished or if it is ok with you, I will go for a walk around Kempsey. Out of interest, I have stopped on the Gold Coast, New Italy and at my daughter’s place at Urunga, then John’s River and then my brother’s place at Newcastle. There will be more electric cars driving the highways in the future and by offering basic facilities (a power point), or in the future a charging station, you could attract additional publicity and patronage for your company. I do not represent any commercial companies and can discuss electric vehicles and charging only in a general manner. I have attached a picture of the LEAF filling up at home ready for the big trip. Thanks, Jeff Johnson 0447 114 496 www.jeffswalk.com
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Post by gabzimiev on Oct 22, 2015 20:27:36 GMT 11
Jeff, If you find any places from Bulahdelah to sydney that are nice places to charge tell me and I’ll see about upgrading them to a 7.4kW EVSE over a powerpoint.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 23, 2015 9:02:11 GMT 11
> gabzimiev: Ok. Twelve Mile Creek caravan park is already on Plugshare with a GPO. I will be calling in there so I'll let you know. I fired up my Spot device this morning. For a test I turned it on at my "home" base at my friend Russell's farm near Beaudesert. This link fms.ws/RZhTb/27.99045S/152.86159E will show it up for now. It also automagically posts to my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jeffthewalker.
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Post by Jim Hare on Oct 24, 2015 23:24:58 GMT 11
We are overdue for a Sydney LEAF meet up, sounds like a great opportunity to put something together.
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Post by Feng on Oct 25, 2015 14:59:16 GMT 11
I'm up for that. Shall we have show of hands? Same as last time or something new to try?
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 25, 2015 23:04:32 GMT 11
Link to my location for first overnight and full L1 charge. link.Hmm. Not a very elegant link created with my el cheapo tablet. The roller door power point at Evan's place in Southport filled me up for the run to Nimbin tomorrow (stopping in at Burleigh for a top up). Attachment Deleted
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 25, 2015 23:11:16 GMT 11
Jim, needless to say I will be all over a meeting anywhere in Sydney on or after Wednesday. I'll be staying in the Manly - Dee Why area and visiting friends and rellies from that base.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 26, 2015 7:09:54 GMT 11
At Burleigh Stocklands to check out the Chargpoint bollard and this time I got it right. It required a considerable "pushing in" to get the clear "click" indicating it was ready to release the connector. I don't really need power here as my plan is to drop in to Colin's LED product. manufacturing facility about 2klms back for a chat. That was to be my top up point with Stocklands my back up. This full charge will get me the 100klms to Nimbin with no "anxiety". I'll still go see Colin for a coffee:-).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2015 8:45:22 GMT 11
seems to be a common design flaw with the chargepoint bollards Cockburn Central similar issue. www.plugshare.com/?location=55364push in and jiggle left connector until one hears the clunk we all need to let chargepoint know or it seems that there are still too few using the station or bother to report the issue just got this email from simon "We are aware of this issue and have developed a program to repair these faulty stations. This work will be conducted over the next month with all field stations expected to be fixed by mid-November.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 26, 2015 13:30:42 GMT 11
Good job g4qber. And good to see Simon is onto it as well. I am now at The Rainbow Power Company at Nimbin, plugged into a 15A socket around the back. Good, friendly bunch of renewable energy guys. I will ask for the OK to put them on Plugshare.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 27, 2015 8:40:28 GMT 11
Nimbin to New Italy was a very nice drive (for me). The LEAF navigator found the shortest route avoiding the main highway. This was more interesting (scenic) and a lot less traffic and I could drive a lot slower. Besides being more enjoyable, if you have the time, you gets lot more range. I had planned plenty of range, but it means less charging time at the next stop. New Italy is, as always, a delightful stopover. A live-in couple, volunteers, were expecting me and made me most welcome. I was able to reward them with a demo drive in the LEAF and, if possible, they were more excited about it than I am:-) . They don't want any advertising for EV charging at this time. But they are investigating their options for a charging station in the future. Camping overnight is alowedd. Attachment Deleted
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 27, 2015 9:58:43 GMT 11
I left New Italy at sparrow's this morning and arrived in Grafton well before the shops opened. And the change from Queensland time to NSW daylight saving time is not yet fully embedded. The two clocks in my very smart LEAF were still showing Qld time. I managed to change the navigator by surfing through the menus but I have yet to attack the dashboard clock. Here's the Spot link to my Grafton charge up. Trent at Northern Rivers Renewable Energy has provided me with a power point for a long (6 hour) charge. He is looking into a Tesla charger and a Chargepoint 6kW and going through the motions with the local council to get permission for the kerb side mount and EV restricted parking. In the meantime I will put him onto Plugshare.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 28, 2015 7:37:24 GMT 11
I got to Coffs Harbour right on 4pm. Ashley, from North Coast Power and Water, usually closes the doors at 4 so I had phoned ahead to tell him I was running late. I drove via a side road so that I could keep my speed down as I have noticed a huge reduction in range at highway speeds. Ashley had already organised an extension lead poking out under the front door so I could stay for a few hours while he locked up. As arranged he came back around 6pm and we said our goodbyes. He has OKed an entry on Plugshare. Spot shows my location in Coffs. I drove on to my daughter's place in Urunga where I stayed the night.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 28, 2015 8:20:49 GMT 11
I arrived at the South Kempsey Park at 7am and found the pole mounted double 240V 10A power points as described to me by the Tourist Information Centre when I was planning. The address is given as 62 Lachlan St, South Kempsey and is a large park with the Tourist Bureau and a museum. I will drop into the Tourist Centre for a look around and offer a donation (as was suggested). My Spot device shows it on the map in this link. Attachment Deleted
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 28, 2015 17:04:43 GMT 11
Johns River Tavern is now known as The Blacksmiths Inn and is just off the highway. Tony told me there was a power point on the pole outside and I found it straight away. It is a 240V 15A GPO inside the box. I have listed it on Plugshare. Tony is a bit of an ICE guy, so I said "hop in, you can drive it over to the pole". He is converted!! My Spot device will link to the location on the map.
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Post by kris on Oct 28, 2015 17:55:41 GMT 11
Brisi to Siderley, unreal Jeff! I embarrassed now that I've been checking out car carriers to get my Leaf down to Albury so I can tool around in it down there. Amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. How many bars you got & what sort of range do you get?
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 29, 2015 14:13:40 GMT 11
Brisi to Siderley, unreal Jeff! I embarrassed now that I've been checking out car carriers to get my Leaf down to Albury so I can tool around in it down there. Amazing what you can achieve when you put your mind to it. How many bars you got & what sort of range do you get? --- I tried to use the "Quote" function with my tablet but I couldn't enter text outside of the quote box. My LEAF is only 4 weeks old so I still have 12 bars. Needless to say my range varies with my driving habits. I don't hoon (unless I am doing a demo ride:-) so I can easily get 100klms around town and under 80klms/hr. I plan my long distance drives in 80 to 100km sectors. I am retired and have finally accepted that there is beauty in "getting there" and not just in arriving. My overnight stop gives me a full tank and I do a long day stop with a late afternoon drive to the next overnight. The LEAF is a real delight to drive and own and I give a lot of demo rides. Nissan are looking into some signage to increase the exposure and the opportunity to create awareness of EVs in general.
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 29, 2015 15:19:30 GMT 11
The daytime stopover at Coolongolook (gotta love some of those Aussie place names) was always going to be "interesting". I phoned ahead several days ago and got the OK to use a GPO. On arrival the manager ummed and ahhed a bit, then opened the rollerdoor to the storage area and we plugged into a spare outlet in his tiny computer room/office. I entertained myself walking around and looking at the few shops and sites and then entered into a 2 hour conversation with a local guy around my own age with stories to tell. He was doing some volunteer work on the local oval and general park. It was as pretty as a picture. I was called back to the servo to move the car to make way for a delivery van. Sam, the manager, said "it should be right now" and more or less offered to let me move on. I complied but went back into the office and offered a donation ($5 accepted) and talked him into a demo ride. He was a young fellow (in his 30s) and sorta looked down on the offer but one of the other employees talked him into it. I suggested he drive and then explained that he could "have a hoon" and put the foot down. Well, from then I could hardly get him out. After several minutes we went back to the servo and he is now a big convert:-). I said that I would need to put back the "hoon" power he used and pointed out a wall socket outside the office that he didn't know about. So I plugged in and stayed another couple of hours. And he OKed a Plugshare entry. I forgot to activate the Spot device so no link this time.
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Post by Phoebe on Oct 29, 2015 15:29:56 GMT 11
The daytime stopover at Coolongolook (gotta love some of those Aussie place names) was always going to be "interesting". I phoned ahead several days ago and got the OK to use a GPO. On arrival the manager ummed and ahhed a bit, then opened the rollerdoor to the storage area and we plugged into a spare outlet in his tiny computer room/office. I entertained myself walking around and looking at the few shops and sites and then entered into a 2 hour conversation with a local guy around my own age with stories to tell. He was doing some volunteer work on the local oval and general park. It was as pretty as a picture. I was called back to the servo to move the car to make way for a delivery van. Sam, the manager, said "it should be right now" and more or less offered to let me move on. I complied but went back into the office and offered a donation ($5 accepted) and talked him into a demo ride. He was a young fellow (in his 30s) and sorta looked down on the offer but one of the other employees talked him into it. I suggested he drive and then explained that he could "have a hoon" and put the foot down. Well, from then I could hardly get him out. After several minutes we went back to the servo and he is now a big convert:-). I said that I would need to put back the "hoon" power he used and pointed out a wall socket outside the office that he didn't know about. So I plugged in and stayed another couple of hours. And he OKed a Plugshare entry. I forgot to activate the Spot device so no link this time. Fabulous
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Post by caskings on Oct 29, 2015 16:33:06 GMT 11
I suggested he drive and then explained that he could "have a hoon" and put the foot down. Well, from then I could hardly get him out. After several minutes we went back to the servo and he is now a big convert:-). Ahahaha love it. I've similar experiences with a few friends. I usually follow with a comment along the lines of "For an EV that's about a 4 out of 10, top of the line Tesla model S goes to 11"
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 30, 2015 10:57:55 GMT 11
The Australian Motorhomes Caravan Park on the Pacific Highway is 20 klms north of Raymond Terrace. I remember this site from way back when it was a professional fish farm breeding fresh water fish. The park now is a well established caravan park ("No rig too big") that also has a good fresh water swimming hole and "catch and release" fishing. The management were not aware that they had a Plugshare entry or even anything about EV charging. I filled them in and they pointed me to a powered site with an offered nominal ($5) fee to stay as long as I like during the day. I edited the Plugshare entry a little bit. Here's my Spot link to the location.
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Post by Phoebe on Oct 30, 2015 11:12:03 GMT 11
That's 41 kms from my place via Clarence Town Rd, 42.9kms via the Highway and Raymond Terrace Rd, and 47.9kms if you stay on the Highway all the way, so I guess I could easily have a round trip there
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Post by jeffthewalker on Oct 30, 2015 11:13:10 GMT 11
I arrived safely at my brother's place in Stockton yesterday afternoon and very pleased with myself for undertaking the journey and establishing charging points along the way. And being (sorta) forced to take the breaks to charge and wander around the towns seeing the sights and meeting the locals. My original plan was to return to Queensland along the same route (after a week or 3), but I am now considering going back via the New England Highway. This would open up a new batch of charging places and raising awareness of EVs in general. From here (Stockton) I will make day trips to friends and acquaintances all of which are within one charge distances. Maitland, Nelson Bay, Swansea and two others that I have to contact for exact addresses. I will include two trips to amateur radio clubs where I expect the interest in the LEAF to be 'hot'. The image is of Newcastle CBD across the Hunter River from Bill's place.
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