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Post by 4wardthinking on Jul 27, 2016 2:33:18 GMT 11
Ok, and g'day to all Leafies.
I'm just about to collect my very first leaf, but it's in Port Macquarie, I live in Camden, NSW.
Battery appears to be around 74%, but until I get to plug in leaf spy, I cannot be entirely certain.
Any one here recommend a way to get it home in Camden?.
Big 350km journey, unsure about mode of transport, or maybe call it a road trip. There appear to be few places I can charge it until I hit N Strathfield!!!., then it's a home run.
Suggestions please.
It has the two charge points, and 2014 registered. Serial number/vin ends in 0009999, 2012 model I think.
First help cry here!!.
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Post by Phoebe on Jul 27, 2016 8:12:32 GMT 11
Jeffthewalker has done it but his LEAF was new. There are various caravan parks and places where you can charge up. Need to check it all out before you start.
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Post by 4wardthinking on Jul 27, 2016 9:51:44 GMT 11
Ok, many thanks phoebe.
Now I have crawled the wet string we call the Internet, and see many, or might be's charging places, but it's all new to me, and a bit of a baptism of fire in reality!.
How does one check out such concepts?.
I'm considering rail or the likes to send it close to N Strathfield, do a charge if!! Necessary.
I should have it to the 80% point, or thereabouts before actually grabbing the fobs, so by other form of transport, it should be good to go when it lands close to Sydney.
One thing I am goung to do is set up a free charger for fellow EV owners to use when travelling across this charge point waste land. It's all a little too sparse at present in my opinion. Seems that despite Australia hooting about being Green, little is being constructively done to live up to its shouting. I guess my Eutopia goggles need a little cleaning though!.
Any way, I digress.
Many thanks for the reply, and happy travelling. I'm sooo excited to get my own first EV, and it's great to see many similar minded owners exist.
Today will be taken up with possibly! Going to sign for it I hope, if not, sifting through the myriad of EV chargers. That I guess will be influenced by another thread I have to write.
Happy travelling.
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Post by Feng on Jul 27, 2016 14:22:31 GMT 11
Hi 4wardthinking, welcome to the forum. Is this Daniel's black LEAF? I messaged him briefly when he was logging places to charge on Plugshare as he was making his way up the coast. If you haven't come across it, www.plugshare.com will be very helpful with planning the drive back. Looks like you'll have to make a stop or two between Port Macquarie and Newcastle for a few hours. I've driven from Lake Macquarie to the North Strathfield quickcharger but it's cutting it awfully close and I wouldn't recommend it without a top up around the Central Coast. There are more places to charge compared to when I last tried. Maybe you can suggest a plan and we can give you feedback? If you're keen and organised enough I reckon you can pull it off in a day but a stopover somewhere at the Central Coast might make it easier. Note that you'll need an adapter of some sort so the car's supplied EVSE can plug into an ordinary wall outlet. It has a 15A plug but draws just under 10A so it's safe to do. Very useful thing to have. Something like this, also available from Bunnings: www.jaycar.com.au/portable-rcd-with-15a-to-10a-mains-plug-conversion/p/MS4044Good luck getting your car back! |
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Post by 4wardthinking on Jul 27, 2016 16:10:22 GMT 11
Hi Feng, indeed you are right. Small world we live in!. Yes I'm going to give 'no gas' a nice home. He'll be pampered here. I'll have to pry him from the wife's hands I think!!.
Just had a chat with Daniel, and he has given me his travel guide he used to drive up there, so it may be a simple reversal of the list.
I'm feeling a lot more confident now with the drive back. I was unaware that places like camp sites would be receptive to EV visits. It's very reassuring. My mind is already planning a coastal trip in the future, and I guess it adds more fun to the almost mundane drive to places.
I'm serious about installing a l2 capable charge point for "EV FRIENDS" to use now(surely we are all friends). In a quiet spot, opposite fantastic view, and I'll provide coffee and shelter,,,, just because. Certainly the quiet operation won't disturb anyone!. I'm off to put a Q&A on the relevant thread now.
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Post by stewartm on Jul 27, 2016 16:13:15 GMT 11
When I bought interstate, it was an easy $300 option to flat bed on a backload from parramatta to Sunshine Coast.
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Post by 4wardthinking on Jul 27, 2016 16:15:44 GMT 11
Just cobbled together an adapter now with ELCB built in. I'm assuming current limiting will be part of the supplies encountered. Good tip!.
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Post by 4wardthinking on Jul 27, 2016 16:20:07 GMT 11
When I bought interstate, it was an easy $300 option to flat bed on a backload from parramatta to Sunshine Coast. Do they still do this, and any contact info?. I spoke to a "towie" I know, and he quoted $1k. I figured he didn't want the business by the quote, and treat it with the reverence it deserved!. |
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Post by stewartm on Jul 27, 2016 18:28:17 GMT 11
Alasdair from. Liverpool Nissan organised it. I can't find the original company, but it was done with a mainstream car carrying group on a backload.
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EVtricity
Half Charge
Posts: 66
LEAF OWNER?: Yes
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Post by EVtricity on Jul 27, 2016 23:16:54 GMT 11
Plugshare.com will give you the maximium number of listed chargers (public and private) so check there first. Once you get near Newcastle there are J1772 public charging stations available and more around the Central Coast. I live in Wahroonga about 1km from the end of the Freeway if you need a top up to get to Strathfield (https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/51183).  |
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Post by kiegkhan on Aug 1, 2016 7:35:59 GMT 11
I had a 100km trip to get home. Plenty of hilly roads, which sap the battery significantly. I stopped in a caravan park for a top up charge. Arrived at the park with 35% SOC and 2.5hrs later left with 67% SOC, so it is a very slow process. Caravan parks have 15A power so the Nissan EVSE plugs straight in, although the brick hangs because of the ridiculously short cable on the power point side of the unit. Not sure about this, but I think it is illegal to convert the 15A plug to 10A, even though there are adaptors for same. Would love if someone can clarify that. According to my power meter, my Nissan EVSE draws 2300-2400 watts, the power factor is around 98 @ 243Volts, so I think the EVSE is pretty spot on the 10A rated. Just be sure that your wiring is up to code and you don't want any other devices running on the same circuit or you will most likely trip the breaker. |
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Post by Phoebe on Aug 1, 2016 9:09:01 GMT 11
I had a 100km trip to get home. Plenty of hilly roads, which sap the battery significantly. I stopped in a caravan park for a top up charge. Arrived at the park with 35% SOC and 2.5hrs later left with 67% SOC, so it is a very slow process. Caravan parks have 15A power so the Nissan EVSE plugs straight in, although the brick hangs because of the ridiculously short cable on the power point side of the unit. Not sure about this, but I think it is illegal to convert the 15A plug to 10A, even though there are adaptors for same. Would love if someone can clarify that. According to my power meter, my Nissan EVSE draws 2300-2400 watts, the power factor is around 98 @ 243Volts, so I think the EVSE is pretty spot on the 10A rated. Just be sure that your wiring is up to code and you don't want any other devices running on the same circuit or you will most likely trip the breaker. I carry a piece of chord and tie up the brick in caravan parks so the plug can't fall out. Nissan don't like us using a 15A to 10A converter 'cos they don't want to be sued if we burn our house down but I think most of us can do it if we have to, just being careful not to overload the circuit in case the trip doesn't break the circuit. Welcome to the Forum. |
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Post by EVangelist on Aug 1, 2016 13:31:55 GMT 11
Caravan parks have 15A power so the Nissan EVSE plugs straight in, although the brick hangs because of the ridiculously short cable on the power point side of the unit. I installed a Clipsal 15A industrial threaded socket in my garage - I assume Caravan parks have similar. As long as you can screw the plug ring in to stop the EVSE pulling the plug out, it's not a problem. I was initially concerned about leaving our EVSE plugged in all the time, hanging down under its own weight, but the strain relief on the 15A plug looks very strong and we've had no issues after a year of doing this. Not sure about this, but I think it is illegal to convert the 15A plug to 10A, even though there are adaptors for same. Would love if someone can clarify that. Using adaptors such as the Ampfibian and Jaycar is perfectly legal, otherwise those fine reputable stores selling them would be prosecuted. The Leaf draws only 10A while charging (I think 9.75 to be precise) and these adaptors contain 10A circuit breakers. So if you connected something that did in fact draw more than 10A, the circuit breaker in the adaptor would trip. We carry the Ampfibian in our car at all times so that we can plug in to 10A socket if we need to. |
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Post by 4wardthinking on Aug 2, 2016 10:13:13 GMT 11
Plugshare.com will give you the maximium number of listed chargers (public and private) so check there first. Once you get near Newcastle there are J1772 public charging stations available and more around the Central Coast. I live in Wahroonga about 1km from the end of the Freeway if you need a top up to get to Strathfield (https://api.plugshare.com/view/location/51183). Hello EVTRICITY, And many thanks for the info here. I also note you very considerate offer of a socket for a top-up. And by return, I would like to offer yourself, and without saying, extend the similar offer to fellowship of the EV community too. It's greatly received such a kind offer. |
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Post by 4wardthinking on Aug 2, 2016 10:20:52 GMT 11
I had a 100km trip to get home. Plenty of hilly roads, which sap the battery significantly. I stopped in a caravan park for a top up charge. Arrived at the park with 35% SOC and 2.5hrs later left with 67% SOC, so it is a very slow process. Caravan parks have 15A power so the Nissan EVSE plugs straight in, although the brick hangs because of the ridiculously short cable on the power point side of the unit. Not sure about this, but I think it is illegal to convert the 15A plug to 10A, even though there are adaptors for same. Would love if someone can clarify that. According to my power meter, my Nissan EVSE draws 2300-2400 watts, the power factor is around 98 @ 243Volts, so I think the EVSE is pretty spot on the 10A rated. Just be sure that your wiring is up to code and you don't want any other devices running on the same circuit or you will most likely trip the breaker. I carry a piece of chord and tie up the brick in caravan parks so the plug can't fall out. Nissan don't like us using a 15A to 10A converter 'cos they don't want to be sued if we burn our house down but I think most of us can do it if we have to, just being careful not to overload the circuit in case the trip doesn't break the circuit. Welcome to the Forum. Best policy is ensure adequate protection is part of the connection. A fusible breaker, residual current detector and an earth leakage circuit breaker are part of the inter-connect carried with one. The trouble with legal and naughty is a little of a grey area in Aus from all accounts I've seen, my place is 12 years old, and it's been certified to the correct standard... Trouble is, it's no where near. I spend many a spare hour following the cabling though the house, rectifying supposed certified issues just waiting to pounce. Leads me to mention something about throwing the first stone etc!. Best policy is to keep ones equipment in good order, and let the other party be responsible I suppose. |
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Post by 4wardthinking on Aug 2, 2016 10:30:54 GMT 11
Well, after a number of technical hitches, my Leaf(wife's) is at its new home.
There is a fellow by the name of Rexy that did all the drive-on, drive-off for the princely sum of $300.
Got the LEAF to Taree Caltex services(a thing if the past in one respect if we didn't have Prii(one for sale right now. No room at the Inn as they say!).
Quite straight forward in co-ordination. Call him, he tells you a date and time. He's familiar with LEAF operation. He unloaded a few Kms from home, followed the wife back, she dropped him off at his large truck, and that was that.
Complete, I said I would mention him on here, so ok to tout he says. His contact is 0429 499 441.
Perfect service as far as we were concerned. He runs up to far north QLD, and down to VIC. I think he lives on the road!.
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Post by Phoebe on Aug 2, 2016 12:59:19 GMT 11
Congrats on taking delivery |
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Post by 4wardthinking on Aug 3, 2016 8:22:23 GMT 11
Congrats on taking delivery Thanks. First impressions..... The car is dead, long live the car!. Four new Bridgestones & tracking. Quickly solve the Hyundai-esque door closing noise. Was simply the aperture needed a light waxing, and limit arm with HHS2000 lube, Job done. Blow the Aussie dust from its fantastic paint finish, and remove the overbearing front number plate holder. Ahhhh, feels and looks better now.. The journey was worth the trouble. So. Recommendations. "Rexy" the car mover for long distances!. Good tyres. Brief wafting of light carnuba wax on the apertures. Enjoy waving at the 'servo's' as we pass them nochelantly. Many thanks to all that assisted in the first journey, of a long way!. |
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Post by 4wardthinking on Aug 3, 2016 8:24:44 GMT 11
Ahhhhgh!.
I got spell trashed again!.
"Carnival wax".... Hmmmmm.
Should read Carnuba wax.
Sorry chaps. A few more typo's still.
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