DIY Rex :)

[mindmachine]

Yes, thanks for your comments. I am also a professional engineer. Definitely you must ensure the generator is properly grounded (and note that rules here may be different by country).

Re- pollution of the generator vs. the BMW Rex- you have to consider frequency of use. Again, the generator will be for emergencies - it may never get used. It certainly won't be frequent. If you have the Rex, you will need to run it at least once a month (?) to use the fuel and prevent it from going stale and damaging the engine. So you need to factor that in, if pollution is a concern.

Overall, I will use far less energy driving without a generator (Rex or Honda) 99% of the time, vs with a Rex all of the time.

Finally, as far as fumes - I'm not sure if any are exhausted from the Honda when not in use. Even so, it may fit in the front trunk of the i3, which is vented anyway.

I think it's clear that you should be able to do this. I will try it when I have my car.

Please try to be more open to new ideas - that is one of the benefits of a forum such as this.
We do not do anyone any good if we immediately jump on new ideas and try to crush them, because they are unconventional.

I see your point, especially if you only use it once in a blue moon so to speak. I however, need the Rex, I live 45 miles from Columbus and Ohio is way behind in charging stations. I will be able to make it there and probably back to within about 10 miles safely in the summer before I do any driving around in Columbus. Plus unless I find a DC fast charging location, recharging would be unpractical for me.

Anyway good luck, I see your point even if I don't agree with some of your analysis. I too wanted the heat pump, hated to give that up, but I really need the Rex.

 

[Surge]

Well thank you, sincerely, for your comments!

I am not too far from you, so maybe we can organize a meet one day.
(Assuming there are charge points every 100 miles… looks like I can hit Buffalo, then Erie, PA… but no idea what kind of charging infrastructure exists in these cities)

 

[mindmachine]

Well thank you, sincerely, for your comments!

I am not too far from you, so maybe we can organize a meet one day.
(Assuming there are charge points every 100 miles… looks like I can hit Buffalo, then Erie, PA… but no idea what kind of charging infrastructure exists in these cities)

Quite possible, you should look into getting several charging account, I have a Charge Point account you can set up an account for free. There is a station at New Motors BMW off of route 19 in Erie. The one there is $1.00 per hour and is 6.6 kwh level 2 fast charge. There are quite a few in New York, National Grid, my charge point shows them but doesn't provide any details. Most charging services let you set up an account for free and add money later when you want to use it, plus some locations let you charge free.

Get yourself signed up for several charging services, I have Blink and Charge Point accounts so far, and I think a National Grid account will be next, National Grid would be good for you for Buffalo, Niagara Falls area actually all over New York state. I also was told by my BMW dealer that I could charge at the dealership for free as a customer on their DC fast chargers, if they weren't busy.

I ordered the i3 Terra 3 weeks ago, with all the options, pro navigation, park assist, Harmon Kardon, heated seats, and DC rapid charge. Went for the burnt orange metallic. Ordered three weeks ago today and still no production number.

 

[uktechie]

This is what I plan to do when I get my i3 - any thoughts?

Honda EU2000i portable generator + non-Rex i3 = get you out of a jam if you run out of battery power

- 2000 watts will charge the i3 via 110V
- 4 hours run-time at full power draw
- should charge the i3 to 50% in 4 hours (on one tank of gas)

If as you say just for absolute emergency then I would rather call out Guy with emergency mobile charger rather than buy that.

The RAC have decided to start making this available to EV members in UK.

http://www.rac.co.uk/press-centre/press-releases/rac-launches-first-mobile-electric-vehicle-chargin

Cheers

 

[Surge]

This is what I plan to do when I get my i3 - any thoughts?

Honda EU2000i portable generator + non-Rex i3 = get you out of a jam if you run out of battery power

- 2000 watts will charge the i3 via 110V
- 4 hours run-time at full power draw
- should charge the i3 to 50% in 4 hours (on one tank of gas)

If as you say just for absolute emergency then I would rather call out Guy with emergency mobile charger rather than buy that.

The RAC have decided to start making this available to EV members in UK.

http://www.rac.co.uk/press-centre/press-releases/rac-launches-first-mobile-electric-vehicle-chargin

Cheers

Well that's smart!

BMW roadside assistance should offer this service.

 

[Surge]

Well thank you, sincerely, for your comments!

I am not too far from you, so maybe we can organize a meet one day.
(Assuming there are charge points every 100 miles… looks like I can hit Buffalo, then Erie, PA… but no idea what kind of charging infrastructure exists in these cities)

Quite possible, you should look into getting several charging account, I have a Charge Point account you can set up an account for free. There is a station at New Motors BMW off of route 19 in Erie. The one there is $1.00 per hour and is 6.6 kwh level 2 fast charge. There are quite a few in New York, National Grid, my charge point shows them but doesn't provide any details. Most charging services let you set up an account for free and add money later when you want to use it, plus some locations let you charge free.

Get yourself signed up for several charging services, I have Blink and Charge Point accounts so far, and I think a National Grid account will be next, National Grid would be good for you for Buffalo, Niagara Falls area actually all over New York state. I also was told by my BMW dealer that I could charge at the dealership for free as a customer on their DC fast chargers, if they weren't busy.

I ordered the i3 Terra 3 weeks ago, with all the options, pro navigation, park assist, Harmon Kardon, heated seats, and DC rapid charge. Went for the burnt orange metallic. Ordered three weeks ago today and still no production number.

The i3 Terra looks stunning, nice choice. I drove this one twice last week.
I was quoted an August delivery, but I haven't ordered yet.

Thanks for the info on the charging stations, I will sign up for all. It just may be possible to drive to Manhattan from Buffalo, without the Rex...

 

[I33t]

Looks like you might not need to DIY...

Seen on Twitter today: https://twitter.com/NomadicPower and http://ebuggy.com/

85kWh battery gives 300 miles (480km) range. The concept is you drop into a depot, hook up that neat little trailer that has the battery installed and charged and off you go. When you finish your trip or need to continue, you drop into a local depot and either swap your depleted battery trailer for a charged one or just drop it off and head home.

This speaks to me because I have a problem loading a large battery (or REX) into a car that will spend 99% of it's life doing short trips. It sounds practical and should result in full utilisation of the batteries as opposed to the waste of unused batteries in the daily commute.

 

[Surge]

WHOA….
:shock: :shock:
Quite a concept indeed!


But you will likely void the warranty, for towing and for charging from another battery, or splicing into the connection to the motor...

 

[I33t]

WHOA….
:shock: :shock:
Quite a concept indeed!


But you will likely void the warranty, for towing and for charging from another battery, or splicing into the connection to the motor...

Do you think charging from a honda generator will not void the warranty?

I'd imagine that these things would need to be EV manufacturer approved before they get general acceptance and success.

 

[mindmachine]

WHOA….
:shock: :shock:
Quite a concept indeed!


But you will likely void the warranty, for towing and for charging from another battery, or splicing into the connection to the motor...

Do you think charging from a honda generator will not void the warranty?

I'd imagine that these things would need to be EV manufacturer approved before they get general acceptance and success.

Really cool concept, question is how does it connect to the car. I agree with surge, possible warranty issue depending on how it attaches. If it could recharge your on board battery, thru the DC rapid charging port, like a battery extended for a cell phone does.

 

[I33t]

I agree regarding warranty issues. Who would want to take that risk? I suggest very, very few.

Things like this will not get off the ground unless it has manufacturer support. That would entail an interface into the electrics and accommodation of the tow hook and electrical connections. As you might imagine, the current system would not allow driving while charging.

 

[Gonville]

Is there any concept of a tow hook?

 

[RJSATLBA]

It looks like there is a blanking plate on the bumper for one - on the front!!!

 

[Gonville]

Ha ha. That is to be towed away then? :roll:

Not towing but towed?